After the time of taking my likeness and the election General Zollicoffer, of the rebel army, came to Knoxville and took command and proclaimed that all those of the South should unite with the Confederacy and warning them that they had better never have been born than strike a blow against the South. Afterward, about the 9th of August, I together with Calvin Garrett, William Martin and Joel B. Crawford, now confined in prison with me at Camp Chase, with many others left our homes in Knox and Union Counties and started for Kentucky to unite with the Federal Army, then lying at or near Camp Dick Robinson. After traveling all night and the forenoon of the next day, having arrived at the foot of the Cumberland Mountains and about thirty miles on our journey, our advance was attacked by a squad of secession cavalry under command of Captain Ashby. We were unarmed. Captain Thornburg, of our party, was wounded in the neck and he and nine others taken prisoners. We were informed by the mountain pilots that it would be impossible to cross the Confederate lines, they being too closely guarded, upon which we all returned to our homes, narrowly escaping being taken prisoners upon our return. In about ten or fifteen days afterward there came into my home upon me some seven armed men and arrested me and informed me that the charge was treason. At this time I had a sign on the front of my house on which I had painted "The Union." They ordered me to destroy it; to split it up. I told them I could not do that; that it showed my sentiments and I could not split it up. They swore I should do so and drew their pistols, when one of them said, "that was too hard," and took an ax and split it up and burned it. I was then cussed for a traitor and tory and abused for, as they accused me, supporting such men as Maynard, Brownlow and other Union men; and another charge they had against me at Graveston, Tenn., was that I in presence of some of their volunteers called for three cheers for the U. S. Army and for General Winfield Scott, whom I served under in Mexico, and further that I had called for three groans for secession. I had called for those cheers and those groans as charged. They cursed my wife the same night they arrested me for saying she did not think the Union men were traitors and tories for maintaining their sentiments; that such a charge should rather go upon the other side. They compelled me then to go along with them to Knoxville. There I was informed that the only way to save myself was to join the Southern Army and support the South against invasion. Being advised by my friends I did so, in hopes that the Federal Army would soon come and rescue us, and with the full determination never to fire a gun against the flag that had protected us. I had a choice as to what company I should join and I joined a company of sappers and miners, as I understood that that was a company for labor and not to fight. When I united with the company of sappers and miners I got of my wife a white handkerchief, which I have yet in my possession, remarking to her and intending that if we got in a battle with the Federal soldiers that I would wave that handkerchief as a token. That I knew that would save my life and they would not harm me, for I knew what Federal soldiers were. I was at Big Creek Gap waiting on and cooking for some sick soldiers about the 21st day of February last, when a squad of Captain Cross' company, of Second Tennessee (Union) Regiment, came in sight some 200 yards off. I could easily have escaped after I discovered them had I had any disposition to do so. Calvin Garrett was then with me and he could have easily escaped also. Instead of making my escape I was out of doors and immediately started, meeting them walking slowly. Garrett did not start toward them with me but did not attempt to escape. I and Crawford, Martin and Garrett had previously entered into a secret agreement that if ever we came near enough to the Federal lines that we knew we could make our escape we would do so and unite with the Federal Army. We were all of us taken prisoners the same day by Captain Cross' company of infantry. Martin and Crawford had been taken before us and Martin piloted Captain Cross' company to us. We were taken prisoners and have remained prisoners ever since. I understood from members of Captain Cross' company who took me that Martin said when they took him that if they would give him a gun he would go and shoot Lieutenant McCauley who was in command of the rebel company. They said Martin also told them that if they would come down a mile further they would get a couple of other boys who would be anxious to go with them, alluding to me and Garrett. About the time they were going to leave after arresting myself and Garrett the thought struck me of some powder, two kegs of rifle and one of blasting powder, being laid away there, and I told them of it, saying that to take it away would defeat the pursuit of the rebel forces; and I think it proved to be so, as I understood that they gathered in force to pursue us. I am willing and anxious to take the oath of allegiance to the Federal Government and to enlist and fight in the Federal Army till the last gun is fired if I should live or the rebellion is put down, and to support the government of Governor Andrew Johnson. I am a warm friend of William G. Brownlow and Horace Maynard and of Governor Andrew Johnson. I am firmly of the opinion that Calvin Garrett, William Martin and Joel B. Crawford have at all times at heart been Union men, are now, and if released will be good citizens of the United States and I believe they would unite with the Federal Army. JOSEPH S. LAMB, Taken, subscribed and sworn to before me this 14th day of July, A. D. 1862. C. W. B. ALLISON, Colonel, Commanding Post, Camp Chase, Ohio. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, July 15, 1862. Major-General DIX: Some correspondence between Major-General McClellan and General Lee in relation to the exchange of prisoners was inadvertently omitted to be forwarded to you by the special messenger last night. It will, however, be sent by mail to-night. C. P. WOLCOTT, Assistant Secretary of War. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, July 15, 1862. Major-General DIX, Commanding, &c., Fort Monroe, Va. GENERAL: The Secretary of War directs me to transmit to you the within correspondence* between Major-General McClellan and General Lee in relation to the exchange of prisoners, which was inadvertently omitted to be forwarded to you last night by the special messenger. