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by
BVT. MAJOR H. B. SMITH
Chief of Detectives and Assistant
Booz Brothers
Copyright, 1911, by
Press of J. J. Little & Ives Co.
DEDICATED
TO WHOSE PERSISTENCY IN THUMPING OUT ON
BETWEEN THE LINES
Secret Service Stories
Told Fifty Years After
Provost Marshal General with
Major General Lew Wallace
Civil War
[Illustration: H. B. SMITH.]
114 West Fifty-Third Street
New York
Henry Bascom Smith
New York
TO
SAMUEL GRAHAM BOOZ
HIS TYPEWRITER THE WORDS HEREIN HAS
RENDERED IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO INFLICT
MY FIFTY-YEAR-OLD STORIES ON MY FRIENDS
CONTENTS
PAGE
APOLOGY 17
FILE I
The Harry Gilmor Sword--General Wallace's Comments 21
FILE II
1861-1862 New York Harbor--Fort Schuyler--Fort Marshal--Aunt Mag 25
FILE III
1862-1863 Fort McHenry--General Morris--Colonel Peter A. Porter--
Harper's Ferry--Halltown--Trip to Johnson's Island--Lieutenant-General
Pemberton and other Confederate Officers--Ohio Copperheads--Incident
of York, Pa., Copperheads--Dramatic incident on July 4th, 1863, at
Fort McHenry 30
FILE IV
A taste of the Draft Riots, July 13th, 1863, when conveying wounded
Confederates from Gettysburg to David's Island, New York Harbor--
Governor Seymour's questionable conduct--A mysterious Mr. Andrews of
Virginia--"Knights of the Golden Circle"--"Sons of Liberty" and a
North Western Confederacy--Uncle Burdette--The Laurel incident 37
FILE V
Appointed Assistant Provost Marshal at Fort McHenry, where I began
my first experience in detective work--Somewhat a history of my
early life--Ordered to execute Gordon by shooting 50
FILE VI
Detective work required an extension of territory--A flattering
endorsement by Colonel Porter--Introducing Christian Emmerich and
incidentally Charles E. Langley, a noted Confederate spy 57
FILE VII
Investigator's education--I branded E. W. Andrews, adjutant-general
to General Morris, a traitor to the Colors 63
FILE VIII
Initial trip down Chesapeake Bay after blockade runners and contraband
dealers and goods, incidentally introducing Terrence R. Quinn, George
G. Nellis and E. W. Andrews, Jr.--A description of a storm on the
Chesapeake 66
FILE IX
General Wallace assumes command of the Middle Department--General
Schenck's comments on Maryland--Colonel Woolley 79
FILE X
Here begins my service as an Assistant Provost Marshal of the
Department and Chief of the Secret Service--Confederate General
Winder's detectives--E. H. Smith, special officer, War Department
--Mrs. Mary E. Sawyer, Confederate mail carrier--W. V. Kremer's
report on the "Disloyals" north of Baltimore 83
FILE XI
Mrs. Key Howard, a lineal descendant of the author of "The Star
Spangled Banner," forgetting her honor, prepared to carry a
Confederate mail to "Dixie"--Miss Martha Dungan--Trip on the steam
tug "Ella"--Schooner "W. H. Travers" and cargo captured--James A.
Winn, a spy--Trip to Frederick, Maryland 92
FILE XII
F. M. Ellis, Chief Detective U. S. Sanitary Commission--Arrest of
W. W. Shore, of the New York "World"--John Gillock from Richmond 100
FILE XIII
Ordered to seize all copies of the New York "World," bringing in one
of the great war episodes, the Bogus Presidential Proclamation--
Governor Seymour's queer vigor appears 103
FILE XIV
Arrest of F. W. Farlin and A. H. Covert--The Pulpit not loyal,
reports on Rev. Mr. Harrison and Rev. Mr. Poisal--Comical reports
on a religious conference and a camp meeting--Seizure of Kelly &
Piet store with its contraband kindergarten contents--Sloop "R. B.
Tennis" one of my fleet, and an account of a capture of tobacco,
etc.--Arrest of Frederick Smith, Powell Harrison and Robert
Alexander--Harry Brogden 109
FILE XV
General pass for Schooner "W. H. Travers"--Trip down the Bay after
blockade runners and mail carriers--Gillock and Lewis, two of my
officers captured by Union pickets--Commodore Foxhall A. Parker--
Potomac flotilla--Arrest of J. B. McWilliams--My watch gone to the
mermaids--The ignorance of "poor white trash" 121
FILE XVI
Captain Bailey makes a capture--Sinclair introduces me (as Shaffer)
to Mr. Pyle 132
FILE XVII
A Confederate letter 136
FILE XVIII
Confederate army invades Maryland in 1864--General Wallace's masterly
defence of Washington--Trip outside our pickets--Confederate General
Bradley Johnson and Colonel Harry Gilmor--The Ishmael Day episode--
Uncle Zoe--Arrest of Judge Richard Grason--Report on certain
"Disloyals" 138
FILE XIX
Trip to New York regarding one Thomas H. Gordon 149
FILE XX
Thomas Bennett, a U. S. mail carrier, disloyal--Samuel Miles, a
prominent Baltimore merchant, a blockade runner--A laughable letter
about an overdraft of whiskey--Dr. E. Powell, of Richmond 151
FILE XXI
Terrence R. Quinn 155
FILE XXII
The Great Fraud attempted in the Presidential Election of 1864,
wherein the misplacing of a single letter led to its detection and
may be said to have saved our Nation from disruption--Involving
Governor Seymour and Adjutant General Andrews--Arrest of Ferry,
Donohue and Newcomb, one of the most successful kidnappings on
record 159
FILE XXIII
John Deegan, a forger, captured--A report that led to a historic
raid by Colonel Baker on the Bounty Jumpers and Bounty Brokers of
New York 175
FILE XXIV
General Wallace's letter to Secretary of War, Charles A. Dana
(afterwards editor of the New York "Sun") asking for an extension
of territory for my work, incidentally introducing Colonel John S.
Mosby, giving a list of his men and their home addresses--A train
robbery, paymasters robbed--I recapture part of the money--Commissions
in promotion declined 184
FILE XXV
Capture of Confederate bonds and scrip--Arrest of Pittman, Brewer
and Fowler; Lieut. Smith, alias I. K. Shaffer, alias George Comings,
led them, victims, into a maze, to their undoing 193
FILE XXVI
Arrest of T. A. Menzier and exposé of a prominent railroad official
--Arrest of Barton R. Zantzinger, involving Milnor Jones--Arrest of
John Henry Skinner Quinn, alias J. Y. Plater, alias Simpson, a spy--
Arrest of E. R. Rich, a spy 200
FILE XXVII
Statement of Illinois Crothers, giving valuable and reliable
information, implicating Mr. William Mitchell and a Mrs. Keenan of
Winchester, Virginia--Report on Daniel W. Jones, and Joseph Bratton
--Am given unlimited access to prisoners in Baltimore City jail 205
FILE XXVIII
Statements of Jeremiah Artis, a real deserter from the Confederates
--William J. Bradley, an honest refugee--Charles E. Langley, an
official Confederate spy--Langley personating a correspondent of the
"New York Tribune," was a most successful and dangerous spy 210
FILE XXIX
Patrick Scally, an honest deserter from the Confederate service--A
sketch of the defences of Richmond 222
FILE XXX
Confederate Colonel Harry Gilmor, the raider, telling how he did not
"come back" as a conquering hero; of the sword he never received; of
his capture, etc.--The arrest and conviction of the fair donor 227
FILE XXXI
Steam tug "Grace Titus"--Statement of George Carlton, containing
valuable confirmatory information 236
FILE XXXII
The pungy "Trifle" (one of the captures)--Colonel McPhail---Major
Blumenburg and his corrupted office--"Boney" Lee, Bob Miller, and
other thugs 243
FILE XXXIII
Statement of James Briers, Bollman, McGuarty and Welsh--United
States marine corps 246
FILE XXXIV
General W. W. Morris in command in General Wallace's absence--General
Sheridan's order to arrest E. W. Andrews, formerly adjutant general
to General Morris 250
FILE XXXV
Ordered to New York--Interviewed Secretary of War Stanton relative
to an independent command and extension of our territory--Major
Wiegel's weakness exposed 252
FILE XXXVI
Paine, who was afterwards one of the conspirators in the assassinators'
plot, in my custody--Miss Branson appeared to plead for him--Paine
released on parole, lacking evidence to prove him a spy 255
FILE XXXVII
Missionary E. Martin, an agent of the Confederate Treasury Department,
arrested, his big tobacco smuggling scheme exposed--Kidnapped him
from General Dix's department--Manahan involved 259
FILE XXXVIII
Secretary of War consulted about the extension of our territory to
include the district between the Rappahannock and the Potomac Rivers
--Robert Loudan, alias Charles Veal, a boat-burner and spy--A
kidnapped colored boy 271
FILE XXXIX
The chase after the steamer "Harriet Deford," which was captured by
pirates, supposedly to supply a means of escape to Jefferson Davis
from the crumbling Confederacy--Captain Fitzhugh 275
FILE XL
Ordered to Northern Neck of Virginia the day before President
Lincoln's assassination--Martin Van Buren Morgan's statement, and
order for his disposal 281
FILE XLI
I am introduced to General Grant--The assassination--Capture of Samuel
B. Arnold, one of the conspirators, sent to Dry Tortugas--Arrested the
Bransons and their household, uncovering Paine's pedigree; thereafter
he was Lewis Paine Powell--Paine had my parole on his person when
arrested--Paine hung 290
FILE XLII
Richmond had fallen--Class of detective work entirely changed--
Counterfeiters--Secretary McCullogh--Go to steamboat of the Leary
Line and capture a youthful murderer--Arrest of Mrs. Beverly Tucker 312
FILE XLIII
Camp Carroll rioting--Troops being mustered out 317
FILE XLIV
Indicted for assault with intent to kill, the only clash between
the Military and Civil Authorities during General Wallace's
administration 322
FILE XLV
Trip to Norfolk and Richmond--Ralph Abercrombie--Miss Elizabeth L.
Van Lew 324
FILE XLVI
My muster out--Reëmployment as a civilian--Ordered to Philadelphia--
Twice ordered to Washington with horse-thieves 327
FILE XLVII
Captain Beckwith convicted--Gambling--Order to take Beckwith to
Albany penitentiary 331
FILE XLVIII
Trip to Carlisle, Illinois, to unravel a fraudulent claim--John H.
Ing 335
FILE XLIX
Brevetted major--Governor Fenton's letter 342
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
H. B. Smith frontispiece
after page
The Monitor Waxsaw 28
Lieutenant Joseph H. (Joe) Barker 30
The Maples, Laurel, Md. 48
Major General M. W. Lew Wallace 78
John Woolley 82
Ishmael Day 144
Lucius F. Babcock 162
Charles E. Langley 218
Map of Richmond Defences 224
Colonel Harry Gilmor 226
Lewis Paine 256
Samuel B. Arnold 292
APOLOGY.
Fifty years ago! Gracious me! It makes me think of my age to talk of it.
Yes, just fifty years ago was enacted the greatest tragedy the world
ever saw, THE CIVIL WAR.
I entered the service at twenty and one-half years of age and served
three and one-half years.
At different times I have told of some of my experiences, which seemed
to interest. Sometimes I have talked to literary men, story writers, who
have expressed a desire to write me up in magazines and newspapers, but
lack of the romantic in my make up, notwithstanding romance might be
seen in the stories which to me were but cold facts, has kept me from
consenting.
