Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-08-09
THE SENTINEL.
DR.. E. johnson and r. II. Alvey, Esq.
From the Baltimore Exehange.1

SE' IL OOAtAL9Oti utiu H. kAs &AAFSss IsSl.
From the Baltimore Exchanged
Among the Estate prisoners, as they
are now termed, who have been dragged
from their homes, transported from the
State, and are now destined TO imprison
ment in Northern fortress, there are
two whose cases require some special
notice. Dr. Edward johnson, Of this
city, and Richard II. Alvey ESD, Of
Hagerstown, after having been confined
for weeks past in Fort McHenry, have
now been sent to suffer further indigni-
ties at a point where the hands Of their
families and friends can no more minister
to their wants, and where they can be
no longer cheered by the sympathies Of
community which comprehends the full
extent and character of the outrsges to
which they have been subjected. As no
detailed statement Of the treatment which
they have experienced at the hands Of
the Government has yet been made pub
lie, it is due to them and to the people
of this State that the facts relating to
their arrest and detention should be pub
lished. The records Of the Austrian
and Turkish governments could disclose
no more wanton and aggravated instance
OF oppression praeticed upon innocent
and honorable men, We will let DR..
johnson tell bis own story, and we are
sure we can youch for the accuracy and
truth of his statement The following
letter, which be addressed to Gen. Dix
on the day of his removal from Fort
McHenry, sets forth, in clear and graphic
language, the nature Of the outrage
which has been done him:
"FoRr McHEmY GUARD HOUSE, !
July Goth, 1861, {
"MAJ. GEN. john A. DIX,
recommending Department of IU.:
"SB: | am under the necessity Of
appealing to you, to releaso me from con-
inement, which has already endured
twenty-one days, and which I must be
pardoned for considering most unwar-
ranted and cruel. I am aware that, in
times Of public danger, instances of iu-
dividual wrong are sometimes unayoida.
be; but that to which l have been ex-
posed seems SO wanton that TIE respect
due to your character and position as
spres me you will not permit it to be
continued On Saturday, the 9Th inst.
| went, with my son, in the steamer Mary
Washington, to pay visit to my relative,
Mr.. Tongue, who resides in Calvert
county, near the patuxent river. | spent
Sunday a his house, and next day took
the same steamer, on her return trip to
Baltimore, where / have for several years
lived, with my family. l am not aware
Of any circumstances which occurred-ou
board, or at any other period Of my life,
to justify suspicion against nae. The
steamer was ordered to stop at this fort.
on her way, and to my amazemout, l.
together with Col Aayyona, whom | had
not, before that trip seen since he was a
small boy, and Messrs. Fitzpatrick, Hig.
gins and Hebb. neither Of whom knew,
were taken ia charge by file ofsoldiers,
and all Of US were eogiined together in
the guard house. From that moment
to the present I have been vigorously
confined there without any comfort, but
the little my friends have been allowed
to supply me in the way Of provisions
from them. have never been permit.
ted to leave It, except for a few minute.
at q time, under the most urgeant cir.
cumstances, in custody Of an armed sen.
tinel l have, in vain, applied to Gen.
Bauka and Col Morris to inform me on
what charge l was held have offered
to waive the presumption Of innocence
to which any criminal is entitled, and t.
assume the burden Of accounting salts.
faot9rily to them, for any moment Of my
life to which they would say suspicion
attached | have told them that was.
and 50 far as I am informed, am yet, on
officer Of the Government in the Custom
Houls-that | have large family, a
wife and nine children entirely Deepen.
dent upon MY labor for support. have
oferedmy parole, or any named security,
that | would be forthcoming, to answer
any Charge which might hereafter be
preferred against me, but my appeals
have bought me no relief nor the pro-
mise d any The Grand jury of the
teder} court was in session for long
time aAer ny arrest-found many in
dictmeits against other parties-but none
againstme. have no reason to sup
pose thit any one had the hardihood to
attemptto implicate me in even the sus.
picion 4 crime, but | am still ignomini-
ously deprived Of my life and my family
left to iho charity Of their friends. COL
Morris has intimated to me that If would
take an oath Of allegiance, prepared by
him, | would be released as others have
been, who we're arrested at the same time.
but although l have not, and have never
had, and never expect to have, any pur-
pose which would be thwarted BY such
an oath, my self-respoct rebels against
any mans right, however high his posi-
uon, TO treat me like a guilty or suspected
ielon ! was arrested without cause.
claim freeman's right to be discharged
without conditions. / am now an old
man ana have never committed or an-
teipalod the commission Of any crime
against the United States. At The mo-
ment Of my arrest, vas esteemed wor-
Thy to hold Office undor The government.
No one can truthfully charged mel be-
lieve no one has falsely charge me-with
being recreaut, in nv humble spbero 10