The Washington herald., 1914-03-19

exertions in pressing men into the mil
itary service had been unremitting, but
had brought only small returns. The
Number of men enlisted scarcely offset
the desertions Of the winter from the
armies under Lee and Johnston
The unwiilingness OF the impressed re-
cruit to serve is shown by the statement
in the dairy of a Richmond citizen that
I'm this period he saw two COnscripts
being taken through the city in chains
to be forwarded to the army in the
field.
There was more than the jubilation
OF the public. therefore, 10 cause good
feeling in Richmond over the return
of the exchanged prisoners. The eN-
change had been interrupted for four
months. That il should be resumed now.
when men were SO sorely needed seemed
providential II enough thousands oI
prisoners were returned from the North.
enough trained men could be thus Sc
cured to fill Lees ranks. and perhaps
JOhnstOn's. TO formidable strength.
The fortunes of the Confederacy might
be turning on the exchange. The warmth
with which the returned prisoners We're
welcomed to EichmCnd sprung therefore.
fl ON two-foId source.
"Home, sweet Home"
When the first detail OF the returned
prisoners reached the city on two steam
ers that had met the fag-of-truce boat
New York. which had brought them up
from Fortress Monroe to City Point,
Richmond made a holiday.
Half the population of the city seemed
TO be at Rockctt's to meet the steamers.
Women with tears of mingled hope and
fear in their eyes. stood on the wharf
edge and waited for the steamers. Hus-
band or lover. son or father. might he
coming back among the prisoncrs-whO
could say?
As the steamers nearod the wharf the
emotions Il many of the waiting crowd
gained ascendcncy. There was weeping.
shouting. the frantic waving of hand
kerchiefs. cheers. sObs. and groans. as
the boats came slowly beside the wharf.
Many OF the men on board were rccUE-
nized. and called joyously by name: in
many other cases no familiar fac" re-
warded the quick visual search of some
heartsick woman on the shore.
There was a band to greet the return
ing prisoners. and it played Home.
Sweet Home As the pale and PRISON
marked soldiers came down the gang
planks there were many affecting greet
ings.
There was a military escort Of Home
Guards. The returning COnfederatcs
were formed in line. With the officers
in the lead-thcrc were forty-five among
them. including Brig. Gen. w. H. +.
Iee. son + Gen. Leland the crowd OF
welcoming friends in the rear. process
sion preceded by the band. moved up
town. by the way of Main street.
Through Governor and Broad streets
the line proceeded 10 Camp Lee. Songs
were sung by the prisoners while IN this
novel march. The most popular air was
entitled. We'll Bid Farewell to the Red.
White and Blue
In Capitol square the line was halted
in front of the bronze statue of Washing
ton. and President Davis made 4 brief
speech.
Seeking Her son.
When on March 20 the second lot of
prisoners arrived in Richmond. the
scenes enacted were of much the same
character. President Davis was again
waiting to greet the home-comers.
As the long line OF shabby and pale
rlen-prisoners no longer-filed into Cap
itoI square and formed ranks near the
statue of Washington. they found them
selves in the midst OF great thronG of
men. women. and children, who. though
Richmond was pinChed for food. had
brought them abundance to eat and
drink
Among the people were many women
seeking their kin One OF these was
noticed among the prisoners by mem
Chestnut, jr.D who wrote Of her: She