I am actuated now by other reasons. I have a lot of documents and
memoranda that are wearing out, liable to be mislaid or lost. In fact I
have already lost one document, a letter from General Lew Wallace, a
very valuable and important one (to me); it was his letter of
presentation to me of the Harry Gilmor sword, written on the eve of his
departure for Texas (on a secret mission, known only to Lincoln and
Grant), to receive the capitulation of the Confederate General
Slaughter, hence I feel that these matters ought to be recorded
somewhere.
The New York Historical Society and Columbia University have offered
some of these documents place in their archives. The affidavit and
signature of Paine, the Conspirator who attempted to assassinate
Secretary Seward, ought to be in some substantial depository as a link
in history. I presume it is the only finger mark extant of any of the
conspirators. The reason why I have not deposited it is that the
statement appears garbled, requiring me to explain the gaps and hidden
meanings between the lines, which I shall try to do in these pages.
Another motive for putting these experiences in writing, is in the
interest of Graham, and his children, Curtis, Evelyn and her children,
Nettie and DeLos. It is to be expected these younger ones will remain
longer here under the old Flag, and perhaps they may get some
consolation from the fact that some of their ancestors did something in
simple patriotism. Nettie has complained that her school history did not
mention her uncle. I told her I could only be found by reading "between
the lines," because there were so many "pebbles on the beach" besides
her uncle.
But how can I make it interesting? I am afraid I shall injure the facts
in trying to write them. A story writer might make a romance out of
almost any one of my stories, for he would dress it up so. Every day and
hour of my Secret Service experience was crowded with events; they came
swift one after another; for instance the Election Fraud case of 1864 to
which Appleton's Encyclopedia devotes columns, took less than five days
to develop; the story would take nearly as long to tell.
BETWEEN THE LINES
SECRET SERVICE STORIES
FILE I.
The Harry Gilmor sword--General Wallace's comments.
The sword of Harry Gilmor, the Confederate colonel, which General
Wallace had given me, had aroused Graham's interest so much that I
presented it to him; I had, prior to this, presented to Curtis, my
Creedmoor rifle trophies. I had become tired of telling the history of
that sword and how it came into my possession, having no other evidence
than my word for the truth of the story, since I had lost General
Wallace's letter. However, quite unexpectedly, the story was revived in
the following manner:
Evelyn, who was but a baby in those days, remembering that I was with
General Wallace, on Christmas day, 1908, presented me with his
Autobiography (two volumes) much to my delight. A few days later Aunt
Mag, glancing through the second volume, discovered that I was
remembered by the General and the sword incident was there officially
described, so that now the sword is really vouched for in history, for
Wallace's volumes will be in every important library in the world.
I quote from General Lew Wallace's Autobiography, page 687 and on:
"From what has been said, it would seem my friend, General
Schenck, had found a disturbing element in the Secession
ladies of Baltimore, and in some way suffered from it. His
description of them, and the emphasis with which he had dwelt
upon their remarkable talent for mischief in general, I
accepted as a warning, and stood upon my guard.
"Every one into whose hands these memoirs may fall will see
almost of his own suggestion how necessary it was that, of the
inhabitants of the city, I should know who were disloyal with
more certainty even than who were loyal; of the latter there
was nothing to fear, while of the former there was at least
everything to suspect. We knew communication with the enemy
across the line was unceasing; that interchange of news
between Richmond and Baltimore was of daily occurrence; that
there were routes, invisible to us, by which traffic in
articles contraband of war was carried on with singular
success, almost as a legitimate commerce--routes by water as
well as by land. General Butler, at Norfolk, exerted himself
to discover the traders operating by way of the Chesapeake
Bay, but without success; with a like result I tried to
unearth the landward lines.
"_Captain Smith, my chief of detectives, a man of ability and
zeal_, at last brought me proof incontestable that Baltimore
was but a way-side station of the nefarious commerce, the
initial points of active transaction centering in
Philadelphia.
"As to Baltimore, this simplified our task, and shortly
General Schenck's sagacity was again vindicated--those working
in the prohibited business were ladies who moved in the upper
circles of society.
"Should I arrest the fair sympathizers? What was the use? The
simple appearance of distress was enough with the President;
and if that were so with a man in concernment, what would it
be with a woman? In sight of the hopelessness of effort on my
part, over and over, again and again, in the night often as in
the day, I took counsel of myself, 'What can be done?' At last
an answer came to me, and in a way no one could have
dreamed--the purest chance.
"A woman in high standing socially, alighted from a carriage
at the Camden station of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad,
carrying a mysterious-looking box. At the moment she was
stepping into a car my chief of detectives arrested her. The
box being opened, there, in velvet housings, lay a sword of
costly pattern inscribed for presentation to Colonel ----, a
guerilla officer of Confederate renown.
"A commission was immediately ordered for the woman's trial.
The word and the inscription upon it were irrefutable proofs
of guilt, and she was sent to a prison for females in
Massachusetts. The affair was inexcusably gross, considering
the condition of war--so much, I think, will be generally
conceded--still, seeking the moral effect of punishment alone,
I specially requested the officials of the institution not to
subject the offender to humiliation beyond the mere
imprisonment. In a few days she was released and brought home.
_The sword I presented to Captain Smith._"
General Wallace makes a slight error. I did not arrest the woman at the
station, but captured her messenger with the sword, and upon his person
were credentials to Gilmor, which I used myself, and of which I will
tell later on. Later on I arrested the woman herself.
FILE II.
1861-1862 New York Harbor--Fort Schuyler--Fort Marshal--Aunt Mag.
During the first year of the war ('61) I remained at home, but I was
really ashamed to be found there when service called. Burdette was
already in the Army, and A. P., though equally patriotic, was compelled
to remain home to "fight for bread" for the family. I started to go but
mother restrained me; finally, however, Olive persuaded mother to
consent, and on January 10th, 1862, I began my service as 2d Lieutenant
in the 5th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. In the early part of '62 our Regiment
garrisoned the forts of New York Harbor. I was stationed first at Fort
Wood (Bedloe's Island), and afterwards at Fort Schuyler, where I was
Post Adjutant.
Fort Schuyler is a very extensive fortification guarding the entrance to
New York from the east, situated on a peninsula called Throggs Neck,
where there is an abrupt turn from the waters of the East River as it
enters Long Island Sound; the channel is quite narrow at that point. The
fortification comprises two tiers of casemates surmounted by a parapet,
and on the landward side barbette batteries. A first-class formidable
defence for the arms of those days. The interior of Fort Schuyler was
large enough to enable a battalion to form in line. At that time there
was under construction on the opposite, or Long Island, shore, on
Willet's Point, a fortification which has since been completed and is
called Fort Totten.
In May, '62, we were withdrawn from the forts in New York Harbor. We
were ordered to the front, to join the army at Fortress Monroe,
Virginia. We were assembled, taken by steamers to Amboy, thence by the
old Camden and Amboy Railroad to Camden and Philadelphia, thence by the
Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad to Baltimore. We were
handsomely treated to a meal in the "Soldiers' Rest" in Philadelphia, by
the patriotic ladies. God bless them! We were transported in box freight
cars, rough board benches for seats. No drawing-room cars in those days.
On arriving in Baltimore we were loaded upon a steamer for Fortress
Monroe. At this point our orders were changed. Being a heavy artillery
regiment, we were ordered to garrison Fort Marshal (near Baltimore),
relieving the 3d Delaware, an infantry regiment. We were marched through
the city to Fort Marshal. Later we learned that the Baltimoreans dubbed
us the "toughest" they had seen. Our appearance was misleading, we
thought.
Fort Marshal was an earth work, a parapet with bastions, erected on an
eminence just east of Baltimore, commanding the harbor and the city. It
has since been demolished, crowded out by commerce and residences.
When we arrived at the fort our men were hungry, having had but "one
square meal" in forty-eight hours--the one the Philadelphia ladies had
given us, plus what was picked up from pie peddlers on the way. We
learned the lesson all green troops must learn, when inefficiency of the
commissary is shown. I volunteered to get feed for the men; the Colonel
accepted my tender. I went down to the city limits, pressed three wagons
(those deep box-wagons in use in Baltimore) into service, drove to the
Quartermaster's Department in South Gay Street, represented myself as
Acting Quartermaster (which was a little out of "plumb" but excusable by
the emergency) and drew three wagon loads of aerated bread and coffee,
drove back to camp, turned the kettles up and had the men banqueting
inside of two hours. Inefficiency was surely our Commissary's right
name.
At this point I want to tell something about Aunt Mag, my "Star in the
East," who has ever since guided me.
Union people and the Star Spangled Banner were not so plenty in
Maryland. Not far from Fort Marshal I espied a cheerful looking house.
In its yard from a flagstaff was unfurled our glorious emblem. That was
the house of Aunt Mag. I fell in love with the premises, and very soon
with its occupant. Later on I was stricken down with that dreadful army
plague, typhoid fever, and I was very near to death. That house was my
hospital, and Aunt Mag was my nurse. I lived, and so here we are after
fifty years. Many friends have remarked, how romantic! but we say it is
just love. If the "Over-ruling Hand" was not in it, it certainly has
proven a fortunate "happen so" for our lives have so nicely matched in
the "pinions" as to have needed no other lubrication than love for all
these years.
The house referred to was the home of Thomas Booz (the father of Graham
and Curtis). He was a real "19th of April" Union man; and on that
eventful day he defended his premises with a gun. He was of the firm of
Thos. Booz & Brother, shipbuilders; also he was a member of the
Legislature, and was talked of for Governor. Their firm built the
pontoons that McClellan used to recross the Potomac at Harper's Ferry in
1862, after Antietam; they also built one of the first turreted monitors
(the Waxsaw), patterned after Ericsson's Monitor which fought the battle
with the Merrimac.
[Illustration: THE MONITOR WAXSAW]
What do I mean by an "April 19th" Union man? Well, I will tell you: On
that day was shed the first blood of the war. A mob attacked the 6th
Massachusetts Regiment in Pratt Street, as it was proceeding to
Washington (April 19th, 1861). Like magic all Marylanders took sides,
one part for the Union, the other for Rebellion. Ever after the prime
question or test of loyalty was, how did you stand on April 19th? A
Union man on that day was ever after one. Families were divided. It cost
a deal to be a Union man there or in any of the border States. I have
often thought they deserved as much consideration as those who fought
battles.
In August, 1862, two companies, A and F, of our Regiment were detailed
to go to Harper's Ferry to man batteries there. There being a vacancy in
the line (in Co. A) I requested to be detailed to it, but my superior
objected, claiming I was necessary with my own company. I was not
permitted to go. Had I gone I would have been in that fight and would
have been in the Colonel Miles surrender, along with Joe Barker and the
rest. Joe's story of spiking the guns of The Naval Battery on Maryland
Heights, preparatory to surrender was always interesting. His story of
the four days' fighting, sustained as it is by Confederate documents,
makes new history. He makes it quite plain that the detention of the
enemy there saved us Antietam and perhaps Washington.
FILE III.
Fort McHenry in 1862-1863--General Morris--Colonel Peter A. Porter--
Harper's Ferry--Halltown Trip to Johnson's Island--Lieutenant-General
Pemberton and other Confederate Officers--Ohio Copperheads--Incident of
York, Pa. Copperheads--Dramatic incident on July 4th, 1863, at Fort
McHenry.
In the winter of '62-'63 our Regiment was removed to Fort McHenry, where
Confederate prisoners of war were detained. General W. W. Morris, an old
regular, commanded the Brigade (Headquarters were there) and Colonel
Peter A. Porter (whose monument is at Goat Island, Niagara Falls)
commanded the Post. We were carrying there about one thousand
Confederate and political prisoners. A large percentage of them were
commissioned officers.
