The New York herald., 1861-12-28

Hon Alfred Ely arrived this evening from Baltimore
and gives an interesting account OF his imprisonment In
Richmond, not differing materially, however, from state.
ments previously made. When nrst taken 70 Richmond
he was pot into . room in . tobacco factory with
forty four federal officers, with no furniture
or bedding They used wooden blocks
for pillows and lay upon the bare floor for several days
II was ten days before any convenences for eating and
sleeping were furnished them. Their food brought
In large caudron, and coffee In . similar vessel, and
placed in the middle OF the oor and they helped them
selves they might After time they purchased cots and
necessary articles that tho place comparatively
comfortable, barring the vermn, which infssts the
building The prisoners after whle got used to their
condition. and contrved TO pass some Of their hours In
comfort Some days after they confined, prisoner
nut among them who caused them trouble His
nan,e Rossvslly, and he pretended 70 be surgeon
who had been imprisoned on . charge Of
coming 70 Washington and giving Information
10 General Scott. He was SENT with some
Of officers, down TO Raleigh and the Governor
of North Carolina having to put him In irons for some
thing he demanded trial by court martial and hs
sent Richmond and put into the tobacco prison with
the Union ocers He suspected Of being SPY,
and the rebels also pretended suspect him OF acting
spy against them. An officer came one evening,
and pretended that he was suspected Of designing
70 escape He brought handcuns and about 70 put
them ON Rossvay, and then made show Of relcnting,
saying that for old acquaintance sake he would not hand
saf him. he would pledge his word not 70 attempt 70
escape. Ths farce was ovsracted, and confirmed Nr.
Ely In his suspicons, and he told the officers the
must be got out Of their company. Soon after this
Rossvaly was taken 70 General windcrs Office, and
tho next day the prisoners were drawn out in line and
found themselves In the presence Of nvo Baltimore do
tectives. They were told they armed, and they
also searched Only one small dirk was found. Ross
valley had written anonymous letter to General Win
der, accusing the officers and his perfdy appa
rent that he put in close confinement and there
remains.
Mr.. Ely says that his health very good through all
his imprisonment, and that ho was treated kindly and
many people In Richmond bestowed grateful favors upon
him. He has been visited by thousands OF people, and
never received an insult from them.
Nine officers and two hundred and fifty privatss having
been released from Fort Warren, and corresponding
number were their way from Richmond prison, who
would probably arrive in Baltimore today, Mr. Ely was
called upon select the nine officers to released and
ne named those who suffering from wounds and
sickness The hostages ~ Wood,
Lee and Cogswe MAJ Reeve and Capts Bowman Keeper,
and Rockwell-are confined IN ten feet by thr-
teen, with small windows, from which the light Is
D.
in the at night, and taken out in the morning Tho
hostages At Richmond and Charleston will certainly bc
hung IL the Savannah privateersmen executed
Mr.. Ely s strongly Impressed with the i'm
portance of making regular exchange OF
prisoners although he dscame any intention Of criti-
cising tho policy Of the Administration in that matter
He says that the rebels well Informed Of strength
and movenents-much better than Of theirs. He
left Richmond at i've O'Clock in the morning. and was
surprised and somewhat alarmed seeing an immense
crowd al the Petersburg depot He assured by Nr
Sage, Of Louisiana, q gentleman connected with the
rebel government, that be should not be injured Tho
morning paper a Petersburg had his expected
arrival which drew the crowd together. At Norfolk
immense crowd was gathered around the Atlantic Hotel
to look a him. but he passed unobssrved with
to General Huger's Office General Huger treated
him politely, and ordered . steamboat 10 be
mended to convey him TO the truce boat from
Fortress Monroe He was placed in the charge
Of Colonel Mulgan who conducted him to the boat Be-
fore going board his baggage examined by dctec
tivss. His trunk, plain wooden box, bored for
fase bottom copcealing dispatches, but nothing
discovered, and he was sent along When he the
boat approaching from the Fortress with the Stars
Stripe floating, he could not help exclaiming
as he stood on the deck Of the rebel
steamer, al bless God that see once
more that brilliant banner" Captain Preston commander
ofthe rebel steamer told him he could blame him for
expressing such sentiment.
Mr. Ely brings with him several presents from ctzens
Of Richmond. among which is q handsome, writing case
given him by young lady. Tho Richmond Prison Asso.
cation Of which Mr. Ely President refused 10 elec.
successor, and is left under the charge of ito Vice
President.