The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-06-30
Arrival of John Mitchell of Fort
ress Monroe.
scenes and Incidents of the Voyage.

Scenes and Incidents of the Voyage.
Correspondence of Philadelphia Inquirer.
FORTRESS MONROE, June II, 1865
PREPARATION.
The hammer, trowel and saw kept up busy
clatter all last night in the JEFF. Davis row of
classmates within the fort. The mechanics were
kept employed through the short summers
night preparing quarters for that defiant rebel,
John Mitchell.
The Burden did not leave Sandy Hook until
yesterday morning, having laid over for fair
weather, the wind having blown from an un-
favorable quarter for the twenty-four hours
previous. The voyage here was smooth and
pleasant Mitchell was comfortably quartered.
He was brought down in the charge Of Lieut..
Marris, of the Twentieth New York Indepen-
dent Battery. The Lieutenant has with him
one man as guard.
ON THE VOYAGE
Mitchell was allowed the liberty of the vessel.
and took his meals with Lieut.. Marris and
Captain Spencer, of the Burden. Everything
was done to make his stay on board the Burden
as comfortable as possible. When steaming
down New York harbor, the Burden got oppo-
site Fort Lafayette and still continued on her
way with unslackened speed, Mitchell said to
Captain Spencer, "you are going by Fort La
81 know it," replied Captain Spencer.
But am not I to be landed there ?" persist
ed Mitchell.
"No, SIR" ,...
"Where do go?" ....
Further South, SIR"
At this reply, Mitchel's color left his face,
and ne trembled. He rallied again in few
hours, and said to Captain Spencer, '.Ah! see
it now; you are going to take me to Richmond
and turn me loose, and will not be allowed
to come North again, where have been earn
ing a few dollars" To this Captain Spencer
made no reply.
At breakfast yesterday morning, Mitchell
asked Lieutenant Morris where he was to be
taken. ~ do not mind telling you now,
said the Lieutenant ..you are to be taken to
Fortress Monroe"
Mitchell was dumbfounded by this announce
ment; he had evidently not expected it. He
seems, however, of an elastic temperament,
and few hours before his arrival here he told
Captain Spencer, quite confidentially. THAT
be would not be kept in confinement long, that
the government would set him at liberty again
in few days" We shall see.
THE LANDING.
At halfpast eleven this morning, after the
rebel prisoners had all been shipped off, all
passengers departed, and nothing stirred in the
blazing sun-bathed air, save the myriads of
flies, the signal was made to the Burden to
weigh anchor and get under way. An officer
OF Gen. Miles staff was on board to direct her
course. She was taken to the Engineers
Dock, and there moored alongside of brig.
The movements of the Burden attracted but
little attention. On the wharf were a cor
porel and six men of the Third Pennsylvania
Artillery. AS the steamer neared the wharf
the corporal gave the command &C Load at
will-load, prime; order arms; fix bayonets !;
shoulder arms" The men obeyed promptly,
and with pieces at shoulder they awaited the
wharf were correspondent OF the ubiquitous
Inquirer, q reporter of the Associated Press
and negro boy fishing for crabs.
A gang plank was carried on the Burdens
upper deck, and laid across to the bulwarks of
the brig. Mitchell, then came in view, accom-
panied by Lieutenant Morris. He shook Capt
Spencer heartily by the hand, and lifted his
hat to Mrs: Spencer. He stepped lightly
across the brig, and sprang on the Wharf. He
glanced around in evident surprise at the
slim attendance of spectators then walked
towards the Corporal and his guard. Lieuten-
ant Morris touched him lightly on the arm
signed to him to walk beside him. With an
inclination Of the head and q smile, Mitchell
obeyed. The Corporal marched his six men
in double file behind the Lieutenant and the
prisoner. And at q brisk pace the little pro-
cession entered the Fort by the east sally.port,
the same one by which JEFF. Davis and Clay
were taken in.
Mitchell was attired in full suit of blue fan
mel, and under other circumstances would
have been mistaken for Union officer in ia
tigue dress. To aid the illusion, his loose fit
ting sack coat was garnished with small brass
buttons at the cuffs. His head.gear was a
cloth hat, of light grey color, and of the
shape now most prevailing at the North.
His face was gastly pale-not his wonted
complexion l am assured; his tall form is
more inclined to ebonpoint than when saw
him last, eigh. years ago; but his features are
sharper, the once full face is greatly attenuat-
ed, and the chestnut beard and mustache are
literally besprinkled with grey.
THE PLACE OF CONFINEMENT.
Mitchell was placed in a cell or easement in
the same row wherein are confined Davis and
Clay. Davis, of course, knows nothing OF
the Incarceration of his quondam editor, and
little suspects his proquintity.