Early in '63 our Regiment was ordered to the front by way of Harper's
Ferry. When we arrived at the Ferry I was the first officer detailed for
a two-days' turn of picket duty on Bolivar Heights.
[Illustration: LIEUTENANT JOSEPH H. (JOE) BARKER.]
Harper's Ferry is situated at the confluence of the Potomac and
Shenandoah rivers. The Potomac cuts through the Blue Ridge Mountains
there. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal runs along the north bank of the
Potomac, rugged mountains enclose it, presenting an alpine appearance.
Here the "John Brown raid" began. It was formerly the location of one of
the great national arsenals. When encamped there in '63 the Regiment was
in tents on Camp Hill; the officers were quartered in a building which
had been the home of the officers of the arsenal.
Our Regiment, nominally a heavy artillery regiment, was thoroughly
schooled in the heavy tactics and also as light or field artillery and
infantry; able or qualified to be used in either arm of the service with
equal facility. The order to proceed to the front was hailed with
delight, duty in the field being a panacea for garrison bickerings.
Later the regiment was moved to Halltown, encamped on the Miller farm,
and threw out pickets. I was on first detail there. I learned how to get
a fair sleep on top of a "herring-bone" rail fence. My proclivity for
"prying into things" manifested itself there. An attack was expected, so
our regiment slept on arms, anxiously waiting; it became tedious. I
asked permission to reconnoitre alone, and was permitted. In the dark I
sneaked out about a mile, and listened; three or four cavalrymen came
whirling down the road as if riding for life; they roused the regiment.
They were blood stained, but upon examination the blood was found to
have come from one of their own horses. Such scares and mistakes were
frequent, especially with fresh troops. I was in a dilemma to get back
into line without being shot, but it was accomplished. The regiment was
ordered back to Baltimore for garrison duty.
I was detailed to convey prisoners away many times. Once I took ninety
odd Confederate officers to Johnson's Island, Sandusky, Ohio. Among them
was Lieutenant General Pemberton, who had commanded at Vicksburg, and
who had, on July 4th, surrendered Vicksburg with thirty-seven thousand
men, fifteen general officers and sixty thousand stand of arms. I was
surprised at the great number of "Copperheads" we met in crossing Ohio.
My exhibition of Confederate prisoners was treated as a first-class
circus; it "drew" the "Copperheads" and they flocked to the stations
along the route to express sympathy and admiration. What was a
"Copperhead"? I will try to tell you: he stood, relatively, as the
Tories to the Revolution. They were composed of several elements; some
wore so greedy of gain they wanted no war that might interfere with
their finances; some were too cowardly; some were too partisan
politically, really thinking their fealty was due to those who were
fighting against an administration nominally representing an opposing
political party; all of them forming a mass to be influenced by
conspirators who were pursuing an intelligent purpose to destroy the
Union; just such material as was needed by Vallandigham, Seymour,
Andrews, Morgan and Lee to help their projects of further disruption.
What became of them? They sank out of sight when the Confederate cause
was lost. Naturally they were scorned by the men who had fought for the
Union. As time goes on, they and their work is being forgotten. Future
historians may be more kind to them than we who suffered because of
them, but it is not likely that the descendants of any Copperhead will
claim public honors for their anti-Union forbears.
I am reminded of an incident that was told widely through the armies:
When Lee's army reached York, Pa., on the way to Gettysburg, these
Copperheads went out to meet the Confederates, and assure them "how they
had always loved them." The Confederates wanted tangible proof of this
love; they demanded that one hundred thousand dollars in gold be paid at
once; else the town of York would be burned. Now, wasn't that unkind!
but lovers must ever be ready to prove, you know.
On our way home we had a railroad smash at Mifflin, Pa. I was curled up,
asleep in my seat, but received only a scratch on my forehead. I crawled
out of a window and helped recover bodies from the wreckage.
Fort McHenry is an historic spot. The scene described in our "Star
Spangled Banner" was dedicated to it. It was its ramparts Key referred
to in his first verse. In 1812 the fort was garrisoned by one thousand
men under Major Armisted, to guard Baltimore from an attack by sea.
September 13th, 1814, the British admiral, with sixteen heavy war
vessels, opened bombardment upon the fort. Its guns failed to reach the
fleet till some of the vessels approached nearer. He met so warm a
reception that they withdrew, badly damaged. A force of one thousand men
landed to surprise the fort in the rear, but they were repulsed. At
midnight the firing ceased. Next day the fleet withdrew and Baltimore
was safe. During the bombardment Francis Scott Key, a prisoner on board
the British fleet, wrote the "Star Spangled Banner."
I shall never forget July 4th, 1863. The crucial battle of the war,
Gettysburg, was being fought. Meade had just succeeded Hooker in command
of the army. Anxiously the wisdom of the change was being watched by
every soldier. It was my fortune to be detailed as officer of the guard
at Fort McHenry that day. Guardmount is always an inspiring exercise,
for then troops are carefully inspected and instructed before entry on
their tour of duty. Fort McHenry is an ideally beautiful spot, situated
on the point of a peninsula formed by the confluence of the north and
south forks of the Patapsco river. The spot is loved by every American.
A picture, a combination of events, produced the most strikingly
emotional effect upon me. We were formed on the exact ground overlooked
by Key when he wrote:
"Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say, does that star spangled banner yet wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"
I was trying to examine arms. Our Post Band, the 2d Artillery Band, one
of the grandest in the service, was playing that soul lifting piece. The
north fork of the Patapsco was filled with transports, carrying bronzed
veterans (I think the 19th Corps), who were hurrying to Gettysburg, and
these boys were yelling for twice their number; cheers upon cheers. On
the balcony of one of our prison buildings was a prisoner of war, a
lineal descendant of Francis Scott Key, overlooking the scene. And I
thought of our flag over yonder to the northwest, forty miles away at
Gettysburg. Yesterday and day before we had listened, straining our ears
to hear the guns. Was our flag still there? Had our boys with Meade
stood fast against the lion of the Confederacy, or had the Stars and
Bars been flaunted victorious upon the battle ground? God knows how our
hearts were strained in those hours. And when I heard the cheers of our
soldiers upon the transports and thought of Francis Scott Key and how he
had watched to see if Old Glory still waved, my eyes were blinded with
tears. I had to suspend my inspection to dry them. I was not alone
affected; there were many. Such tears one need not be ashamed of; they
are not evidence of weakness. An army of men inspired by such emotions
would be best to avoid.
I shall never forget the relief which came to our anxiety the next
morning (July 5th), Gettysburg was ours. Lee was started back to
Virginia. Vicksburg, too, was ours. Indeed, crucial was the day, July
4th, 1863. Every one of our ninety millions of united Americans should
ever give thanks for the events of that day.
FILE IV.
A taste of the Draft Riots, July 13, 1863, when conveying wounded
Confederates from Gettysburg to David's Island, New York Harbor--Governor
Seymour's questionable conduct--A mysterious Mr. Andrews of Virginia--
"Knights of the Golden Circle"--"Sons of Liberty" and a North Western
Confederacy--Uncle Burdette--The Laurel incident.
I had a little taste of the draft riots during that memorable week
beginning July 13th, 1863. I was ordered to David's Island, New York
Harbor, with seven hundred wounded Confederates from Gettysburg. The
demonstrations of the mob of onlookers in Philadelphia were so very
unfriendly that we had to use the butts of our muskets to control the
crowd. They threatened us saying, "to-morrow will be our day." I
understood the threat when I learned later of the rioting. We were
advised that our train was to be intercepted before reaching New York,
and transportation was, therefore, furnished on the steamer "Commodore,"
by the outside course. After leaving our prisoners at David's Island, we
landed at the Battery, and there I addressed my men, cautioning them not
to reply to any assault unless ordered by me. We marched up Broadway to
the City Hall Barracks (where the New York Post Office now stands) and
stacked arms inside the enclosure. I was proud of my men. Each one
appeared a giant, steady, firm of step, lips compressed; two-thirds of
them were foreign born, yet no better Americans ever paraded Broadway.
Immediately after stacking arms, a lot of rioters who had just overcome
their guards, seized our stacks. Our boys jumped on them and I had a big
job to keep them from crushing their ribs. Exceeding my orders, I
permitted my men to visit their homes, to report back at midnight. The
cars were running but had no passengers. I rode on the Eighth Avenue car
to 48th Street, my home. Our house was locked, but Cousin Wilbur F.
Strong was there alone. He said Brother A. P. had taken the family into
the country for safety. A. P.'s loyalty had made him a "marked man," and
he had been threatened. After eating, Wilbur and I walked down to John
Hardy's, in 35th Street. Stores were all closed, no one on the streets
but an occasional corner loafer, who snarled at us. Hardy had been
hiding his colored servant in the coal cellar, to save her life. Wilbur
afterwards entered the service, and went on the "Hunter raid" up the
Shenandoah Valley in 1864. He died from the exhaustion of the marches.
At midnight every man was behind his stacked arms, ready for duty. The
city was deserted, as if plague stricken. I shall never forget the
desolation.
Ostensibly the draft was the excuse, but with the moving spirits it was
but a subterfuge. The ring-leader of the mobs in New York was a
mysterious stranger, a "Mr. Andrews" of Virginia. On July 13th, 1863, at
40th Street and Fourth Avenue, while the firemen were at work in Third
Avenue, he ascended a shanty which stood opposite the burning ruins.
Thousands were assembled behind this shanty in an open space of untilled
ground, and the Virginian orator proceeded to address them. He cried out
that he wished he had the lungs of a stentor and that there was a
reporter present to take down his words; he said he had lately addressed
them in Cooper Institute, where he told them Mr. Lincoln wanted to tear
the hardworking man from his wife and family and send him to the war; he
denounced Mr. Lincoln for his conscription bill which was in favor of
the rich and against the poor man; he called him a Nero and a Caligula
for such a measure, etc. He then advised the people to organize to
resist the draft and appoint their leader, and if necessary he would be
their leader (uproarious cheers). Immediately after, the mob destroyed a
beautiful dwelling at Lexington Avenue and 47th Street. And they did
organize. Mounted leaders were seen to give orders to subordinate
leaders of mobs; one of these mounted men rode on horseback into the
hardware store of Hiram Jelliffe in Ninth Avenue and seized what arms
and powder he had. Mr. Jelliffe afterwards identified him as a clerk in
one of the City departments.
Governor Horatio Seymour, in answer to a call from Washington, had
hurried off the militia to Pennsylvania. He made a memorable speech
standing upon the City Hall steps, in which he addressed the rioters as
"my friends." A report of it says: "Standing near him on the steps was a
ring-leader of a mob, who had just made an inflammatory speech and who
had recently come from an assault on the 'Tribune.'" The "Tribune"
(editorially) said practically that: "the sending of the militia out of
New York was with a knowledge that it would be desirable to have them
away when his (the Governor's) 'friends' wanted to riot." I am aware
that Governor Seymour has been a sort of idol with many, and that if I
lay my poor weak tongue on his fair name, I will incur their
displeasure; but I have always disliked shams.
Not wishing to be tedious, I want to recall that when the war broke out
the Confederacy was thoroughly equipped to take its place as a fully
organized nation at once. This fact was commented on and efforts were
made to explain how it was accomplished. No comprehensive history of the
struggle can be written that does not include the secret societies that
abetted. They played as important a part as did the army which opposed
us, and was vastly more dangerous by reason of the insidious character
of its movements.
One State after another swung into line under some mysterious talisman,
although there was a strong sentiment against leaving the Union.
