F M Ellis Chief Detective U S Sanitary Commission
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 is now in
Washington; however, I shall keep a close lookout, and any
information worth while, I shall give you at once.
favor to assist you.
Your obdt. servant,
F. M. ELLIS,
Chief Detective, U. S. Sanitary Com.
Mr. Ellis's offer of service was without price; in fact there was an
entire absence of what is called "commercialism" in those days. Loyalty
and zeal were the currency. After three and a half years in such
service it was hard for me to get down to a dollars-and-cents business
again.
Headquarters, Middle Department,
8th Army Corps,
Baltimore, May 8, 1864.
Lieut. Col. Woolley,
Provost Marshal.
Colonel.--I have the honor to report that Officer Horner
arrested William W. Shore, who is, or has been the
correspondent of the New York World and News. He says he left
Fort Monroe on Feb. 14, and used to forward Rebel papers to
New York, until he was ordered away by General Butler.
Enclosed herewith is the telegram on which he was arrested.
I am Colonel,
Very respy. your obdt. servt.,
H. B. SMITH,
Lieut. Comdg. D. C.
Headquarters, Middle Department,
8th Army Corps,
Baltimore, May 14, 1864.
Special Order No. 40.
Guard in charge of John Gillock, political prisoner, will
proceed to Fort McHenry. On arrival you will report to
Commanding Officer, deliver charge with accompanying papers,
receive receipt and return to these headquarters without
delay.
By command, Major General Wallace.
JOHN WOOLLEY,
Lt. Col. and Provost Marshal.
I remember this young man very well. He was from Richmond. Subsequently,
after testing his reliability, I made use of him for detective purposes.
He was well acquainted with General Winder's men, hence his value to
us.
More
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Steam Tug Grace Titus Statement Of George Carlton Containing Valuable Confirmatory Information
Depot Quartermaster's Office, Baltimore, Jany. 16, 1865. Captain, Steam Tug "Grace Titus." You will proceed with your tug as directed by Lieut. H. B. Smith, who will hand you this. Upon completion of t... A Confederate Letter
The following discloses how perfectly the Confederate government understood the travelled route through the lines. It was by way of their signal station on the Potomac, that was their official channel. I was determined to break it up. Westmorla... A Report That Led To A Historic Raid By Colonel Baker On The Bounty Jumpers And Bounty Brokers Of New York
Here follows a rather interesting case. One Deegan, an expert penman, who had formerly been a clerk in one of the regular cavalry regiments, had been forging discharges and final statements of fictitious soldiers, employing an accomplice to presen... A Taste Of The Draft Riots
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 ... Arrest Of T A Menzier And Expose Of A Prominent Railroad Official
Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, Dec. 4, 1864. Capt. W. H. Wiegel, Asst. Provost Marshal. Captain.--I have the honor to report that by direction of General Wallace, I arrested ... Brevetted Major Governor Fenton's Letter
State of New York, Executive Department, Albany, 8th May, 1867. Bvt. Major H. B. Smith. Dear Sir.--I have the honor to transmit herewith a Brevet Commission, conferred by the President in recognition of your ... Camp Carroll Rioting Troops Being Mustered Out
The muster out of troops and return to civil life of the men who had been hardened soldiers was attended with difficulties. The men often began to feel liberty while yet with arms in their hands, and rioting, the effect of too much "fire water" wa... Captain Bailey Makes A Capture
The following report was of another capture, by Captain Bailey: Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, June 29, 1864. Col. Woolley, Provost Marshal. Colonel.--I have the honor to repo... Captain Beckwith Convicted
Along about August and September, 1865, the Government ordered surveillance of all gambling houses, to discover if disbursing officers were gambling. This was my first experience in the art. It was a free school, for the tuition was on Uncle Sam. ... Capture Of Confederate Bonds And Scrip
I will now tell you of the Confederate bond matter. Special Order No. 172 enabled me to make my arrangements at Willard's Hotel: Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, Nov. 20, 1864. Special Order N... Capture Of Samuel B Arnold One Of The Conspirators Sent To Dry Tortugas
