The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-12-26
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AM fD,EnMaopcuR DEMOCRAT
The Arbitrary Arrest OF Major =. j.
Noah OF 6t. Paul.
STATEMENT BY HIMSELF.
To the Editor Of The World.

NVA0 VI ME RAUL
s. STATEMENT BY HIMSELF.
To the Editor Of The World.
' -'' NEW YORK, Dec. 9.
Although repeatedly and strongly urged
by many friends to bring my case before
the public, in the city where 1 was born,
and claim a birthright, l have forborne SO
doing until the time should arrive when,
by the action of the government itself,
should be discharged from the illegal arrest
to which ! have been subjected.
After having served faithfully for year
in the federal army, worn down by con-
slant exposure in the last winters Ken
lucky campaign, feeble health forced the
resignation Of my commission in June last,
and was permitted honorably to retire
from the service. But few days subse-
quently, I was arrested in Louisville, Ken
tucy, and without knowing or being allow
ed to meet any charges whatever, was car
ried into another state and thrust into tS
Jacksonville Qndiana) Penitentiary, there
confined with convicts and felons, the only
political prisoner within the dungeon walls.
Through the intercession of George D.
Prentice, Esq, of the Louisville Journal,
was compelled to accede, under protest,
to the terms that should give bonds, con-
ditiOned for good behavior, in the sum of
$4,000, and to 90 to the State of New
York, there to remain during the rebellion,
before could effect my release from the
Bastile. As | had never done or said any
thing that could be fairly construed by even
the most radical to be disloyal, it was rath-
err Notifying to be banished without hear
ing, after having thus been vigorously i'm
prisoned.
Mr.. Prentice voluntarily became my
bondsman, and in connection with Colonel
a. NJ. Gazlay, Of Louisville, furnished me
with strong letters to the War Depart
ment protesting my innocence, and de-
manding that | should be at once iberat-
ed. After my arrival in this city, COM
municated with Mr.. Seward, who referred
my application for relief to ''the tomb of
the Capulets," known as the War Depart
ment. No notice being taken of my mat
ter, l addressed letter last week to Hon.
Henry M. Rice, United States Senator
from my own State (Minnesota), in which
] detailed succinctly the particulars of my
case. With promptitude, which should
be emulated by others in authority, he adj
dressed Inc the following letter:
SENATE CHAMBER, Dec. 3, 1862.
DEAR SIR: Yours of the end instant, is
just received. will at once (to-day) call
the attention Of the President to your case
in hopes to get a speedy reply. AS last
resort, [ will call the attention OF the SEN
ate, but | trust and hope the Executive
will be able to render the required relief.
Very respectfully yours.
Major j. J. Noah. No. 100 Second Avenue
New York City.
On Saturday last, the 9th instant, | re-
ceived the following communication from
the War Department, which is evidently
written to convey the impression that my
case had been reached in its due course,
and acted upon, in view of its merits, with
out the interference of Mr. Rice, or any
body else to hurry it on. 1t is the first
communication that the department has
hOnored me with, no response ever having
been before made to any of my written
demands:
WAR DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON CRY,
December 4, 1862. (
To j. j. Noah, ESQ:
You and your surety, George d. Prem
tice, are hereby released and discharged
from all liability upon bond in the sum
of $4,000, conditioned, among other
things, that you proceed to the State of
New York, and there remain during the
war.
BY order of the Secretary of War.
L. G. TURNER,
Judge Advocate.
So that after having been imprisoned,
banished, and held in duress for five
months, with all the 'antecedent miseries
and expenses Of being alienated from my
home in the West, away from the field of
my pursuits, have been at last relieved,
and turned loose to beg, borrow, or steal
my way home again. Had l been allow
ed hearing of ten minutes, I could have
abundantly proved that the circumstances
ofmy arrest must have been prompted by
conspiracy, and that had at the very hour
of my arrest, rendered my services in any
capacity where my military experience
would be of use, to repel John Morgan,
who was hourly expected to make raid
upon Louisville.
l am very respectfully, your ob't. serv't.
j. j. NOAH.