--The
Atlanta,-Ga,
Appeal says that
Lieut Gen. Pemberton was called on to make a speech some days ago at a village south of that place.--There were present some two thousand of the exchanged
Vicksburg prisoners.
The General said that he fell much embarrassment, because for the time a cloud rested upon him, and besides he was willing to await the authoritative vindication of his character by a competent tribunal. "If, however," continued the
General, "any of those exempts and gentlemen who have substitutes, and those speculators who have denounced me as a coward and traitor through the Press or otherwise, will organize themselves into a regiment, brigade, or division, and will march with me to the front, the world shall determine who of us are cowards and who are traitors.
I have not been denounced by any brave soldier or officer from
Vicksburg, neither have my soldierly qualities and patriotism been called in question by them, but by those carpers and critics at home who have already done infinite mischief.
