site logo

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.





Headquarters, Middle Department,

8th Army Corps.

Baltimore, Aug. 17, 1864.



Col. Woolley:



I have information that a Thomas Bennett, U. S. mail carrier

between Princess Ann and Newtown is in the Confederate service

and is engaged to carry letters, &c., for them.



Let Smith put a sharp detective after him. Mr. E. J. Smith

will talk with you about it.



LEW WALLACE,

Major General Commanding.









War Department,

Washington, Sept. 16, 1864.



Memo.



Mr. J. P. Gulick, policeman at the Capitol grounds, gives

information to the Department that Samuel Miles, a wholesale

forwarding merchant in Baltimore, has been engaged in sending

goods to the South.



Mr. Gulick lived at Wicomico Creek for some time during the

war and while there observed the transaction, the goods coming

to that point direct from Miles, and being from there run over

into Little River by Samuel Langford, Miles's nephew.



The following is a Confederate letter addressed to Samuel G. Miles,

referred to by Mr. Gulick. Miles was a merchant in high standing

commercially. The letter is reproduced literally:





Monticello, Va.,

Feby. 29, 1864.



Mr. Miles.



Sir.--I take this privaledge to write to you asking the favour

of you to send me by the gentleman that may hand you this

letter to send me a few articles, you are well aware of our

condition as to getting grocerys or a great many other things.

Mr. Miles you will confer a great favour upon me to let me

have a barril of sugar, one bag of coffee, 5 lbs. of tea, 15

gal. of Rye Whiskey.



I would have sent money but you know that our money would not

be of any survace to you. But if you send the above articles

whether I get them or no you shall certainly be paid.



I was very sorry that I could not see you when you pass

through to Richmond, as it would have afforded me great

pleasure to have you at my house.



Give my respects to Mr. Langford and all enquiring friends. If

it is not in your power to send the above name articles you

will do me the favour to present this letter to Mr. Thomas

Lumking and perhaps he may send them. By so doing you will

oblige,



Your Friend,

HENRY D. BARRICK.



To

Mr. Samuel G. Miles.





The quantity of rye whiskey, compared to the other articles seemed

pretty large. It reminds me of the story of the sloop captain who sent

his man for supplies for a trip. The man brought two loaves of bread and

a gallon of whiskey, at which the captain growled out "what made you buy

so much bread?"



And here is another Confederate letter:





Richmond, Va.,

Oct. 24, 1864.



Mr. Steele.



Dear Sir.--I have been waiting very anxiously to hear if you

had succeeded in making the arrangements with Allison to take

us to Baltimore.



If it is possible to get Allison or any other person with a

schooner to make the trip to Baltimore and bring back goods,

make the arrangement for the trip and let me know when I am to

come down and I will come prepared to make the trip.



Any goods you may wish to bring I will take through in my

name. Let me hear from you as soon as you can hear from

Allison.



Your obdt. servant,

Dr. E. POWELL.



Cor. Main & 10th Sts.,

Richmond, Va.



More

;