The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-01-22
rhe Relnrn .. congressman Eir.


Hon. Alfred Ely arrived at z o'clock
this evening, from Baltimore, and pro-
ceeded at once to Williard's where he
was Immediately recognized and warm
ly welcomed by q large number OF
friends. His robust appearance would
hardly indicate that he had been Eve
months prisoner of war. After a half
hour Of hearty hand-shaking, be retired
to his room at Williard's accompanied
by his brother and Hon. John B.
Haskin.
The following statement of facts /
have gathered from Mr.. Ely. And first,
it will be gratifying to know, that dur
ing his whole period of imprisonment,
Mr.. Ely has never experienced a des-
ponding moment, that he has been in
the best of health, anI his buoyaucy of
spirits has so sustained him that he now
returns with his usual vigor, and ready
to resume the active duties of his posi-
tion. The particulars of Mr.. Ely's cap
ture have never heen fully known, aud
he states them as follows:
He was captured by South Carolina
company Of infantry, about o'clock
p. NJ, of the day of battle. He had
stopped at blacksmith's shop to have
his carriage mended, and after that,
waited awhile tor Senator Foster, OF
Connecticut, who had gone out with
him. While waiting he walked down
towards a ravine, in which he saw a
company of National troops skulking
or in ambush, but just as he approached
them, they receded, and just as Mr.
Ely paused, to return to his carriage, a
spent musket ball struck the earth near
him. He stepped behind large tree
near by to be out of danger, and con
tinued his observations. In moment
a cannon ball went crashing through
the branches of the tree, and seemed
to be telling the whole top upon him.
BY the time he recovered from this sur,
prise, company of soldiers, accompa-
MED by two well dressed officers, EN-.
erged from the woods near by.
On perceivipg Mr.. Ely, the two Off
GERS advanced and demanded his name
He answered, "Nir. Ely, of New York. y
The question followed, DO you hold
any civil office in the Government ?''-
For the first time Mr.. Ely said he felt
himself in trouble. He replied that he
was member Of Congress, and there
upon one of the officers clapped hi,
hand upon him and declared him pris
oner, but assured him he should be
treated with every consideration. They
took him TO their Colonel, and intro
duced him formally as ''Hon. Mr.. Ely
member OF Congress from New York. y
Instantly the Colonel drew a pistol
cooked it and leveled it Mr.. EIy's head
not two PAGES distant, aud said, You
id rascal, III blow your brains out y
The two officers who ad arrested Mr..
Ely instantly threw themselves upon
the Colonel, forced his pistol back, and
persuaded him away. They then apol-
ogized to Mr. Ely, saying they were
ashamed of their Colonel, who was ex-
cited by drinking. This officer was
Colonel Cash and the officer who ar.
rested Mr.. Ely was Captain Mullins.
Mr.. Ely was put with large herd OF
prisoners, and all were started TO Ma
masses. 1t was n march OF seven weary
miles, and the prisoners suffered tor
tures from the dust, heat and thirst
At Manassas, which they reached at 8
O'Clock P. NJ, they were driven into an
open space, surrounded thickly 10y
| guards, and all began to fall on the
ground, then wet with fast falling
rain, to seek rest and sleep. While Mr..
Ely was preparing for similar move
meRt, an officer rode into the yard and
called aloud to know if "Mr. Ely, OF
New York, was present p Mr.. Ely
thought his time had come now to be
shot. Nevertheless, he answered the
call, and was told that Gen. Beaure
gard required hlm to come TO his head
quarters. He followed the officer aud
reached the log house surrounded by a
verandah, on the porch of which, Will
a single candle burning on it, was Z;
table, and around the table sat JEFF
Davis, Beauregard, Extra Billy Smith
Porcher Miles, and other rebel officers
apparently recconing up the result o
the days battle.
Porcher Miles approached Mr.. Ely
and expressed regret at his situation
but in a moment changed his tone, re
marking that he had no opinion OF Con
gressmen who would come to aid al
army in invading State. Mr.. Ely wa
sent off to sleep in a barn, where h,
found the captured National officers.
The next day they were all started
to Richmond. The morning after thei
arrival there, Messrs. Bocock and Pryor