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,

Baltimore, Md.,

Oct. 20, 1864.



Lt. Col. Woolley,

Provost Marshal.



Colonel.--I ave the honor to make the following statement

regarding the arrest of Terrence R. Quinn, and the causes for

such arrest.



On or about March 18, 1864, I arrested Quinn by order of Major

H. Z. Hayner, then Provost Marshal of this Department.



This arrest was caused by statements made by one John W.

Lewis, to the effect that during a period of six or eight

months then last past, at different times Quinn had stated to

him that he was engaged in running the blockade and held out

great inducements for Lewis to join him. He (Quinn) stating

that he was the owner of several schooners, and told how he

got clear on a former charge of the same kind, at the same

time admitting his guilt.



On searching Quinn's house, No. 23 Constitution street, I

found a great many letters addressed to parties in Richmond,

Confederate officers and others, which were letters of

introduction, stating that it was Mr. Terrence R. Quinn's

intention to visit Richmond and recommending him as "always a

friend of the South."



These letters were written by Rebel officers in confinement at

Fort McHenry. There were also other letters showing that Quinn

had aided in defrauding the government out of some bonds, and

letters corroborating Quinn's statements in regard to

contraband trade. All of these letters were given to Major

Hayner.



On arresting Quinn I took him in a carriage to Vineyard Hotel,

as it was deemed proper to keep him closely confined until I

could have time to go to the Eastern shore of Va., and seize

his schooners.



He was given a fine room at this hotel and his expenses, about

seventeen dollars per week were all paid by me. He was placed

under a Military guard, and was afterwards transferred to the

prison attached to this office, for examination by an officer

sent here by the Secretary of War.



On seizing Quinn's schooners I found Capt. J. J. Lewis in

command of one. This Lewis was formerly arrested and confined

in Fort McHenry on a charge of blockade running. He admitted

his guilt to me but stated that he was released without a

trial. He is a specimen of the characters in Quinn's employ.



In 1862 Quinn was arrested on charge of blockade running but

was released without trial. He stated to Lewis that he was

guilty but the government was not smart enough to prove it.



I again caused the arrest of Quinn on Sept. 8, 1864, on an

order from General Stevenson, commanding at Harper's Ferry, on

the charge of running negroes away from Va., on forged passes.

General Stevenson also ordered search for passes. I also

caused the arrest of a negro named Andrew Jackson, who stated

that Quinn tried to get him in the army as a substitute, and

also that he did not go to the Provost Marshal for a pass but

that Quinn sent another negro.



As to his being treated brutally: When arrested he was

intoxicated, and two or three times called the officers names,

whereupon the officers struck him, once only. My first

acquaintance with Quinn was when I was Assistant Provost

Marshal at Fort McHenry.



He claims that he is a British subject and not amenable to our

laws.



I am, Colonel,

Very respy. your obdt. servt,

H. B. SMITH,

Lt. & Chief.