Part 4 (1/2)

I approve of the proceedings of Lieut. Smith, who has my entire confidence as an upright and skillful officer. I have referred him to the Provost Marshal for advice, instruction, and authority.

P. A. PORTER, Col. 8th N. Y. V. Arty., Commanding 2d Separate Brigade.

On the same day the application was approved at Department Headquarters.

The centre around which this recruiting and other disloyal schemes revolved was one Christian Emmerich, a fas.h.i.+onable shoemaker on South Gay Street. His place was a convenient centre for all important Confederate sympathizers. His residence was in a fas.h.i.+onable part of the city. We were entirely successful, capturing the whole party, including a conductor on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, who was caught transporting these recruits, well knowing their character. We simultaneously seized the Christian Emmerich store on South Gay Street, and his residence; in the latter we found much incriminating evidence, such as orders for Confederate uniforms, gold braid, b.u.t.tons and Confederate letters. Emmerich was not a common mender of ”old soles,”

but was the shoemaker to the bon-ton of Baltimore. We entirely destroyed the Confederate recruiting business conducted through that channel.

I have a photograph of the conductor referred to, taken together with his pal or partner, who was a spy. The spy's name was Charles E.

Langley. I will tell you all about him and his mysterious backing when I come to my regular work in December, 1864, where his statement is printed.

FILE VII.

Investigator's education--I branded E. W. Andrews, adjutant general to General Morris, a traitor to the colors.

In our prison were confined prisoners of all cla.s.ses, Confederate officers, spies, blockade-runners, pirates, civil and political prisoners. Our office was the reception room where these persons interviewed their ”sympathizers,” much of such interviewing taking place in my presence. Their mail pa.s.sed through our hands, what better place could there have been to develop an ”investigator?”

War Department, Was.h.i.+ngton, Feb. 27, 1864.

General Morris, commanding at Fort McHenry, will allow Mr. W.

G. Woodside to see Thomas I. Hall and ---- Baylor, Rebel prisoners confined there. General Morris will be present at the interview.

By order of the Secretary of War.

(Signed) C. A. DANA, a.s.st. Secy. of War.

This was endorsed:

To the Provost Marshal:

You will allow Mr. W. G. Woodside, the bearer of this, to see the prisoners mentioned within, Hall and Baylor. Lieut. Smith will be present at the interview.

(Signed) P. A. PORTER, Col. 8th N. Y. V. Arty., Commanding-Brigade.

Fort McHenry, Feb'y 28, 1864.

Baltimore, Feb'y 15, 1864.

Sir.--Will you be kind enough to deliver the joined letter to Jules Klotz, a French subject, detained at Fort McHenry. He wrote to me to direct my letters to yourself.

I should be very obliged to you to let me know the reasons why he has been arrested and his true situation towards the American government.