The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-02-10


A scene occurred in st.. Paul's Church, Alexan
dria, Virginia, on Sunday morning, February 9th,
1862, which has, perhaps, never had parallel
among civilized nations, certainly not in the his
tory of this country. The officiating minister
Rev. K. J. Stewart-had gone through the Morn
ing Prayer of the Episcopal Church as far as the
Litany, the prayer for the President being omitted
but without any thing in its place, and was pro-
ceeding with the Litany, when an interruption oc
Cured of the character which the law designates
as "brawlng"-that is, the Intervention of noise
and tumult by certain persons, who had come to
the church with the intention of interrupting the
service should it not proceed according to their
wishes. These persons commenced the disturb
ance as they found the prayer for the
President omitted. One Of them. Captain Farms
worth, of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, who sat
near the chancel, dressed in uniform, with some
five or six of his soldiers near him, undertook to
oticiate in prayer Gf prayer it can be called) by
reading the prayer for the President of the United
States. How far he went in it does not appear in,
the confusion, but soon quitting his position as the
offerer of prayer, he advanced to the altar where
Mr.. Stewart was kneeling, still continuing the
Lftany, and ordered his arrest. Mr.. Stewart
was dragged from his knees by the soldiers
The ground Of the arrest Captain Farnsworth
distinctly avowed to be the omission of the p,auer
for the President of the United States. With this
avowal he said, "I arrest you by the authority of
the United States, as a rebel and traitor"
I" and l" responded MIR. Stewart, who by that
time bad advanced to the chancel rails to Can't. F..
Summon you to answer at the Judgment seat Of
the King Of Kings and Lord OF Lordslfor inter-
terng, by force of arms, with His am bassador.
while in the act of presenting the petitions of His
people at His altar The solemnity Of this ap.
peal apparently caused the parties to fall back and
pause, but soon the soldiers were ordered ia se;xa
MI. Stewart which two of them did with great yio-
lence, forcing the prayer 1 book from his
hands, one Of them drawing revolver. Another
revolver was presented to old and yenerated
citizen within the chancel when the officer ordered
the soldier not to fire. Very soon, a considerable
number OF armed soldiers appeared in the church.
Mr.. Stewart refusing to yield voluntarily, was
dragged by force from the altar, and, through the
aisle, out ofthe church. He Was in the surplice.
which he wore through the streets, ana at Col.
Farnsworth's quarters, where he was taken
Capt Farnsworth said that he went to Church
intending to arrest Mr. Stewart if he should offer
any prayer for the Confederate States. Near him
in the same pew, sat Mr.. Morton, the "detectiveo
agent of the United States government.
who there gave orders to Captain Farms
worth to make the arrest, which was executed as
above described. Mr.. Morton has declared that
he was acting under authority from Wash1n eton-l
ne seehe III Tie Onurcn Was suoh as may be
imagined under such circumstances. Gentlemen
were indignant and excited, and ladies giving Mt.
terance to their feelings of grief and indignation.
but, OF course, no serious effort was made TO nre
vent the arrest. Mr.. Stewart was taken away.
and the congregation dispersed. It is proper to
state that these proceedings without the know
ledge of Gen. Montgomery, the Military Clover.
nor OF the city, and were strongly condemned by>
al a, when they came to his knowledge. He tele
graphed to Washington for Instructions from the
government, which, when received were of such
nature as to lead to Mr.. Stewards release after
A few hours detention.
The issues involved in the transaction. thus
nperfectly sketched, are too grave to admit Of
comment. 1t will, however, be- we'll to state thai
Mr.. Stewart only insists upon the rights of all am
,assadors to communicate with their King nm =
rammelled by civil or military interference. and
hat IN no case have any of the services Of this
church assumed political aspect; no prayer has
'een offered, aud no sentiment advanced Mt
my time that was calculated to offend even
hemost sensitive critic. but public worship is iu
errupted, soldiers invade the chancel, and with
lrawn revolvers, drag the minister of religion
rom its altar, because he will not do their bidding
The undersigned were present in Church, and
estlfy to the facts as above stated. 1t may be
proper to state that by request of the Vestry. in
he absence of their rector, the Rev. George A.
'mith and Rev Mr.. Stewart have been officiating
n ST. PauPs Church for several weeks past. and
hat Mr.. Smith was in the Chancel at the time
hese OCCURRENCES took place. a. az a. 4.Sf 4
GEORGE A. SMITH,
CASSIUS f. LEE,
SIDNEY G MILLER, 5l 3 & Z
A. II. CURRIE, "a,
JOHN A. DIXON,
w. H. MARBURY,l mi ftlQla
TOWNSEND d. FENDALL.att
ALBERT e. BASSFORD,
So EDWARD C. FLETCHER. -
GEO. Fl. SM0OI. 1a8Nt,tan9n
j. j WHEAT.
80 aa & w. A. HARPER, 3 "i A4e'3 8
NATHANIEL BOUSH,- ts94s
JOHN WEST
p A. CLAGETT,
8 JAMES GREEN, bella - e
ISAAC WINSTON, .5r ~
THOMAS ". SWAMI,
tt 54sa JAMES ENTWIsLE, sNhlaa 9
LEWIS, HOOFF. ri 3ua sti
CHARLES K. HOOFF, -
r 7 as j. d. CORSE, -
.se..i, STEPHEN A. GREEN. sas
S.,F. GREGORY, Ara
lg3 JOHN II. DYER,
49,. GEOHGE T.. BALDWIN,. tsd 4
Copies OF the above statement have sbeen sent,
the President of the United States and General