Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-01-10
statement OF Congressman EIy--Ezts Cap.
IIVity.


From Mr.. Ely's story of bis capture al
Bull Run and his subsequent captivity in
Richmond, we extract as follows:
When the retreat Of 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 COM
pany of rebel infantry under Captain Null
lins. That officer treated him with much
respect, and conveyed him at once to Col.
Cash, who was much excited, and threaten
ed to shoot him. He was, however, march,
ed on to Manassas, seven miles from where
he was captured, through road dark with
dust. He suffered greatly for water, Of
which he obtained none until he reached
Manassas, at P. NJ. 70 r''sft'"- '"L
There he was placed in large field with
hundreds Of prisoners, many of whom we're
wounded and dying. He describes the
scene as sickeniug in the extreme. When
about to lie down on the grass which was
wet, for it was raining heavily, be was
summoned to Gen. Bcauregard's headquar-
ters. There he found that officer in COM
pauy with Jefferson Davis, w. Porcher
Miles, Extra Billy Smith, and some twenty
officers Of the Confederate army.
Miles spoke TO him in cool manner
He said he was sorry TO find a member Of
, the Federal Congress urging on the soldiers
in their efforts TO subdue the South, and
t directed him to quarters in an old barn,
where he found so many Of the Union Off
GERS that it was difficult to secure a place
to lie down. Fresh water was given him,
and despite the comsortless she'd he slept
, soundly. ....l,a..........f..r..
The rain poured down in torrents all
night and the camps about Manassas were
o almost inundated. In the morning The
prisoners were entertained by Beauregard'l
y negro servant, who had much TO say Of ths
3 bravery of his master and the incidents ol
e the battle.
At o'clock, with the other prisoners. Mr.
Ely was marched from the barn to the cars
for Richmond. At noon, while in the cars,
: they were supplied with bread and ham,
1t was four o'clock before the train started,
All day the ambulances had been bring,
9 ing in wounded Rebel and Union soldiers
y Some $50 prisoners were on the train, ani
!. with the wounded Of both armies brough
tho number Of passengers up 70 1,5oo,. SS
heavy was the train and so frequent tbt
= delays that two and half days were occu
J. pied in reaching Richmond.
. Jefferson Davis accompanied tho train q
:. part Of the day, when be was sent forward
Y by express. At all tho stations the people
b turned out in great numbers to see the Y an
: kee prisoners, and weTs ofton insoleut, abC
only kept from violence by the officers il
a charge. a'iiiii '-'a a'afaia7 o yfw aaL
. The prisoners wero IN great sPprehen
: sion Of rough handling at Riehmo1d.l bu
. !. BY good management the citise0s Of tha
u place were misled as TO the hour Of The ~
re rival Of the train, which was At balkPsSl
nina inlths evening. s'sG sl 3 EsF saI
The pFisatss were ssut on ID advance, q
= : the tobacco factory, II miles distant
M Forty-four officers and Mr.. Ely followed
!, and wero thrown into the same room, I'll
,, huddled together in confusion, and slept
z upon the floor, No beds or bedding weTe
!. provided. All the furniture now 10 that
Ie prison has been purchased BY the prisoners
, For some days the food was served ia
!. cauldrons placed 10 the center Of the room,
d and dishes, knives and forks, were not %
K be had. ~. s,.....,..
"a A strong Union conspiracy has been disc.
vsrsd in the mountains of Georgia, and atlStapo
have been made 70 burn nnDbef Of briaaas