Between The Lines - free ebook by Henry Bascom Smith

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Between The Lines

Henry Bascom Smith

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50 chapters

APOLOGY.

APOLOGY.

Fifty years ago! Gracious me! It makes me think of my age to talk of it. Yes, just fifty years ago was enacted the greatest tragedy the world ever saw, THE CIVIL WAR. I entered the service at twenty and one-half years of age and served three and one-half years. At different times I have told of some of my experiences, which seemed to interest. Sometimes I have talked to literary men, story writers, who have expressed a desire to write me up in magazines and newspapers, but lack of the romantic i

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SECRET SERVICE STORIES FILE I.

SECRET SERVICE STORIES FILE I.

The Harry Gilmor sword—General Wallace's comments. The sword of Harry Gilmor, the Confederate colonel, which General Wallace had given me, had aroused Graham's interest so much that I presented it to him; I had, prior to this, presented to Curtis, my Creedmoor rifle trophies. I had become tired of telling the history of that sword and how it came into my possession, having no other evidence than my word for the truth of the story, since I had lost General Wallace's letter. However, quite unexpec

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FILE II.

FILE II.

1861-1862 New York Harbor—Fort Schuyler—Fort Marshal—Aunt Mag. During the first year of the war ('61) I remained at home, but I was really ashamed to be found there when service called. Burdette was already in the Army, and A. P., though equally patriotic, was compelled to remain home to "fight for bread" for the family. I started to go but mother restrained me; finally, however, Olive persuaded mother to consent, and on January 10th, 1862, I began my service as 2d Lieutenant in the 5th N. Y. He

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FILE III.

FILE III.

Fort McHenry in 1862-1863—General Morris—Colonel Peter A. Porter—Harper's Ferry—Halltown Trip to Johnson's Island—Lieutenant-General Pemberton and other Confederate Officers—Ohio Copperheads—Incident of York, Pa. Copperheads—Dramatic incident on July 4th, 1863, at Fort McHenry. In the winter of '62-'63 our Regiment was removed to Fort McHenry, where Confederate prisoners of war were detained. General W. W. Morris, an old regular, commanded the Brigade (Headquarters were there) and Colonel Peter

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FILE IV.

FILE IV.

A taste of the Draft Riots, July 13, 1863, when conveying wounded Confederates from Gettysburg to David's Island, New York Harbor—Governor Seymour's questionable conduct—A mysterious Mr. Andrews of Virginia— "Knights of the Golden Circle"—"Sons of Liberty" and a North Western Confederacy—Uncle Burdette—The Laurel incident. I had a little taste of the draft riots during that memorable week beginning July 13th, 1863. I was ordered to David's Island, New York Harbor, with seven hundred wounded Conf

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FILE V.

FILE V.

Appointed assistant provost marshal at Fort McHenry, where I began my first experience in detective work—Somewhat a history of my early life—Ordered to execute Gordon by shooting. I was on duty with troops until detailed as Assistant Provost Marshal at Fort McHenry. The administration of prisoners confined at Fort McHenry had become unsatisfactory; escapes were frequent. Colonel Porter selected Capt. Holmes of the 8th New York Heavy Artillery and myself to reform the prison. Headquarters, Fort M

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FILE VI.

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 p

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FILE VII.

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 classes, 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 passed through our hands, what better place could there have been to develop an "investigator?

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FILE VIII.

FILE VIII.

Initial trip down Chesapeake Bay after blockade runners and contraband dealers and goods, incidentally introducing Terrence R. Quinn, George G. Nellis, and E. W. Andrews, Jr.—A description of a storm on the Chesapeake. My initial trip down the Chesapeake Bay after blockade-runners was made under the following order: Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps, Baltimore, Mch. 22, 1864. Special Order No. 73. 2d Lieut. H. B. Smith, 5th Regt. N. Y. Artillery, is hereby ordered to proceed down t

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FILE IX.

FILE IX.

