Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1863-08-21
FROM FREDERICK.

t9EsfsPoHdence OF me baltimore Gdzehe.
II HeEDrHlcK CRY. Nd Aug. az. =
Aessrs. Editors Our usually sober
and very quiet city was last night deep
ly excited over an incident of the gra-
vest political significance just at this
time and which may prove, it is not
improbable, of eventful historical impor-
lance refer to the arrest by the civil
authorities of Lieutenant Colonel j. p.
Creager, of Colonel Birney's Maryland
negro regiment, upon charge of enti-
cling slaves from their owners, and aid
ing them to escape.
The act complained of is of such fire.
quent occurrence in Maryland under the
operation of camp laws, that the arrest
upon 50 trivial charge of an officer Of
Crcager's rank would seem, in effect, a
most andacious stretch of the civil power
But the case in question is surrounded
by circumstances widely differing from
those which have attended previous oc-
currenees Of this character, and which
invest it with much more than ordinary
interest and Importance. The facts of
the affair, carefully gathered from an
intelligent source, may be thus briefly
stated
On Sunday afternoon, Lieutenant Colo
mel Cr6ager, who for several days past
has been vigorously drumming up re-
cruits in the city aud county for Colonel
Birney's negro regiment-though with
a success by no means commensurate
with the energy of his efforts addressed
negro meeting at their place Of wor-
ship on Saint street, in the vicinity of
the railroad depot. In the course of his
remarks upon the occasion he is gene
rally reported to have said that now, for
the first time in the history Of the world
the negro was recognized as a man I;
that the work of his political regenera-
ton mad been practically commenced,
and that it should go on here in Mary
land until the shackles had been stricken
from the limbs of every slave within her
limits. This speech, together with the
remark also attributed to him, that he
was authorized by Colonel Birney to en-
list all negroes who should offer them
selves, without inquiry as to whether they
were free or slaves, attracted general at
tention to the lieutenant colonel and the
object of his presence here, and led ID
several instances to the institution of a
closer surveillance than usual over the
movements Of slaves in this vicinity
During the day it was found that three
negroes belonging to certain gentlemen
of this county were missing, and certain
circumstances leading to the belief that
they had gone off with Lieutenant Colo
mel Creager, measures were at once adop-
ted for the interception of the fngitives
and the arrest Of the lieutenant colonel
ustice Mahoney issued warrant of ar
rest, and Judge Nelson directed deputy
sheriff Eberts to summon out a posse
comsitatus for the enforcement Of the writ.
These, well armed with revolvers,
and we'll mounted, started in pursuit,
and overlook Creagcr about ten miles
northeast of Frederick They returned
with their prisoner, who, in default Of
$1,000 bail required for bis future ap-
pearance to answer the charge Of enti-
cling slaves to escape, was committed to
Jail
The affair has occasioned considerable
excitement, not only in this city, but in
all the surrounding districts of the coun-
ty. The owners Of the missing negroes
arc well known as staunch and promi-
nent Union men, and Of widespread in
fuence. Colonel Hammond, the heavi-
est Josef, is a membeE of the present Lee
gislature, and one Of the most popular
citizens in the State; Mr. Routzahn is
an OK member Of the House of Dele
gates, and Mr. Loats is one Of our most
highly esteemed business men.
Indeed, il is noteworthy fact, that
our leading Unionists are loudcst and
most severe in their denunciation Of the
despoliation and firmly declare their in
tention TO hold the offender strictly amo
nablo to the State laws he is alleged to
have SO fagrantly violated. Many of
them have severally expressed their ear
nest wishes TO test the vitality of our
State laws by the case in question.
IL is reported, with what truth know
not, that Governor Bradford is pledged
to Senator Smith, Of Carroll, and to Mr..
Eichelberger, of this city, to interfere
for the protection Of any loyal citizen
who may lose slaves through any arbi-
trary exercise Of the military power. If
this be true, then the present case is one
which can scarcely fail to attract tho at
tention Of the Governor should military
power be invoked to shield Lientenant
Colonel Creager from the penalty Of his
crime. ASHLEY.
The greatest misfortune Of all is not
TO be able 10 bear misfortune.