Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-09-23
The uysteri ous Prisoner - Captain
Ryan, aiias John II. surratt-fiow
He yyas treated In washtngton-
The Inquisition Keviewed-H is
Ordered Back To vicksbuTg and In
carceratsd there An frissn-Be Re-
lates mis- NUN Story


The InquisItion Keviewed-Hc IN
Ordered Back to vicksbuTg and In
carceratsd there an Prissn-Be Re-
lates his own story.
Is will be remembered that prisoner, sup
posed " be j II. Surrett, was brought from the
southwest to Washington in the month of July,
under very mysterious circumstances IL seems
that after enduring great suferings there he has
been sent back TO Vicksburg. where hs is now in
prison. He tells bis own story:
From the Jackson Miss Daily News
We are in receipt Of a letter from Captain J .
q. Ryan. whom our citizens remember, giving
an account Of his Mysterious arrest and incarcera
ton in prison The narrative reads more like a
romance than the occurrences OF every day life
Captain Ryan writes us from Vicksbarg Jail,
under date of Sept. -. 1865. and says:
81 left Jackson for Arkansas or Canada about
the 10Th Of July. arrived at Memphis. on the
18th. and put up at the Gayoso Hotel.
"0n the OBJ be was arrested and taken before
General T. Burton. who demanded bis papers,
asked him few questions, and sent him 10 lr-
wing Block Prison, where he was kept, heavily
ironed, until the 26th Of July, when he
placed on board the steamer City Of Alton, un-
der command Of Captain Louis B. Smith. of the
United States army. All along the route public
curiosity was excited by the strange mystery
which was thrown on the ansir; and newspapers
and people Immediately announced the arrest
OF John II. Surrstt in the person Of this my ste
rious prisoner.
Captain smith treated him with all kindness
possible under the circumstances, but neither
he nor any one else informed him why he vas
thus strangely dealt with.
"0n the % Of August he reached Washington.
where he passed under the inspection Of countless
detectives, while detained at General Augur's
headquarters
After this lie was remanded to the Old Capt.
toll Prison, solitary occupant of cell in the
third story, end in few days removed TO one
still smaller He was not allowed to communi
cate with any one, nor TO receive books, paper or
writing material.
"Surreptititiousy obtaining newspaper and
pencil he wrote note on the margin OF the
paper 10 the British Minister, which be sent to
the post-ofice. Ii opened by the prison
officials. however. and Captain Ryan was ordered
to tell by whose aid he procured the facilities,
which. on refusing to do. he was condemned to
the sweat box, which he thus describes:
81 was ordered 10 disclose the means BY which
the note passed. the prison barriers, but refused
to inform Mr.. wilson. who told me he would
find way TO msks me remarked that he had
the power to punish me, but that he would have
TO pay dear for it some day, as was imprisoned
without a cause Ar. Wilson said he had moth |
ing to do with my arrest; his duty TO keep |
me. He left, and in few minutes sergeant
and two men appeared. l was told to come
along which did, and he led the way down
stairs, and across the yard, and halted in front of
cell with the door open. | was told to go in
Tho door closed heavily, and was In deep dark |
ness, and confined in what is designated the |
sweat box Just imagine my 'pheslinks' in a
filthy, sinking dungeon. Squeak, squeak cried |
the hordes Of raj that my entrance had disturb
ed. turned around and saw little stream of
light passing, or rather squeezing. through an in.
terstice in the door This light fell upon a good |
sized piece of stick, which took possession of
and forced into the crevice. when the sentinel had
gained the furthermost point of his beat To my
great JOY, the door gave wsy for an inch, and a |
flood of light and volume OF pure air poured in
Better still, large case knife came into notice.
and its very valuable service. which heartily
embraced, and with i, made assault upon the |
door and soon cut small hole through il, and
thereby got more air. more light, and a pretty /
good view Of the prison yard NY eyes soon be /
came accustomed TO the darkness, and, after
while, objects became more distinct, ill at last
could see pretty well. NV bad situation made |
me more friends. when the prisoners who enjoyed /
the PRIVILEGES of the yard knew for what was
being punished, and they said was game IL |
took a good deal OF game TO stand that box. At /
night il was scare about; while asleep, the rats
would ran over my head and face on an impuntv
d jump up, my chains would rattle, and off the |
rats would scsmpsr In the expressive language |
of some very literary character. it was rats to |
yeur holes, sure enough. | soon learned 10 |
compromise with them by placing near their bur
rows portion of my rations, of which had /
plenty. | got several books and an occasional
paper, and thereby was enabled TO endure nv |
situation for several DAYS. until another unfortu
nate was sent hard.cuifed to keep me company |
he was treated thus suspicion OF being con
cerned in plan To break out o. prison He was
in few days and sent off somewhere
/ forgot 10 mention that there was continuance
10 this cell to pour steam in on the unfortunate
occupants. don't think they let any in on me
but IL felt at times as il there was only plank
between me and tbs. place the good men speak
so awiuly about. as mentioned in the bible
"ln this loatbsome place | remained seven
days and nights. Then was taken back 10 nv
room. from which ssme philanthropic individual
borrowed the best articles OF NV ..seaniy ward
robe
After confinement OF twenty DAYS in the
prison al Washington, he was again brought
TO Vicksburg. taken before General Slocum. aud
again ordered 10 be incarcersted in the Jail OF
that city.
Captain Ryan saws that during all these
strange proceedings be has not had the shadow
Of trial or hearing.
Verify. in reading Captain Rysn's thrilling
narrative. We are reminded Of the ds, . Of the in
QUESTION.
The play OF the "Confederate's Daughter"
il having great success ia one of the London
theatses. General Butler appears in il as "the
tyrsst OF New Orleans" makes love improperly
10 he Confeder.te's dau rhter. hat i foiiad b.