The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-11-26
From tho Pittsburg Post.
Released Political Prisoners.

A number Of gentlemen from the West
passed through our oity yesterday, on their
way home, having recently been released
from the Old Capitol Prison, Washington
City, where they have boen confined for near
ly three months as State prisoners. Their
names are Hon. Andrew d. Duff Of Benton,
Ill, Judge of the Circuit Court in his Dis
trict, arrested while holding Court; Hon.
John Ii, Mulkey. Of Cairo, ILL.,, Judge of the
Court of Common rleasi DR. Marcus l..
Ross. OF Tamarao, Ill D. A. Mahoney, Esq,
of Dubuque. Iowa, editor OF the Dubuque
Herald, and D. Shewsrd, Esq, Of Fairfield,
Iowa, edior OF a weekly paper there. The
two gentlemen last named have been kept in
the Old Capital prison since the 2lst OF Au-
gust and the Others since the 9Th OF Septem-
ber, previous to which they had been kept
for some time at Cairo.
They were arrested on warrants signed
by the Secretary Of War, but in which no
charge was set forth. During the whole
term OF their imprisonment they valnly en-
deavored to learn Of what they were accu-
sed-but not only did the Asss tant Judge
Advocate General, the Assistant Secretary Of
War and Secretary Stanton himself deny
their very reasonable request, but actually
desired them to make statements in their
own vindicatiou without knowledge Of their
alleged offcnse. Furthermore, their coun.
sells were not permitted to see the papers in
their case and the accusations against them
If such documents existed. They were
twice taken before the Judge Advocate for
hearing but remained without any light
thrown on the cause OF their mysterious in
carceration or being heard in their own de.
tense. When, at length, they were dischar
ged "honorably,"a as the certificates signed
BY some suboid dinate officer, read, they were
required not only to take the oath OF a'lesi>
ance, but also to sWear that hty aCouH not IN
sLituts or cause to be instituted any suits against
any auth wities of tho United Staics or Of any
loyal State for their imprisonment. The fact
that some parties in the west had brought
suits Tor false Imprisonment delayed their
discharge for some timo, as the Judge Ad.
vocate said nothing conld be done until tho
Secretary Of War was consulted. The re
suit OF the consultation was, apparently, the
incorporation oil the above clause in the
| oath.
When asked to sign this document some
OF the prisoners grew very indignant and
refused 10 take such AL oath, but us some
were in ailing health, and did not know how
long they might be kept in durance, finally
by advice Of their counsel. complied and
were released--but are yet ignorant of the
charges upon which they were arrested, il
any there were.
Their treatment in prison was not bad,
but they were obliged to furnish their own
provisions and were not permitted to hold
private converse with those visiting them
an officer always being present. Their cor.
respondence was watched and it was only by
strategem that they could communicate with
their friends at home, as their letters were,
after being read, destroyed, returned or con.
fscatsd. One of the guards was imprisoned
for allowing the prisoners some trihing liber.
ty. The lives OF the prisoners were con.
stantly endangered by the carelessness Of
the guards in the barracks below, several
balls having como up into tho prisoners
apartment, discharged from muskeis below.
Mr.. Mahoney exhibited to US his shawl, per-
torated by twelve bullet holes. and q ball
which bad passed through il while used by
him as pillow, and lodged in the ceiling
above. He charges no intentional firing, but
gross carelessness, from which the prisoners
might at any moment lose their lives
t1hey suffered other serious inconyeniencss