Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-05-29
Interesting Account of Capt. MacDon
aids Removal from the Arsa nal.

The public, we believe, are we'll advised
of all the particulars attending the cap
ture and Imprisonment, by Capt. Lyon, of
Capt. +. Macdonald. The story Ct his
sudden and mySterio Gus removal from the
arsenal, and Of his present whereabouts
only remains TO be told.
On Monday ght last, information hay.
ing reached the officer in command at the
Arsenal that the writ OF habeaS corpus Mas
about being served, the removal OF Cap
tain Macdonald was decided upon. For
this purpose skitf was procured. The
prisoner was marched out of the Arsenal
grounds under guarl OF four armed SOL
diers, commanded by Captain Cole. Some
movement Of the kind must have been
suspected by outsiders, for before the par
ty reached the skiif a furious rush was
made hy Il considerable number Of per-
sons to rescue the prisoner.
The consequences would unquestona-
DIV have been serious, but for the intcrpo-
sition and remarks Of Capt. Mach. Inn
self who expressed his readiness to ac-
company his captorS across the river, and
begged his to abstain from any act Calcu-
lated 10 aggravate the circumstances sur
rounding him. His words had the dcsi-
red effect, and the crowd began to dis
perse. Before doing SO, news OF the trou-
Bile had reached the Arsenal, causing no
little excitement. A body of soldiers was
Immediately sent to reinforce Capt. Cole,
and things were soon as quiet as usual.
Everything being in readiness, the
pyi .oncr was placed in the trail boat, and
under the officer and guard above men
toned, pushed out into the stream. The
boat was at once headed for point near
ly Immediately opposite, on the Illinois
shore but SO strong was the current. that
the party found themselves drifting rap
idly southwark.
The soldiers had labored very hard, but
in spite OF their exertiors the current took
them onward. They were tatigued and
almost worn out, though the tact was
soon made apparent that the worst OF
their trouble had to come. On "caring
the island below the Arsenal the boat
syrane IA ieak, and began TO fill rapidly
with water. At one time it was thought
She would 90 under, but the energetic
bailrnc ofall hands kept her ahoat until
the Island was reached. Here l second
boat was procured, and soon thereafter Il
landing vas made on the Illinois shore.
1t had now grown far into the night,
nd the feelings of the men, after the Sc
we're ordeal through which they had pas
sed. must have been anything but pleas
ant. Still they pushed on, taking the
road to Caseygilie This place is said to
be about six miles from st. Louis, though
il is plain TO be seen that the route taken
by Capt. Coke considerably increased tie
distance
Proceeding about one mile beyond Ca.'
seville, the party halted at an cncamps
ppnt of United States troops, numbering
eoIne two thousand, under command OF
Col. Macarthur. TO this officer Capt. Macs
Douald was delivered by the Arsenal
force, but with what instructions we are
not prepared to say.
Intelligence of Capt. MacD,'s arrival
awakened the greatest curiosity among
the Illinois volunteers. They had heard
of his refusal to take the obligation at the
Arsenal, and though they did not apN
proye of the secession sentiments by
which they imagined him to be actuated,'
vet they all admired his pluck, and resol"
we'd to treat him as brave soldier, ana so
he was treated from the moment OF his
arrival in the camp. -,-
The conduct of Col. Macarthur, towards
his prisoner, is referred to in the highest
terms. Capt. MacD, having recruited
from the fatigues of his perilous trip Is IN
the best of spirits He is cheerlully per "
mitted TO see and converse with friends,
and all things considered, is faring sum
tuously" What disposition is to be made
of him he does not know, nor is he advi"
sed of the uext move that is to be made
in connection with his case. He was yes
terday Informed OF The proceedings 'l0'
took place before Judge Treat.
Yesterday afternoon, Il. S. Macdonald
Esq, started Cor Caseyville, to see his
brother. lie met with ne obstacle nor
interruption of any kind, but was treated
with every courtesy by Col. Macarthur
and staff and the soldiers generally'-@'
Louis Evening Ne'rs.