In delving into affairs generally, I became possessed of information
that, so far as I know, has never been in print. I learned that a secret
organization known as the "Knights of the Golden Circle" was the nucleus
of the Confederacy. That under its secret fostering the Confederacy was
fully developed, ready to take its place among the nations. That the
Knights were an outgrowth of the defunct "Know Nothing" society that had
become disrupted on the subject of the extension of slavery (which also
divided churches). That as soon as the Confederacy was in the saddle, no
longer were there any initiations into the "Knights of the Golden
Circle," but a subordinate society was organized to do further work,
i. e., to further disrupt the Union. This society was known as the "Sons
of Liberty."
The purpose of the "Sons of Liberty" was to form a northwestern
confederacy. My source of information said that it was understood in
that circle, that Governor Horatio Seymour was to give the signal for
disruption, which was to be a refusal from New York to furnish its quota
of soldiers. Seymour failed them. He did not refuse, but he protested
and procrastinated. He obstructed the draft as adroitly as he could,
claiming inequities. And on August 7th, 1863, Mr. Lincoln in a
communication to Seymour regarding these claims, said: "We are
contending with an enemy who, as I understand, drives every able-bodied
man he can reach into his ranks, very much as a butcher drives bullocks
into a slaughter pen; no time is wasted, no argument is used." And Mr.
Lincoln repeatedly wrote Governor Seymour of the cost in blood and
treasure by the delays he was causing.
The bloodiest and most brutal riots this country ever saw ensued in New
York, Boston, Portsmouth and other cities. The draft riots were, in
fact, but the first step of the "Sons of Liberty" in uprising, towards
forming another rupture. To this secret movement of the "Sons of
Liberty" I refer to the following documents:
Head Quarters, District of Indiana,
Indianapolis, Sept. 3, 1864.
1st. Large numbers of men of suspected loyalty to the United
States, have heretofore, and still are immigrating to the
State of Indiana, and in some localities their open and avowed
hatred to the Government, and treasonable designs are fully
expressed....
By order of
Bvt. Major General Alvin P. Hovey,
And. C. Cemper, A.A.G.
An order had previously been issued by General Heintzelman, Commander of
the Department, prohibiting the transport of arms into the Department by
Railroads.
Governor Oliver P. Morton, in his message to the Legislature in June,
1865, said:
"Some misguided persons who mistook the bitterness of party
patriotism and ceased to feel the obligations of allegiance to
our Country and Government, conspired against the State and
National Government and sought by Military force to plunge us
into the horrors of revolution.
A secret organization had been formed which by its lectures
and rituals inculcated doctrines subversive of the Government,
and which carried to their consequences would evidently result
in disruption and destruction of the nation.
The members of this organization were united by solemn oaths,
which if observed, bound them to execute the orders of their
Grand Commanders without delay or question, however
treasonable or criminal might be their character.
I am glad to believe that the great majority of its members
regarded it merely as a political machine and did not suspect
the ulterior treasonable action contemplated by its leaders,
and upon discovery of its true character, hastened to abjure
all connection with it.
Some of the chief conspirators have been arrested and tried by
the government, and others have fled, their schemes have been
exposed and baffled."
The arrest of Clement L. Vallandigham, of Ohio, for treason, uncovered
part of the conspiracy; he was, in fact, the Grand Commander of the
Order. Of him Mr. Lincoln said:
"I solemnly declare my belief that this hindrance of the
military, including maiming and murder, is due to the course
in which Mr. Vallandigham has been engaged, in a greater
degree than to any other cause, and it is due to him
personally, in a greater degree than to any other man."
The Indianapolis "Journal," July 2d, 1864, said:
"Members of the Sons of Liberty were advised that Morgan (the
Rebel raider) would be in Kentucky, and Vallandigham in
Hamilton, on or about June 14th (1864). It was through
information furnished by members of this order that Governor
Bramlette of Kentucky was apprised of Morgan's intended raid
and attack upon Frankfort.
The rumor that there was collusion between the friends of
Vallandigham and Morgan seems possible. In the letter of
Governor Bramlette, which we append, significant allusion is
made to it. It would seem strange indeed, that the Sons of
Liberty should be so advised of the simultaneous raids of the
Canadian and Kentucky Confederates unless a common
understanding was had between the two traitors, and concerted
action determined upon. That they were so advised is evident
from the fact that certain of their number admonished Governor
Morton of Indiana beforehand, who in turn advised Governor
Bramlette of the approaching danger in time for him to provide
for it.
Commonwealth of Kentucky,
Executive Department,
Frankfort, June 22, 1864.
Governor Oliver P. Morton,
Indianapolis, Ind.
Dear Sir.--I return you my most grateful thanks for your
prompt assistance during Morgan's recent raid. The timely
arrival of the 43d Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, gave us
entire relief against apprehension of danger.
Although the citizens had repulsed the Rebels, yet the large
numbers still infesting this section at the time of their
arrival kept us upon constant vigil and serious apprehension
of another assault.
The patriotism and kindly feeling which prompted the gallant
veterans of the Forty-third to rush to our relief without
delaying after their long and arduous labors to even greet
their families, deserves the highest commendation from their
countrymen, and will ever command from us of Kentucky, the
profoundest gratitude.
The appearance of Vallandigham, of Ohio, simultaneously with
Morgan's raid in Kentucky, fully confirms the matter made
known to me through General Lindsey, by you.
The defeat of Morgan has frustrated their movements for the
present, but vigilance in the future must still guard us
against the machinations of evil doers.
Yours truly,
THOMAS E. BRAMLETTE."
Arms for the Sons of Liberty were seized in Indianapolis and New York,
and at many other places. The organization was said to have a membership
of one million members, all bound, by oath, to sustain the Southern
Confederacy.
In many instances, to outward appearances, they were merely social or
political clubs that could be attended by the unsuspecting, when they
were not in executive session.
The draft riots, hotel burnings, attempts to destroy our water supply,
and kindred work, down to and including the assassination conspiracy,
are all to be charged to the Sons of Liberty. They are also to be
charged with the presidential election fraud of 1864. Its virus
permeated all. No man has ever admitted being a member of it.
And Governor Seymour was expected to be its "bell wether" in the
disruption movement. Evidently his nerve failed him. The riots in New
York probably demonstrated to him that real war is real h----l, and it
scared him. I do not assume that any considerable portion of the
Confederates were members of either of the secret societies; soldiers
are seldom conspirators.
There were characters in the Confederate service whom a Union man could
well admire: Lee, "Stonewall" Jackson, Alexander H. Stevens and others,
but there should be contempt only for men who, while holding office
under the protecting arm of a magnanimous government, bent every nerve
to trip up their benefactor.
Uncle Burdette's service was exclusively with troops. First with the
90th Regiment at Key West (Graham has yet a bottled scorpion that he
sent home from there, found in his sleeping blanket), then with the 16th
Cavalry in Virginia, and finally with the 162d Regiment in the assault
on Port Hudson. He was also with the Banks Red River expedition. No
better man ever straddled a horse; he could have acquitted himself as a
champion "bronco buster."
The following incident belongs right here:
Headquarters, Fort McHenry, Md.,
Sept. 18th, 1863.
Special Order No. 190.
Lieut. H. B. Smith, of Co. D, 5th N. Y. Arty, with a guard
from Co. G., N. Y. Arty., consisting of one sergeant, two
corporals and twenty-two men, with two days rations, will,
when transportation is provided, proceed to Alexandria, Va, in
charge of ninety-three soldier prisoners, and turn them over
with lists and charges of same to the commanding officer of
Camp of Distribution, near that place.
II. This duty performed Lieut. Smith and guard will return
without delay and report to the commanding officer of this
post.
Lieut. Thos. Grey, the quarter master, will furnish the
necessary transportation.
By command,
Col. P. A. PORTER.
Ford Morris,
1st. Lieut. 6th N. Y. Arty.
Post Adjutant.
Lieut. SMITH,
D. Co., 5th N. Y. Arty.
[Illustration: THE MAPLES, LAUREL, MD]
On our way to Washington, at Laurel, Md., we found the railroad bridge
crossing the Patuxent river had been washed away by a recent freshet.
We were forced to disembark, go down a high embankment and cross the
river by a foot bridge. By some means some of the prisoners had obtained
some "fire water" and were troublesome; some of them were fighting on
this foot bridge. I took a hand in it and tumbled a few into the river
(not very deep). Just then I noticed three or four of them scurrying
away, running through a field of grain. I really felt more sorry for the
owner of the field than for the loss of the men. Aunt Mag had often
spoke of our visiting her brother William and sister Mary at Laurel, but
we never went there until after our marriage, when I found, on arriving
there, that the owner of the grain field my prisoners had so ruthlessly
damaged was brother William. He could not remember the instance, as such
events were of frequent occurrence, but we had a laugh over it.
FILE V.
Appointed assistant provost marshal at Fort McHenry, where I began my
first experience in detective work--Somewhat a history of my early
life--Ordered to execute Gordon by shooting.
I was on duty with troops until detailed as Assistant Provost Marshal at
Fort McHenry. The administration of prisoners confined at Fort McHenry
had become unsatisfactory; escapes were frequent. Colonel Porter
selected Capt. Holmes of the 8th New York Heavy Artillery and myself to
reform the prison.
Headquarters, Fort McHenry,
October 25, 1863.
General Order No. 51.
I. Lieut. George Nellis, Co. D., 5th Arty., N. Y. V., is
hereby relieved from duty as Asst. Provost Marshal and will
without delay report to his Company Commander for duty.
II. Lieut. H. B. Smith, Co. D., 5th Arty., N. Y. V., is hereby
appointed Asst. Provost Marshal and will without delay assume
the duties of that office.
P. A. PORTER,
Col. 8th N. Y. V. Arty.
Com. Post.
Lieut. H. B. SMITH,
D. Co., 5th Reg., N. Y. V., Arty.,
Fort McHenry, Md.
Right here was begun what led up to my ultimately becoming a
full-fledged secret service operator. Born in the green foot-hills of
the Catskill Mountains (near where Rip Van Winkle dozed), I learned my
"A B abs" in the little brown school house at Cornwallville. Father died
when I was four years old. Mother traded the farm for some New York
tenements, and we all located there, when I was ten years old. I
attended the public schools where I was properly "hazed" and got what
was "coming" to all country boys; finally I graduated under the tutelage
of Dr. Joseph Finch (a patriot indeed, who made a lasting impress for
earnestness on thousands of boys), and then went to business as an entry
clerk with a large importing metal house, where I remained until the war
broke out. You will therefore see I had had no former experience (my age
was 22 years) and whatever wit I had for such service was inborn or
home-made. Zeal I know I had; perhaps its birth was from a chalk legend
some pedagogue had inscribed over the door-frame in the little brown
school house, reading: "What man has done, man can do." At any rate I
have remembered it.
My education in the burning political questions had been sharply marked
by the presidential campaign of 1860. My brothers, A. P. and Burdette,
were "Douglas" Democrats. My fellow clerk, Clarence W. Meade (later
Judge Meade), was a "Bell and Everett" Democrat. I was a born "Lincoln"
Republican. So between the discussions at the house and the office, I
was somewhat sharpened. I remember how I struggled against their
arguments that Lincoln was an uneducated, uncultured rail-splitter. I
knew of his discussions with Douglas, but never did I completely
vanquish them until Mr. Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg oration, and
"that ball fetched all the pins and knocked a hole through the alley."
And it must be noted that I thought myself, somewhat like a Demosthenes,
for I had practiced in that little school house on "Twinkle, Twinkle,
Little Star" and two verses of "On Linden When the Sun Was Low," much to
mother's delight. So equipped, or so not equipped, I began my duties as
Assistant Provost Marshal.
