Part 3 (2/2)

Office Provost Marshal, Baltimore, Dec. 23, 1863.

Lieut. H. B. Smith, a.s.sistant 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 a.s.st. Pro. Mar.

This was officially approved first by Colonel Fish, and then by Colonel Porter.

Office Provost Marshal, Fort McHenry, Jan. 26, 1864.

Col. P. A. Porter, Commanding 2d Separate Brigade, Defences of Baltimore.

I respectfully beg leave to lay before you the following and ask for authority to proceed further.

Four recruits for the Rebel Army are in Baltimore, also two Rebel officers. I want authority to follow them and make the arrest when about to cross the Potomac, thus implicating all the parties connected in recruiting for the Rebel Army in and about Baltimore. I have it so arranged that it will be impossible for them to get away from me, if I am allowed to proceed. And as I have some more operations in process of development, I would respectfully ask to have the authority extended to cover them also.

I could make some of these arrests in Baltimore, but as it is perfectly safe, by allowing them to get a little further, it would make the case a still more fatal one for the parties concerned.

I am, Colonel, Very Resp'y, Your Ob'd't Serv't, H. B. SMITH, Lt. and a.s.st. Pro. Mar.

The endors.e.m.e.nt on the back of the above paper has always been a source of gratification. No man from New York State was ever more highly esteemed than Colonel Porter. He was talked of for Governor. A brave, true, and generous man, loved by all. He was killed at Cold Harbor, leading his regiment. His body was dragged back to our lines in the darkness of the night.

Headquarters, 2d Separate Brigade, Defences of Baltimore.

Jan. 26, 1864.

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