The National tribune., 1883-09-20
TIE ,GRIERS0N RAID.
Exchanged at Last---The Old Story of
Ingratitude---H Home Again.
[By r. ". sarJy, Battle Greek, IFeh.1

At an early hour next morning every
body appeared to be awake. All was ex-
element and confusion, and we did not
have to wait long before a guard appeared at
the stairway and gave the order to move out.
On reaching the street. we formed by fours
and soon arrived at the depOt-some five hun
dred in all We changed cars at Petersburg,
and after a short run reached City Point, where
/ perceived that there were no officers aboard
for exchange, and was told there would not be
for a long time. | felt sorry for them, and was
glad Just then that was not an officer. While
waiting at Petersburg few hours, / saw
several strangers in a sly way offering
four dollars in Confederate money for one in
greenbac<s. Upon reaching the neutral ground,
for exchange Of prisoners our sight was greeted
by the old flag, whose stars and strips were
floating deiiantly and proudly from the mast
head of the steamer New York Then cheer
after cheer rent the air, and tears could be
seen trickling down the cheeks of more than
one brave hero whose heart was full to the
brim with gladness at once more beholding the
emblem of liberty. From the car we all rushed
TO the river and, after taking good wash in
its bright waters, which greatly refreshed us,
we formed by twos and marched aboard of
Uncle Sans boat. As we stepped upon its
clean white deck large slice of fresh bread and
boiled ham and a large tin cup full of real old
Java coffee were served out to US. Wasn't it
good Comrades you viii not doubt it for a
moment. And what contrast! At the same
time were landed at this very spot three or four
hundred Confederate prisoners, fresh from
Northern prison. They looked clean healthy
and strong and were well dressed; each man was
III possession of a blanket and hayerSack with
good ratioIls, and was fully prepared to return
Immediately into active service. On the other
hand, here were a few hundred Union prisoners,
/ fresh from Libby prison or Belle Isle, their
garments ragged and dirty,-they had been
III, ,f fh...,. oIn Nd
! given garments of every description. Theirsteps
were weak and tottering, their forms wasted
away to mere skeletons, and they were any
thing but fit subjects for the battlefield. Close
confinement in a filthy room and starvation
/ had brought them to this condition. They
carried no blankets, haversacks or rations.
! This was Southern chivalry-Southern hospi-
tality! The inmates of Libby prison, Ander
sonyile, and Belle Isle-God help them, they
deserved the pity and sympathy of all Chris
/ tians,
FAREWELL TO SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY.
1 As we left City Point, | bade farewell to
Southern hospitality. l had no desire to taste
/ its sweets again. How refreshing as we glided
( swiftly down the stream, was the breeze How
+ sweet was liberty We were allowed to range
+ over the boat (which was guarded by portion
of the few that remained of the famous Ninth
4 New York volunteers-Hawkins' Zouaves)
as we pleased and they treated Us with every
/ kindness, particularly NJ. Z. and j. l.. Fitz-
gerald, OF company K The officers of the boat
/ were also unremitting in their attentions
The trip down the James River revealed
some beautiful landscapes. AS we came in
sight of Fortress Monroe we could see our gun
boats-the two extremes: the old man-ofwar
Constitution and the little iron plated Monitor.
apparently not more than twelve inches above
the water, with a round turret, carrying two
As w
fort the boat anchored and yawl was lowered,
which conveyed the captain to the fort to report
to the commander of the post. While lying
here, [ could see at distance the immense
! Lincoln gun, capable of throwing 100-pound
shot six miles with great accuracy. Who
would have believed it twenty years ago? In
the meantime ] had not forgotten my biscuit,
and cut it open in the presence of a gaping
crowd, who were astounded when they saw me
extract the pin and greenback. They allowed
it was genuine slght-of-hand. After few
hours delay the order was given to weigh
anchor, and, with steam up, we started for
Annapolis, Nd, arriving there the next after
noon in time to march up to the camp of pa
role, where we were formed in close column
and ordered by the major commanding to
answer TO our names as they were called, upon
which he would make the necessary assign
ment by States. This being accomplished, he
made us short address to the effect that those
quartermaSterS department, tyou may be sure
we all reported,) where a quantity of SOAP
would also be issued, and were advised tC
visit the bay close by, where we could indulge
in a salt water bath. / assure you there was
some serubbing done just about that time
after which new suit of clothing throughout
was put on, which altered our appearance very
much. OF Tations we had plenty and good
and were allowed the limits of the town "a
long as we did not abuse the privilege. Tht
oyster stands near the waters edge proved
strong attraction.
Among the many soldiers who were here OF
our arrival | was pleased to find some OF M!
old comrades-Sergeaut Vaughn, who accident
ally wounded himself near Union Church
Corporal Douglass, from Osyko, and frien(
Hawkins-the latter of whom l would like t.
hear FROM if still living.
HoMEWARD BOUND.
After remaining here about ten days, al
order was read at r0ll-call for all western
tro6ps TO be in readiness at an early hour mex
morning to take passage for Baltimore. Start
ing at the time appointed, we sailed up th
'Chesapeake Bay and had very pleasant TRIP
, 1t was about 2 o'clock D. M. when we arrive
: III Baltimore and at once marched up to th
Soldiers Association Hail. where a good tabl
! was supplied for US and lodgings for the night
: | The next morning we left by train on tn
Pennsylvania Central Railroad, over goo
track, making excellent time. We soon foun
ourselves winding around the hills through ra
: | vines, woodlands and over streams, with noun
: tain peaks in the distance, which we were fas
: : approaching. And, oh! how the heart did bea
with Joy to witness at almost every house th
: waving Of handkerchiefs and star spangle
" banner! 1t was one continual display
patriotism. And it was the first demonstrs
: ton of. the kind had seen for fifteen months
[. The nextday we arrived at Pittsburg Pa, wher
i we were conducted to Union Hall and partoo
d Of a sumptuous dinner, served by the faires
S daughters of the city. From here we pro
ceeded in separate parties belonging
A the Army of the Cumberland being sent t
n Camp Chase, Ohio, and those belonging to tf
q Mississippi department to Benton Barracks, S
,f Louis, Mo. Soon after crossing the Illino
border l discovered that the train would pas
within ten miles of my home. | had been al
n sent about two years, and as the train passe
IS through Paris Ill., naturally dropped off,
l. and in a few hours afterwards was joyfully n
n ceived by my wife and friends. Gentle reade
II you who know what it is TO be long sep
rated from a loving wife and pleasant hon
J. under the same circumstances can apprecia
h. my position. Immediately reported by lett
r to the commanding officer at Benton Barrack
" and by keeping strict watch / received ii
re first notice through the public prints Of an e.
De change and at once started for Memphis, Tenn
joining my regiment at Colliersville on Il
NJ. G. and M. Railroad, October I3 1863 aft
- | an absence of five m0utGS and thirtaer day