General Wallace assumes command of the Middle Department—General Schenck's comments on Maryland—Colonel Woolley. General Wallace assumed command of the Middle Department, 8th Army Corps, March 22d, 1864. The Department headquarters were located in a large mansion on the northwest corner of Calvert and Fayette Streets, just opposite Battle Monument. I can give no better description of the Department than to quote General Schenck, who formerly commanded there, in his words to General Wallace: "You

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FILE X.

FILE X.

Here begins my service as an assistant provost marshal of the department and chief of the Secret Service—Confederate General Winder's detectives— E. H. Smith, special officer, War Department—Mrs. Mary E. Sawyer, Confederate mail carrier—W. V. Kremer's report on the "Disloyals" north of Baltimore. The Secret Service, as its name implies, is the most confidential arm of the service. Its information intelligently guides the commanding general. It gives him to know of the conduct of the enemy and di

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FILE XI.

FILE XI.

Mrs. Key Howard, a lineal descendant of the author of "The Star Spangled Banner," forgetting her honor, prepared to carry a Confederate mail to "Dixie"—Miss Martha Dungan—Trip on the steam tug "Ella"—Schooner "W. H. Travers" and cargo captured—James A. Winn, a spy—Trip to Frederick, Maryland. Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps, Baltimore, Apl. 28, 1864. Special Order No. 48. Lieut. H. B. Smith, Chief Officer, Secret Service Bureau, 8th Army Corps, will proceed to Washington, D. C.,

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FILE XII.

FILE XII.

F. M. Ellis, chief detective, U. S. Sanitary Commission—Arrest of W. W. Shore, of the New York "World"—John Gillock from Richmond. United States Sanitary Commission, 244 F Street, Washington, D. C. May 7, 1864. Lieut. Smith. Dear Sir.—Your favor was received in due time and after diligent search I am satisfied that no such man is now in Washington; however, I shall keep a close lookout, and any information worth while, I shall give you at once. When you have any business to be done here I shall

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FILE XIII.

FILE XIII.

Ordered to seize all copies of the New York "World," bringing in one of the great war episodes, the Bogus Presidential Proclamation—Governor Seymour's queer vigor appears. Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps, Baltimore, May 18, 1864. Provost Guards, or U. S. Detectives. Seize all copies of the New York World of this date, that may arrive from New York, or that you can find in the city. By command, Major General Wallace. John Woolley , Lt. Col. and Provost Marshal. This order is innoc

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FILE XIV.

FILE XIV.

Arrest of F. W. Farlin and A. H. Covert—The Pulpit not loyal, reports on Rev. Mr. Harrison and Rev. Mr. Poisal—Comical reports on a religious conference and a camp meeting—Seizure of Kelly &amp; Piet's store with its contraband kindergarten contents—Sloop "R. B. Tennis" one of my fleet, and an account of a capture of tobacco, etc.—Arrest of Frederick Smith, Powell Harrison and Robert Alexander—Harry Brogden. Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps, Baltimore, May 21, 1864. Lt. Col. W

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FILE XV.

FILE XV.

General pass for the schooner "W. H. Travers"—Trip down the bay after blockade runners and mail carriers—Gillock and Lewis, two of my officers, captured by Union pickets—Commodore Foxhall A. Parker—Potomac flotilla— Arrest of J. B. McWilliams—My watch gone to the mermaids—The ignorance of "poor white trash." To save delay in getting out of the harbor the following request was made: Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps, Baltimore, June 9, 1864. Capt. Cornell, Commanding Revenue Cutter,

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FILE XVI.

FILE XVI.

Captain Bailey makes a capture—Sinclair introduces me (as Shaffer) to Mr. Plyle. The following report was of another capture, by Captain Bailey: Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, June 29, 1864. Col. Woolley, Provost Marshal. Colonel.—I have the honor to report that Capt. Wm. Bailey returned to this city this morning bringing three prisoners, and their skiff. They were first seen near James Point, and afterwards were taken on board the schooner "Thos. H. Northern," Capt.

