The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-05-06
Gen. Harney's Account of his Arrest and
Subsequent Adventures la Virginia.

The Washington cores spondent of the New
York Herald claims to have received the fol-
lowing narration from Gen. Harney:
Early on Thursday morning L was apprised
by the railroad conductor that we We're at
Harper's Ferry, and that there were indica-
tions OF IN intention to arrest me. / did not
believe this was intended but party of SOL
ders presently entered the cars, and apollo
si2ing for disturbing me- said that must con-
slider myself their prisoner. l asked, but was
not allowed, to telegraph to the Secretary of
War was taken to Gen. Carson S quarters,
and informed that should be required to go
TO Richmond Accordingly left, before day.
light, in a carriage, attended by five officers of
the staff. They had proposed 10 send q 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 l did not wish TO
receive an unnecessary amount OF attention
from the public on the way. We were
three days on the Journey, which was made
partially wheels and partially by rail.
| was treated on the route, as well as
at Harpers Ferry, with the greatest cour-
tesy Regret was expressed that orders
were such rs 10 compel my detention. No
disagreeable subjects were introduced, and no
effort made to obtain my confidence. On sun
day evening We reached Richmond, and went
| at once TO Gov Letcher's house. The Gov
ernor was dining ont but was sent for imme-
diately. He released me, stating that his or
ders had been misunderstood. l learned that
the Harper's Ferry force had been directed to
stop ali armed DOulcS, ana t!fdt tHe
had announced me As coming at the head OF
fourteen hundred troops. / WAS treated with
great attention at Richmond by Gov. Letcher,
Col Lee, Col. Johnson and Others, whom l
have long known, and was waited upon by
number of other prominent citizens. There
| seemed to be some curiosity to see me, and
| some belief that intended 10 resign my com
mission in the United States Army. On this
| latter point they Were deceived.
AT half-pa live Monday morning left for
! Alexandria, where l arrived in the afternoon.
GOV. Letcher offered escort, which i refused
| The people along the route seemed to have
heard that | was coming, and at some OF the
| stations We're gathered III considerable num-
bers. AT one point there was great crowd,
| who stared and called me to come out and
show myself; but, except by some boys, no
dsgraceful remarks were made. did not see
| more than half n dozen soldiers In all, ana no
! fortifications and no batteries at alexandra,
| which seemed like deserted village. AT
| Richmond and Harper's Ferry, IL being dark,
| saw few troops AT the former place no.
| tcad, rs l came away, three large secession
| flags in the main street; bat the display OF
| bunting was nothing compared with what
| had observed in Cincinnati and other Nortn-
| ern 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 "nich
| mao, potn with oiiicers and clVlilans, the tone
| OF Virginia is calm but resolved. She has no
intention of attacking Washington, but means
| 10 act on the defensive, claiming, according TO
the doctrine OF States rights, that she can
leaFe the Union at pleasure, and belle wing
the North and South are two distinct people,
Wnlch ought to have separate governments.
heard much regret expressed at the presen t
CONDITION OF affairs, but saw no ndica tions of
the existence of an unkind feeling towards
the North L was assured by Governor
I-etcher and Others high in authority that
! Virginia entertained no idea of attacking
Washington. This, OF course, cannot cover
Jef Davis movements but canno, believe
be, though stubborn, has SO little shrewdness
as TO undertake the Ell terpiise
left st. Louis on Tuesday. l think that.
although since the affair of Fort Sumter the
feeling in favor of secession has strengt thensd
in Missouri, she will not attempt to 90 out Of
the Union