New-York daily tribune., 1861-12-28
SETRaE TRElTlEKT OF UNION YRIS0yLRS,
speeial Dispatch to Tho y. Y. Tribune.

Special Dispatch to The Y. Y. Tribune
WAsHISGroa, FIiday Dec. slGJL
The Hon. Alfred Ely arrived here this even
ing, and took looms al Wizards Hotel, where
he received the congratulations Of great num-
Der Of personal and political friends. lie is in
good health and spirits. and viii remain here
fer several days.
When the retreat Of troops began at Bull
Run he was going forward toward the Stone
Bridge TO learn tue particulars Of the fight
when he was surrounded by a company o.
rebel infantry under Capt. Mullins That OH
Ger treated him with much re.pec', ard con-
veyed him at once TO Col. Cash, wac was
much excited, and threatened to shoot him.
He was, however, marched on 10 Manassas,
seven miles from where he wes captured,
through a road dark with dust. He suffered
greatly fer water OF which LIE obtained none
uuil he reached Manassas, at 9 P. n.
There lie was placed in large field with
hgadredg Of prisoners, many oi whom we're
wounded and dying. lie describes the scene
as sickeniBg in tho extreme. When about 20
lie down on the grass (Which was wet, for II
was raining heavily he was summoned to
Gen. Beaurcgard's headquarters. There he
ionnd that officer in company With Jeier'on
Davis, ". Porcher A...es, Eztra Billy Smith,
and some twenty oaoo,s Of tue Confederate
army.
Mics spoke TO him in a cool manner lie
said ho vas sorry to fud q member of tie
Federal Congress urging on The soldiers IN
their Efforts 10 subdue tue South, and directed
lin % quarters in al oil barn, whore he fouad
80 many OF tae Union officers that It was o,,G-
cl. 70 secure a place 10 lie down. Fresh
waef vas given linn, aud despite the comfort
less shed, he slept souLliy.
The yain poured IN torrents al night. and
tie camps about MGu.ssas were almos. mum
dated. IN thc rrornire tho prsouers were en-
ter1iaed by 'sui erads nero servant, who
Lad mucl to eav Of ,Lc bravery Of bis master
aud .lc aciien.s Of The battle.
At o'aloeL Mr. NcCigssy, formerly Post
nas.er of ne House of Representatives, with
whom Mr J.y was acquainted, waited upon
lin Wl,h Col. Bate aad tie Rev. Joseph Gross,
of tie Confederate army, who subsequently
wrote a ridiculous account of tho interview cor
a Tcrac.seo pager wl;cb aas reprinted ia
Ncw-york.
At o'c.ock, with tie o,iar prisoners, Air
Ely was MARCHED fron IT, barn 10 tie caTs
for Richmond. At nool, while ~ the cars,
they were supplied with bread and ham. 1t
was o'clock before the train started.
All dfy the ambulances had been bringing in
woun3e. eeiel end Union soldiers. Some ESQ
prisoners were on the train, and with the
wounded Of both armies, brought tho number
Of passengers up 80 I,.C0. So heavy was the
tram and 20 frequent the delays TIA. p days
were occupied IN reaching Richmond.
jefferson Davis accompanied the train a part
OF tie day, when lie was sent forward by ey-
rrrls. At al the stations The people turned
out in great numbers TO see the Yaukee pris-
opers ana were often iuso.e0t, and only kept
from violence Dy the officers in charge.
TIE prisoners were in grea. apprehension Of
rough bauolDg Of Richmond, jat by good man
aqcment the citizens OF that place were misled
as TO the hour Of the arrival Of the train,
which was at " in the eyclnc.
The pFivates were sent on 10 adyance, TO
.he tobacco factory, II miles distant. F9Iy
four officers ana Mr.. Ely followed, and were
thrown into the same room, all huGdled TO-
eeth5r in confusion, and slept upon tie floor.
30 beds or bedding were provided. All the
furniture nov IN that prison bas beea par-
chased by the prisoners.
Tor some days the food was served in caud-
rons placed in the center OF the room, ard
dishes, knives, and forks were not to be bad.