Spies. Traitors and conspirators of the late Civil War

Front matter

pies. Traitors and Conspirators of the Late Ci vi

BV GENERAL LA FAYETTE C BAKER ORGANIZER AND FIRST CHIEF OF THE SECRET SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES, ILLUSTRATED.

JOHN E. POTTER & COMPANY, Philadelphia. MDCCCIXIV.

Preface

In giving to the public this volume, it has been the design to present the operations of the Bureau of the National Detective Police during the war, so far as it is proper to make them known to the people. It is not a book of romantic adventures, but a narrative of facts in the secret history of the conflict, and mainly an exposure of the manifold and gigantic frauds and crimes of both the openly disloyal and the professed friends of the Republic. Many reports are introduced, some of which are lengthy, and portions of them are dry, because they are the official records of the work done, and the verification of the statements made, and the highest vindication of the character and importance of the secret service. Passages occur in them, the propriety of which many readers may question, but their omission would have weakened the strength of the reports, and softened down the enormity of the offenses charged upon certain individuals. The whole volume might have been made up of chapters very similar to those of the first hundred paget or more, but we preferred to sacrifice the peculiar interest, to some extent, of a merely sensational work — sketches of exciting scenes and hair-breadth escapes — for the greater object of an authentic official record of the vast amount of indJFpensable service rendered to the Government, during nearly four years of bloody strife, with the months of trl*]

PRSFACS.

and agitation which foUowed The plan of the book waL, therefore, chosen by the responsible head of the bureau, while the introductory chapters were written by another, Whose editoral aid was secured in the general preparation of the annals for the press. No desire or effort has been fherished to wantonly expose or wound in feeling any man, and therefore initials, for the most part, alon'e ap^ pear ; but a faithfnl history of transactions under the authority delegated to the Bureau, wiU unavoidably reach the sensibilities of persons of distinction, no lesa than those in humble life.

The volume of war records, the most of which have never before met the public eye, is offered to the people as a part of the veritable history of the most extraordinary and perilous times tlie Republic has known, or k likely to pass tlirough a^ain

Contents

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

rh* Ancestry and Birth-place of Goueral Baker— Hli Early Llf*— Realdenc* IB California— U a Member of th« Vigilance Committee— Retuma to New York In 1881— VlalU Washington— Interview with General Scott— Eoten the Serrrt Berries— The Great Facts esUbllahed and lllastrated by ibrss Annala 1''

CHAPTER L

Chapter I. Origin Of The Bcreau Of Detective Serucb

The first Visit to Washington — Interview with General Hiram Walbridge. nud Ooa W. D. Kdley — Introduction to General Wintield Scott — Return to New y>.rli — Aj poii.led by General Scott to renew the Attempt to visit Richmond — The flrst Failure — Crossing the Lines — The Arrest — Eiaminatious — Sent to G*ueraJ Beauregard — On to Richmond.

In April, 1861, 1 went to AVasliington, to learn, if possible, in what capacity I conld serve the loyal cause. At Willard's Hotel, I met its able and fearless cljani})ion, General Hiram Walbridge, of New York, and the Hon. William D. Kelley, of Philadelphia. We conversed freely upon the condition of the country, and the necessity of more reliable information respecting the strength and movements of the enemy.

General Walbridge then saif'' to me, '' Baker, you arw the man of all others to go into this secret service ; you have the ability and courage." General W., with the Hon. Mr. Kelley, strongly urgnd an interview with General Scott, who was i?i coii.uriand of the Army of the United States; accom]>aiii<'d liy him and the Hon. George W Wright, of California, [ went to his rooms. My father having fought under Gen. Scott in tlie last war with P^ngland, 1 was introduced as the son of "an old friend, with discretion, ability, and courage to do what was necessary."

After a little general conversation, the venerable com mander requested those present to leave the room, when he ijilked freely of my experiences as a detective, and the services required to ascertain the strength and plans of the enemy, requesting an interview the following day.