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. P. WOLCOTT, Assistant Secretary of War. WAR DEPT., ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, COMMANDING OFFICER, Department of the Mississippi, Corinth, Miss. SIR: It is reported that arrangements will soon be made for an exchange of prisoners of war. The point in the West at which the prisoners will be assembled will be near Vicksburg. The Secretary of War directs that the arms and ammunition be sent with the prisoners to be put in the hands of those returned to us from the rebels that they may at once be put on duty. I am, sir, &c., L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General. WAR DEPT., ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, COMMANDING OFFICER, Fort Delaware. SIR: The Secretary of War directs that you send Colonels Baldwin and Hanson and Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson under a suitable escort back to Fort Warren, they paying their own expenses for transportation. I am, sir, &c., L. THOMAS, Adjutant General. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, General R. E. LEE, Commanding C. S. Forces. General Dix being at Old Point Comfort, it will be impracticable for him to meet General Hill to-morrow; but I will at once order him to repair to this place and he can meet the appointment at 10 o'clock a. m. on Thursday, the 17th instant. Shirley being some distance within the lines of my pickets, and as in my letter on the subject I especially requested that the meeting might take place outside of our lines, I would respectfully suggest that the conference be held at Haxall's Landing, understood to be in the immediate vicinity of the outlying pickets of both armies. It might take place either on shore or on the steamer which takes up General Dix. Unless therefore I hear from you to the contrary I will direct General Dix to be at Haxall's on Thursday, the 17th instant, at the hour I have named. In the sincere hope that this meeting may result in the accomplishment of the very desirable object we both have so much at heart, I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Major-General, Commanding. GENERAL: General Lee directs me to say that he agrees to the meeting as proposed in the above letter, therefore you will not have to go down to-morrow. He would like to see you to-morrow. Respectfully, your obedient servant, A. P. MASON, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General : List of killed, wounded and missing of the Army of the Potomac in the battles since the battle of Fair Oaks, June 1, 1862: Sumner's (Second) Corps, 170 killed, 1,068 wounded, 848 missing; total 2,086. Heintzelman's (Third) Corps, 189 killed, 1,050 wounded, 833 missing; total, 2,073. Keyes' (Fourth) Corps, 69 killed, 507 wounded, 201 missing; total 777. Porter's (Fifth Provisional) Corps, including McCall's Division, 873 killed, 3,700 wounded and 2,779 missing; total 7,352. Franklin's (Sixth Provisional) Corps, 245 killed, 1,313 wounded and 1,179 missing; total 2,737. Engineers, 2 wounded, 20 missing; aggregate 23. Cavalry, partial report, 19 killed, 60 wounded and 97 missing; aggregate 176. Grand total: 1,565 killed, 7,701 wounded and 5,958 missing. Grand total, killed, wounded and missing, 15,214. Full reports will vary these numbers somewhat, but not more than 100 or so probably. I beg the War Department to observe that many reported missing were probably killed and that fully 3,500 men, the medical officers estimate, have gone North on hospital steamers, whose names were not taken by them. For the first day or two upon my arrival here it was impossible to do more than ship the sick. A register could not be prepared. The actual loss properly distributable to damage from the enemy in the late battles will amount to a little over 11,000. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Major-General, Commanding. General J. A. DIX: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, July 15, 1862. The commanding general desires that you will come to these headquarters by the boat of to-morrow. Maj. Gen. D. H. Hill, of the Confederate Army, has been appointed to meet you to arrange for a general exchange of prisoners. The meeting will take place on Thursday morning at Haxall's, a few miles above here on the river. S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT, Maj. Gen. S. R. CURTIS, Commanding U. S. Forces. Regiment, has not returned to his command, and I respectfully ask to be informed whether or not he has been released from custody, and if not that it be done at once. I deem this a proper opportunity of suggesting to you the entire uselessness of detaining the prisoners whom you and I hold respectively. I would gladly consider any proposition you may have to make for their release. Should you think of no better one I propose that I release all the prisoners of war that I hold; that you do the same; that should there be any excess on either side the opposite party shall in future release a sufficient number to offset such excess. In order to prevent confusion it will be necessary for us to furnish each other with the number and rank of prisoners released at any time. I have here in custody Capt. Joseph Indest, of Company A, Third Missouri Regiment, U.S. Army, whom I wish to exchange for Capt. Joseph Fry, C. S. Army. Should you agree to the exchange, please allow Captain Fry to report to me at once under such restrictions as you may desire until the exchange is consummated, and I will return Captain Indest to you at once. Very respectfully, T. C. HINDMAN, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS SOUTHWEST DIVISION, General JOHN M. SCHOFIELD, Commanding District of Missouri, Saint Louis. GENERAL: I learn that four prisoners, soldiers of one of the Kansas regiments, were murdered in Coffee's camp at Fayetteville on the night or evening of the 9th instant. Major Murray (the bearer of the flag of truce whose dispatch I sent you yesterday) gives the following version of the affair: The four men killed were Kansas soldiers. On Wednesday night a firing was heard in the upper end of Coffee's camp which created inquiry and it was learned that 4 men had been shot-3 killed dead and 1 wounded badly who made his escape through a fence and went into a house where a woman gave him some help. She was warned not to do so. It was stated in Fayetteville that the shooting was done by Coffee's order. There was some indignation at the deed in Coffee's camp which was likely to become general. It was then reported that the shooting was ordered by Coffee's provost-marshal. This did not, however, prevent one whole company of Coffee's regiment from leaving and joining Tracy's (whose camp was eight miles distant) regiment of Confederate troops. Rains heard of the act next morning and cursed bitterly. He sent up a wagon to get the wounded man and three dead ones. Before the wagon came the wounded man was dead. Rains buried the dead. In Tracy's camp the act was loudly condemned. This affair may have prompted the dispatch he sent to me charging us with shooting men, women and children. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. B. BROWN, [JULY 15, 1862.-For letter of Brig. Gen. Daniel Ruggles, C. S. Army, to Maj. Gen. B. F. Butler, U. S. Army, relating to the case of Henry Castle, &c., see Series I, Vol. XV, p. 519.] |