Confederate mail carrying, spy promoting, blockade promoting, recruiting
for Confederate service, were being engineered right from among these
prisoners. I "under-grounded" it all. Through this channel I enlisted
for the Confederate service. Of course you know that when I enlisted in
the service of our enemies, I did so to discover their actions, and was
what most people call a "spy." I had often read the story of Nathan
Hale, the splendid patriot of the American Revolution who was a spy in
the service of General Washington and who gave up his life to the
service. (The Sons of the Revolution of the State of New York have
erected a fine monument to him in the New York City Hall Park). Perhaps
there would be less danger in being a soldier in the ranks who goes
forward with arms in hand and fights openly in battle and dies thus,
than to be a spy and constantly in the shadow of death, night and day,
and no soldier's death for him, but the death of the hangman's noose;
yes, I knew all this.
I worked a blockade running outfit, involving General Morris's adjutant
general, Capt. E. W. Andrews (of whom I will tell more later on), and I
captured Confederate mail carriers, none of which were any part of my
duty, but all contributed to the general good of the service. Strictly
speaking, my duties were completed by caring for the safe keeping,
discipline and comfort of the prisoners in our charge. To do more was
supererogation, and ought to be credited to zeal.
In a short time I found that these Confederates worked their escape
through the use of gold supplied them by their sympathizers in bribing
the guards. But we stopped that and thereafter the soldiers for sentry
duty at certain posts were selected for their known probity. Escapes
continued for a time (but they were always recaptured when they supposed
themselves safe outside our guards). When these escapes (?) were
accomplished there was great jubilation among the Confederates. They had
a great "laugh" on the Yankees; which laugh was changed to "the other
side of the mouth" when all the escaped (?) ones were marched back into
camp, one bright morning. About a mile down the road leading from our
exterior gate to Baltimore was a hotel called the "Vineyard." I engaged
the upper floors of it in which to domicile my escaped (?) prisoners.
When we had accumulated there about fifteen we marched them all back to
our prison.
After telling their fellows of the futility of their plans no more
escapes were attempted.
The government was kind to prisoners. We clothed them and gave them
blankets to keep them comfortable. I have receipted rolls now showing
such issues. They came to us in rags or worse than rags, in fact, and
left us fat and well clothed. On one occasion when an exchange of
prisoners was ordered, I judged that one good suit of clothes was enough
to start them off with; but orders came from Washington to allow them
to carry away all the clothing given them by their friends, which in
some instances was three or four suits to a man. Our prisoners were
confined in buildings known as the Ringgold Battery Barracks, quite
insecure for the purpose. We constructed about the premises a plank
fence twelve feet high, with balcony and sentry boxes on top, leaving no
good chance for communication between prisoners and guards.
The first unpleasant duty devolving on me is described in the following
order:
Headquarters, Fort McHenry,
Nov. 19. 1863.
General Order No. 53.
In pursuance of General Order No. 54 and 56 issued from
Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps, Oct. 26, and
Nov. 3, 1863, and General Order No. 92, issued from
headquarters 2d. Separate Brigade, Defences of Baltimore, Nov.
19, 1863, William F. Gordon, a prisoner in confinement at this
post, will be shot to death with musketry, between the hours
of 12 M. and 3 o'clock P. M., on Friday, the 20th inst., on
the Parade Ground at Fort McHenry, according to military usage
in such cases, provided the approval of the President of the
United States be received.
The Asst. Provost Marshal of the Post, Lieut. H. B. Smith, is
charged with the execution of this order.
(Signed) By Command of
Col. P. A. PORTER,
8th N. Y. V. Arty., Com'd'g Post.
GEO. WIARD,
Lieut. 8th N. Y. V. Arty and Post Adjt.
A harder duty could not be directed. In cases where execution is by
shooting, a firing party is picked, and their rifles are loaded for
them. One gun among them is loaded with a blank cartridge, so that each
member of the firing party can hope he has it. In case death does not
result from the firing it becomes the duty of the officer commanding the
firing party to complete the execution of the order. That was not a
cheerful prospect for me. I had twenty-four hours for serious
contemplation; suppose the men should aim wrong? Then I would be
compelled to shoot the man as a mere cold duty. We were spared its
execution by the following telegraphic order:
War Department,
Nov. 20, 1863.
Major General Schenck:
The President directs that the execution of sentence of death
against Gordon, now in Fort McHenry, be suspended until
further orders.
(Signed) E. M. STANTON,
Sec. of War.
FILE VI.
Detective work required an extension of territory--A flattering
endorsement by Colonel Porter--Introducing Christian Emmerich and
incidentally Charles E. Langley, a noted Confederate spy.
For the purpose of showing how I grew in the service I will ask you to
read each order carefully. Sometimes they explain themselves, sometimes
not.
Investigations started in the prisons required work to be done outside
the garrison, throughout Maryland and perhaps into Virginia, which would
carry me outside our post limits and required authority from Department
commanders. The Department comprised Maryland, parts of Delaware and
Virginia. The following personal letter was addressed to Colonel W. S.
Fish, Provost Marshal under General Schenck:
Headquarters, Fort McHenry,
Nov. 27, 1863.
Dear Colonel.--Our Assistant Provost Marshal, Lieut. Smith,
has got hold of a sloop and her Captain. He was to be examined
before you, but Smith says that McPhail's men have other and
earlier accounts to settle with him. I suggest this as you may
have a great deal to do and may prefer to transfer the case to
those already familiar with it.
Very truly,
P. A. PORTER,
Col. 8th N. Y. V. Arty.,
Com'd'g Post.
The following will show my progress in such matters:
Headquarters, Middle Department,
8th Army Corps.
Office Provost Marshal,
Baltimore, Dec. 23, 1863.
Lieut. H. B. Smith, Assistant Provost Marshal, Fort McHenry,
is hereby authorized to visit and search any house in the City
of Baltimore that he has good reason to believe contains Rebel
mail, or any treasonable matter.
By order,
W. S. FISH,
Col. and Provost Marshal General,
8th Army Corps.
My work at Fort McHenry absolutely required freedom to act outside.
Office Provost Marshal,
Fort McHenry, Jan. 8, 1864.
_Confidential._
Colonel Fish,
Provost Marshal, 8th Army Corps.
Dear Sir.--I am at last able to report that we have gotten
underway an underground correspondence between Trought and
Emmerich. At first the correspondence was unimportant (which
was, of course, policy for them), but now they have become
confidential. I, with some others, intend to enlist in the
Rebel service, but my plan is too long to explain here.
Now, Colonel, if you will drop a line to Colonel Porter,
asking him to allow me to organize a squad of reliable men,
say twelve or fifteen, and instruct them, whom we can call
upon at any time, we will guarantee to show some rich
developments inside of three weeks.
Emmerich is not alone but is connected with some of the
largest houses in Baltimore.
Trusting this will meet your approval, I am, Col.
Very resp'y,
H. B. SMITH,
Lt. and Asst. Pro. Mar.
This was officially approved first by Colonel Fish, and then by Colonel
Porter.
Office Provost Marshal,
Fort McHenry, Jan. 26, 1864.
Col. P. A. Porter,
Commanding 2d Separate Brigade,
Defences of Baltimore.
I respectfully beg leave to lay before you the following and
ask for authority to proceed further.
Four recruits for the Rebel Army are in Baltimore, also two
Rebel officers. I want authority to follow them and make the
arrest when about to cross the Potomac, thus implicating all
the parties connected in recruiting for the Rebel Army in and
about Baltimore. I have it so arranged that it will be
impossible for them to get away from me, if I am allowed to
proceed. And as I have some more operations in process of
development, I would respectfully ask to have the authority
extended to cover them also.
I could make some of these arrests in Baltimore, but as it is
perfectly safe, by allowing them to get a little further, it
would make the case a still more fatal one for the parties
concerned.
I am, Colonel, Very Resp'y,
Your Ob'd't Serv't,
H. B. SMITH,
Lt. and Asst. Pro. Mar.
The endorsement on the back of the above paper has always been a source
of gratification. No man from New York State was ever more highly
esteemed than Colonel Porter. He was talked of for Governor. A brave,
true, and generous man, loved by all. He was killed at Cold Harbor,
leading his regiment. His body was dragged back to our lines in the
darkness of the night.
Headquarters, 2d Separate Brigade,
Defences of Baltimore.
Jan. 26, 1864.
I approve of the proceedings of Lieut. Smith, who has my
entire confidence as an upright and skillful officer. I have
referred him to the Provost Marshal for advice, instruction,
and authority.
P. A. PORTER,
Col. 8th N. Y. V. Arty.,
Commanding 2d Separate Brigade.
On the same day the application was approved at Department Headquarters.
The centre around which this recruiting and other disloyal schemes
revolved was one Christian Emmerich, a fashionable shoemaker on South
Gay Street. His place was a convenient centre for all important
Confederate sympathizers. His residence was in a fashionable part of the
city. We were entirely successful, capturing the whole party, including
a conductor on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, who was caught
transporting these recruits, well knowing their character. We
simultaneously seized the Christian Emmerich store on South Gay Street,
and his residence; in the latter we found much incriminating evidence,
such as orders for Confederate uniforms, gold braid, buttons and
Confederate letters. Emmerich was not a common mender of "old soles,"
but was the shoemaker to the bon-ton of Baltimore. We entirely destroyed
the Confederate recruiting business conducted through that channel.
I have a photograph of the conductor referred to, taken together with
his pal or partner, who was a spy. The spy's name was Charles E.
Langley. I will tell you all about him and his mysterious backing when I
come to my regular work in December, 1864, where his statement is
printed.
FILE VII.
Investigator's education--I branded E. W. Andrews, adjutant general to
General Morris, a traitor to the colors.
In our prison were confined prisoners of all classes, Confederate
officers, spies, blockade-runners, pirates, civil and political
prisoners. Our office was the reception room where these persons
interviewed their "sympathizers," much of such interviewing taking place
in my presence. Their mail passed through our hands, what better place
could there have been to develop an "investigator?"
War Department,
Washington, Feb. 27, 1864.
General Morris, commanding at Fort McHenry, will allow Mr. W.
G. Woodside to see Thomas I. Hall and ---- Baylor, Rebel
prisoners confined there. General Morris will be present at
the interview.
By order of the Secretary of War.
(Signed) C. A. DANA,
Asst. Secy. of War.
This was endorsed:
To the Provost Marshal:
You will allow Mr. W. G. Woodside, the bearer of this, to see
the prisoners mentioned within, Hall and Baylor. Lieut. Smith
will be present at the interview.
(Signed) P. A. PORTER,
Col. 8th N. Y. V. Arty.,
Commanding-Brigade.
Fort McHenry,
Feb'y 28, 1864.
Baltimore, Feb'y 15, 1864.
Sir.--Will you be kind enough to deliver the joined letter to
Jules Klotz, a French subject, detained at Fort McHenry. He
wrote to me to direct my letters to yourself.
I should be very obliged to you to let me know the reasons why
he has been arrested and his true situation towards the
American government.
Very respectfully yours,
(Signed) A. SAUVAN,
French Vice Consul.
To Mr. SMITH,
Lieutenant, Fort McHenry.
You will see by these documents that my survey of prisoners and their
letters was always by authority and not merely to gratify my own
curiosity.
The Adjutant General is the confidential reliance of a commanding
officer. General Morris was advanced in years and depended implicitly on
his Adjutant General, Captain E. W. Andrews. I branded Andrews _a
traitor to the colors_. It was a serious position for a subaltern to
assume, but I had the evidence to substantiate the charge. In searching
the house of one Terrence R. Quinn, a noted blockade-runner, then a
prisoner in Fort McHenry, I found evidence that Andrews was a partner in
his crimes. And I found that my predecessor, the former Assistant
Provost Marshal, was also incriminated; then it became easier for me to
understand how so many prisoners had been allowed to escape (as many as
sixty-five in one night). Later on I will have two more references to
Andrews, which will explain what became of him.
