The New York herald., 1862-03-03


lection to it, had wisely arranged with the person in
question, after my FIRST examination on Monday that,
were driven TO extremity his name might BE- used but
he entreated at the tme that he might spared
possible, tho publicity and probable injury Of such
exposure The moro dwet the matter the loss cause
could see to hesitate had just decided this point
when my door oponed, and the erect figure of Gen.
scSes stood before Ny two guards looked up from
their newspapers quite electrified 'It s not allowed
General to speak with the prisoner" they exclaimed ap
preaching him Whoever knows nythng OF Gen. Sckles
must remember his most prominent traitan intrepid
composure adequate to all emergencies great small.
You are quite right, my men" returned the General.
calmly "as to visiters but here counsel for the
prisoner" His manner, than his words dis
armed the vigilance Of my sentines and they gave way
was noa little surprised at this sudden spparition
which bid such easy defiance bolts and bars. know
Gen. sicklos was in Washington ON urgent business
with the War Department concerning some i'm
provements in artillery, believe but that his stay
was limited hardly expected his visit, but his advice
conceded with my wews. He urged me not TO pro-
long this farcc that rumor msde free with several dd
tnguished names; that ny Testimony would 1t once
silence conjecture and cavil. Beyond this conversa-
ton trivial. and all in presence Of the He had
no sooner Withdrawn than addressed note to Mr.
Hickman, Chairman Of tho Judiciary Committee,
nouncing that would cheerfully give the testimony
required, as longer under the obligation Of
secrssy that had sealed my lips. An hour later was
summoned before the committee who assembled in
full force, and regarded me- as entered with earnest
that attracted my attention. There inde-
Unable something in their that betrayed keen,
restless expectation took my accustomed place. when
Mr.. Hickman said he had received my note, which he
proved by reading to and them laying down
with satisfied air he leant back In his chair and desired
to reveal the name had contumaciously with
held. The committee turned their unitod, ardent
gaze upon me. "Gentlemon," said, far
can recoect, "the you demand with such
inhexibility is hardly important than the meagrs
information handed the HERALD correspondent
The name in question is that of Major Watt" Tho
effect of this revelation the chairman and committed
could hardly describe in truthful but decorous terms
They fell back in their chairs regarded each other In
dumb surprise and articulated mechanically the of
Watt. ''Who is watf" at length exclaimed several
"It can't be Watt, the late gardener at tho White
House, expostulated one. "There by the
of Watt who recently received leutenancy In the army
but not confirmed " remarked another. tsIt is one
and the person, gentlemen" explained, after
few moments This positive corroboraton of their worst
suspicious had evidently the most unpleasant effect TO
use a mild phrase, on tho chairman and others Of the
committee The astonishment and disappointment
else Of more importance had been suspected a.
tho purvsyor Of the overraed paragraph Of the Mes
sage Was it, after all, then, q political in.
trigre, l conjectured inwardy, that had inspired
this frivolous inquiry Was it only to manufacture
cry against innocent parties that had been need
essy brought before that comm,tee-bcen perforated
were with voleys Of questions quite unprecedented
been the hero OF legislative mockcry-and, finally,
despolcd Of my liberty, forced submit to all tho
of Austrian Politicians will
tricks knew and very knavsh tricks too, but there
one feature in this transaction that impressed me
especially odi0us and that the unuStiable attempt
as il out, to drag into the miro Of publicity
that every motive Of propriety every sentiment Of
honor overy impulse Of manhood should have shielded
from even an allusion.
These speculatons were wandering through my mind
whilst was engaged in replying without thought to
another batch of tresome questons 10 this effect When
had known Watt? Where did meet him on the fatal
night What did he say9 What did say2 Why did
General Sickles ca What did wo talk about-usque ad
fduseunp
After a conference the corner between tie Chairman
and several of the remandcd to the
tody OF the Sergeant Arms, who carried of to his
room. This surprised me. as expected to regain my
liberty, having given up the coveted secret While oc
throngsd by the members Of the House, frequently
addressed in playful manner by these who recognized
every moment by the Sergeants deputies who informed
them must not be spoken to, such the orders OF
the committee: why don't ySa put up notice 70 that
Of the offenders. However,, he continued laugh
ing, its no matter, Mr. WiSof, take it all back"
was beginning to wonder at my prolonged detention,
when Mr. Hickman smiling in to say it would be
necessary TO obAna vote Of the House for discharge
and he would move it the FIRST oPpornnty II was pleas
which bad been applied TO me- supposed, after telling
all knew, my communication with the outer world
would be restored; but not a bit of it.
The House adjourned about four p N. There was,
still penned up behind the railing Of the sergeants room
went of 10 inquire. was inclined TO think the commit.
toe pleased with their toy State prisoner,
that they were disposed to play with him long they
could After considerable time Mr. Ball returned from
the committee room, and said ne regretted shoul be
obliged to pass another night in my old quarters but the
House had adjournol before Mr. Hickman aware Of
it, thought this unius;i6ablc and really amounted to
false Imprisonment. could not help quoting tha fam
Mans inhlrnauy to man
Makes countless thousands mourn.
The amabs Sergeant alarms escorted me back to my
dngy den and tod me at parting to make the most OF it,
for he had very little doubt that tho morrow would
Mr. Hickman captive restored once to Ponnsyl
vania avenue and its tributaries. There not much
sympathy, am bound to admit, displayed my return
to the giardroom as ! had reason TO expect, and it
proy evident that the Capitol patrol relshcd the
joke Of carrying out all the ceremonies of cose custody
upon the luck ess victim OF the Judiciary Committee II
would be ungrateful however not to acknowledge that
they displayed the utmost desire, consistent with their
functions, 10 make me comfortable. They went out
in ques: of the newspapers, which Captain Darling
turcd his own responsibility, to allow to read,
and thoy expressed the veest regret turning away
my sympathizng viscrs At ten r. NJ the gates OF tho
Capitol are closed for the night and all access therefore
at an end Soon after ths on tho night in question: my
worthy friends of the patrol held secret consultaon
and came TO the conclusion that in view Of my probable
release the next day they thought they might
give little fresh air before going to bod by walk in
the lofty corridors Of the north wng which gladly
accepted | sailed out for my promenade with
couple Of the guard who had been tho
most active In effscting this modification OF
tho Draconi3n code OF the committee and the rear was
brought up by the vigant Jack who passed the night ha
bituay prowlng around the bull ling 1t Is rarely have
enjoyed anything more than this strange stroll Tho
escape from close confnementthe soft temperature
hefnacss OF both wings OF the Capitol kept up night
and day-thc commanding height and massive architec-
ure Of these noble halsthe broodng Stiffness disturb
cd only by the echo OF our footsteps inspired sensations
pleasing confusing. The very fact that tho Capitol
converted into a lodging house for my especial
benefit, and that was pacing up and down its sacred
precincts q prisoner, such odd blending OF the
grotcsque and the romantic that it difficult be-
cvc IL real set II down Of the IisdyYy in.
cidcnts of my cgrac career. ] got through the night
pretty well, though my slumbers were painfully dis
turbsd by the sudden illness Of one OF tho guard, who
,nd yioont chill and had In ,o ronvaved