Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-12-31
Arrival OfMr. Ely in Washington.
INTERESTING sTATEMENT OF HIS
CAPTIVITY.
Severe Treatment Of Union Prisoners
BARBARlTIEs OF THE REBELS.
HOW THE PRISONERS PASS THEIR TIME.
Especial Dispatch to the New York Tribune,

evening, and took rooms at Willard's Hotel,
where he received the congratulations of a
great number of personal and political
friends.
When the retreat of the troops began at
Bull Run he was going forward toward the
Stone Bridge to learn the particulars of the
fight when he was surrounded by company
of rebel infantry, under Captain Mullins.
That officer treated him with much respect,
and conveyed him at once to Colonel Cash,
who wss much excited, and threatened to
shoot him. He was, however, marched on to
Manassas, seven miles from where he was
captured, through a road dark with dust.
He suffered greatly for water, of which he
obtained none until he reached Manassas, at
nine p. M.
There he was placed in a large field with
hundreds of prisoners, many of whom were
wounded and dying. He describes the scene
as sickening in the extreme When about
to lie down on the grass (Which was vet, for
it was raining heavily he was summoned to
General Beauregard's head quarters There
he found that officer in company with Jeffer.
son Davis, W. Porcher Miles, Extra Billy
Smith, and some twenty officers of the Con L.
federate army.
Miles spoke to him iu a cool manner. He
said he was sorry to fud mem Der of the
Federal Congress urging on the soldiers in
1ected him to quarters in an old barn, where
he found SO many of the Union officers that
it was difficult to secure q place to lie down
Fresh water was given him, aud despite the
comtortless shed, he slept souudly.
The rain poured in torrents all night, and
the camps about Manassas were almost in
undated. In the morning the prisoners we're
entertained by Beauregard's negro servant
who bad much TO say of the bravery of his
master and the incidents of the battle.
At nine O'clock with the other prisoners,
Mr.. Ely was marched from the barn to the
cars for Richmond. At noon, while in the
care, they were supplied with bread and
ham. 1t was four o'clock before the train
started.
All day the ambulances had been bringing
in wounded rebel and Union soldiers. Some
$50 prisoners were on the train, and with the
wounded of both armies, brought the num-
ber of passengers up to 1900 So heavy
was the train and 80 frequent the delays that
two snd half days were occupied in reach
ing Richmond.
Jefferson Davis accompanied the train a
part of the day, when he was sent forward
by express. At all the stations the people
turned out in great numbers to see the Yam
kee prisoners, and were often insolent, and
only kept from violence by the officers in
charge.
The prisoners were in great apprehension
of rough handling at Richmond, but by good
management the citizens of that place were
misled as to the hour of the arrival of the
train, which was at half past nine in the
evening.
The privates were sent on in advance to
the tobacco factory, one.and a. half miles
distant. Forty-four officers and Mr.. Ely
followed, and were thrown into the same
room, all huddled together in confusion, and
slept upon the floor. No beds or bedding
were provided. All the furniture now in
that prison has been purchased by the
prisoners.
For some days the food was served in
cauldrons placed in the center of the room
and dishes, knives, and forks were not to be
had. ..
The first day one of the sentinels outside
the building sent ball from his musket
| through a window and into rafter of the
main room. 1t was aimed at prisoner who
chanced to look out. Seven were at various
times shot for taking such liberty. Thii
cruel practice was objected to by leading
citizens and subsequently stopped.
Mr.. Ely speaks in terms of high praise o
the treatment extended him by the people o
Richmond. Thousands focked to see him
and he received many presents, one o
which-a writing desk from young lady
he brings with him. Scarcely day passed
that bequests were not sent him. One dsy
he was given three good dinners. The book
given him from time to time, but which b,
was obliged to leave behind, would make
very respectable library.
Colonel Wood has quite recovered fren
his severe wound, and the other officers ar
quite well. Mr.. Ely is OF opinion that the,
will certainly be hung as we'll Colonel Cor
coran, who is in close confinement a
Charleston, if the pirates in our possession
are put to death. OF Colonel Corcoran'
demeanOr while in Richmond, Mr.. FL,
speaks in terms of hearty praise. That brav
officer never cowed under the most disheart
ening circumstances.
He says the Richmond papers are dali,
furnished to the prisoners, but Northeri
journals very seldom. He thinks, however
that they have more comforts than the priS
oners at Charleston.
Mr.. Ely was on one occasion visited il
prison by Breckenridge, Humphrey Mar
shall and Preston of Kentucky, who wer
in excellent health, and cracked man,
jokes. BTeckinridge said that the reaso
why Senator Foster, of Connecticut, VIII
accompanied Mr.. Ely to Bull Run, was no
made prisoner, was simply because he wa
more nimble of foot. Mr.. Foster was one G
the first to wait on Mr. Ely this evening
and the meeting was highly affecting.
| Jeu. Davis never visited Lne hlcnm0n
prison, to Mr.. Ely's kno wledge, but he say
him on several occasions, and states that hi
health is fully recovered.
The citizens of Richmond are still enthu
sisstic in the rebel cause. Little business
done, except in connection with the arm
movements. Many thousands of sick an
wounded soldiers are in the hospitals an
private houses. .................
Mr.. Faulkner arrived at Richmond Q
seven o'clock on Thursday evening of lai
week. He was met at the depot by Cover
Dor Letcher, Mayor Mayo, and thousands {
the people, and carried to the City Hall in
carriage drawn by four gray horses. Th
streets were hung with flags, and the prC
cession cheered throughout the line, In h
reception and speech, Governor Letcher sal
the Confederate States could well afford
exchange Mr.. Ely for Mr.. Faulkner, and thI
the latter was worth regiment of Elys.
Mr.. Ely was released on Saturday, ar
permitted to 60 any whore in the city. Z
had several invitations to dinner, al
was generally well treated He le
Richmond at o'clock on Wednesdl
. morning, and was taken to Petersburg, whe
a great crowd had assembled TO see him.
"A crowd had gathered at the Atlantic III
, tel, but they escaped it By going tothe otht
ofGen. Huger, where Mr.. Ely was courteou
. ly received, and boat ordered to be read
Gt once to convey him 70 meet the Unio
steamer from Fortress Monroe. ,t rrn.--- I
, On the pier Mr.. Ely's baggage was car
I6,ll~ and ha Was intrnduaad