Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1865-03-29
CLEARFIELD Pa, WEDNESDAY, MAR. %, 1865.


the wishes Of s. Benson, who am salts
tied, conducted the prosecution against
me for the purpose Of revenging himself
for q personal alteration that took place
between us in the stage last August going
to Philipsburg, and .or the purpose Of
getting some evidence out Of me against
uov. BIGLBR end Senator WALLACE for,
when was first confined at Harrisburg, /
was frequently questioned concerning
them, and told that it was they who had
brought all this trouble upon US, and that
now they stood aloof and let us suffer.
was satisfied at the time that these per-
sons were Detectives, and subsequently /
saw one of them wearing the Star Of
Honorw
On the evening Of the 22d OF February
| was taken to the court house and given
a copy of the charges and specifications
against me by Capt johnson, Judge Adj
vocate-wth whom | had considerable
conversation in reference to my case, lie
then sen! me back 10 the Guard House,
saying he would send for me in the morn
ing and commence my trial.
The next morning H. B. SwoorE, Esq .
called upon me, with some other friends,
and expressed willingness to assist me
in obtaining n release. ! told him was
tired OF my imprison ment, but would
make no concessions, or in any way sacri-
fee my manhood, to secure my liberty !;
but that, if he could do anything for me,
should consider it n personal favor. He
left me, and returned in the evening, and
informed me that my release had gone to
Philadelphia to receive the approval of
Gen. Cadwallader, and that as soon as it
returned would be liberated. And now,
for his influence in my behalf, thank
him for, although they never could have
convicted me of any crime whatever, yet
am satisfied they would have held me in
prison, perhaps for nths, before would
/ have been released.
| Ny political friends had made every ef-
fort to have me released, or tried but in
vain. Their efforts seemed to be look ed
upon with suspicion, and their requests
treated with contempt, by those in imme-
diate charge o. The Department at Harris
burg.
On the 21th OF February we were all re-
moved to the Guard House connected
with the Cotton Factory barracks, which,
although unfit for the oofnnment Of any
one, was much cleaner and better in every
respect than the Exchange, which had
( become so perfectly filthy that persons
visiting their friends confined there could
not, after leaving the pure mir of the city
remain more than few minutes without
being sickened bv the intolerable stencil
lha, peryaded the room.
! On the lst of March |, with avo other
citizens of this county. was marched down
10 the Provost Marshal's office, where we
were released upon taking the oath Of al
! legiance, and also an oath 10 report in
person when called upon by the of
licer commanding this Department
The oath Of allegiance was the same had
taken before.
Thus ended 81 days Imprisonment in
Military Bastiles, for a purely imaginary
offence, with which was charged arrest
ed. and imprisoned to satisfy the malice
IofS. b. Benson, and with the hope of eli
citing some evidence from me against my
political friends in this town. | must not
forget the officers and soldiers who had
me in charge during my arrest. ! take
this opportunity Of returning to them one
and all my thanks for the universally kind
! treatment received at their hand' Col
| Eastman. in command Of Fort Milflin, is,
in the fullest sense, soldier and agentle-
man. 10 NV personal aud political friends
in Clearfeld, Baltimore and Harrisburg,
am under the deepest Obligations for their
unceasing efforts to effect my release, oil
to secure me speedy trial; as well as FOL
many Of the comforts and delicacies fur
nished through their kind aud generous
hospitality. never asked any thing but
trial. This was all desired; for | was
perfectly conscious that had never com
mitted any crime against my country.
Respectfully yours,
j. BLAKE WALTERS.