Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-05-01
The Arrest of Capt. Jenifer.


April 22-tf-
The Arrest of Capt. Jenifer.
The HagerstOwu MaI gives the following
account of this affair:
Capt Jenifer few DAYS since arrived at
Carlisle Barracks, in command of his compa-
ny from Texas. A few days after he obtain
ed leave of absence from his commanding Of
fcer. Maj. Thomas, for the purpose of visiting
his friends and relatives in this State and
Virginia On reaching Baltimore on the day
of the fight, and peTeeiying that as officer
of the United States Army, he would soon be
called upon to take part against his native
State, like Col Lee, Col Magruder. Col. May.
and others, he rendered his resignation. to
take effect on the 30Lh Of April inst. The
only reason why his resignation was not to
have immediate effect was that he might hav C
time to settle his accounts with Government.
Having concluded to make this change in his
plans. he started back the same evening to
Carlisle Barracks, for the purpose of inform
ing his commanding officer of what he had
done. forwarding his baggage and taking his
horse to Baltimore. On reaching Carlisle,
he learned that the bridge on the Northern
Central Railroad had been destroyed, aud
was consequently compelled to take his horse
by turnpike. On Sunday night last he bid the
officers of his regiment gOod-bye-they hay-
ing to start for Washington at IL O'Clock that
night-telling them that within four or five
days he would meet them in Washington,
and remain with them until his resignation
was accepted or he had ceased to be an Off
Ger of the army.
At seven O'Clock the next (MOnday) morn
ing, Captain Jenifer mounted his horse and
left the Barracks, by the turnpike leading to
Baltimore. He was between nine and ten
hours reaching Hanover, a distance of thirty
~ {. rAo.I,
walk. On arriving at Hanover about five
O'Clock, he found about two hundred armed
men assembled in front of the hotel AS
soon as he dismounted, they crowded around
him for the purpose, as he supposed, OF ascer-
tanning if he had any news. He gave what
news he had, when the Mayor Of Hanover
asked him to step into the parlor, where he
was arrested by the Mayor by order of the
Governor. The Mayor then informed him
that the arrest was made in consequence of
Information received by telegraph that he
was the bearer of dispatches or important
information designed for the South. At this
time the crowd became very much excited,
when Capt. Jenifer proposed to address the
populace, which, with the approval of the
Mayor, he did from the window of the hotel,
telling them the true object of his presence.
This seemed to satisfy the crowd; but soon
after report was received that mob from
Baltimore approaching Hanover, and
was but short distance of, intent upon the
destructioneof the town. The report was, of
course, wholly groundless, but served to in
furiate the populace again; the latter believ-
ing that Capt. Jenifer's appearance there at
the time was part of the scheme against the
place.
To satisfy the Mayor, Capt. Jenifer pro-
posed that he should be searched, which was
done. No dispatches or papers or any other
information were found than q private
-, -.
resign his commission in the army. The let
ter was retained, and a copy forwarded to
the Governor. The Mayor then proposed
taht as it might be impossible to restrain the
mob from personal violence, Capt. Jenifer
had better proceed to York. While the con-
veyance was being prepared, his legs were
bound with chains, and handouts were sent
for, but before they could be procured, a gen
tleman CT Hanover-Capt. a. W. Eichelber-
ger-on hearing his name, said it was an in
dignity to an officer of the army and gen.
tleman which could not be permitted; where
upon the Mayor, after short conversation
with Capt. E., and a pledge from Jenifer that
he would not attempt to escape, had the
chains removed. This was done, however,
against the circumstances of many of the
crowd. After the chains were taken off the
crowd became still more excited, and one
who bad musket in his hands remarked
that he would like to put three hundred balls
through the prisoner.
Capt. Jenifer, who had no arms upon his
person, was then taken to York in a close
carriage, guarded by the Mayor and two 9th
ers armed, arriving there at eleven O'Clock
the same night. The prisoner was first taken
to a hotel, but, again fearful of mob, he was
placed in the common Jail by his custOdians,
and locked up for the night as prisoner OF
war. Between ten and eleven O'Clock the
next (Tuesday) morning, he was removed
to another cell, which was considered more
secure, and heavily ironed. In this condition
he remained for several hours, when Judge
Fisher, at - request of several citizens,
among whom was Lieut.. Wells of the Navy,
had the irons removed. At later hour the
irons were again put on by the Sheriff, by
order of the Judge, as is thought, in cOnse-
quence of despatch received from the Gov
. ernOr. About shutdown Judge Fisher entered
the cell to state to Captain Jenifer that ne
was released.
During his confinement large numbers of
persons, through curiosity. visited the prison
er in his cell. When informed of his release,
Capt. Jenifer obtained permission to remain
in Jail during the night; but his brother Off
Gers, who had arrived that evening in York.
and who, it is believed, were mainly instru-
mental in procuring his release, insisted upon
bis lodging at their quarters. After remain
ing an hour or two, he went In company
with Lieut.. Wells, to pay friendly visit 10
Judge Fisher and thanked him for his kind
ness, when the latter informed him, tCapt. j.
that he had just received another despatch
ordering his re-arrest; but before this was
carried into effect, the Judge had an inter-
view with Col. Andrew Porter and Major
Thomas, and upon Capt. Jenifer's giving his
parole of honor to Col. Porter that he would
not attempt an escape, was allowed to ac-
company him to Harrisburg for the purpose
of having an interview with the Governor.
Capt. Jenifer reached Harrisburg at 8 o.
clock on the morning of Wednesday and wait
ed upon the Governor at Q o'clock in COM
pany with Col. Porter and Lieut., Jones, re-
Gently ia command at Harper's Ferry, who
acted as Jenifer's friend upon the occasion.
After hearing the statement of the accused,
Gov. Curtin's only reply was-"These are ex-
citing times, and we have to be on our
guard or something to that effect Capt.
Jenifer then took leave, the Governor express
sing his regrets at what had occurred. He
then took the cars and arrived here, as al
ready stated, on the evening train.
Capt. Jenifer is a native of Charles county,
MARYLAND, and son of the late Hon. Daniel
Jenifer, who represented our State for many
yeers in Congress, and was Minister to Aus
trja uuder President Harrison.
Eound IN Sunday last n black lace veil