At the hour appointed, with a deliberate purpose to accept any service for the country he might desire, I was again closeted with the Lieut. -General. After stating tliat he had

46 UmTED STATES SECRET SERVIOE.

thus far found it impossible to ohtain definite information respecting the rebel forces at Manassas, that of the five nwu wlio had been sent to Richmond two were known to be killed, and the other three were probably taken prisoners, with patriarchal and patriotic interest, he said to nie : "Young man, if you have judgment and discretion, you can be of great service to the country."

I then told him that I could not immediately engage in the service, but must at once return to New Yoik, toanange unsettled affairs ; and left him with the understanding that i should report to him as soon as cLrcunistances would i^piiuit The latter part of June, I was again in Washington, and bad repeated interviews with the General. The result was, a definite arrangement for a journey toward Richmond, if not mlo the rebel capital. Directions in detail were given me respecting the difficult service I was expected to perfonn.

Taking from his vest pocket ten double eagles of coin, General Scott handed them to me, expressing the warmest hopes of my success in the excursion to " Dixie."

July 11, 1861, I started for Richmond. Along the route of my travel toward the Confederate Capital, and while there, I was to learn, if possibl«% the locality and strength of the hostile troops, especially of the dreaded Black-horse cavalry, and also of their fortifications ; leaving no opportunity to gather items of iiifoi-mation concerning the movements and plans of the eiuiny which might be of any service to the Government.

To one unacquainted with the nature of the service, it may seem strange that our troops should not know my chararter and design. But such concealment is not only always practiced in the Secret service, but was pre-eminently needful f(/jf us at that time, when we knew not whom to trust, because traitors were in the Government and in the army. To let the Union troops into the secret, would be to send it to Richmond before I had reached Manassas. Guarding the frontier of the Confederacy, the rebel army lay before Washington, stretching from a point three miles below Alexandria, toward the Potomac, eight miles above the capital. At Alexandria, then recently stained with the martyr blood of Ellsworth, Gen. Heintzelman was Provost-marshal. No passes were

DTTERYIEW WITH HEINTZELMAN. 4

recognized by either tlie Union or rebel army, and 1 musl Qecessarily run the risk equally, in tlie attempt to pass tlieii lines, of being arrested as a spy. The surreptitious move ments would begin, therefore, with the first step from Wash ington toward the " sacred soil of Virginia."

1 went to a daguerrean establishment, and purchased foi four dollars an old box Avhich had once contained photo gi-aphic apparatus, slung it across my back, after the fasliion of an itinerant artist, and started for Alexandria. Four miles out of the city I came to the Second Maine Regiment, and proceeded at once to the headquarters of the colonel. He received me politely, and wished me to take a view of the camp, including his tent and the principal officers standing in the foreground. War scenes were new to tlie people, and the desire was natural enough, to gratify friends at home with pictures of the martial field. After a good dinner, I took my box, and told the colonel I would go to a neighboring hill and take views of the encampment, tlien return to photograph the headquarters. I was soon in the woods with my hollow box, eluding guards, and pushing forAvard through the tangled undergrowth, toward the heart of rebeldom. When across the Federal lines as I supposed, I was startled with the shout, "Who goes there ?" I looked up, to see sentinel, with lifted gun, standing upon a knoll Just before me.

I had no alternative but to surrender, and march with him to the colonel's quarters. This officer was' sure lie had caught a spy, and, escorted by ten men, I was sent back along the railroad, the same way I came, to General Heintzelman's headquarters. The lieutenant in charge presented me to the coiiinianding officer, with the following fiattering and promis ing introduction: "Here is a spy, general, that we foun lurking about our camp, trying to get through the lines."

" Oh 1 you villain you, you," said Ileintzelman, witli hi usual nasal twang and an oath, "trying to get through m^ lines, are you ? I've a good notion to cut your head off But I'll fix you, you rascal ; Til send you to General Scott." Another guard, with a message from the brave general, who was evidently gratified with the successful vigilance of hia men, was ordered for me, and I was hurried away to Washiiigton. The escort was dismissed bv General Scott, and my

48 UNITED STATES SECRET 8ERVI0K.

story told. AVitli an expression tliat indicated both amusement at tlie ruse, and its failure, and confidence in rae, the old veteran said : " "Well, try again !"

