Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1865-01-07
Letter from Daniel Mcllenry.
JESSE COLEMAN.
Prothoaotary.


Si Il wrote you lew
days ago directed 10 Washington. Learu-
ing Congress has adjourned | suppose il
has not reached you Therefore III write
10 you again. My Trial has again come 10
close. have heard nothing ye, as 10 The
result: only rumors. have had very
tedious time | was arrested in the morn>
ing oi 3lsl. Of Augus, was aroused from
my slumbers jsst al The break of day by
rapping at the front door of my house
Dressed myself; went down stairs and
opened the door; perceived my honse was
surrounded by armed soldiers. They came
in and searched my dwelling from cellar TO
garret, in search for arms as they said but
finding none, as never owned any. Then,
one OF them tapped me on the shoulder
and said, "you can consider yourself Pris
breakfast, and my wife insisted upon heir
giving me time for thai purpose, but it was
not gr anted. was taken with. others up
10 Benton, four miles above where | live,
and put in Benton Church with large par
" from the neighborhooi. 10 the course
of about an hour Col. Stewart made his
appearance aud look the pulpit. Alter con-
siderable whispering, wiukIng and sisnif-
cant grimaces, for,y-fve OF US were selec ed
out aud put under strong guard, aud ordered
10 march I'll not attempt TO depicture TO
you with what difficulty that forced march
OF sixteen miles 10 Bloomsburg was accom-.
plshed by some OF the old men who had
had nothing 10 cal from The evening before
l. vas forced past my home; no, allowed 10
60 in 10 gel change Of colhas My vile
followed me with some cakes and few
articles of clothing. Was forced past par.
enls, sisters and brothers VINO stood by the
way>sde not allowed 10 take them by the
hand and bid them farewell. Their ex-
pressions were foil Of feeling which came
from The heart, and their eyes were filled 10
overAowiug. II caused Tears 10 course Tree
ly down the bronzed cheeks OF The guards
beside me, 1t was very trying, though
did not allow my feelings 10 overcome me.
The outrage made me indignant or should
have been completely overcome as my be-
| ing is enlwined wi h my Friends We
were hurried 10 B!oomshurg; got there
about 8 p, M /; storped but a short time aud
were put on The cars, not knowing our des.
linaiion Were brought on 10 Harrisburg I;
! stopped but few moments were not al.
| loved 10 get anything 10 eat started off
! again We knew not whittier; arrived al
Philadelphia about A. NJ and were
marched 10 9Th aud Bduonwood and put
/ in barracks. Al IL O'Clock we had some
ralions furnished us being The first in 40
hours. Those OF us who were not too
much exhausted parook with keen relish.
Started from the barracks about p. VI
marched 10 The Arch street wharf were
put on board The Ray bold and forwarded 10
Fort Mifiln. There we were marched up
in iron, OF The Colonel's quarters and de
lained there something near an hour in the
scorching sun. Sir. il was pliable sigh.
10 see the exhausted appearance Of the men
particularly the old and inlirm, as there
were several such amongst us. There was
a cell cleared 10 the meantime in the Bonn b.
proof for our reception. 1t was III a very
filthy condition., ull c. vermin. have
not space 10 give you description of tn,
was intended for and is entirely unfit L
hold men for any length OF lime. lis loca'
lion aud construction will break down The
strongest constitution in shon time as III,
emaciated condition. OF the Columbia count,
! prisoners fully verfies. The suffering en-
dured whilst confined in that filthy place
beggars description. Fortunately for me,
was not confined there as long as som
Others. was brought TO Harrisburg abou
three months ago Tor trial, and (as you ar
aware) my condition here has been mor
lolera bic. The worst feature OF my con
finemeni here has been the mserably filth
aid corrupt society | have been compe ellie
10 endure. Their vulsarily and profanity
cannot portray. The commission al lbi
: writing renders il almost impossible /
J write. The anxiety OF mind has been grea
, being on trial so loug, aud was aware u
The effort they were making 10 convict me
never shuhned an investigations, but de
sired il. AL asked was fair trial, bu
: was 20 closely confined that | had but !ill
chance 10 prepare Tor defence. Being $
> lar from home rendered il very difficult. (
have ha iacls in the Gaze fully developed
, and had II not have been Tor lhe uersever
, ing and energetic action ol my Dear Friend
al Home III my behalf could 70, hav
made much OF defence. As for proceed
ings of lrial, refer yon TO documents il
r possession ol II Alricks ESQ of Harrisburg
, would like 10 have gone back in my cas-
{ to The commencement OF the rebellion an
come up 10 lhe presen, lims, but was NJ
allowed 20 go back OF March 1863
10 conclusion; never violated any Iaw
civil or military, 10 the besl OF my know
: edge. II ewes did 1t was an error OF IN
It head and not Of the heart. have nae
j. taught from my earliest boyhood, by kin
r and religious parents, TO observe the Law
v OF my country, and | have regarded lher
!, as second only 10 the laws OF my God. NJ
u imprisonment consider an outrage, and
i have never begged for my release. | has
% spurned the idea, Liberty is dear, bu;
o eanuol and will mol sacrifice principles
Il manhood 10 obtain H. hope lhe day is n,
Il lar distant when a .ul expose will be mad
public.
: EXCUSE lhis lengthy scfawI.
Your Friend,
e. DANIEL MctlENRY.