Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-08-21
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statement by Mrs. Curtiss.

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la Statement by MRS. Curtiss. y sesi
Some three weeks ago, took o notion one
| fine morning i would ride out toward Falls
Church, and see IL Icould see anything of the
secessionists. Accordingly, the horses were
brought up and ssddled, and Miss Pierce, Mr.
Eldridge, and myself started. %, We rode along
without interruption until we came within about
half q mile of the village, when q rebel picket
rode out from the fields and arrested the gen,
tleman Che being somewhat in the rear) 4, and
soon overlook Miss Pierce and myself The
picket told me that must 90 with him before
q Confederate officer and report, whereupou /
told him very plainly / should do no such
thing. Itold him acknowledged no allegi.
ance to the rebel government, and would never
\ 20 willingly. / offered to compromise with
Ethem. l told them If they would let Miss
Pierce return home, would then accompany
them myself. After some deliberation, they
accepted my terms, and allowed her TO return.
h They then cent Mr.. Eldridge and myself,
under an eecert, to Colonel Stuart, of the First
1 Virginia Regiment, who, | may as we'll here
4 remark, treated me with all the kindness in his
power. He is one of natures nobenen, and
am truly sorry his talents are enlisted upon the
side of the rebels. At Fairfax Court House
they relieved me of my horse, as they did my
! companion. l have not seen Mr.. Eldridge since
we arrived at Fairfax. Iremained at Fairfax
Court House five days, during which time sue.
ceeded in ascertaining that there were at least
four regiments stationed there met some OF
General Beauregard's staff and also some of
General Bonham's. To all of whom express.
ed my opinion pretty freely upon the subject Of
secession. Some of them seemed pleased at
what they termed my "Yankee grit,' while
others were for having Us all hanged. was
told by some ladies Of Fairfax that our troops
while passing through that place were very re-
spectful in their department toward the ladies
that remained. So you can see that the stories
that the rebels tell about their insulting women
and children are false. Some of the residences
we're very much injured by some of our soldiers,
but think it was d,ne more for mischief than
anything else. l5d'i
The fifth day after my arrest was sent TO
Manassas, Col. Stuart having tried every means
TO have me released, but without success. We
started about 10 o'clock in the morning, and we
did not arrive at Manassas until 6 o'clock in the
evening; the distance Is about sixteen miles.
You can have some idea of the speed with
which they travel in Virginia. was accompa-
MED by Mr.. Edward Saylas, of Cincinnati, who
was arrested at Fairfax after the pattle. He is
still at Richmond. We passed by the famous
battlefield, and never shall forget it. The
, atmosphere for miles was impregnated with the
nauseous vapors that 1t seemed impossible tc
breathe, and upon every hand rose the huge
graves Of our martyred soldiers. When ar
rived at Manassas, Gen. Johnston refused tc
hear anything had to cay, but ordered me to
be sent to Richmond by the first train. was
then sent to the quarters of the Provost Mar.
. shal, who insulted me shamefully. He threat
ened to put handouts on me. l Twas placed in q
room and guard placed at the door, with or
ders to not let me escape. The next morning
a / was sent forward 10 Richmond with Captain
Tremain as an escort; hei Of the 9th Louisiana
Regiment. He treated me with kindness, and
I; did everything in his power to render my situa-
v ton more pleasant, At every station was sur.
: founded by a rabble Of men and boys, and an
sorry to say that sometimes ladies mixed in with
the crowd, who amused me by suggesting tina
q had better be hung, and by asking me if
, washed and sowed for the soldiers; and By
i. crowding around me and staring at me al
/. though / was the famous What is II? at Bar
N NUNS '~'D '-t' N- ' fN.-' -l
But, with all my trouble, arrived at Rich
mond the same evening, where was immedi
Q aIely surrounded by crowd, composed chief,
Of greasy darkies, who seemed highly pleased
i ! was kindly received by the officers of the Wa
Department They, for the first time, inform
a ed me why had been arrested. They said
: was suspected of being a spy. and that they
y thought was In q dangerous situation. told
!. them did not fear them. They must treat me
as they cav fit. l was prepared for anything
1 was provided with board at a private house
in the family OF Mr. Pryor, who treated me
we'll = '5 'r.-a l.af a-
!. All this time was obliged to wear my
=. ridDg-habit. The Government never provided
me with thing. They often promised me tC
S get me everything needed, but IL nevei
: amounted to anything more than promises
.dlfew days after my arrival I learned that Col
> Wilcox Of the Cd Michigan, and several others
0 had arrived. was determined to see them, Il
yIpossible. rwent to the Surgeon-G General, ant
told him was Northern lady, and thstI hat
I, friends there that would like to see. He CAV,
me permission. ] saw Capt. Ricketts,, and Col
Wilcox. Major Potter, Capt. Jones, and severa
? Others whose names cannot now remember
q They all seemed to be doing well.i know
from good authority, that our wounded mel
are not very well treated. / tried (but unsuc
cessfully) to see Mr.. Ely and Col. Corcoran. 2
o believe they are retained as hostages for Col
o Thomas, or "the French lady" Richmond !
very dull, and there is universal complaint o
l. hard times, and great deal of complain
3 against being compelled to fight. They ar
drafting all the men capable of bearing arms
II any Of the Savannah prisoners are executed
they will hang ten for every one. believ
4 they will do as they say. l was liberated an
( sent to Norfolk, in company with twenty -thre
Others. When we arrived at Norfolk, we wef
! put on board steam tug and conveyed, unde
4 o flag of truce, to the United States steamshi
! Minnesota. Our glorious flag never looked 8
. beautiful as when first looked upon il to day
I"O, long may IL wave Ger the land Of the fre
7 and the home Of the brave" need not te
you how kindly was received by CON-, String
] ham and his officers, and also by Gen. Butler
! with whom / dined. am now on board th
steamer Georgiana, bound for Baltimore, o
my return to my friends at Washington, wher
! hopeto arrive safe and we'll. l9, .7ii iss.