The u])rising North was now sending her legions to the field of civil conflict, and in an almost unbroken line th^j were marching over Long Bridge into Virginia. That night. I took a position at the end of the bridge, and, when a regi ment came down broken into considerable disorder, I stt']>]i»si into the ranks, hoping to be borne along with the troojjs. Unfortunately, a lieutenant saw the movement, and, taking me by the collar, put me under guard, and sent me back to the rear. Another night was spent in Washington, but not wholly in sleep. My mind was busy with new plans for a successful visit to the Confederate capital.

With the dawn of the next morning I renewed my journey afoot through the lower counties of Maryland, toward Port Tobacco, traveling thirty-five miles that day, and reach ing that town at night. Exhaustion prepared me for sound and refreshing sleep. In the morning I gave a negro a twentydollar gold piece to row me across the river, wli"n I was safely in the Confederacy, below Dumfries. Tiie country was wooded, and an unfrequented road, whose geneial direction was toward Richmond, suggested the line of my advance into the Old Dominion. I j)ursued my solitary Journey through the desolate country, slaking thirst, excited by the heat of the Southern sun, at brooks which at intervals crossed my path. I could necessarily have no settled plan of future movements, but trusted to providential indications of what, under the circumstances, it would be prudent and politic to do. AVith that entire composure of feeling and self-reliance which attend a purpose, however daring, when once th*^ die is cast, to reach its final issue, I cast my qjq over th« sparsely-settled country, with its old roads crossed witii paths, and studded with oaks, particularly careful to observe the least sign of a human form within its horizon. Four miles of distance lay between me and the banks of the Potomac, when two Confederate soldiers made their appearance, too near me to make an escape possible. I was taken prisoner under an order to arrest as a spy any stranger passing thai way, and marched off towaid camp, eight miles distant A

SECOND ATTEMPT TO CROSS THE LINES. 49

beer sliop by the roadside tempted the guard, and we all entered it. I was invited to drink. I saw my o})portunity, and, ahhough I never indidge iu stimulants, accepted the offer of a glass of ale, and in return treated ray captors. The generous indulgence was repeated, until my escort were stujMclly under the influence of the potations, and fell asleep on the stoop of the beer-house, leaving me to go unmolested on my way.

I went up the road toward INIanassas Junction, congratulating myself on my easy escape, when four rebel cavalrymen suddenly came out of the brush and ordered me to halt ; then drawing their sabers, commanded me to surrender. I replied to them : " I am a peaceful citizen, unarmed, and on my way to Richmond." One dismounted, proceeded to search me, and succeeded in finding a number of letters introducing me to prominent rebels in Richmond. Among them were two written by tlie Rev. Mr. Shuck, for many years a missioiiary in China. He returned to Caliform'a, where I had formed his acquaintance, and came to the Atlantic States in the same steamer with myself. He was at this time chaplain of a rebel regiment near Richmond. After obtaining possession of all my letters, the boastfid chivalry could not read them. They requested me to be seated, while they heard from me the contents of the epistles.

Taking advantage of their ignorance, I read such portions as I chose. They at once directed me to proceed under guard to Brentsville, distant about ten miles-^they riding, and keeping me on foot between them, and constantly conversing in a low tone of voice respecting the importance of the arrest. Arriving at Brentsville at ten o'clock, P. m., I was taken to the headquarters of General Bonham, of South Carolina, commanding at that point, ushered into the large tent occupied by General Bonham and staff officers, and ordered to take a seat. In a few minutes. General Bonham, in splendid uniform, took a seat beside me, and commenced conversation, by asking the direct question, "Where did you come from, and where are you going?" I replied: "I came from Washington, and am on my way to Richmond." Apparently unconscious of the deference due to the commanding officer, I sat with my hat on. Observing it he 4

50 UNITED STATES SECRET SERVIOE.

said, "Take off your hat, sir." With the order, I at one* complied.

The letters were then handed to General Bonham by one of the captors.

After reading, he said, '*How dare you come inside of my lines f

Exliibiting proper surprise and indignation, I replied, '* 1 am a loyal and peaceful citizen of the United States, engag*'d in an honorable and legitimate pursuit. I have business in Richmond, and desire to go there."

