The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-01-14
9 r A NJ T
MIR. 8. Cadw a llader's Despatch.
CRY PoaxT, Jan. I, 1861.


ARBITRARY ARREsns
Ono OF the system OF arbitrary arrests inaugu-
rated the loyal States since the beginning OF the
to have escaped public attention Scores and hun.
dreds Of have been wronguly arrested as deserer
torn rudely suddenly home and business
ported criminals TO army headquarters confined In The
guardhouse days and weeks with the thest and moss
degraded OF species, and finally released from Gus
tody without the slightest evidence being produced
against them In many instances they have been denied
an hours delay when arrested the purpose Of
ing their innocence The superficial examination,
the merest inquiry into references would have saved
the individual the burning shame Of prison treatment,
and the government the humiliation of having upjusty
oppressed its subjects. These instances have now be-
come so press ehould be longer silent
Tho country should know the abuses and correct them
Until then the boosted personal freedom Of the North
but myth and individual liberty found alone sin song
and story"
Innocent men have suffered terms Of imprisonmensh
this army rags squaor nth and vernin to be finally
discharged by the authorities guiess Of the offences
for which they arrested, away from homo, sick,
rendiess penness and dependent the overtaxed fac
ties army commanders for medical attention. subsiss
and transportation Instances and names viii be given
II desired where laborng men, who left their
daily avocation half clothed intending but fow mo-
mens ABSENCE have been pounced upon by the profe0
sona sharpes OF Northern provost refuses
all communication with friends relatives denied an
opportunity Of establishing their identity or innocence
boon transported hundreds OF miles like feons
Is this the boosted freedom OF American citizenship
IL II for treatment ike this people pour out their
confidence and affection Of its subjects when outrages
like these committed with mpunlty mol protected
BY NAV law .r. mo o,ovo., marshall ar armies ors,-
nariy 70 blame. They are usually hard worked,
limited means and resources, they arc expected 70
know everything demanded and do everything ~
qarcd prisoner coming 70 tho Proves. Marshal Gene
raj Ii supposed TO be guilty OF offence After
hausng all efforts To loarn his stats In the army, and
holding him Till the last minute consistent with senss
Of duty, he Is often obliged 70 dismiss him without san
gle accusation beyond the suspicion oil inter-
os,ed person that he was may, might could, would -
For the safety persons the North who subjsSs
TO draft who would undcr any circumstances b. ~
ceived into the army necessary that In travelling
from place 10 place Ii the loyal States and even whes
residing at their own homes In loyal cities they Shouts
Hs,co M.e No .a1 papr b.s IL oor
papers OF this kind but easily susceptible Of proef
that very large number Of persons many OF than =
and military detectives in tho cities, ON the cutskirts q
towns cars In saloons board Of steamboats, anl
Ia tho CITY Of Baltimore and the between thss
and wilmingon-on the bare suspicion Of being dcsoss
These often hurried of 70 the army with
the slightest opportunity Of establishing their limo
cencc; and whom once with the army the net OF thsS
must Be regarded as ria ee that they bsos
~ the army. When il remembered thxt vast nam
Der OF those sent descrtos bounty jumpers and SUD
sutes who resort TO trick 10 establish their c
xenship and enlistment will be understood how
exceedingly dcult becomes for the innocent man, -
far from home TO procure tho necessary proo -
obtain his discharge from confinement.
The OF proper accommodations In tho field for the
comfort Of this class Of menthe utter impossibty In
decd, Of furnishing them with the necessaries and com
forts OF life which they have boon accustomedinduccs
dsoases and when their Innocence Is finally established
and they returned to their homes " too often with
impaired health aud broken constitutions
The evil only he rcmeded in tho loyal States ~
Furnishing officers who allow their subordnates to arrsse
men arbitrarily and who themselves send these men
forward without proper examination and reasonable
probability that they deserers from particular
regiment or command No person should DO paid . ~
ward for his own rascality
We know that the attention Of the military authorities
having this matter charge has been called 10 these
abuses the military power in the North and truse
the evil will be corrected But 10 avoid all risk ed
wise every aborihg man-cvery man acceptable TO the
army q sodcr-to carry his person such papers 40
will establish his citizenship and his freedom from the
ciskns OF military service