Munchauseniana.
From the subjoined representations and statements, credited to the R
ichmond Whig and Enquirer, we are enabled to infer that the veracious
Baron Munchausen has been engaged by those enterprising journals as a military reporter during the present war.--
Nat. Intelligencer.
Southiern videttes hung.--While our gallant army were on the march towards
Alexandria, and, following up the retreating forces of the
Yankees, they found two of our Southern videttes, dead, and suspended by ropes from trees on the roadside.
We understand that
Gen. Bonham immediately despatched a flag of truce to the authorities at
Washington, with a demand for a prompt and immediate statement of all the facts connected with this dastardly outrage.
the trophies.--In addition to the twenty thousand stand of arms, forty thousand handcuffs, four wagon loads of horsemen's pistols, &c., our gallant and victorious army captured a large number of boxes, &c., belonging to
General Scott, and other “grand army” officers, and all marked as destined to “
Richmond.”
Many of the boxes were filled with sauces, sardines, preserved meats, peach preserves, olives, &c. Our army is said to have captured provisions enough to last twelve months. Some of the
Yankees say the handcuffs were intended for the negroes which they expected to capture.
It is believed, however, that they were intended to be used in manacling the limbs of Southern citizens.
handcuffs for the
South.--The Southern press should keep before the people of the
South, and of
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the world, the astounding and unparalleled fact, that the army which invaded
Virginia brought with them thirty thousand handcuffs, which were taken with the other spoils from the enemy.
This surpasses all that we have ever heard of
Russian or
Austrian despotism.
It is almost impossible to realize, that in the
United States, boasting itself as the freest and the most civilized of all nations, the most deliberate, inhuman, and atrocious plan should have been formed to degrade and enslave a free people of which there is any record in this or any other age. Who ever heard, even in despotic
Europe, of an invading army travelling with thirty thousand handcuffs as a part of its equipments?
yet more horrible.--A letter dated at
Richmond on the 2d instant, shows up the diabolical purposes of the
Northern hordes in a yet more repulsive light.
The letter says:--“Humanity shudders at the foul and brutal atrocities already committed on our citizens, and the yet fouler ones contemplated.
The story of thirty thousand handcuffs is every word true.
I have a man from
Manassas who saw them, and the ropes with nooses to hang ‘traitors.’
Heaven can never permit such fiends to trample laws, honor, and virtue in the dust.
They can never succeed.
Earth would be a hell under their control.”
the bowie-knife.--Notwithstanding all that has been said of the destructive character of the bowie-knife, we never conceived that it would be actually used in a great battle, and with such irresistible effect.
Who ever before dreamed of a regiment, with nothing but
bowie-knives, charging another regiment armed with the best guns and bayonets, and literally cutting them to pieces?
The regiment thus assaulted, which had fought bravely enough with bullets, quailed under the operation of this dreadful weapon, and shouted “murder” at the top of their voices.
The cold steel, especially in the shape of an Arkansas tooth-pick, is an auxiliary which every Southern soldier should cherish.
won't give up.--The
Richmond Enquirer states, on what it deems the most reliable authority, that when the news of the capture of
Sherman's battery reached
Washington,
Gen. Scott privately ordered six cannon to be taken from the
Navy Yard and sent to
Washington, with the announcement that it was
Sherman's battery returned from the field safe.
[It is well known here that not a gun of this celebrated battery was lost.]
