Part 16 (1/2)
Thomas Bennett, a U. S. mail carrier, disloyal--Samuel Miles, a prominent Baltimore merchant, a blockade runner--A laughable letter about an overdraft of whiskey--Dr. E. Powell, of Richmond.
As our work progressed, we acc.u.mulated from Confederate mail, refugees and deserters, a ma.s.s 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, Was.h.i.+ngton, 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 pa.s.s 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 quant.i.ty 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?”