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FILE XVII.

FILE XVII.

A Confederate letter. The following discloses how perfectly the Confederate government understood the travelled route through the lines. It was by way of their signal station on the Potomac, that was their official channel. I was determined to break it up. Westmorland and Northumberland counties, Virginia, are the south shore of the Potomac river. Mosby, or at least part of his command, covered this country. Confederate States of America, War Department, Ordnance Bureau, Richmond, June 30, 1864.

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FILE XVIII.

FILE XVIII.

Confederate army invades Maryland in 1864—General Wallace's masterly defence of Washington—Trip outside our pickets—Confederate General Bradley Johnson and Colonel Harry Gilmor—The Ishmael Day episode—Uncle Zoe—Arrest of Judge Richard Grason—Report on certain "disloyals." About this time our efforts were pointed in another direction, for a portion of Lee's Army had been detached and had begun the invasion of Maryland (June 28, 1864). General Wallace gathered up his scattered troops and prepared

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FILE XIX.

FILE XIX.

Trip to New York regarding one Thomas H. Gordon. Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, Aug. 13, 1864. Special Order No. 111. 1st Lieut. H. B. Smith, Commanding Detective Corps, 8th Army Corps, will proceed to New York on business connected with this office. After completing his search and investigation he will return to these headquarters without delay. Quartermasters will furnish transportation. By command of Major General Wallace. John Woolley , Lt. Col. &amp; Pro. Ma

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FILE XX.

FILE XX.

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 accumulated from Confederate mail, refugees and deserters, a mass 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.

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FILE XXI.

FILE XXI.

Terrence R. Quinn. Terrence R. Quinn, previously spoken of, backed by his military friends, complained of abuse which he alleged was put upon him by our officers, and I was called upon to make the following statement in reply: Office Provost Marshal, Baltimore, Md., Oct. 20, 1864. Lt. Col. Woolley, Provost Marshal. Colonel.—I have the honor to make the following statement regarding the arrest of Terrence R. Quinn, and the causes for such arrest. On or about March 18, 1864, I arrested Quinn by or

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FILE XXII.

FILE XXII.

The great fraud attempted in the Presidential election of 1864, wherein the misplacing of a single letter led to its detection, and may be said to have saved our nation from disruption—Involving Governor Seymour and Adjutant General Andrews—Arrest of Ferry, Donohue and Newcomb, one of the most successful kidnappings on record. The Presidential election of 1864 was then upon us, and indeed it was most momentous. The issue was to determine the life of this Union. Mr. Lincoln was renominated, and G

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FILE XXIII.

FILE XXIII.

John Deegan, a forger, captured—A report that led to a historic raid by Colonel Baker on the bounty jumpers and bounty brokers of New York. Here follows a rather interesting case. One Deegan, an expert penman, who had formerly been a clerk in one of the regular cavalry regiments, had been forging discharges and final statements of fictitious soldiers, employing an accomplice to present them at the various paymasters' offices and draw the money. Being familiar with the officers' signatures, he wa

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FILE XXIV.

FILE XXIV.

General Wallace's letter to secretary of war, Charles A. Dana (afterwards editor of the New York "Sun") asking for an extension of territory for my work, incidentally introducing Colonel John S. Mosby, giving a list of his men and their home addresses—A train robbery, paymasters robbed—I recapture part of the money—Commissions in promotion declined. Coleman's Eutaw House, Baltimore, Nov. 19, 1864. (Unofficial.) Hon. C. A. Dana, Asst. Sec. of War. Dear Sir.—Lt. Smith, my Chief of Detectives, will

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FILE XXV.

FILE XXV.

