The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-05-01
The Arrest OF Ca ap,ain Jenifer.

ne nagerstOWn tNku.t MAIL gives the IOi-
lowing account of this affair, which has al
ready been briefly noticed:
Captain Jenifer few days since arrived at
Carlisle Barracks, in command of his compa-
ny from Texas. A few days after he obtained
leave OF absence from his commanding officer
MAJOR Thomas, for the purpose of visiting his
friends and relatives in this State and Virgin
ia On reaching Il iltimore on the day of the
nght, and perceiving that rs an officer of the
Cnited States Army he would soon be called
upon 10 take part against his native State,
like Col Lee, Col MaSruder, Col MAY and
Others he rendered his resigna tion to take eff
feet on the both OF April inst The only rea-
son why mis- resignation was not to have i'm
mediate enect was that he might have time to
settle MS accounts with Government Hay-
Ing conc luded TO make this change in his plans
he started back the same evening TO Carlisle
Barracks, for the purpose of informing his
commanding officer OF what he had done, for
Warding his baggage and taking his horse to
Baltimore. On reaching Carlisle, he learned
that the bridge on the Northern Central Rail-
road had been destroyed and was consequent
~ compelled to take his horse by turnpike. On
Sunday night last he bid the officers of his re-
giment good bye-they having to start for
Washington at IL o'clock that night-teliing
them that within four or five days he would
meet them in Washington and remain with
them until his resignation was accepted, or he
mad ceased To be an officer of the Army
At seven O'Clock the next (MondayJ morn
ing, Captain Jenifer mounted his horse and
ieft the Barracks, by the turnpike leading TO
Baltimore. He was between nine and ten
hours reaching Hanover, Il istance of thirty
miles, having ridden the whole way in a walk
On arriving at Hanover about fl We o'clock he
found about two hundred armed men assem-
bled in front of the hotel. As soon as he dis
mounted, they crowded around him for the
purpose, as he supposed, of ascertaining if he
had any news. He gave what news ne had,
when the Mayor of Hanover asked him TO
step Ito the parior, where he was arrested
by the Mayor oy order of the Governor. The
Mayor then informed him that the arrest was
mace In ccnseq uence OF information received
by telegraph that he was the bearer of dis
patches or important information design ed
for The South. At this time the crowd be-
came 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 re-
ceived that mob from Baltimore was ap-
preaching Hanover, and was but q short dis
tance off, intent upon the destruction of the
town. The report was, of course, wholly
groundless, but served to infuriate the popu-
lace again the latter believing that Captain
Jenter's appearance there at the time was
part OF the scheme against the place.
To satisfy the Mayor, Capt. Jenifpr pro-
posed that he should be searched, winch was
done. No dispatches or papers, or any other
information, were found, than private let
ter from "a friend in Virginia, urging him 10
resign his commission in the army. The let
ter was retained, and a copy forwarded 10 the
Governor The Mayor then proposed that as
it might be impossible TO restrain the hob
from personal violence, Capt. Jeniter had
better proceed to York. While the convey
| ance was being prepared. his legs were bound
with chains, and handouts were sent tor; but
before they could be procured, a gen tleman Of
HanoVer-Capt. A. w. Eicheiberger-on hear
ing his name, said it was an ndignity to an
officer OF the Army, and II gentleman, which
could Eot be permitted; Whereupon the
Mayor, after a short conversation with Capt
f., aud pledge from Jeniter that he would
not attempt to escape, had the chains re-
moved. This was done, however, against the
remonstranoes of many OF the crowd. After
the chains were taKeii of the crowd became
still more excited, and one who had musket
i'll his hands remarked that he w0uid IKE TO
put three hundred balls through the prisoner
Capt. Jenifer, who had no arms upon his
person, was then taken TO Y ork in Il close car
riage, guarded by the Mayor and two others
armed, arriving there 1T eleven o'clock the
same night. The prisoner was first taken to
hotel, but, again fearful of mob, he was
placed i'll the common Jail by his cusLodians,
and locked up for the night as prisoner of
war. BetWeen ten and eleven O'Clock the next
tuesday, morning, he was removed 10 another
cell, which was considered more secure, and
heavily ironed. In this condition be re manned
for several hours, when Judge Fisher, at the
quest or several citiztuS, among whom was
Lieut.. Wells, of the Navy, had the irons re-
moved. At a later hour the irons We're aga,n
pat Oh by the Sheriff, by order of the Judge,
as Is III consequence Oh u dlSI'atSL
ceived from the Governor. About shutdown
J JuEge Fisher entered The cell to state to Capt.
Jenifer that he was released.
During his confinement large numbers of
persons, through curiosity, visited the pri-
Soner i'll his cell. When informed of his re-
lease, Capt. Jenifer obtained permission TO
remain in Jail during the night; bat his bro
ther officers, who had arrived tnat evening in
ork, and who, it is believed, were mainly
Instrumental III procuring his release, insis ted
upon his lodging ut their quarters. After re-
malning an hour or two, he went in company
with Lieut. Wells, to pay friendly visit tn
Judge Fisher, and thanked him for his kind
uess, when the latter Informed him Capt.
j J that he had just received another dispatch
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. JeniterS giving his
parole OF honor to Col. Porter that he would
not attempt an escape, was allowed TO accom-
pany him to Harrisburg for the purpose OF
having an interview with the Governor.
Captain Jcuifer reached Harrisburg at s
O'Clock on the morning of Wednesday, ard
waited upon the Governor at 0 o'clock, in
company with Col. Porter and Li-ut Jones,
recently III command at Harper's Ferry, who
cted as JeDifer's friends upon the OCCASION
After hearing the statement of the accused,
Gov. Curtn's only reply was-"These are ex-
citing times, and we have to be on our guard, u"
or something 10 that effect Capt Jenifer
then took leave, the Governor expressing his
regrets 1T what had occurred. He then took
the cars and arrived here, as already stated, on
the evening train
Capt. Jenifer is a native of Charles county
Maryland, and son of the late Hon. Daniel
Jenlfer, who represented our Sta te for many
years in Congress and was Minister to Aus
harp i'll Ha~