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Between the Lines. Henry Bascom Smith
Читать онлайн.Название Between the Lines
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isbn 4064066052621
Автор произведения Henry Bascom Smith
Жанр Документальная литература
Издательство Bookwire
I worked a blockade running outfit, involving General Morris's adjutant general, Capt. E. W. Andrews (of whom I will tell more later on), and I captured Confederate mail carriers, none of which were any part of my duty, but all contributed to the general good of the service. Strictly speaking, my duties were completed by caring for the safe keeping, discipline and comfort of the prisoners in our charge. To do more was supererogation, and ought to be credited to zeal.
In a short time I found that these Confederates worked their escape through the use of gold supplied them by their sympathizers in bribing the guards. But we stopped that and thereafter the soldiers for sentry duty at certain posts were selected for their known probity. Escapes continued for a time (but they were always recaptured when they supposed themselves safe outside our guards). When these escapes (?) were accomplished there was great jubilation among the Confederates. They had a great "laugh" on the Yankees; which laugh was changed to "the other side of the mouth" when all the escaped (?) ones were marched back into camp, one bright morning. About a mile down the road leading from our exterior gate to Baltimore was a hotel called the "Vineyard." I engaged the upper floors of it in which to domicile my escaped (?) prisoners. When we had accumulated there about fifteen we marched them all back to our prison.
After telling their fellows of the futility of their plans no more escapes were attempted.
The government was kind to prisoners. We clothed them and gave them blankets to keep them comfortable. I have receipted rolls now showing such issues. They came to us in rags or worse than rags, in fact, and left us fat and well clothed. On one occasion when an exchange of prisoners was ordered, I judged that one good suit of clothes was enough to start them off with; but orders came from Washington to allow them to carry away all the clothing given them by their friends, which in some instances was three or four suits to a man. Our prisoners were confined in buildings known as the Ringgold Battery Barracks, quite insecure for the purpose. We constructed about the premises a plank fence twelve feet high, with balcony and sentry boxes on top, leaving no good chance for communication between prisoners and guards.
The first unpleasant duty devolving on me is described in the following order:
Headquarters, Fort McHenry,
Nov. 19. 1863.
General Order No. 53.
In pursuance of General Order No. 54 and 56 issued from Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps, Oct. 26, and Nov. 3, 1863, and General Order No. 92, issued from headquarters 2d. Separate Brigade, Defences of Baltimore, Nov. 19, 1863, William F. Gordon, a prisoner in confinement at this post, will be shot to death with musketry, between the hours of 12 M. and 3 o'clock P. M., on Friday, the 20th inst., on the Parade Ground at Fort McHenry, according to military usage in such cases, provided the approval of the President of the United States be received.
The Asst. Provost Marshal of the Post, Lieut. H. B. Smith, is charged with the execution of this order.
(Signed) By Command of
Col. P. A. Porter,
8th N. Y. V. Arty., Com'd'g Post.
Geo. Wiard,
Lieut. 8th N. Y. V. Arty and Post Adjt.
A harder duty could not be directed. In cases where execution is by shooting, a firing party is picked, and their rifles are loaded for them. One gun among them is loaded with a blank cartridge, so that each member of the firing party can hope he has it. In case death does not result from the firing it becomes the duty of the officer commanding the firing party to complete the execution of the order. That was not a cheerful prospect for me. I had twenty-four hours for serious contemplation; suppose the men should aim wrong? Then I would be compelled to shoot the man as a mere cold duty. We were spared its execution by the following telegraphic order:
War Department,
Nov. 20, 1863.
Major General Schenck:
The President directs that the execution of sentence of death against Gordon, now in Fort McHenry, be suspended until further orders.
(Signed) E. M. Stanton,
Sec. of War.
FILE VI.
Detective work required an extension of territory—A flattering endorsement by Colonel Porter—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 Maryland and perhaps into Virginia, which would carry me outside our post limits and required authority from Department commanders. The Department comprised Maryland, parts of Delaware and Virginia. The following personal letter was addressed to Colonel W. S. Fish, Provost Marshal under General Schenck:
Headquarters, Fort McHenry,
Nov. 27, 1863.
Dear Colonel.—Our Assistant Provost Marshal, Lieut. Smith, has got hold of a sloop and her Captain. He was to be examined before you, but Smith says that McPhail's men have other and earlier accounts to settle with him. I suggest this as you may have a great deal to do and may prefer to transfer the case to those already familiar with it.
Very truly,
P. A. Porter,
Col. 8th N. Y. V. Arty.,
Com'd'g Post.
The following will show my progress in such matters:
Headquarters, Middle Department,
8th Army Corps.
Office Provost Marshal,
Baltimore, Dec. 23, 1863.
Lieut. H. B. Smith, Assistant Provost Marshal, Fort McHenry, is hereby authorized to visit and search any house in the City of Baltimore that he has good reason to believe contains Rebel mail, or any treasonable matter.
By order,
W. S. Fish,
Col. and Provost Marshal General,
8th Army Corps.
My work at Fort McHenry absolutely required freedom to act outside.
Office Provost Marshal,
Fort McHenry, Jan. 8, 1864.
Confidential. Colonel Fish, Provost Marshal, 8th Army Corps.
Dear Sir.—I am at last able to report that we have gotten underway an underground correspondence between Trought and Emmerich. At first the correspondence was unimportant (which was, of course, policy for them), but now they have become confidential. I, with some others, intend to enlist in the Rebel service, but my plan is too long to explain here.
Now, Colonel, if you will drop a line to Colonel Porter, asking him to allow me to organize a squad of reliable men, say twelve or fifteen, and instruct them, whom we can call upon at any time, we will guarantee to show some rich developments inside of three weeks.
Emmerich is not alone but is connected with some of the largest houses in Baltimore.
Trusting this will meet your approval, I am, Col.
Very resp'y,
H. B. Smith,
Lt. and Asst. Pro. Mar.
This was officially approved first by Colonel Fish, and then by Colonel Porter.