| From the Savannah Morning News |
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| September 26, 1861 |
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| The Arrival of the Prisoners |
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Since Sunday last, the people of this city have been
anxiously expecting the Federal prisoners to arrive here, on their
way to New Orleans; and the arrival of every train was greeted with
large and expectant crowds assembled at the depot. Last night,
expectation was realized, and the 11 o'clock train on the South
Carolina railroad brought the Federals to our city. |
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They were conveyed on the train to the cotton shed on the
Georgia Railroad, in rear of the Presbyterian Church, where a train
had been prepared for their reception. Soon after twelve o'clock,
the prisoners reached that depot, where they were to be transferred
to the next train, and where, notwithstanding the lateness of the
hour, a large concourse of people of both sexes, and of all ages,
colors, and conditions, were assembled, as if to witness some great
exhibition. |
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His Honor, Mayor May, had made ample arrangements for
preserving order; and, with the aid of a detachment of Fire Zouaves,
under command of Col. Preston, and also a squad of our efficient
police, succeeded in keeping an area clear for the passage of the
prisoners from one train to the other, although the anxiety to catch
a glimpse of the Lincolnites rendered a "charge bayonet!" frequently
necessary. |
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We are happy to say, however, that there was "nobody
hurt." Every available space was occupied; and as the prisoners
emerged from the first train they were greeted with loud cheers for
Jeff. Davis, &c. Capt. Harm, commanding the escort, addressed a few
words to the crowd, reminding them that the prisoners were conquered
men, and that it was not in accordance with Southern magnanimity to
ridicule a fallen foe. |
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The prisoners, we understand, were principally from the
celebrated 60th, from the 2d, 11th and 14th New York regiments, 2d
Maine, and the New York Zouaves. The escort consisted of seventy
volunteers and fifteen regulars, the latter under command of Lieut.
Ochiltree, and the whole under command of Capt. Harm. |
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The prisoners appeared to be in good spirits, and in
their conversation with our citizens evinced no repentance for what
they had done; some of them even expressed a determination to fight
against the South again, if the opportunity were afforded them. |
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We might extend this article to a considerable length by
a recital of the remarks and general incidents of the occasion, but
it is perhaps unnecessary. |
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We may simply add that the arrangements were well made
and admirably carried out. |
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Augusta Constitutionalist |
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