Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1862-01-06
Tho RIchmopd Prisoners Drnwius Lots

Statements by MIR. EIy.
The following interesting details are based
upon statements made by Mr.. Ely;
One of the most painful incidents which
transpired in the Richmond prison was the
selection Of hostages by lot from our officers
for the safety of the rebel privsteers. Soon
after the conviction of Smith, in Philadelphia,
of piracy, General Winder came to the prison
with his staff, and entered the room where
Mr.. Ely and the officers were imprisoned.
He had with him tin case and some ballots.
He announced that be had been directed by
the Secretary of War to execute the order
which he held in his hand, and which he then
proceeded to read.
The order was in substance TO select an
officer of the highest rank of those held as
prisoners of war by the Confederate States,
TO be held as a hostage for Captain Smith,
who had been convicted of piracy in the city
of Philadelphia-he to be placed in close
confinement, TO be treated Rs a convicted
felon, and to be executed in case death befel
Captain Smith at the hands of the United
States authorities. He then took seven
ballots, and asked Colonel Lee to read the
names written upon them, and then place
them in the tin case. Colonel Lee said that
be had 70 doubt that the names were on the
ballots; but General Winder desired that he
examine them to see that there was no un-
took the ballots one by one, read the names
on them, and placed them 10 the box.
General Winder then asked Mr.. Ely If he
would not be good enough to place his hand
IN the box and draw out oHe of the seven
ballots. Mr.. Ely declined, partly because he
was not sure that his own name was not on
the ballots and partly because of the deli.
cate nature of the Office which he had been
asked to perform; and he stated that he could
% 4 ant af mil - tho ay,A
wish of his fellow-prisOners, who we're so
much interested iD the result. They at once
signi6ed their consent, stating that if lots
must be drawn they we're entirely willing
that he should do it With great trepidstion
| MIR. Ely placed his hand in the case aud drew
out ballot, on which was written the name
of Colonel Corcorsn. His feelings we're of
the deepest modification. as Colonel Cor
cOran was then in Charleston, aud moreO YER,
| be and the Colonel had been in the same
mess together, and were on terms of the most
ardent friendship.
When the result was announced deep ST.
lepce pervaded the room for a moment, aud
| gloom overcame all present. General
WiDder then announced that thirteen hos
tages were to be selected for the Savannah
privateers now in New York, and the six
Colonels were at once selected. They were
Colouels Coggswell, Wood, Wilcox, Wood.
ruff and Bowman. Lieutenant Colonel Nelf
ard Majors Revere and Potter we're next se-
lected. Three hostages were still wanting
and the names of fifteen Captains were then
written on ballots and placed ia the case
and Mr.. Ely was again called upon to draw
out three, He did so, aud the names were
Captains Ricketts, McQuade and Rock wood
But as both Ricketts, and McQlade were
suffering from bad wounds, the rebel author
tiles determined subsequently to exclude
them from the list and on a subsequen
drawing made by Captain Cox, of OHIO, tht
names Of Captains Keffer and Bowman wert
drawn.