Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 2.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[25] 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.]