The saddest day in our nation's history was Friday, April 14th, 1865. Early in the evening I was introduced to General Grant, in his private car; he was on his way from Washington to Philadelphia. The private car was standing on Howard just north ... Confederate Army Invades Maryland In 1864
About this time our efforts were pointed in another direction, for a portion of Lee's Army had been detached and had begun the invasion of Maryland (June 28, 1864). General Wallace gathered up his scattered troops and prepared to meet the enemy... 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
Colonel Harry Gilmor, who commanded a regiment of cavalry in the Confederate service, was a Baltimorean. He was the beau ideal of its "blue blood" ladies, or many of them; he was their hero who was to ultimately capture the Monumental City, who wa... Counterfeiters And The Arrest Of Mrs Beverly Tucker
Richmond had fallen, Lee had surrendered and the end was near. Disbandment and readjustment, to a civil basis, was then in order. Whatever work I did after this was of that character. I was no longer to chase my dream of crippling Mosby. Probably ... Dramatic Incident 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 ... F M Ellis Chief Detective U S Sanitary Commission
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 is now in ... General W W Morris In Command In General Wallace's Absence
General W. W. Morris, who had been in command of the First Brigade, with headquarters at Fort McHenry (of whom I have spoken before), was placed in command of the Department. To make himself familiar with the work in the departments, he intervi... General Wallace Assumes Command Of The Middle Department
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 giv... General Wallace's Letter To Secretary Of War Charles A Dana
Coleman's Eutaw House, Baltimore, Nov. 19, 1864. (Unofficial.) Hon. C. A. Dana, Asst. Sec. of War. Dear Sir.--Lt. Smith, my Chief of Detectives, will hand you this note. It is necessary to one of... Here Begins My Service As An Assistant Provost Marshal Of The Department
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 ... 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 inter... Indicted For Assault With Intent To Kill The Only Clash Between The Military And Civil Authorities During General Wallace's Administration
June 25th, 1865, the Baltimore papers said: "Lieut. Smith, Wm. Earle, Kraft, and Babcock, of Colonel Woolley's office, were indicted for assault with intent to kill one Jacob Ruppert." General Wallace had always encouraged the civil authorities,... Initial Trip Down Chesapeake Bay After Blockade Runners And Contraband Dealers And Goods
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.... Interviewed Secretary Of War Stanton Relative To An Independent Command And Extension Of Our Territory
Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, Feby. 10, 1865. Special Order No. 27. Lieut. H. B. Smith, 5th N. Y. H. Arty. and Commanding Detectives, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps, with one man... 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 ... Missionary E Martin An Agent Of The Confederate Treasury Department Arrested His Big Tobacco Smuggling Scheme Exposed
Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, Mch. 12, 1865. Special Order No. 44. Lieut. H. B. Smith, 5th N. Y. Arty., and Commanding Detective Corps, 8th Army Corps, with one man of his force, ... Mrs Key Howard A Lineal Descendant Of The Author Of The Star Spangled Banner
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 ch... New York Harbor Fort Schuyler Fort Marshal And 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... 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 Y... Ordered To Northern Neck Of Virginia The Day Before President Lincoln's Assassination
At this time in 1865 General Lee was about surrendering. All the people, North and South, were rejoicing at the prospect of peace, excepting those bitter, poisoned-with-their-own-venom conspirators hid away in dark corners, who were rehearsing for... Ordered To Seize All Copies Of The New York World Bringing In One Of The Great War Episodes The Bogus Presidential Proclamation
Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps, Baltimore, May 18, 1864. Provost Guards, or U. S. Detectives. Seize all copies of the New York World of this date, that may arrive from New York, or that ... Paine Who Was Afterwards One Of The Conspirators In The Assassinators' Plot In My Custody
I will now introduce the material from which was builded an actor. Lewis Paine, who brutally hacked at Secretary Seward while Booth was assassinating the President. He was one of the characters produced for the closing scene in that greatest tragedy... Patrick Scally An Honest Deserter From The Confederate Service
