Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-05-14
Gen. Harney's Account Of his Arrest and
Subsequent Adventures in Virginia.

II
The Washington correspondent Of the New
York Herald claims to have received the follow
ing narration from Gen. Harney:
Early on Thursday morning was apprised by
the railroad conductor that we were at Harper's
Ferry, and that there were indications of an in
tention to arrest me. | did not believe this was
intended; but a party of soldiers presently en-
tered the cars, and apologizing for disturbing
me, said that must consider myself their pris-
oner asked, but was not allowed, to telegraph
to the Secretary of War. was taken to Gen.
Oarson's quarters, and informed that should be
required to GO to Richmond. Accordingly
left, before daylight, in carriage, attended by
five officers of the staff. They had proposed to
to send large force as an escort, but assured
them that it was above my dignity to attempt
an escape; that the matter was between them
and my Government, and that did not wish to
receive an unnecessary amount OF attention from
the public on the way. We were three days Oh
and partially by rail- I was treated on the
route, as we'll as at Harper's Ferry, with the
greatest courtesy. Regret was expressed that
orders were such as to compel my detention
No disagreeable subjects were introduced, aD0
| no effort made to obtain my confidence. On
Sunday evening we reached Richmond, and went
at once to Gov. Letcher's house. The Governor
was dining out but was sent for immediately
He released ne, stating that his orders had been
misunderstood. | learned that the Harper's
Ferry force had been directed to stop all armed
bodies, and that the telegraph had announced
me as colnng at the head of fourteen hundred
troops. l was treated with great attention at
Richmond by Gov Letcher, Col. Lee, Col. john
son and others, whom have long known, and
was waited upon by number of other prominent
tO ha
see me, and some belief that | intended to resign
my commission in the United States Army. o.
this latter point they were deceived.
| At half-past five Monday morning | left for
| Alexandria, where | arrived in the afternoon
Gov. Letcher offered an escort, which refused
The people along the route seemed to have heard
that was coming, and at some of the stations
were gathered in considerable numbers. At
one point there was great crowd, who stared
and called me to come out and show myself; but
except by some boys, no disgracetul remarks
were made. ! did not see more than half doz-
en- soldiers in all, and no Notifications and no
| batteries at Alexandria, which seemed like a
deserted village At Richmond and Harper's
Ferry, it being dark l saw few troops. At the
former place noticed, as | came away, three
| large secession flags in the main street, but the
display of bunting was as nothing compared with
what bad observed in CINCINNATI and other
Northern cities. Throughout my journey, as at
its commencement, l was treated with great
courtesy, even delicacy OF attention. So far as
| could Judge from conversations which | had,
both with officers and civilians, the tone of Vir-
ginia is calm but resolved. She has no intention
of attacking Washington, but means to act on
the defensive, claiming, according to the doctrine
OF States rights, that she can leave the Union
at pleasure, and believing the North and South
are two distinct people, which ought to have
separate governments.
l heard much regret expressed at the present
condition of affairs, but saw no indications of
the existence of an unkind feeling towards the
North was assured BY Governor Letcher and
others high in authority that Virginia entertain
ed no idea of attacking Washington. This, OF
course, cannot cover JEFF. Davis movements !;
but cannot believe he, though stubborn, has so
little shrewdness as to undertake the enterprise.
/ left St. Louis on Tuesday. think that, al
though since the affair of Fort Sumter the feeling
in favor of secession has strengthened in Mssou-
ri, she will not attempt to go out of the Union.