Andrews was a man of brains. He started in life, I believe, as a
minister of the gospel, then turned to law. By his suavity and
impudence, he gained control of General Morris. The post was important
because it carried so great a number of prisoners. Andrews had his son
made Provost Marshal, and the escapes of prisoners by one means or
another, were made so easily that the scandal of it had appeared in many
Southern newspapers. When I finally imprisoned Andrews on General
Sheridan's order, in his half intoxicated condition he admitted his
Confederate sympathies.
FILE VIII.
Initial trip down Chesapeake Bay after blockade runners and contraband
dealers and goods, incidentally introducing Terrence R. Quinn, George G.
Nellis, and E. W. Andrews, Jr.--A description of a storm on the
Chesapeake.
My initial trip down the Chesapeake Bay after blockade-runners was made
under the following order:
Headquarters, Middle Department,
8th Army Corps,
Baltimore, Mch. 22, 1864.
Special Order No. 73.
2d Lieut. H. B. Smith, 5th Regt. N. Y. Artillery, is hereby
ordered to proceed down the Eastern shore, Virginia, and
arrest ---- Jacobs (citizen) and such other persons as may be
found in company with him. If Lieut. Smith has reason to
believe that they are engaged in the practice of smuggling or
running the blockade, and seize all contraband goods in their
possession.
Lieut. Smith will seize and hold the following named vessels,
viz.: Schooners "Trifle," "Frances E. Burgess," "Despatch,"
"Washington," and "Glib," wherever he may find them, and will
convey them to the nearest place of safety within our lines.
Lieut. Smith will assume command of the steam tug placed at
his disposal by orders from this office, and having
accomplished the object of this order will return to this
city, and make immediate report to the Commanding General.
Lieut. Smith is permitted to use his discretion as to the
disposition of the vessels named in case of emergency. By
command of
Major General LEW WALLACE,
(Signed) SAM'L B. LAWRENCE,
Asst. Adj. Gen'l.
Quinn, the prisoner referred to above was out on parole and was thus
able to pursue his business. He was in the habit of purchasing much of
his supplies from a certain ship chandler on Pratt street, a friend of
mine, and, in fact, a good Union man, who so concealed me in his
premises that I learned much of Quinn's plans from his (Quinn's) own
mouth; and this order was to enable me to develop the matters he had
disclosed.
Blockade running, mail carrying and "spy" carrying, along the Potomac
and Chesapeake, was carried on in such a cute manner as to necessitate a
peculiar service to meet and stop it. Gunboats nor troops could baffle
it; it was done in skiffs, canoes (called cunnas), small sail boats
with dirty sails hardly to be seen in broad day light. These little
"creepers" would run right up under the bows of gunboats unnoticed; as
soon as shore was touched, if a plug was pulled out of the bottom of a
boat it would immediately and entirely submerge itself, until wanted for
use again.
The price for carrying one person across the river was fifty dollars in
gold, which tempted to the business the most dare devil men on either
side of the line. As to merchandise, the plan was to "work" the local
storekeepers, for in the North it was perfectly legitimate to allow all
the merchandise desired to go to the line just on the borders of
territory patrolled by us, which might be only an hour's sail with fair
wind to put it at night within the reach of the Confederates. These
stores were not in villages, as was the case further north, but were
isolated, very frequently on a cross road in the woods.
Oystering was a favorite cloak for blockade-runners. Sometimes vessels
of little value (three hundred dollars or so) were loaded in Baltimore
with goods and purposely _swamped_ on the south side of the river to
allow the Confederates to confiscate. I was "on the inside" once when a
Captain was offered fifteen thousand dollars to allow his vessel to be
loaded and to permit its destruction when in reach of the Confederates.
There was some delay in the preparation of my written report which
caused anxiety at headquarters, which was expressed in the following:
Headquarters, Middle Department,
8th Army Corps,
Baltimore, Apl. 5, 1864.
Colonel.--I am directed by Major General Wallace to request
you to inform him what is the latest information you have
concerning Lieut. H. B. Smith, 5th N. Y. Arty., who was sent
with a squad of men on the 22d ult. to make certain seizures.
Please state near what point he was last known to be.
Resp'y your ob'd't serv't,
SAM'L B. LAWRENCE,
A. A. G.
To Col. Porter,
Com'd'g 2d Sep. Brigade.
The above I find among my papers. I cannot understand it in view of the
fact that I reported March 30th (see following), and was appointed Chief
of the Secret Service by General Wallace on April 3d. The years are many
since then and it is hard to remember details, but my present theory is
that as General Wallace had but recently assumed command, the Adjutant
General's office was in confusion. "I am directed by Major General
Wallace" is the usual language for an _Adjutant General_ to use; at any
rate my report is dated March 30th, and I was interviewed by General
Wallace on April 2d, this I clearly remember.
Fort McHenry, Mch. 30, 1864.
To the General Commanding,
8th Army Corps, Middle Department.
General.--I have the honor to report that in compliance with
Special Order No. 73, Mch. 22, 1864, I proceeded with a guard
of 12 men on board the steam tug "Adriatic," but on account of
the weather did not leave until the morning of the 23d.
I was alongside the Cutter (Revenue) and notified the officer
commanding to arrest any of the vessels named in my order. I
was afterwards hailed, and ran back to the Cutter again, and
learned that the schooner "Frances E. Burgess," Capt. J. J.
Lewis, had left just one-half hour before. On the morning of
the 22d, she came in and just touched at the wharf,
immediately dropping out in the stream. This last fact,
connected with the previous one, also the fact that Quinn was
much worried about the "F. E. B." led me to believe that the
"Burgess" was not all right, and that Captain Lewis had
learned of my moves and had attempted to evade me. I made
chase for her.
At Hill's Point (below the Choptank river) I arrested the
schooner "Trifle," and took her in tow to Point Lookout. By
her papers she is with bonds given by E. R. Quinn, T. R.
Quinn, and George G. Nellis, stated in her license, dated
Feb'y 3, 1864. Her enrollment dated Feb'y 3d, 1864, shows that
T. R. Quinn, master, is a citizen of the United States, and
had sworn to it, when he was then on his parole as being a
British subject.
Her crew consisted of Captain Seward, Farrell, Reddick,
Zervicks, and Bailey, deck hands. Captain Seward has
acknowledged that he ran the blockade, and that he was in
Richmond about last Christmas, but did not go on this vessel.
I believe the balance of the crew are innocent men. I found
Bailey to be of great service to me on the balance of my trip.
I remained at Point Lookout on the night of the 23d. On the
24th, went up to St. Mary's river for a harbor, on account of
a heavy blow. On the evening of the 24th, I started for and
arrived at Pocomoke Sound (Accomac), where we remained that
night. On the 25th, went into Onancock Creek, where I landed
with eight men, and sent the Steamer around to the Pungateague
river to wait for us. In the evening we arrived at the house
of one T. W. Jacobs, on the sea side. We entered and searched
his house; next morning we learned our error, and although he
is undoubtedly a Rebel, I released him.
We then made our way to the house of one William E. Jacobs,
on the bay side, where we arrived at 3 P. M., on the 26th. At
this place I found the schooner "Frances E. Burgess"--Captain
Lewis. I arrested Mr. Jacobs, and found him to be the man
engaged with Quinn. I searched his house and barns but found
nothing contraband, as they had been duly warned by the
arrival of the "Burgess."
Captain Lewis stated that he left Baltimore on the 11th of
March, and arrived at Accomac Creek on the 14th, and said that
was his last trip. Mr. Jacobs made same statement.
Captain Lewis was arrested about last June, about the same
time that Quinn was arrested. He said that he was caught in
the act of leaving the Eastern shore with contraband goods and
that his intention was to run the blockade; he said he was
examined by Captain E. W. Andrews, and afterwards released
after taking the oath of allegiance.
Both Jacobs and Lewis say that Lieut. Andrews, Capt. Andrews'
son, was to go into business on the Eastern shore; that they
engaged two stores for the purpose, but that Andrews did not
come down there.
Mr. Jacobs said that Quinn had often remarked that he could
get anything done at Fort McHenry with the Adjutant General.
At first both Jacobs and Lewis denied all knowledge of any man
named Andrews.
Jacobs said that J. J. Hodge (the writer of some of the
letters found in Quinn's possession) was arrested on the
Eastern shore about the same time that he and Quinn were, on
the charge of attempting to go south; said that he heard Quinn
speak of letters that he had from Hodge, but did not know
their contents. Quinn was the first man that employed him
(Lewis) after his release, and said it was Quinn's own seeking
(to employ a man of that character appears rather suspicious).
The creek where we found the "Burgess" is one that no steamer
can enter, or even a sailing vessel, unless piloted by an old
residenter of that neighborhood. The creek is very crooked and
the channel is very narrow.
All the people about that country seem to be very closely
united and watch a stranger's movements very closely. On the
evening of the 27th, we left this creek with the schooner, and
on the afternoon of the 28th, we arrived in the Pungateague,
and started on the steamer, towing the schooner for Point
Lookout, where we arrived at 9 P. M.
On the morning of the 29th we left the Point with the two
schooners, but afterwards let go the "Burgess," and sent her
up under sail to Baltimore, where she arrived at 4 P. M.,
after encountering a very heavy sea. We arrived here at 9.20
P. M.
I could find nothing of the schooners' "Despatch" or "Glib," I
made many inquiries for the schooner "Washington," but could
not find her.
On our way back to the city Captain Seward, of the "Trifle"
said that there was a sign "Washington" painted on it, in the
hold of the "Trifle," which I afterwards found to be true. I
think by the actions of all connected, that "Washington" was
sometimes substituted for "Trifle"; this sign was hid away and
only by accident found.
Both the "Burgess" and "Trifle" have been confiscated before,
two or three times.
I have this day been on the Cutter, twice, to ascertain to a
certainty if the "Burgess" left on the 23d inst., and the
officers say they will swear she passed out on that day; that
she was in here I know. I then went to the Custom House and
found that she did not enter or clear on that trip but left
without any papers, and did not stay in Port over 24 hours.
I have the honor to be,
Very respy. your obdt. servt,
(Signed) H. B. SMITH,
Lieut. 5th N. Y. II. A.
Lieutenant Andrews and George G. Nellis, "tied up" to Quinn and Lewis,
the blockade-runners, had been, respectively, Provost and Assistant
Provost Marshals at Fort McHenry, prior to the assignment of Captain
Holmes and myself to those offices.
It pleases me to note how vivid my memory is, after forty-seven years,
of the incidents connected with this expedition. Our party of eight,
after landing in Accomac, split up, and straggled over the country about
ten miles, through fields and timber, in snow and slush nearly ankle
deep, avoiding the highways and stopping only at negro huts to inquire
our way. We arrived at T. W. Jacobs' house quite late and began our
search; right here I want to say our search was orderly, endeavoring not
to unnecessarily annoy.
About midnight a great commotion was raised outside the house by the
tramping of horses, rattling of sabres, and loud voices. We were
surrounded by a troop of cavalry (our cavalry). They were very excited,
and they threatened us with everything, until I took the Commandant
aside and made him aware of who we were; even then he soundly upbraided
me for giving him such a scare. He finally departed.
The next day we went over to the Chesapeake Bay side of the peninsula.
When we arrived there we divided into two parties, in order to approach
the harbor from two directions. When we arrived on the bluff (about
twenty feet above water) my party of four was first to discover that
there were a number of sailing vessels at anchor in the little bay.
