Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-04-26


The following statement of facts from
the Charleston Mercury OF recent date.
will no dorot put at rest all the idle and
exaggerated reports which have recently
gone abroad to the effect that Colonel G. @.
lew, late of the End regiment of North
Carolina Troops, was not dead, but was
confined as prisoner at the Dry Tortugas.
The result of the Investigations of Mr..
Henry lew, the father of Colonel lew, Is
sufficient to convince any reasonable mind
that Colonel lew was never at any time
confined at the Dry Tortugas, but is now
quietly sleeping the last sleep of death
"Our readers are well aware Of the report, orr
ginated in North Carolina about the middle Of
February, that Colonel G. G. Tew was not dead, as
had been generelly believed, but was still alive
and prisoner at the Dry Tortugas Colonel Tew
was native of Mount Pleasant, and his father
still lives here, highly respected by his fellow cit
liens, and honored by them with seat in the
State Legislature. The report above alluded to
was of course, one to excite his feelings in the
highest degree and, although he had good rea-
sons to doubt it's authenticity, he determined to
make every exertiOn to satisfy himself positively
as to it's truth or falsity, and soon he could
make his arrangements he set out. with the inten-
returned on yesterday and was warmly welcomed
by his friends, ana inquiries to the result OF his
inyestig alton, and his experience on his Journey
poured in on him from all sides.
IS It is to be regretted that Mr.. Tew's impress
sion to the falsity of the report has been con-
firmed beyond doubt, and it lis now certain that
Colonel Tew is not, and never has been prisoner
at the Dry Tortugas. Mr.. lew has been absent
fortytwo days, and Travelled over 900 miles, hav-
ing visited Baltimore. New York, Key West, and
Havana. The man who originated the report dis
appeared soon after making the statement, and
Mr. Tew could get no clue by Which to trace him.
At Baltimore Mr.. Tew became satisfied that there
very little chance that there any truth
in the rumor, but to make assurance doubly sure,
he determined to visit the Dry Tortugas. The
officers of the regular army with whom Mr.. T. was
necessarily thrown in contact in prosecuting his
inquiries treated him with the greatest kindness
and potonCss, and afforded him every facility in
their power for the accomplishment OF his pur-
pose.
1.-The Dry Tortugas, Mr. T. found to be small
cay about - acres in extent, entirely surrounded
by the walls OF the fort, which is extensive and
powerful work, and though it has been in process
Of construction for 10 years, it is still unfinished
Instead of being the barren waste it is generally
supposed, it is beautiful spot, with delightful
climate, the temperature of which averages so de-
grees in winter, and very rarely falls below 60 de-
grees. There are 10 Confederate soldiers now
confined at the Dry Tortugas except Col. st. Lee
ger Grenfell and he is the only one that has
been confined there and he is not imprisoned as
a Confederate soldier. but charge OF incendi-
arism. All the prisoners have the freedom of the
grounds except Colonel Grenfen, who is only al
lowed to walk out certain hours This exception
is Of recent date, and is made on account of Col
Grenfes letters to the press, and his alleged at
temptS to excite INSTRUMENTATION among the other
prisoners, All Col. Gs correspondence is now SUI
pervised, whereas previously he was allowed to
write without restraint supervision.
:" 1t is to be hoped that Mr.. Tew will favor the
public and particularly his friends and neghbors,
with full account of his journey. it will be of
great interest, but having recently returned
and being of course fatigued by his journey, we
were unable to gather any further particulars in
time for this article,