Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-01-03
Congressman E,y.s story.

congressman Ely StVfys
Alfred Ely, the New York member Of
Congress, who has been a prisoner OF war
at Richmond .ince the Bull Run affair, and
arrived al Washington on Friday, makes
some interesting statements as tic his cap
lure and matters at Richmond.
He was captured by South Carolina
company Of infantry, about o'clock P. m.
of the day of battle. He had stopped at a
blacksmith's shop to have his carriage men
ded, and after that. waited awhile for Sen
ator Foster, of Connecticut, who had gone
out with him. While waiting he walked
/ down towards ravine, in which he saw
company of National troops skulking or in
ambush, but as he approached them, they
receded and just as Mr.. Ely paused to re
turn to his carriage. a spent musket ball
stuck the earth near him. He stepped
behind large tree near by TO be out OF
danger, and continued his observations. In
moment cannon bali went crashing
through the branches of the tree, and seem
ed to be telling the whole top upon him,
By the time he recovered from his SUR
prise, a company of soldiers, accompanied
by two welldressed officers, emerged from
the woods near by
On perceivnc Mr.. Ely, the two officers
| 4 Ii Il
answered, " Mr.. Ely of New York. The
question followed, +" Do you hold any civil
office in the Government r For the first
time Mr. Ely said he felt he was in trou-
bic. He replied that he was Member Of
Congress. and thereupon one of the officers
clapped his hand upon him and declared
him a prisoner, but assured him he should
be treated with every consideration. They
took him 10 their Colonel, and introduced
him formally as Hon. Mr.. Ely, Member
r Of Congress from New York" Instantly
: the Colonel drew a pistol, cooked it and
: leveled it at Mr.. Ely's head, not two PAGES
. distant, and said You id rascal, III
N blow your brains out" The officers who
N arrested Mr.. Ely instantly threw them
"A selves upon The Colonel, forced his pisto
N back, and persuaded him away. They the
is apologized TO Mr.. Ely, saying they wer
rs ashamed of their Colonel, who was excite
a. by drinking. he officer was Col. Casl
N. and the officer who arrested Mr.. Ely W;
of Capt. Mullins.
nd When the retreat of troops began at Ru
N. Run he was going forward toward the Stor
,e. Bridge to learn The particulars of the figl
he when he was surrounded by company
nj rebel infantry under Capt. Mullins. Th
be officer treated him with much respect, a
md conveyed him at once TO Col. Cash, who W
much excited. and threatened TO shoot hi
He was, however, marched on to Manass
LIE seven miles from where he was capiur,
Ss through a roail dark with dust. He ;
lii tered greatly for water, of which he ob,a
ties ed none until he reached Manassas, al 8 D.
ON There he was placed in large field W
Lth, hundreds of prisoners, many of whom W,
by wounded and dying. He describes
lsel scene as sickening in the extreme. WI
lse about TO lie down on the grass (which ,
uns wet, for it was raining heavily, he was 81
oss moned to Gen. BvanFegard's headquari,
)ui- There he found that officer in comp,
his with jefferson Davis. W. Porcher Nj
pts Extra Billy Smith, and some twenty ,
les GERS of The confederate army.
ZEN Miles spoke to him in cool mann
eat He said he was sorry to find member
ome the Federal Congress urging on the sold
we'd. in their efforts to subdue the South, aud
.nce rected him TO quarters in an old barn, h
nigh he found so many Of the Union officers
du. 1t was difficult 10 secure place to lie do
Fresh water was given him, aid des
the conaforiless shed. he slept sonndly.
eek. The rain poured in iorrcEis all nj
seld. and the camps about Manassas we're ain
hici' inundated. In the morning the prisol
hihs we're entertaiand by Besaeesard's n,
feet servant, who had much 10 say u the br