Capture of Confederate bonds and scrip—Arrest of Pittman, Brewer and Fowler; Lieut. Smith, alias I. K. Shaffer, alias George Comings, led them, victims, into a maze, to their undoing. I will now tell you of the Confederate bond matter. Special Order No. 172 enabled me to make my arrangements at Willard's Hotel: Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, Nov. 20, 1864. Special Order No. 172. Lieut. H. B. Smith, 5th N. Y., and one man will proceed to Washington, D. C., on secret s

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FILE XXVI.

FILE XXVI.

Arrest of T. A. Menzier and exposé of a prominent railroad official— Arrest of Barton R. Zantzinger, involving Milnor Jones—Arrest of John Henry Skinner Quinn, alias J. Y. Plater, alias Simpson, a spy—Arrest of E. R. Rich, a spy. Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, Dec. 4, 1864. Capt. W. H. Wiegel, Asst. Provost Marshal. Captain.—I have the honor to report that by direction of General Wallace, I arrested Mr. T. A. Menzier and locked him up in this jail, and ordered the of

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FILE XXVII.

FILE XXVII.

Statement of Illinois Crothers, giving valuable and reliable information, implicating Mr. William Mitchell and a Mrs. Keenan, of Winchester, Virginia—Report on Daniel W. Jones and Joseph Bratton—Am given unlimited access to prisoners in Baltimore city jail. Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, Dec. 10, 1864. Lt. Col. Woolley, Provost Marshal. Colonel.—I have the honor to hand you statement made by Illinois Crothers, of 1st Md. Rebel Cavalry, who came to this office to repo

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FILE XXVIII.

FILE XXVIII.

Statements: Jeremiah Artis, a real deserter from the Confederates—William J. Bradley, an honest refugee—Charles E. Langley, an official Confederate spy—Langley, personating a correspondent of the New York "Tribune," was a most successful and dangerous spy. I have told you that it required experience and skill to determine who were honest deserters, sick of the Confederate service, and seeking homes in our lines, or who were refugees, entitled to a refuge, or who were spies. Under the head of spi

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FILE XXIX.

FILE XXIX.

Patrick Scally, an honest deserter from the Confederate service—A sketch of the defences of Richmond. The following statement is interesting as showing how a poor, ignorant, drunken man was hurried off with Gilmor and Bradley T. Johnson, in July, '64, when they retreated from north of Baltimore. I feel sure the whiskey was paid for by Judge Grason, or Mr. Cockey, or some of the other disloyals spoken of in Mr. Kremer's and my own former reports. They undoubtedly gave him the horse, also: Baltimo

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FILE XXX.

FILE XXX.

Confederate Colonel Harry Gilmor, the raider, telling how he did not "come back" as a conquering hero; of the sword he never received; of his capture, etc.—The arrest and conviction of the fair donor. Colonel Harry Gilmor, who commanded a regiment of cavalry in the Confederate service, was a Baltimorean. He was the beau ideal of its "blue blood" ladies, or many of them; he was their hero who was to ultimately capture the Monumental City, who was to march down Charles Street Avenue as conquerors

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FILE XXXI.

FILE XXXI.

Steam tug "Grace Titus"—Statement of George Carlton, containing valuable confirmatory information. Depot Quartermaster's Office, Baltimore, Jany. 16, 1865. Captain, Steam Tug "Grace Titus." You will proceed with your tug as directed by Lieut. H. B. Smith, who will hand you this. Upon completion of the service demanded by Lieut. Smith, you will return to this port and report to me. Respectfully, A. M. Cummings , Capt. &amp; Quartermaster. I cannot recall what the expedition was for. Incidenta

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FILE XXXII.

FILE XXXII.

The pungy "Trifle" (one of the captures)—Colonel McPhail—Major Blumenburg and his corrupted office—"Boney" Lee, Bob Miller, and other thugs. Office of Provost Marshal General for Maryland. Baltimore, Jany. 19, 1865. Capt. Smith, Asst. Provost Marshal. Sir.—The pungy "Trifle" now stands in the name of Conrad Prince. She changed owners on the 10th of June, last. She had not cleared by permit since then, but may have done so by manifest. Yours, &amp;c., McPhail . Colonel McPhail was the Civil P

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FILE XXXIII.

