The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-09-20
From TIE No,tolk Union.
Rebel Rule in Richmond


The following communication is sent
us by correspondent, who had ample
opportunity 10 learn the facts he has
no:cd:
We have had the pleasure of convers-
ing wi h gentleman, who embraced the
opportunity to leave the rebel capital
while the seven days fight was progress
ing, at which time the usua! stringency
of The detcc i've force, which was at the
scene of conAic oStensibly engaged in
removing the wounded from the field
] he PRESIDENTS Guarc,' q company of
Stripping soldiers, ranging from twelve
o fit cen years of age, were detailed to
guard the several means Of egress from
the city: which our informant had little
difficulty to evade.
The par y in question, we believe, is
native of Caroline county, Virginia,
and has for many years been a promi-
nent resident Of Richmond, at which
place he, in connection with John Minor
Bolts and others, took active part in
opposing the earl efforts of the seccs-
sionists 10 force upon an unwilling peo-
pie the ordinance OF secession, which of
course, numbered him wi h that patrio =
&c band Of men who, marked by the
relels as traitors to their Cause, have
suffered everything but death by pcrse-
cutlon and confinement IN rebel pest
houses.
Our informan,, however, through an
extensive acquaintance and peculiar
shrcwdneSs, managed to fare better than
most Of his fellow victims, though he has
two brothers confined with The political
prisoners at Salisbury, North Car1lina
lie has remained in the city of R'c,!-
mond, closely excluded from The other
world; though cons anty among SYM
pathizcrs and frieuds, until the period
of his escape to the North.
This gentleman, who is now actively
employed in he service OF the Govern
mcnt, in a channel of grcat inpor ancc,
has furnished US wi the following
sa emcnt Of facts relative to ma tiers in
Richmond, by which it will be seen how
thoroughly that city has been wrenched
from the contro. Of is own people and
laws, and placed under the rule and
sway Of cut-throat mob, which for
years, has been a terror and blackening
disgrace to the city of another State,
the acknowledged ofscouiing of Bali
more.
On the 9Th of march last, John IL.
Winder was appointed Mill airy Cover
nor of Richmond and the nclghboring
districts within ten miles of the city.
| The powers YES cd in him were
supreme, and since that date he has
administered, with the most despotic
rule, a series of laws or regula ions
which has reduced that city to condi-
ton compared with which Rome in its
darkest days must have been paradise.
Himself a prince Of blacklegs, if we
scan his anteccdents from Baltimore, he
Of course, must needs share with his
satellites his new field of operations. -
He appointed as provost marshal, Il.
Griswold; chief of police, Thos. McCub-
ben; j. Ii. Alexander, aid and VIM,
Cashmire, chief jailor. With the ex.
ception Of three, his detective force is
composed of Baltimore Plugs
The following facts will illustrate the
character of these men, as well as the
system which they use in performing
their special duty:
While Col. Corcoran was in confne-
mcnt at Richmond, base forgery was
undertaken in his name by one of the
detec ives in question, emanatng,
however, from higher source than indl-
vidual enterprise. This man whose
name is Andrews, sought out a relative
of Corcoran, to whom he presented an
order for 500, with a due bill purport-
ing 20 be signed by the later
The party, however, discovered the
forgery, and by pu ting Andrews off a
day Or two gained line to consult advice
among his friends before exposing the
crime or even making known his know
ledge of the true character of the draft.
1t seems that martial law had not been
formally proclaimed at thas time, and
the civil authorities were still in power.
Andrews was arrested, on charge of
forgery, by civil authority, but demand
ed 10 be taken before Winder, which, it
seems, was done.
After brief hearing Of the case, 1t
was dismissed by Windcr, who, when
asked by the complainant to return the
documen Of the case to him, tore them
up. Under these circumstances, .he
aggrieved party sought justice of the
Mayor, who, upon hearing statement
of The case, issued a warrant for An
drews, who, however, could not be
found, having been spirited away.
The Attorney General was then con-
sui ed relative to the matter, and a.
once a warrant was issued for the arrest
of Winder. Before this could be ae-
compliShed, however, the latter had
consulted with Jefferson Davis, and the
day following the issue Of the warrant,
martial law was formerly proclainle do of