The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-05-22
Interesting Statement of Captain
Won Minden.
The Alarm in Richmond from
Stoneman's Raid.

Minnesota Light Cavalry, who was unfor-
tunately taken prisoner by the rebels near
Fort Donelson last winter, and who was
confined in Libby Prison, Richmond,
when Gen. SLOVENIAN made his celebrated
raid so near the rebel capital. Captain
Won MINDEN confirms the statements made
by others of ,he alarm in the city, and
gives US the following narrative of events
that transpired, which will be found to
possess considerable interest:
On Saturday afternoon, May I'd, we
learned through negro who was employ
ed in cleaning the rooms of the prisoners,
that SToNEMAN's cavalry was within five
miles of Richmond and that great excite
ment prevailed in the city. In the even
ing of the same day we heard the long roll
beat, and great cheering. On Sunday
morning the same negro informed US that
the city battalion, 600 strong had left the
city the evening previous to reinforce Lee.
This city battalion was mustered into SER
vice simply as a Provost Guard, and Meth
ing but sheer necessity would have induced
the authorities to send them away. The
long roll and cheering was in consequence
of their leaving town.
At the usual time the lieutenant in COM
mand Of the prison called the roll of pris-
oners, and informed them that they would
be forwarded to City Point, probably the
next day, for exchange, but before leav-
ing we had to sign the parole. He eau
toned us at the same time not to put our
heads out OF the windows, because new
guard was on duty, who did not UNDER
stand anything about soldering, and con-
sisted mainly of clerks from the different
departments, and he was afraid accidents
might happen.
About 200 officers were paroled during
the forenoon, and the prisoners expected
to go to City Point every moment. Du-
ring the afternoon we ascertained that we
would not leave before the next Tuesday.
One Sunday evening the whole city
guard returned, as paroled prisoners, hav-
ing been gobbled up by Stoneman's cav
airy. They, together with citizens in the
neighborhood of Richmond, brought the
news that our cavalry was within two
miles of the city. Some said they num-
bered 10000 and some said 1900. The
city was full of reports, and great excite
ment prevailed. Every one looked with
great anxiety for the arrival of the evening
train from Fredericksburg, which failed to
arrive. Instead of the train, fugitives
come to the city in great numbers, bring
ing all sorts of extravagant stories, and
knots of citizens were gathered everywhere
in earnest conversation on the alarming
condition of affairs.
At eleven o'clock p. NJ, the Lieutenant
commanding the prisons, asked for Capt.
BUCKLEY, first Maryland FederaD cav
airy. He appeared very much agitated,
and told the Captain and all the officers to
get ready to leave in about an hour, but
that we must be as quiet as psssible, or
he would not be responsible for the conse-
quences, and intimated that he feared we
would be in danger from the mob.
At12 midnight, we left our prison rooms
and were drawn up in lines in front of the
prison. Here we waited for an hour, sur
rounded by large crowds of citizens who
could hardly be kept from us by our in
toxicated guard, when a mounted orderly
came up from General W1NDER, bringing
an order that the prisoners should return
again to the prison. The Lieutenant COM
municated the order to us, adding: "Gen-
tlemen, believe this has done no harm
to you, because you have had the benefit
ofbreathing for an hour, at least, the fresh
air." We went in from the bright moon
light, to our dark, solitary and uncomfort-
able rooms, but did not sleep much
At five O'Clock the next morning the
newsboy newspapers at fifteen cents each
were allowed us) came in with his usual
cry: "Great news in the papers )" "Great
telegraphic news-great victory on the
Rappahannock." We rushed up from our
blankets and inquired for the Richmond
wing. "Have not got it," was the re-
ply, I" the officers did not allow it to come
in." 1 took the Enquirer, and the first
thing that met my eye was the dispatch
from Gen. LEE to JEFF Davis-"W We have
to thank GoD again for great victory.
The enemy is dislodged again from all his
positions, etc. This made Richmond all
right, and on Thursday, when we left,
everything was quiet. At noon we again
joyfully recognized our stars and stripes
on board the steamer State of Maine. At
7P. M. we passed the blockading fleet in
the James River, and saw our transports
laden with troops at Fortress Monroe.
HOOKER had re-crossed- everything was
quiet on the Potomac