FILE XXXIII.

Statement of James Briers, Bollman, McGuarty and Welsh—U. S. Marine Corps. Office Provost Marshal, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, Jany. 26, 1865. Statement of James Briers, late of Richmond, Virginia, who says: "I am a native of England, came to this country about 1853, remained in Baltimore, Md., about six months then went to Richmond, and went into the employ of the Virginia Central Railroad Co., and remained with them up to this time. "About December, 1863, I was sent into Lancaster County, by th

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FILE XXIV.

FILE XXIV.

General W. W. Morris in command in General Wallace's absence—General Sheridan's order to arrest E. W. Andrews, formerly adjutant general to General Morris. General W. W. Morris, who had been in command of the First Brigade, with headquarters at Fort McHenry (of whom I have spoken before), was placed in command of the Department. To make himself familiar with the work in the departments, he interviewed the heads; finally he wanted to see me. He made the call pleasant by saying: "I hear your work

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FILE XXXV.

FILE XXXV.

Ordered to New York—Interviewed Secretary of War Stanton relative to an independent command and extension of our territory—Major Wiegel's weakness exposed. Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, Feby. 10, 1865. Special Order No. 27. Lieut. H. B. Smith, 5th N. Y. H. Arty. and Commanding Detectives, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps, with one man, Lucius Babcock, of his force, will proceed to New York City, on special government business. After transacting same, he will at onc

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FILE XXXVI.

FILE XXXVI.

Paine, who was afterwards one of the conspirators in the assassinators' plot, in my custody—Miss Branson appeared to plead for him—Paine released on parole, lacking evidence to prove him a spy. I will now introduce the material from which was builded an actor. Lewis Paine, who brutally hacked at Secretary Seward while Booth was assassinating the President. He was one of the characters produced for the closing scene in that greatest tragedy. Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltim

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FILE XXXVII.

FILE XXXVII.

Missionary E. Martin, an agent of the Confederate treasury department, arrested, his big tobacco smuggling scheme exposed—Kidnapped him from General Dix's department—Manahan involved. Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, Mch. 12, 1865. Special Order No. 44. Lieut. H. B. Smith, 5th N. Y. Arty., and Commanding Detective Corps, 8th Army Corps, with one man of his force, will proceed to New York City, arrest a certain man, and return to these headquarters without delay, with h

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FILE XXXVIII.

FILE XXXVIII.

Secretary of War consulted about the extension of our territory to include the district between the Rappahannock and the Potomac rivers—Robert Loudan, alias Charles Veal, a boat burner and spy—A kidnapped colored boy. Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, Mch. 18, 1865. Lieut. Smith: I want to see you at the office this evening at 7.30. The Secretary of War wants to see you in Washington, and you will have to go to-morrow morning. Yours, &amp;c., S. B. Lawrence , A. Adj

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FILE XXXIX.

FILE XXXIX.

The chase after the steamer "Harriet Deford," which was captured by pirates, supposedly to supply a means of escape to Jefferson Davis from the crumbling Confederacy—Captain Fitzhugh. Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, Apl. 5, 1865. Major: I have written to Commodore Dornin requesting him to send a small steamer in pursuit of the "Harriet Deford," if he has one ready, and to permit Lieut. Smith and his guard to accompany her. If Commodore Dornin can not send a steamer I

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FILE XL.

FILE XL.

Ordered to Northern Neck of Virginia the day before President Lincoln's assassination—Martin Van Buren Morgan's statement, and order for his disposal. At this time in 1865 General Lee was about surrendering. All the people, North and South, were rejoicing at the prospect of peace, excepting those bitter, poisoned-with-their-own-venom conspirators hid away in dark corners, who were rehearsing for the closing scene. Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, Apl. 13, 1865. Special

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FILE XLI.

