Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-04-04
THE SENTINEL.
FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, March "a, 1862.
En,tnrS NnruIntld Mann Sheet

W AsHlNhlONJ 9holSh az AoON'
Messrs Editors Maryland Ne,os Sheet:
/ learned from one of the soldiers Of the
Pennsylvania 9lst regiment, who are guard
ing the old Capitol Prison in this city, some
incidents of the interior OF this now famous
building, which may interest your readers.
The commission appointed to examine the
causes of detention of the State prisoners,
have nearly completed their abors in this
city. The great majority of the political
prisoners have already been released, either
upon their parole Of honor to bear no arms
against the United States, or, in some few in
stances, upon taking the oath of allegiance.
Some cases have occasioned great amount
Of labor and patience, owing to the volumi-
nous nature Of the charges and documents to
be examined. Other cases have proved re-
fractory, and the prisoners have refused to
take the oath of allegiance. Among these
latter are Mr.. Watkins of Georgetown, who
had been imprisoned more than six months,
and whose brother is the chief engineer of the
rebel iron-plated Merrimac, and Mr. L. Wall
worth, son of Chancellor Walworth. of New
York. who, it will be remembered was ar
rested for acting in completely with the ac-
complished Mrs. Morris, supposed to have
been sent here as a spy by tfN rebel General
Beauregard There is strong suspicion that
Mr.. Walworth holds secret commission as
Major in tho Confederate army, in the hand
writing Of Beauregard. But he has neyerthe-
less been offered his freedom, on three distinct
occasions, by the commission, on condition
that he will take the oath of allegiance. lis
firmness in refusing is unaccountable to his
friends.
Mrs Baxley is another of the obstinates. 1t
will be remembered that in her hair were
found a large number of valuable letters and
commissions from jeff. Davis. She is repre-
scented TO be q woman of extraordinary cou-
rage and talent, aud utterly fearless of Fede-
raj soldiers 1t is said one of the prison SEN
tnes insulted her, and she threw a teapot at
his head which sent him bowling from his
post. A large black flag is frequently seen
waving from her window, particularly after
the report of Confederate defeat.
While think of it, | must mention a re-
markable ride which occurred in the prison
yard the day before yesterday. The lady
prisoners are allowed Ealf hour exercise in
the narrow yard surrounding the prison every
day. Mrs. Greenhow, who is remarkable for
her cool courage and self-possession, proposed
to seize and appropriate the horse and mar
ket-wagon of the Superintendent, which stood
in one cnrner of the enclosure and enjoy the
novelty of a ride. The suggestion was in
stantly adopted and the ladies' unmindful of
the circumstances OF the sentlnels, Jumped in
to the wagon and whipped up. Mrs Morris
had been making large and beautiful Con-
federate flag, and she stood now in the front
of the wagon, waving it over the heads of the
enraged sentnels, who followed the flying
party around the enclosure, shouting and
cursing and making lunges at the horse with
their bayonets, which only increased the
mirth of the gay riders and frightened the
horse to his utmost speed. The uproar be-
came terrible. First came the captain of the
guard, shouting at the top of his lungs, Stop
that vehicle, it's contrary to the rules" All
in vain Mrs. Greenhow whipped up the
harder. and cried out, "ifs the Southern
wagon-clear the way" Then the officer of
the day rushed in, shouting, What's all
thsP' followed by the soldiers from the neigh
boring guard-house, who rushed madly for
ward to stop the flying animal. 1t was
scene altogether ludicrous and indescribable
in the extreme, and has made more comment
in Washington than little The evacuation
Of Manassas is nothing to be compared with it.
But designed only to speak of the Com
mission and its proceedings, and have made a
letter where intended only a note. | will
therefore retain the balance for another COM
mnnfcauon. PERAMBuLAToR