He replied, " Well, I will see that you do go there. I believe you are a Yankee spy, and I'll send you to General Beauregard at once." lie gave the necessary order to detail a guard, and, handing a sealed letter to a lieutenant standing by, said, " Put this man in irons, and with this letter take him to General Beauregard's headquarters." Accordingly I left Brentsville at twelve o'clock at night, protesting, however, against being compelled to go on foot. Re said, "As you have chosen that mode of conveyance, sir, you ought not now to find fault. Take him away."

We arrived at Manassas Junction about daylight, and went to General Beauregard's headquarters — the Weire House. Completely exhausted by the walk, and the excitement attending the arrest, I laid down in front of the house and went to sleep. At nine o'clock a. m., I was awakened by the wann, bright rays of the sun, shining in my face, and found myself in charge of the guard attached to the headquarters. I called for food, and was informed that General Beauregard desired to see me. I was taken into his presence, with whom were two or three staff officers. Point ing to an open letter (General Bonham's, I supposed), ll^- said : "From this letter I see you have been found withiii our lines. What explanation have you to make ?"

I replied, "I am from Washington, and going to Ricn mond, on private business. I have not intended to violate any law, regulation, or military rule, of the Conl'ederatf army."

"When did you leave Washington?"

" Day before yesterday," I replied.

" Where did you cross the river ?"

AT BEAUREGARD'S HEADQUARTERS. 61

" In the vicinity of Port Tobacco."

'* How did you get across ?"

"In a boat."

" Who brought you across 1"

''A negro."

" So you are going to Richmond, are you ?"

" Yes, if I can get there ; but am willing to return If yoB will permit me to do so."

"No ; I prefer that you should go to Richmond. Whertdo you reside ?"

"I have lived in California the last ten years: but fbr merly lived in the South,"

"What part of the South?"

"Knoxville, Tennessee."

" IIow long since you were in Knoxville?"

"Ten or twelve years."

" What is your name ?"

" Samuel Munson."

" Yes, 1 see from your letters that that is your name : but what was your name before you turned spy?"

" I am no spy."

" I believe you are : and, if I was satisfied of it, I would hang you on that tree," pointing through an open window to an oak-tree in full view. "Orderly," he added, "take this man out and put him in the guard-house."

" I am very hungry ; can you give me breakfast ?"

" You will liud breakfast in the guard-house."

I was taken by the guard to a stockade or pen, inside of which was a log-house. Following the officer in command, I said :

" Sir. I am very hungry— can you give me something tc eat?" — taking from my pocket a gold eagle. At sight of the coin, he said —

" What will you have?"

" Send out and get me the worth of that, or the best breakfast you can get."

He soon returned with a good warm breakfast and a bot He of sour wine. The wine I gave to the guard, and ate the breakfast.

Having put myself on good terms with the officer in

C2 UNITED STATES SECRET SERVT'^K.

command of the guard house, he asked me what T was there for.

I replied I did not know — hut, if not in vr>h'ition of hla orders, would like to go outside in cliarge of a guard. Wlietlier if would be so or not, the sight of a twenty-dollai gold piece relieved his mind of any douht on the suhjecL Ilanding it to him, he called a soldier and said :

" Take this man out, and walk him around awhile."

I went to the hotel, treated my escort, and then went with him to take a general survey of all the troops in the immediate vicinity of Manassas Junction. One of my instructions from General Scott, and not least in im})ortance, was to ascertain the numbers of the famous, and by the Union arinj much dreaded, black-horse cavalry. In conversation with my half-drunken guard, I referred to this cavalry, and inquired where they were.

He replied, "Down on the railroad."

I expressed a wish to see them.

He said, " Certaiidy — them's the boys to whip the Yankees !"

We went down the line of the railroad lialfamile, and there found the cavalry in camp. I asked him how rL-my men there were in that command.

He said, ''Two hundred."

