Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-01-23
The Mother of q Union Prisoner
Visits Charleston-How she is He-
ceived. Hr .. H
From the Detroit Free Press.
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|
From the Detroit Free Prcss.l
."aFi ,r DETROIT, Jan 8, 1862.
/ read in this mornings Free Press an
item announcing my return from Charles
ton. whittier had gone for the purpose OF
taking necessary clothing for my son, az well
as contributions from friends in Michigan
to several other prisoners confined in Charles
ton Jail.
wish to correct misapprehenslon which
might grow out of a statement in tEat item,
that | was obliged to conceal the money
which | took to some OF the prisoners.
Money was. concealed in some oil the cloth
ing forwarded in my charge, but was NOT
aware of it when it was sent, nor would IL
have been at all necessary TO conceal II. /
wished 60 resort to no undorhand means OF
conveying things to our friends in Charles
ton, but meant that everything which did
should he open to the strictest scrutiny.
would be wanting ingratitudc ii should
withhold the present opportunity to thus
publicly assert that, from the time lett
| Fortress Monroe, under flag of truce, until
| returned to our lines, on my way home. |
met with the most kindly attentions and the
most gentlcmanly sympathies from all par
ties with one exception) with whom came
in contact. At Norfolk waited upon Gen.
IIuger for the purpose Of obtaining his au-
thority to let me pass through the country
unnioieSed Heinformed me that he would
with pleasure give me letter to Gen. Zip
lev, at Charleston, aud would have it ready
and bring it to the Atlantic Hotel, where
had put up. While at the hotel, the train
for the South was about to start when his
son, Lieut.. Huger, came to me, and asked
whether got his fathers letter. Finding
I had not, he Immediately wrote few line'
! ! to Gen. Ripley, and informed me that hi
4 fathers letter should be forwarded by pos
, to Gen. Ripley by the next mail. Thu
y provided tor, / continued my journey {
Charleston via Petersburg, Va, and through
- out the route met with marked attention
'. from the conductors in seeing to my baggage
y when there was a change of cars, &c., belnl
T. about sixty hours in going from Norfolk 7
20 Charleston.
y At Charleston put up at the Charlesto
~ Hotel, arriving in the evening Of the BOT
u December. made no effort until tho morr
! ing to see Gen. Ripley, who | found wa
u boarding at the same house. At 10 o cloc
=, | took carriage and was conveyed to h
~ Office, near the ruins of the late fire, an
u u was ushored into an ante-room thereof. vi
:. ~ til messenger could take my card and Lieu
u, Huger's note to Gen. Ripley. The messel
u ger brought back word that the uener
" would pay no attention to my application
n n and my heat sank within me. The me
10 senger seemed to sympathize with me in \,
gu affiiction, knowing had come great di
~ tance to see my son. ;,
" " returned to the hotel and waited until
IN conld get an opportunity of meeting, Gel
;ts Ripley, as he would be leaving the ,dlnllnt
y ~ room from dinner, he having boen polnte
10, k,,. ~ hof Mt
NJ house. succeeded in moments 3 int
ree- view with him, which resulted i'll the mo
n, painful disappointment. His manner WI
liy repulsive and naughty in the extreme, al
om m he would but barely glance at Lieut.. Huger
so letter, and informed me that If l had an
,ei thing for the prisoners should take the
nu to the Quartermaster's Department, az
very abruptly left me. Several of the lac
"' boarders overheard the brief interview al
Immediately summoned their husbands
NJ 20 in quest of such aid as would secure n
a meeting with my son at the Jail. To the
III kind friends owe world Of gratitude I
their solcitude and generous assistance.
ai' One of them, Mr.. James McCarty, we
to the General Office and procured a pa
for me into the JAIL and also brought to I
n the minister of the church, to whom | h
:, a letter. In short, was from that nome
,n ~ taken in charge by the kindcst and best
oot;., Christian friends.
an would rather have thrown veil oy
the short comings of Gen. Ripley, for
:, was. the only individual who caused me
feel an utter destitution throughout
whole of my journey.
'cls Nor would now speak of my jourr
hile thus publicly were il not that | would C
sur rect the misapprehensions into which "
soer statements might lead some persons.
ons Iwould add that Gen. Ripley las | lea
ose, ed before left Charleston is an Ohio mi
70 having married a rich Southern lady; q
oer that his strained zeal in the cause of
nn- Southern rebellion is particularly motif
tns and remarked OF by those who proclaim
the fN""P'p... '.'. Mast w ,INaERsoLI,
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