The national Republican., 1861-08-17
Narrative OF Mrs. Curtis's Arrest and I'm.
prissnment IN Richmond.


prisoninent IN Richmond.
Among the prisoners sent from Richmond to
Norfolk, a few days ego, was Mrs. ia Curtis,
Of Albion. Orleans county, New York, who
was captured by the rebels while on little
pleasure tour across the river. The following
statement was made by Mrs. Curtis to the re-
porter Of the New York Tribune:
Some three weeks ago, took notion one
dne morning would ride out toward Falls
Church, and zee If could see anything of The
secessionists. Accordingly. the horses were
Drought up and saddled, and Miss Pierce, Mr..
Eldridge, and myself started. We rode along
without interruption until we came within about
half mile OF the village, when rebel picket
rode out from the fields AID arrested the gen.
tleman, che being somewhat in the rear,) and
soon overlook Miss Pierce and myself. The
picket told me that must 60 with him before
o Confederate officer and report, whereupon
told him very painly should do no such a
thing told him acknowledged no allegiance
to the rebel Governm Mt, and would never 20
willingly. l offered to compromise with them.
| told them If th would let Miss Pierce re-
turn home, l would then accompany them fiy.
self. After rome deliberatitn, they accepted
my terms, and allowed her to return.
They then sent Mr.. Eldridge and myself, I'm.
der an escort, to Colonel Stuart of the first
Virginia regiment, who, l may as we'll here
remark, treated me with all the kindness In his
power. He Is one Of natures noblemen, and
am truly sorry his talents are enlisted, upon
the side Of the rebels. At Fairfax Court House.
they relieved me Of my horse, as they did my
companion. have not seen Mr.. Eldridgc since
we arrived at Fairfax. ! remained at Fairfax
Court House five days. during which time |
succeeded In ascertainlng that there were at
least four regiments stationed there. met
some Of General Beauregard's staff, and also
some Of General Bonham's. To all of whom
I expressed my opinion pretty freely upon the
subject Of secession. Some of them seemed
pleased at what they termed my yankee
grit" while others were for having us all
hanged. I was told by some ladies Of Fairfax
that our troops, while passing through that
place, were very respectful In their department
J toward the ladies that remained. So you caa
see that the stories that the rebels tell about
their insulting women and children are false.
Some OF the residences were very much injured
by some of our soldiers, but I think It was
done more for mischief than anything else.
: The fifth day after my arrest was sent to
Manassas, Col. Stuart having tried every means
to have me released, but without success. We
started about 10 o'clock in the morning, and we
did not arrive at Manassas until o'clock In
the evening the distance is about l6 miller,
, You can have some idea of the speed with
which they travel In Virginia was accom-.
panied by Mr.. Edward Sayles, of Cincinnati, ),
. who was arrested at Fairfax after the battle
He Is still at Richmond We passed by the
: famous battl le-feld, and never shall l forget It.
The atmosphere for miles was 20 impregnated
with the nauseous vapors, that II seemed i'm.
possible to breathe, and upon every hand rose
the huge graves of our martyred soldiers.
When arrived at Manassas, Gen Johnston rc-
fused to hear a ,ythng had to say. but ordered
me to be sent to Richmchd by the first train.
was then sent to the quarters Of the provost mar,
shal who insulted me shamefully. He threat
cned to put handouts on me. was placed Ii,
a room and guard placed at The door, With
; the orders to not let me escape. The next
morning was sent forward to Richmond with
), Captain Tremain as an escort. lie is Of IN
eighth Louisiana regiment. He treated me
with kindns IS, and did everything Ii his bower
to render, my situation more pleasRnt. At
> every station was surrounded by rabble Of
o men and boys, and | am sorry to say some-ii
I times ladies' mixed wi the crowd, who amused
o me by suggesting that had better be hung,
and by asking me If washed and sewcd fog,
the soldiers and by crowdiDg around me and
staring at me as though was the famous Whnt
Is 1t? at Birnum's.
!, But, with all my trouble, arrived at R:uh
r mond the same evening, where | was imine.
diately surrounded by. a crowd, cbmposed
chiefly Of greasy darkies, who seemed highly
J, pleased was kindly received by the officers
Of the War Department. They. for the first
l. time. informed me why had Geou arrested.
v They said was suspected of being a SPY, and
l. that they thought was in a dangerous situa.
ton. told them that did not fear hem
Z They must treat me as they saw it, ! was
# prepared for anything. was provided viii
board at private house, In the family of a Mr..
r, Pryor, who treated me well. All this time |
was obliged to wear my riding-habit. The
N (1OVprnmpnt lad I'LL IL
They often promised me to get me everything
n needed, but 1t never amounted to anything
more than promises. Afew days after INV ar.
rival learned that Col. Wilcox of the I'd Mich.
/. igan, and several others, had arrived. | was
v determined to gee them IL possible. went to
:. the Surgeon. General, and told him / was
!, Northern lady, ard that | had friends there
d that would like to sec. He gave me permis-
sion. ! saw Capt. Ricketts,, and Col. Wilcox,
@ Major Potter, Capt. Jones, and several others
q whose names l cannot now remember. Thew
all seemed to be doing we'll. know, from
good authority, that our wounded men are not
e very we'll treated. Tried (but unsuccesstullyl
!, to see Mr.. Ely and Col. Corcoran. I BELIEVE
!. they are retained as hostages for Col. Thomas
, or the " French lady Richmond Is ,erv dmii
- ', and there is a universal complaint OF hard
70 times, and great deal of complaint against
being compelled to fight. They are drafting
all the men capable of bearing arms II anv NJ
tne savannah prisoners are executed, thay will
Is hang ten for every one. believe they will do
}, as they say. was liberated ard sent to Nor.
folk, in company with twenty.three othsrs.
!, When we arrived at Norfolk we were put on
u board steam-tug and conveyed, under fac
OF truce tosthe United States steamship Min,
nesota. Our glorious flag never looked 40
!, beautiful as when first looked upon 1t to day,
g o..,s,,"O 60, long may it wAye,
osr tic land Of the free aud the home of the brave
| need not tell You how kindly was ro-
ceived by Com. Stringham and his officers, and
also by Gen. Butler with whom | dined. /
, am now on board the steamer Georgiana, bound
Tor Baltimore, on my return to my friends at
Wa hington, wher. hope to arrive safe and
l well.
, ANOTHER STATEMENT.
|, FORTRESS MONROE, Aug. y. 1861,
Being one of the unfortunate at Manassas n,
= tha olaf of II,lI l,nt I . O4