The following statement is interesting as showing how a poor, ignorant, drunken man was hurried off with Gilmor and Bradley T. Johnson, in July, '64, when they retreated from north of Baltimore. I feel sure the whiskey was paid for by Judge Gras... Secretary Of War Consulted About The Extension Of Our Territory To Include The District Between The Rappahannock And The Potomac Rivers
Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, Mch. 18, 1865. Lieut. Smith: I want to see you at the office this evening at 7.30. The Secretary of War wants to see you in Washington, and you ... Statement Of Illinois Crothers Giving Valuable And Reliable Information Implicating Mr William Mitchell And A Mrs Keenan Of Winchester Virginia
Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, Dec. 10, 1864. Lt. Col. Woolley, Provost Marshal. Colonel.--I have the honor to hand you statement made by Illinois Crothers, of 1st Md. Rebel ... Statement Of James Briers Bollman Mcguarty And Welsh U S Marine Corps
Office Provost Marshal, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, Jany. 26, 1865. Statement of James Briers, late of Richmond, Virginia, who says: "I am a native of England, came to this country about 1853, remained in Baltimo... Statements: Jeremiah Artis A Real Deserter From The Confederates
I have told you that it required experience and skill to determine who were honest deserters, sick of the Confederate service, and seeking homes in our lines, or who were refugees, entitled to a refuge, or who were spies. Under the head of spies w... Terrence R Quinn
Terrence R. Quinn, previously spoken of, backed by his military friends, complained of abuse which he alleged was put upon him by our officers, and I was called upon to make the following statement in reply: Office Provost Marshal, ... 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
Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, Apl. 5, 1865. Major: I have written to Commodore Dornin requesting him to send a small steamer in pursuit of the "Harriet Deford," if he has on... The Great Fraud Attempted In The Presidential Election Of 1864 Wherein The Misplacing Of A Single Letter Led To Its Detection
The Presidential election of 1864 was then upon us, and indeed it was most momentous. The issue was to determine the life of this Union. Mr. Lincoln was renominated, and General George B. McClellan was nominated to run against him. And quite fitting... The Harry Gilmor Sword And 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... The Pulpit Not Loyal
Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps, Baltimore, May 21, 1864. Lt. Col. Woolley, Provost Marshal. Colonel.--I have the honor to report the arrest of A. H. Covert and F. W. Farlin, as per order... The Pungy Trifle One Of The Captures Colonel Mcphail Major Blumenburg And His Corrupted Office Boney Lee Bob Miller And Other Thugs
Office of Provost Marshal General for Maryland. Baltimore, Jany. 19, 1865. Capt. Smith, Asst. Provost Marshal. Sir.--The pungy "Trifle" now stands in the name of Conrad Prince. She changed owners on th... Thomas Bennett A U S Mail Carrier Disloyal
As our work progressed, we accumulated from Confederate mail, refugees and deserters, a mass of information as to the disloyalty of persons, which was carefully tabulated in a pigeonhole cabinet; we were constantly referring to it. Headq... Trip To Carlisle Illinois To Unravel A Fraudulent Claim
We closed our headquarters in December, 1865, packing all records in finely arranged cabinets, which were then transferred to the War Department in Washington. When my relation with the government was terminated, through the instrumentality of ... Trip To New York Regarding One Thomas H Gordon
Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, Aug. 13, 1864. Special Order No. 111. 1st Lieut. H. B. Smith, Commanding Detective Corps, 8th Army Corps, will proceed to New York on business connec... Trip To Norfolk And Richmond
Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Office Provost Marshal, Baltimore, July 5, 1865. Special Order No. 93. III. Lieut. H. B. Smith, Assistant Provost Marshal, 8th Army Corps, will proceed to... Twice Ordered To Washington With Horse Thieves
The following is a copy of my release from duty to be mustered out: Headquarters, Middle Military Department. Baltimore, July 19th, 1865. Special Order No. 1. I. Lieut. H. B. Smith, 5th N. Y. H. Artillery, is her...