The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-02-10
ARREST OF MINISTER WHILE AT PRAYER


ARREST OF A MINISTER WHILE AT PRAYER
IN a CHURcH-GREAr ExclTEMENT-Ye Yes
terday the services at St, Paups (Episcopal)
Church were conducted by the Rev. K. J.
Stewart who, in conjunction with Rev. G. A.
Smith. has been officiating for some weeks to
the congregation worshipping there, The
congregation was yesterday composed for
the most part of ladies', and children
there being but comparatively, few. males
present. One Of the pevs near the chan
eel was occupied by the military, and
some soldiers were scattered about in other
parts of the church. As the minister was
commencing the Litany, some one from the
pew filed by the military, demanded that
the prayer for the President of the United
States should be read"-and the demand
was repeated by an officer hear him,
dressed in uniform. The minister not heed.
ing the interrupt n, was proceeding with
the Litany, when q sergeant was order
Ell to arrest him. This caused, Immediately.
great excitement. and expressions of indig-
nation from the congregation. The military
came up to the chancel, and various citizens
also gathered around. The prayer book was
taken from Mr.. Stewards hand, he was seized
and conducted out Of the church, follow
ed by his little daughter who chung to her
father, and was held by one of the sollier,.
The alarm of the females, the cries oc the
children, the rush Of the people, and the
fear of some farther violence, which oc-
casioned some blows to. be passed between
the civilians aid the soldiers, all occa-
stoned a scene perhaps never before wit
messed in Church on this side of the Allan
tic. And the excitement was increased by
the entrance into the building of number
of soldiers, from the adjoining barracks, with
sabre and reyolvers in their hands, some of
them uttering violent Timprecations. by
this time. however, Mr.. Stewart had been car
ried cut of the church, prote sting against the
violence offered him, and the congregation
dispensing and following the. crowd, the
church was closed, and quietness soon pre-
vailed. Mr.. Stewart in his clerical robes, was
irst taken through the. streets, to the quar-
ters Of Col. Farnsworth of the 9th Illinois
cavalry, on Washingtos street. Gen. Mont
gomery, the.U. S. Military Governor of AL.
exandria, who was attending service in
Christ Chur;h, was Immediately sent for,
called out, and Informed of the affair. He
stated that he had given no orders for the
arrest, and knew nothing Of such proceed
irg, and, if it had been done, without or
.ders from Washington, it was matter
which he condemned. The declarations of
Gen. Montgomery, which were, indeed, ex-
peced from him, by most citizens of all par
ties ealmed the excitement. 1t is understood
that the particulars of the affair were imme
diately telegraphed to the proper authorities
in Washington, and an answer returned dis
avowing the issue Of any authority for the
arrest, and authorizing the release of Mr..
Stewart. Gen. Montgomery then, in gen.
tlemanly, and humane manner, released Mr..
Stewart, who returned to his family and
friends. 1t is said that the particulars Of
this affair will be reported to Gen. Montgo-
merry for further action, and that the mat
ter will be laid before the authorities in
Washington.
ARkEsTs.--Mr. Hico, a Japanese, who has
come to this country for the purpose of es-
tablishing commercial connexions with some
of the business firms in the Northern cities,
having an acquaintance in this city, came
here short time since on visit. 1t ap-
pears that he has been mistaken for a Louis
ana Creole, and his movements closely |
watched. Yesterday, Mr.. H., in company
with Capt. VIM. Boothe, called at the resi-
dence of Mr.. George Bryan, where they had
been buta few moments, when a squad Of
soldiers entered the house and arrested the
three gentlemen, who were taken before the
Provost Marshal, who after hearing the ex