Reception of returned prisoners.
--It having become generally known that eleven hundred Confederate prisoners and sixty officers would arrive at the wharf at Rocketts yesterday afternoon from City Point, the Public Guard, headed by their fine band, and an immense throng of people of both sexes and of all ages, repaired thither to receive them. After considerable delay the flag-of-truce steamers William Allison and A. H. Schultz, escorted by a Government gunboat, hove in sight, and the booming of a gun from the bow of the latter was the signal for cheer after cheer by the prisoners, which was heartily responded to by the crowd on the shore, and the waving of a thousand handkerchiefs by the matrons and maidens who had assembled to greet them.The prisoners were then formed into line, preceded by the officers, and escorted up Main street to Capitol Square, where another dense multitude had gathered and prepared a substantial token of their sympathy in the shape of edibles and other comforts for the inner man. It was truly gratifying to witness the general response which had been made in this respect on the short notice given at the several places of public worship in the forenoon, and the prisoners testified their appreciation by doing ample justice to the refreshments spread before them by the fair hands of the patriotic ladies of the city. While the edibles were being dispatched the President and Governor Smith were mingling with the prisoners, and a general shaking of hands and congratulations on their return ensued. In anticipation of a speech by the former a large number of ladies remained on the ground until a late hour, but were doomed to disappointment. The President addressed the prisoners, but, standing on the ground, his remarks were inaudible except to those immediately around him.
After the conclusion of the President's animated speech, which was frequently interrupted by the cheers of his auditory, the prisoners repaired to Camp Lee for the night, where preparations had been made for their reception and comfort.
By the steamer New York, which brought these prisoners, four ladies came as passengers. Their names are, Mrs. Bradley (and five children,) Mrs. White, Miss Gaston, and Miss Manly.