What to do was the question. I determined that we four must capture the
whole fleet. Which we did in this way: As quietly as possible we
possessed ourselves of one vessel and from it, under the persuasive
influence of our revolvers, we compelled the men on all the other
vessels to go below deck. Then we searched the vessels in detail,
detaining only the "Frances E. Burgess."
This harbor was an ideal place for such "traders," i. e.,
blockade-runners. It was perfectly land-locked, could not be seen from
the bay, and was very hard to get in or out of; it was impassable for
gunboats, and so it was well chosen for the business.
The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are indented almost continuously
with smaller estuaries, which make excellent hiding places. Beautiful
places for residence, and likely spots for romance.
While laying at Point Lookout on our way home a severe March storm came
up, dreadful to a land lubber like me. The point is where the Potomac
empties into the Chesapeake. Storms are felt there nearly as greatly as
at Old Point. It blew so hard I feared it would blow us over onto the
wharf. The water was up to the wharf's surface, and there was no sleep
for us that night. Next morning, when we started for Baltimore (ninety
miles away), as we were rounding the Point a big boiling sea took the
yawl of the "Burgess," davits and all, throwing it high in the air. But
to turn back spelled death. Our pilot was Captain Cannon, an old bay
pilot. He did not conceal that he was frightened. He said he never had
seen such weather. We breasted that storm for about twelve hours. The
only encouragement from Captain Cannon was that if our boat could live
until we got under the influence of North Point we would be all right;
we lived.
The heavens were never more unkind in appearance. I did not spend much
time in gazing that way, for the awful waves occupied me. Captain Cannon
kept the vessel as near head on as possible, first on top of the wave
and then in a trough of the sea. Half the time our screw was revolving
in the air. Everything loose on deck washed away. I never had a better
chance to contemplate my past and future than in that twelve hours. I
remember my great regret was that if we should go down, no one could
know what became of us, for I had not reported at Point Lookout and we
were unknown on the peninsula. The severity of this storm became a
matter of history. Seagoing steamers remained tied to their wharves. The
shores of the Chesapeake Bay were strewn with wrecks. The "Adriatic"
(our vessel) was iron bottomed and drew six feet of water. The
Chesapeake can kick up a sea, give it a northeaster, that would gratify
the most hungry tar.
When we were opposite the mouth of the Severn river we saw the steamer
"Nellie Pentz" headed out, her bow tossing up and down in the air like a
cork. She did not dare come out, to certain wreck, dared not turn
around, so she backed up the river again. When we got under the lee of
North Point I became courageous and generous; off towards the west was
in view a schooner, on the rocks. Her crew of four men were in the
rigging. I proposed to Captain Cannon to rescue them. He said it was
impossible, as our boat drew more water than theirs and would be wrecked
before we could reach them. However, we notified the revenue cutter and
they were rescued. When we arrived at Baltimore (nine o'clock P.M.) the
wharves were afloat. The big Bay Line steamers, sea-going vessels, had
not left the wharf. They had not dared to venture out in the storm our
little eighty-foot craft had passed through.
[Illustration: MAJOR GENERAL M. W. LEW WALLACE]
FILE IX.
General Wallace assumes command of the Middle Department--General
Schenck's comments on Maryland--Colonel Woolley.
General Wallace assumed command of the Middle Department, 8th Army
Corps, March 22d, 1864. The Department headquarters were located in a
large mansion on the northwest corner of Calvert and Fayette Streets,
just opposite Battle Monument. I can give no better description of the
Department than to quote General Schenck, who formerly commanded there,
in his words to General Wallace:
"Your trouble will have origin in Baltimore. Baltimore viewed socially
is peculiar. There is more culture to the square block there than in
Boston; actual culture. The question of the war divided the old
families, but I was never able to discover the dividing line. Did I put
a heavy hand on one of the Secessionists, a delegation of influential
Unionists at once hurried to the President and begged the culprit off.
The most unfortunate thing in connection with the Department and its
management is that it is only a pleasant morning's jaunt by rail from
Baltimore to Washington. There is another thing you should know, without
being left to find it out experimentally, Baltimore is headquarters for
a traffic in supplies for the Rebel armies the extent of which is simply
incredible. It is an industry the men have nothing to do with. They know
better, and leave it entirely to the women, who are cunning beyond
belief, and bold on account of their sex. They invent underground lines,
too many and too subtly chosen to be picked up by the shrewdest
detectives."
General Wallace exactly "fitted the niche," a soldier, lawyer,
statesman, and an even tempered man. He so ably administered the
Department as to overcome all obstacles. One permanent order was that
every prisoner should have a hearing at once. If evidence would stand
law, the prisoner was to be held; if not, to be at once released. The
Paine case is an apt illustration. I felt sure I could get evidence that
he was a spy, but had it not at hand and so had to let him go (I will
tell about this later on). There was never a suit for false arrest
during General Wallace's administration.
One of my duties was to collate the evidence in cases for trial. I
learned what was evidence. I was a witness almost constantly before
courts martial and military commissions. It was good experience for me
and it has served me ever after in civil life. I am proud to say (but
perhaps ought not to) that General Wallace gave me credit for aiding in
his able administration of the Department.
No better man could have been found for Provost Marshal General than
Colonel Woolley. He was a soldier and a thorough business man.
The Provost Marshal General's Department was located on the southwest
corner of Camden and Eutaw Streets. It was in a handsome three-story
brick building and had a massive marble entrance. Adjoining it was what
had formerly been a slave pen. Between the corner building and the slave
pen there was an open court which had been used for the slave mart. The
slave pen we used for our prison purposes. The first floor of the main
house was used as our public offices. The second floor was General
Woolley's headquarters. The third floor was my headquarters. In the rear
of the main front corner building was a three-story brick extension,
running back about a hundred feet (to an alley) in which were quartered
the troops (our guards). The buildings were admirably constructed and
centrally located for our purposes.
From now on I was Assistant Provost Marshal General and Chief of the
Secret Service. I had a corps of about forty (men and women) under my
direction. To illustrate my general lines of work I will give copies of
some memoranda which I have. To give all would take more room than I can
spare. In looking these memoranda over the greatest gratification I
feel comes from the evident fact that I was not a drone, but tried to do
my duty. And fifty years further along in our nation's history it may be
a satisfaction to my then living relatives to know it.
[Illustration: JOHN WOOLLEY]
FILE X.
Here begins my service as an assistant provost marshal of the department
and chief of the Secret Service--Confederate General Winder's detectives--
E. H. Smith, special officer, War Department--Mrs. Mary E. Sawyer,
Confederate mail carrier--W. V. Kremer's report on the "Disloyals" north
of Baltimore.
The Secret Service, as its name implies, is the most confidential arm of
the service. Its information intelligently guides the commanding
general. It gives him to know of the conduct of the enemy and discloses
weaknesses, if any exist, in his own armour. There is always a "cloud of
mystery" thrown around it by outsiders. But its pursuit, on the inside,
is not that of romance, but simply of cold facts; it deals with business
propositions. In telling my stories, not being a story writer, I shall
tell plain facts, leaving the reader to clothe them with the glamour
that a fiction writer would usually apply. Were I to attempt to tell
something of all my many stories it would weary a reader; so I will try
to select some that are really historic, or interesting from their
unusual character.
Provost Marshal's Office,
Fort McHenry, Apl. 10, 1864.
Lieut. H. B. Smith,
Asst. Provost Marshal 8th Army Corps.
I have just been informed by Mrs. Myers that a detective of
General Winder's staff from Richmond, Virginia, is in the city
in disguise.
Respy.,
J. W. HOLMES,
Capt. and Provost Marshal.
General J. H. Winder commanded the Department of Henrico, headquarters
at Richmond, Va. Many of his detectives were Marylanders, among them
were John Lutz, Wash Goodrich, T. Woodhall, ---- Taylor, and William
Byrne.
I perfectly imitated General John H. Winder's signature to passes which
we used with success. I had a close imitation of his stationery; only an
expert could detect our passes. If he is living I am sure he will pardon
the liberty I took, for it was all in the game.
Following is one of General Winder's genuine passes:
Headquarters, Department of Henrico,
Richmond, Va., March 26th, 1864.
Mrs. James Gordon & (3) children, a citizen of Great Britain,
having sworn, in good faith, not to reveal, either directly
or indirectly, any information that may benefit the enemy, is
hereby permitted to pass beyond the limits of the Confederate
States, by the route herein designated: and none other.
Strictly forbid to pass through General Lee's lines. Go by the
lower Rappahannock.
This passport is given, subject in all cases to the approval,
delays and restrictions of military commanders through whose
lines the persons or person may pass.
By command of the Secretary of War,
JNO. H. WINDER,
General Comdg.
Hair: light
Eyes: blue.
Age: 33.
Complexion: florid.
Height: ----
Our sources of information were numerous, as our own officers were
always on duty, and officers in other departments worked in conjunction
with us, thus forming an extended net work.
Baltimore, April 14, 1864.
Lt. Smith,
Sir.--I am very unfortunate in always coming when you are out.
How has Kremer progressed with the case, anything been done? I
go to Washington per order of the Secretary of War. I am
obliged to go to New York within two weeks. I wish the case
here might be disposed of before I go to New York. Would you
oblige me by writing P. O. Box 62, Washington?
Very respy, your obdt servt.,
E. H. SMITH,
Special Officer, War Dept.
The following is Kremer's report of progress:
United States Military Telegraph,
War Department,
April 17, 1864.
H. B. Smith:
Two men answering description but under different names left
here for Leonardtown on the 16th. Shall I follow? If so,
answer and send White.
W. V. KREMER.
Headquarters, Middle Department,
8th Army Corps,
April 22, 1864.
Special Order No. 43.
Lieut. H. B. Smith, 5th N. Y. Arty., will proceed to
Washington with Mrs. Mary E. Sawyer, Rebel mail carrier, turn
her over to Supt. of Old Capitol Prison, taking receipt for
prisoner. Will then deliver to Hon. C. A. Dana, Asst. Secy. of
War, all the papers in her case, after which he will report
without delay at these headquarters.
Quartermasters will furnish transportation.
By command of Major General Lew Wallace.
JOHN WOOLLEY,
Col. and Provost Marshal.
Persons were not disturbed in the enjoyment of their opinions so long as
they did not become actively disloyal, but it was my duty to learn who
were disloyal for the purpose of keeping them under surveillance. The
following report I put in to illustrate that character of work:
Headquarters, Middle Department,
8th Army Corps.
Office Provost Marshal,
Baltimore, Apl. 24, 1864.
H. B. Smith,
Lieut. and Chief:
I have the honor to report that I left Baltimore as per orders
and proceeded to Reisterstown and stopped at a tavern and was
accosted by a citizen who told me there were detectives in the
house, and that he knew I was from the other side, and sent me
to a woman named Mrs. Hofman, who keeps a hotel there. I went
to her house and represented myself as a Rebel captain.
I had been there a short time when Mrs. Hofman took me
upstairs in a bedroom that was in the back part of the house
and told me if the detectives came upstairs, to get out of the
back window and take a horse that she would have saddled ready
for me; she said she did not care for the horse as the
citizens would make it up to her.
The detectives did not come upstairs, but a man named C. L.
Alder came up to the room and told me to get ready and come
down stairs, that he had a buggy ready to see me safe and that
he would die before I should be taken and that he had helped
many of the Rebels out of just such scrapes by taking them to
the Rebel lines.
We went about a mile and a half from Reisterstown and stopped
at the house of Dr. J. Larsh, and held a conversation with him
and another man that I could not learn the name of; about the
best plan for me to adopt was to keep away from the
detectives; he, the Doctor, told me that he was very busy or
he would take me safe through himself, but told Alder to take
me to Charles T. Cockey's, and that he would see me all right.
