The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-09-13

To the Editors ofMe Pioneer and Democrat:

To the Editors ofMs Pioneer and Democrat:
WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. Is. 1861.
As I had anticipated, the Habeas Corpus
case was decided yesterday, adversely to
the claim of the regiment, THAT they were
not legally held) and Ed. Stevens ("Rai-
sins') is remanded to the service of Colonel
German. 1t seems to me that Judge
Wayne showed q. fragrant contempt for the
facts in the case; for though equity
was with the Government, the laws letter
and spirit were most obviously with the Pc
titioners.
But so far we'll enough-no protest would
have been raised against the decision and
Stevens was ready, as he had always as.
sented, to return to the regiment and serve
as good and submissive soldier. But on
being transferred to the Colonels custody,
a squad ofinfantry, under direction, learn,
of General McOlellan-whose just mind
had evidently been wrought upon by some
body's fanciful narrative-came up and ar
rested him for violation of some of the army
amounting to charge of mutiny,
sedition and treason need not say that
there is not in the whole service, or out Of
it, more loyal, faithful, submissive patriot
than he. l knoU that he has always urged
upon his comrades strict and unquestioning
submission to all authority; that be loves
the Republic with the ardor of an intelli-
gent and most devoted lover, and that he is
one of the frankest and manifest in our noble
regiment. II know fve.sixths of the boys
would re-enlist and reorganize the Minne-
sofa First Regiment, if we were discharged"
he said to me week ago; " know 1 am
in, in good faith, with my service, and my
life, if it comes to that, and in for the aoar,
whether to put down this conspiracy of
rebels it takes three years or thirty!" And
while scores of traitors are in all these de-
partments, eating their bread and butter off
the Federal mahogany, while they employ
their elegant leisure in sauntering out by
light to shoot our pickets from bush;
while Hon. Secessionists can ventilate their
hostile theories in our Capital while the
Government is coddling and caressing the
rebels who are feeling for the National heart
with stiletto, this brave STRIPPING who has
faced wall of fire all one summer after.
noon to defend the life of the Republic, is
arrested and thrust into an unwholesome
cell, to await court martial, as traitor,
and o mutineer, because he respectfully
asked the Supreme Court to shoa0 him the
law which bound him under an obnoxious
commander! THIS as all that uas alleged
against him To be tried for his life, or
sent to broil upon the Dry Tortugas, for
having the presumption to inquire through
the forms of law, as to the validity of a con-
tract l found him this morning in the
Central Guard House, with drunkards and
felons, on stone floor, where he had slept
without pillow, and without blanket or
any covering whatever. He was entirely
cheerful, and said be felt conscience clear
ready for any fate that awaited him.
All good citizens must concede to gov.
ernmcnt right to act irregularly in times
of war, and sometimes for its own safety,
prescribe severe penalties for offences that
would be at other times trivial or venial,
but this arrest is so utterly wicked and SO
entirely for selfish ends, that I cannot speak
of it with any composure. By whose men.
| dacity and connivance was this arrest insti-
gated? Who has lied to Gen. Mcclellan?
Will not our Governor, and Congressman
who are familiar with the facts, interfere?
W. A. CROFFUT.