I made a thorough inspection of these troops. My accommodating guard then took me to all the camps, })ointed out the different intrenchments in course of erection, the names of the several regiments and brigades, who commanded them, their strength, &c. When I had obtained this infomiation, my guard met drunken friends, and left me to go where I pleased. Fearing I should be missed, I immediately returned to the guard-house. I was not locked up, but allowed to remain in the stockade, where I met two fellow-prisoners, as 1 then supposed, who at once began asking me questions. It did not take me long, however, to decide that they were (h^coys. placed there for the purpose of eliciting from me, if possible, my real character. They complained bitterly of their treat raent, and one even requested me to take a letter to hia wife in Washington.

I consented to take the letter. It was written in a way well

THE COLPORTEUR. 55

calculated to mislead me. I went to the gnard-honse, called the lieutenant on guard, and said : " You have a spy in the stockade " — handing him the letter. He said, " I will send it up to headquarters." A few minutes later I saw the same man in private confidential conversation with the lieutenant, at the same time pointing to me across the yard.

This satisfied me of the truth of my suspicions. Repeated efforts were afterward made, during my stay in the stockade, to ascertain who I was, and my intentions. To all inquiries, however, I had but one answer, and that was : " That th^^y had made a great mistake in arresting me." My next questioner was a woman, assuming the calling of a colporteur, or tract distributer. I was standing by the pump — she approached me and said :

" Sir, will you read one of my tracts?"

*' Certainly, thank you, madam."

Handing me two or three tracts, she remarked, "This war is a terrible thing. How long have you been here ?"

" Came here this morning."

She said -"Read those tracts, and then give them to yoni fellow-prisoners."

" What are you here for ?"

" I do not know, madam, but hope nothing very serf ous."

" Do you live in the South ?"

" No, I am from the North — was arrested yesterday dowB on the river."

"Oh, you are from the other side, are you — from Washington ?"

" Yes, I left there three days ago."

" Are you going back ?"

"Well, that depends upon General Beauregard."

"Ohl he is a very kind man, and certainly woul. I not keep you here a moment without some good reason. Were ou born in the North ?"

" Yes, I suppose I am a Yankee."

" Is the North really going to fight the South ?"

" I think it wUl."

She then left me, to continue her mission, distributing acts to the prisoners and guards.

Retnming soon afterward, she said in a low tone of voice. *'] am trying to do all the good I can. Are you a Christian?"

I answered, " I thought I was once, but now have very serious doubts on the subject."

She then added : " The lieutenant thinks you are a spy : if you are, be very careful what you say. I was born at tho N orth, but have lived among these people seven years. My sympathies are all with the Northern people. I am trying now to get a pass from General Beauregard, that I may visit my sister in New York, who is a teacher in one of tne public schools. I will gladly take any message you may want to send to your friends. I think I shall get my pass to-mo-- row."

The only reply I made was, "I think I shall see my friends before you do."

With this she shook my hand cordially, and left me. Two years and a half later, I met my tract friend, who was the famous "Belle Boyd," under very different circumstances, which will be recorded in the order of their occurrence.

At eleven o'clock that night, the sergeant, with four men, came to the guard-house, and took me to General Beauregard' s headquarters, where I again caught a glimpse of the attentive colporteur. After waiting in silence a brief time, the sergeant ordered me to follow him.

"Where am I going?" I asked.

" To Richmond. Fall in, men."

I was at once marched to the depot, and put into a freight car which had been used for the conveyance of troops, having the sides knocked off near the top, and started off at half-past one o'clock, p. m. The train moved very slowly, and Gordonsville was not reached until the next night. This otherwise irksome delay afforded me an excellent oppor t unity to observe the number of troops moving toward Manassas.

At Gordonsville, I was turned over to another guard, put into a passenger car, and entered Richmond at eight o' clock the succeeding evening.

The tidings of my capture had gone before, and the value of it to the Confederacy discussed and of course magnified, m SIOHMOFDi 57

as was everything by distance, on both sides, at that early period of the Tvar.

Instead of giving me a cell in Libby prison, I was conveyed to the third story of an engine-house, an open, airy loft, with a clean bed, and in all respects more comfortable quarters than I anticipated. A guard of two soldiers were my keepers.

I retired to rest, and reflected on the course to be followed from this crisis in the enterprise. I was in the rebel capital, must survey its military resources, and get back to Waabington, or ^e as a spy