We then went to C. T. Cockey's and Alder explained to him who
I was and Mr. Cockey then introduced me to John C. Brown, of
Busson Parish, La., and lately manager of the Rebel Secretary
of War's plantation. Mr. Cockey told me to remain there all
night and he would see me safe, as he was engaged in the
business ever since the war commenced, and had run off a great
many men to the Rebel army; in fact he said that men from all
parts of the country were sent to him to take across the
lines, and that he always went into the Rebel lines with them.
Among the rest that he had taken across was Capt. Simms and
Capt. Beard and Gus Williamson. He said when General McClellan
was following Lee into Maryland, a man came to him from
Washington and gave him the number of men that McClellan had,
and the direction he was going to take, and that he went to
Frederick, and gave the information to Lee; and would, he
said, do so again, if it would do any good to the Southern
cause.
Cockey receives papers regularly from Richmond. He also said
that Capt. Harry Gilmor stops at his house whenever he comes
over the lines, and that a great many men from the South come
to his house, and he always helps them. I remained at his
house all night, and listened to him and John C. Brown cursing
the government for everything they could think of, and telling
what they would do if the Rebel army would come into Maryland
again. C. T. Cockey was also engaged at the time of Lee's raid
into Pennsylvania; he took men to the Rebel army and was in
the Rebel lines several times, and gave them all the
information that he could get hold of that would do them any
good.
Mr. J. C. Brown gave me the name of his brother, Benj. F.
Brown, of Frederick, Md., agent for the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad Co., and in charge of the government warehouse which
he surrendered to the Rebels without endeavoring to destroy
the goods, or to get them out of the way. J. C. Brown told me
to go to his brother and let him know who I was and everything
would be right, and that he would meet me there with a lot of
recruits, and a Rebel mail to take south.
The next day, 21st April, I expressed a wish to go into
Pennsylvania for a few days, and promised to meet Mr. Brown in
Frederick. Mr. C. T. Cockey took me in his buggy to T. D.
Cockey of "I" at Ellingown, near Texas, on the Northern
Central Railroad, where I met T. D. Cockey, of "I".
T. Deye Cockey and Philip Fendel, who are violent Rebels, say
they have been running men off ever since the war commenced.
And T. Deye Cockey says that he has been in the Rebel lines
several times, and at one time took three recruits from
Harford County to Hanover Junction, when the Rebels were
there, and gave them all the information he could.
Richard Worthington, a very wealthy man, whom I met, offered
me a horse, and any assistance in his power, to enable me to
escape, and stated that he had rented his farm out, and was
endeavoring to get his property fixed in such a way that the
damned negro government could not confiscate it. He was going
to leave the damned Yankees and go to Canada, and from there
to Nassau, and take a vessel and go to the Confederacy, where
he would be free to do as he pleased. He said he had invested
a portion of his money in Confederate bonds, and only wished
he had a chance to invest more in them, as the greenbacks, or
Yankee shinplasters were not worth a damn.
These men were under the impression that I was the Rebel Capt.
Harry Thompson, who, as it was published, had made his escape
from a Federal prison. I told them I had escaped from the Old
Capitol.
Very respy.,
WM. V. KREMER,
U. S. D. 8th A. C.
You will notice Mr. Kremer speaks of T. D. Cockey of "I." That is a
common way in Maryland and Virginia to designate the lineage of that T.
D. Cockey, to obviate confounding him with some other T. D. Cockey.
Later on, in July, when the Confederate Army swung around north and east
of Baltimore, the information contained in Mr. Kremer's report became
very valuable to us.
FILE XI.
Mrs. Key Howard, a lineal descendant of the author of "The Star Spangled
Banner," forgetting her honor, prepared to carry a Confederate mail to
"Dixie"--Miss Martha Dungan--Trip on the steam tug "Ella"--Schooner "W. H.
Travers" and cargo captured--James A. Winn, a spy--Trip to Frederick,
Maryland.
Headquarters, Middle Department,
8th Army Corps,
Baltimore, Apl. 28, 1864.
Special Order No. 48.
Lieut. H. B. Smith, Chief Officer, Secret Service Bureau, 8th
Army Corps, will proceed to Washington, D. C., in charge of
prisoners, Miss Martha Dungan and Mrs. Key Howard.
On arrival you will deliver prisoners to Mr. Wm. P. Wood, in
charge of Old Capitol Prison and receive receipt for same,
after which you will report to Hon. C. A. Dana, Asst. Secy. of
War, deliver all papers in prisoners' cases and return to
these headquarters without delay.
Quartermasters will furnish transportation.
By command of Major General Lew Wallace.
JOHN WOOLLEY,
Lt. Col. and Provost Marshal.
Here is a sad incident illustrating what Hamlet meant when he said: "To
what base uses may we return, Horatio!" Mrs. Key Howard, a lineal
descendant of Francis Scott Key, author of the "Star Spangled Banner,"
having obtained a personal pass direct from Mr. Lincoln, permitting her
to pass our lines, had actually gathered a Confederate mail, to carry
through, under its protection. Honor of a truly "Blue Blood?"--it was
absent.
The pass was written on a plain card, and read:
Pass Mrs. Key Howard through the lines.
A. LINCOLN.
I might have retained the card, but turned it in with the case. Mrs.
Howard, in discussing with me the lack of honor in so abusing a great
favor, became very angry; she said: "Lincoln was vulgar, not a polished
man; he sat with legs crossed while talking to me." Young and
inexperienced as I was, I was so forcibly struck with the shallowness of
_pretended culture_ that I have many times told the story to illustrate.
I have no doubt that Mrs. Howard traded upon her family name with
President Lincoln. He undoubtedly trusted her, believing that she had
honor in her composition.
Blockade running schemes were without limit as to variety or manner of
evasion. Vessels were loaded in Baltimore, clearing for any port.
Trading schooners were loaded, taking shipments for various stores on
the rivers and bays of the Chesapeake Bay; some of the shipments would
be honest transactions, but others would be especially designed for
Confederate consumption.
In April, 1864, the schooner "Wm. H. Travers" (Captain Rice) had been
under surveillance. She was loaded at Baltimore with a mixed cargo, part
of which was of honest shipments. I learned that it was intended to
swamp the vessel within reach of the Confederates, thus permitting them
to take the entire cargo regardless of ownership. I allowed its loading
and permitted the captain to leave port with her, but after she got well
down the stream I overhauled her with the steam tug "Ella," and brought
her back to Baltimore. Her cargo was worth about six thousand dollars.
Mr. Blackstone, of St. Mary's County, was the guilty party.
Depot, Quartermaster's Office,
Baltimore, Md., April 30, 1864.
Captain,
Steam Tug Ella:
You will proceed with your tug under the orders of Lt. H. B.
Smith, and render such service as he may require; after
performing those duties you will return to Boston wharf and
report to me.
Respectfully,
A. M. CUMMINGS,
Chief Quartermaster.
Headquarters, Middle Department,
8th Army Corps,
Baltimore, May 4, 1864.
H. B. Smith,
Lt. Comdg. Detective Corps.
Lieutenant.--You will please order the guard in charge of the
schooner "W. H. Travers" to remove and put her in such
position at Boston Wharf as will not interfere with the
vessels in the government service at the wharf, and not to
interfere in any way with or be in the way of the vessels in
public service.
I have addressed a note to the Quartermaster asking to be
allowed the privilege of unloading the vessel at the wharf.
Very respy,
Your obdt. servt,
JOHN WOOLLEY,
Lt. Col. and Provost Marshal.
Headquarters, Middle Department,
8th Army Corps,
Baltimore, May 11, 1864.
Lieut. Col. Woolley,
Provost Marshal.
Colonel.--I have the honor to report that I have completed the
discharge of the goods on board the schooner "W. H. Travers"
to the shippers, excepting those named on the enclosed list.
I enclose herewith all the papers in connection with the case,
two lists, one of goods not on the manifest, and one of goods
not permitted, but on the manifest. I also enclose a note from
Mr. McJilton, clerk of the Custom House, showing that some
transactions there in this case are not all right.
Mr. McJilton, the Surveyor of the Port, stated that he would
not grant a permit for percussion caps, unless by permission
of the military authorities. The impression at the Custom
House is that the whole transaction of shipping these goods is
a fraud, and they do not know what to think of their books and
papers.
I have a package of gold leaf in my possession, also two
Confederate uniforms. Some of the cotton cards I found stored
away in the cabin, and some away under the stairs. The second
box on the manifest, shipped by Bolton to R. P. Blackstone,
contained one box soap, and one box of glass. I have a
certificate from Bolton to that effect. Mr. Passano, who
shipped the box containing the glass, denies any knowledge of
the contents of the box, as it was a cash bill and he had no
record of it.
I am, Colonel,
Very respy your obdt. servt.,
H. B. SMITH,
Lieut Com'd'g, D. C.
We subsequently returned to the innocent shippers their goods, but
confiscated the balance, and also the vessel. I afterwards used the
"Travers" to capture other blockade runners, and quite successfully. A
sailor will recognize a vessel as far as the eye can reach, as surely as
a man can recognize any familiar object. She was known as a
blockade-runner to the fraternity; we used her to crawl upon others.
Any citizen or soldier from the Confederacy found within our lines was
considered a spy; some were executed. To escape such treatment it was
necessary to report to the nearest officer and take the oath of
allegiance. Even then we were not protected, but had to carefully
examine the purported refugee, or deserter, to ascertain their possible
honesty. We captured a great many spies.
An official spy, sent out by the Confederates to perform a specific
duty, had no conscience to answer to, that would prevent his taking our
oath.
Headquarters, Middle Department,
8th Army Corps,
Baltimore May 3, 1864.
Lieut. Col. Woolley,
Provost Marshal.
Colonel.--I have the honor to report that this evening we
arrested James A. Winn, a member of Co. E. 1st Md. Rebel
Cavalry, in a house, No. 42 Saratoga street. He was dressed as
a citizen; under his coat, with the flaps rolled back, was his
uniform jacket. His coat was buttoned, thus hiding his
uniform. He wore a black slouch hat.
I placed the inmates of the house, Mrs. Hall and Miss McAlden
in arrest, and searched the premises.
Both of these ladies admitted they were aware of Winn's
character, and that their sympathies were with the South. I
found nothing contraband in the house. They live neatly, but
are evidently poor. Miss McAlden remarked that they were too
poor to aid the South even if they were so disposed.
I have a guard in charge of the house awaiting your
disposition of the case.
Messrs. Allen and Sampson, clerks at Department Headquarters,
are, I am informed, boarding at this house.
I am Colonel,
Very respy, your obdt. servant,
H. B. SMITH,
Lt. Com'd'g D. C.
The papers and pocketbook that I handed you were found on his
person.
Any incautious information dropped by Allen or Sampson was likely to be
immediately reported to the Confederate authorities. The Department was
honeycombed with just such points of insecurity, leaks which it was my
duty to stop.
Headquarters, Middle Department,
8th Army Corps,
Baltimore, May 4, 1864.
Col. Woolley,
Provost Marshal.
Send a good detective to Frederick, Md. He may possibly get
track there of some of the 1st (Rebel) Maryland Spies. Send
him on the first train.
LEW WALLACE,
Major General Commanding.
The above order is in General Wallace's handwriting. Winn, whom we had
arrested, was of that regiment and we were searching for others.
FILE XII.
F. M. Ellis, chief detective, U. S. Sanitary Commission--Arrest of W. W.
Shore, of the New York "World"--John Gillock from Richmond.
United States Sanitary Commission,
244 F Street, Washington, D. C.
May 7, 1864.
Lieut. Smith.
Dear Sir.--Your favor was received in due time and after
diligent search I am satisfied that no such man i