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 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.
More
-
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... Two Of My Officers Captured By Union Pickets
To save delay in getting out of the harbor the following request was made: Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps, Baltimore, June 9, 1864. Capt. Cornell, Commanding Revenue Cutter, Baltimore Harbor...