The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10

windows, which admit but little light.
They are permitted to see no person but the
jailor and the negro who waits upon them,
and are only permitted to leave their cells
thirty minutes in the morning, and the same
time In the afternoon, to walk 10 the narrow
promenade between the Jail building and
innerwall. Their food consists of Jail fair,
sobby corn bread and boiled beef, and they
are not permitted to have anything better
even though they purchased it. When Mr..
Ely was released he went in company with
Mr.. Faulkner to the jail, and the two were
granted the favor of an interview with the
unfortunate officers. Mr.. Faulkner expires.
sed bis surprise at this rigor, and he stated
that such was not the treatment that the
privateers received in New York and Phil
adelphia that though they were held for
capital crimes, they were allowed to receive
visitors and to have all the comforts com.
patible with their safe custody. Mr.. Ely
thinks that based upon this last statement
by Mr.. Faulkner, the rebel authorities will
lessen the severity of their treatment.
On the reckless and outrageous conduct
of the rebel guards, Mr. Ely speaks in terms
of the utmost censure. He states that the
prisoners had not been in the tobacco
warehouse fifteen minutes before bullet
was fired into the window of one of our
prisoners who had ventured to put his head
outside, and that in this way seven men had
been wantonly killed. This conduct met
with severe censure from all who were
aware of the facts, but he was not appris.
ed that any action had been taken to pun
ish the offenders by the rebel authors
ties.
A few days before his release, Mr.. Ely
was again visited by Messrs. Bocock and
Boyce, who stated that they intended to
use their efforts to get him exchanged for
Mr.. Faulkner. The following day he saw
announced in Richmond paper that Mr..
Faulkner had been released on his parole
for thirty days on condition that he should
proceed to Richmond and procure in ex.
change for himself Mr.. Ely, or in the event
of failing, to return to Fort Warren. He
could hardly credit this, as he thought had
it been the fact, Bocock and Boyce would
have been aware of it; but as each add,
tional days intelligence announced the
progress of Mr.. Faulkner, he became con.
WINGED that his release was near at hand.
Mr.. Faulkner was received in Richmond
with perfect ovation, thirty thousand
people being out.
The following day Mr.. Faulkner called
upon Mr.. Ely, and they had pleasant in.
terview, and having both been prisoners,
they could well appreciate their mutual DO.
sition in the past. He announced that he
had an interview with JEFF Davis and bis
Cabinet, and be was happy to state that
they had decided upon his release. The
following day Gen. Winder came to the
prison, and with much formality and dig.
nifty, entered the room, and in presence of
MIR. Ely's fellow prisoners presented him
with his release, and announced to him that
be was free man, and that he should be
happy to see him at his own house. After
the interchange of few pleasant words
Gen. Winder left.
A meeting of the Prison Association, of
which Mr.. Ely was the President, was at
once convened, and Mr.. Ely made a farewell
address of nearly an hour in length. In it
he rehearsed many of the incidents of the
history of which they had borne part, and
that Notwithstanding their confinement,
they had succeeded in making their hours
pass cheerfulIy by, and he was grati6ed to
announce that, though there was 80 much
in the separation from their families and
friends, in the want of common comforts,
and the annoyances they suffered, to irri.
tate them, there had never yet been the
slightest difficulty during their whole FIVE
months Imprisonment.
The deepest emotions were visible on the
c0untenances of all the members present,
and nearly all were affected to tears. They
parted with their President amid mingled
feelings of JOY at bis deliverance and regret
at bis departure.
At five o'clock in the afternoon Mr..
Faulkner again called at the prison with
Governor Letcher's carriage, and they pro
ceeded to the Governors mansion, where
they dined together, and parted with a mu.
tual expression of personal good feeling
Mr.. Ely proceeded to Norfolk by railroad
being everywhere regarded with great in
terest, and thence reached Fol- tress Monroe
and Baltimore.
Mr.. Ely has not the slightest doubt of an
extended and deep Union feeling in Rich.
mond, and says if National army were
within ten miles of Richmond, the National
flag would be hung from hundreds of win.
dows in the rebel capital. Nevertheless, an
utter reign OF terror prevails, and no public
expression can be given.