The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-09-28

might otherwise have escaped me. NJ
GoldsbOro, detachment Of prisoners OF
| war, attended by their military escort, was
placed on our train; they were destined ior
| Richmond, and had formed portion oil the
band of inccndiarics and marauders who
| had committed the work OF devastation on
| the railroad to which | have alluded.
IL was here. that for the first time | was
enabled 10 contrast the very different man
ner in which the contending parties nave
chosen 10 carry on the war. On one size,
were the men who by their inhuman
conduct had put themselves outside
the palc Of all law. and forfeited their
right to be treated as prisoners
of war, and who in spite OF
All this were treated with the greatest kind
ness, and conducted 10 the seat OF govern
ment TO the regular exchange; and on the
other side, were many, all young-thelr
ages seemed to range from eighteen TO
twentv-iwO-atte sedulously TO the
wants of those prisoners whom the laws oil
their State had condemned in advance.
do not say that the people were not eX-
asperated, they certainly had cause 10 De
so, and can easily understand, OIL course
without approving the measure, why IL was
that, now and then. some bold spirit openly
declared in favor OF hosting the black nag
m.-RICHMON
The tram which carried Us 10 klchmOnd
slackened its speed considerably after pas
sing Petersburg. on account OF the cOhul-
ton Of the road. The great bridge across
the James river was crossed very slowly,
This bridge is the only route OF commune
ton with the Southern states That remains
open 10 the COnfederates since the COM
mcncement OF hOstilties, and the numerous
trains. freighted with merchandise ana
provisions which have passed over 1t. were
more than sufficient 10 put it IN the
condition in which we found IL.
Belle Isle. seen from the middle oil TINS
bridge. presented an extrelmey picturesque
view. On the lower portion OF the island
were spread the numerous tents which
served as a shelter for the better class OF
the prisoners Of war, while the higher por-
ton was crow ned with battery OF cannon
which guard the avenues OF approach, as
lust at this point the river is iOrdaOle IN
many places.
ON arriving at the capital of the Confed-
eracy. july 10th. the first news which reach
ed me from the Army Of the Mississippi
was that of the loss Of Nicksburg and Port
Hudson, and the retrOgrade movement OF
the Army of Northern Virginia, under the
command OF General Lee. These events
which mt first sight have the appearance OF
disasters, were in reality only blunders,
and the people have been Keen sighted
enough 10 make this discovery, and, cOnse-
quently. they are not panlc-strlcken nor
even discouraged: they perceive that the
fall of Vicksburg and Port Hudson will re-
suit i'm opening up the Mississippi to the
commerce of the world. and the retreat OF
General Lee was the result Of change OF
plan in the campaign resolved on by mu-
tual consent of the government and the
General.
My first care on reaching Richmond was
10 pay my respects TO the President, Jener-
son Davis, to whom had letter OF INTRO
ductiOn
He accorded me frank and cordial re-
cepti0n, and after the departure of the
usual visitors he entered into converse
ton upon Europe. which | had so recently
quilted, and then upon the principal events
which have marked this later American re.
VOlutiOn. Here he showed the impartial
Judgment and clearness Of explanation
which are so strongly his characteristics
His manner Of speaking is rather slow, hui
persuasive; often eloquent; always iascl
mating: and cOmpels the respect and adml-
ration of those who do not at all times share
his opinions. He possesses the confidence
Of his people, no matter what their rank on
station: all eyes turn TO him as one wei
lifted 10 command, and they wish that he
should push his authority 10 the very limits
of the constitution: but no one understands
where those limits lie better than he.
The position of authority which he occu-
pies is such as is evolved but once from the
various surroundings which have ushered
the new nation into life, and though the de
mands upon his physical and mental
strength are nObly met yet they are sum
cient to tax both to the utmost. His health
is GOOD but his face tells of nights as well
.. gf n 0nNOlNgS Inc
direction Of all branches OF the service
civil a. well as military and marine.
At the time Of my visit Nicksburg and
Port Hudson had just capitulated; the
evening before ne had signed the prOclama
ton which called into the field all men be-
tween the ages of Is and 4j; Charleston
having sustained an attack by land. was in
hourly expectation of another attack by
water; the second retreat of Lee was
spoken of as serious disaster. bu'
this man Of iron nerve. unshaken II
his political faith, passed these events in
review with a calmuess born Of perfect con-
fidencc, the sharpest pang of sorrow wa
the thought of the number of victims which
must inevitably be slain on the altar o
sacrifice ere the PRAYER of the people would
be granted. The capitulatiOn of Nicksbure
was. i'm his ODiniOn. the result of mistak,
which might have been avoided; the fall Of
Port Hudson was a natural result OF the
tall of Nicksburg. He considered the land
Ing Of the Federal troops on Morris island
as a matter Of grave import. For said
he, 1.-THE Yankees take TO dirt-digging as
naturally as beavers, and if they are al
lowed TO pass night upon the land The
morning will lind them behind entrench.
memts from which it will be difficult to dis
lodge Them" If the sequence of events has
proven the truth of this remark, we
must not attach blame TO the officer
in command Of the place, who has used his
utmost efforts % repulse all attempts Ia
land the enemy's troops; but who has had
too much regard for the lives OF his men to
expose them Uselessly 10 the fierce cannon
ade of Federals, and events have more than
justified his line Of procedure. often
visited the President during my sOjOurn in
Richmond, and | preserve a most lively
recollection Of each one Of our conversa-
tons. once we discussed the question OF
reprsals ] have often heard this subject
debated by men Of different degrees OF cul-
ture and social position. The newspapers
have treated of it from every point of view.
General Lee, in one of his orders for the
day had disposed of the subject in words 50
noble that the people had. in general, ac-
cepted his judgment as final. The ques-
tiOn," said he, lis not what our foes de-
serve, but what Is worthy OF us.
The President. in the interview to which
refer, exclaimed: IL am forced TO do yio-
lence to my feelings in restraining strong
desire for vengeance for the deeds of the
enemy. They regard neither moral nor so
cial laws, and give themselves up to eX-
cesses which merit the contempt Of human
ity." Until the period at which ! write the
exchange of prisoners had been conducted
on the part of the south on a most liberal
scale, often returning three for one. After
the surrender at Nicksburg the Federals,
finding themselves for the first time in pos
session of much larger number of prison
ers than the South, refused TO recognize the
accepted cartel of exchange, and would
only exchange private soldiers, one for one.
reserying the officers TO serve as hostages IN
case of reprisals TO come.
Frequently. also, when an exchange Of
prisoners had been agreed upon. instead Of
sending them back by the most direct route,
as the Southern authorities always did, the
Fedcrals would return the Southern prison
ers by the most circuitOus routes, passing
them from one prison 10 another, until sick
ness, fatigue, and priyations Of all sorts
had decimated their number; II was
in This way that five Thousand pri-