FILE XLI.

I am introduced to General Grant—The assassination—Capture of Samuel B. Arnold, one of the conspirators, sent to Dry Tortugas—Arrested the Bransons and their household, uncovering Paine's pedigree, thereafter he was Lewis Paine Powell—Paine had my parole on his person when arrested— Paine hung. The saddest day in our nation's history was Friday, April 14th, 1865. Early in the evening I was introduced to General Grant, in his private car; he was on his way from Washington to Philadelphia. The pri

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FILE XLII.

FILE XLII.

Richmond had fallen—Class of detective work entirely changed— Counterfeiters—Secretary McCullogh—Go to steamboat of the Leary Line and capture a youthful murderer—Arrest of Mrs. Beverly Tucker. Richmond had fallen, Lee had surrendered and the end was near. Disbandment and readjustment, to a civil basis, was then in order. Whatever work I did after this was of that character. I was no longer to chase my dream of crippling Mosby. Probably he did not know I lived. He might have smiled at my proposi

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FILE XLIII.

FILE XLIII.

Camp Carroll rioting—Troops being mustered out. The muster out of troops and return to civil life of the men who had been hardened soldiers was attended with difficulties. The men often began to feel liberty while yet with arms in their hands, and rioting, the effect of too much "fire water" was frequent. Camp Carroll was a muster out rendezvous in the western end of Baltimore. Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Baltimore, June 6, 1865. Lieut. Smith: I have sent four companies of i

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FILE XLIV.

FILE XLIV.

Indicted for assault with intent to kill, the only clash between the military and civil authorities during General Wallace's administration. June 25th, 1865, the Baltimore papers said: "Lieut. Smith, Wm. Earle, Kraft, and Babcock, of Colonel Woolley's office, were indicted for assault with intent to kill one Jacob Ruppert." General Wallace had always encouraged the civil authorities, so that the establishment of martial law might be as little burdensome as possible on the citizens. In this insta

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FILE XLV.

FILE XLV.

Trip to Norfolk and Richmond—Ralph Abercrombie—Miss Elizabeth L. Van Lew. Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps. Office Provost Marshal, Baltimore, July 5, 1865. Special Order No. 93. III. Lieut. H. B. Smith, Assistant Provost Marshal, 8th Army Corps, will proceed to Norfolk, Va., with prisoners Manuel Desota and Morris Moran. On arrival he will deliver the prisoners to the Provost Marshal at Norfolk, taking receipt for same. This duty performed, Lt. Smith will proceed to Richmond, Va.

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FILE XLVI.

FILE XLVI.

My muster out—Reëmployment as a civilian—Ordered to Philadelphia—Twice ordered to Washington with horse thieves. The following is a copy of my release from duty to be mustered out: Headquarters, Middle Military Department. Baltimore, July 19th, 1865. Special Order No. 1. I. Lieut. H. B. Smith, 5th N. Y. H. Artillery, is hereby relieved from duty as Assistant Provost Marshal, 8th Army Corps, and will rejoin his regiment without delay. By command of Major General Hancock. Adam E. King , Asst. Adju

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FILE XLVII.

FILE XLVII.

Captain Beckwith convicted—Gambling—Order to take Beckwith to Albany penitentiary. Along about August and September, 1865, the Government ordered surveillance of all gambling houses, to discover if disbursing officers were gambling. This was my first experience in the art. It was a free school, for the tuition was on Uncle Sam. The lessons have served me all my life, and I have never wanted to go to that school since. We appropriated from five to ten dollars an evening, to be spent in each house

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FILE XLVIII.

FILE XLVIII.

Trip to Carlisle, Illinois, to unravel a fraudulent claim—John H. Ing. We closed our headquarters in December, 1865, packing all records in finely arranged cabinets, which were then transferred to the War Department in Washington. When my relation with the government was terminated, through the instrumentality of General Woolley (Woolley had recently been brevetted), I was engaged by Mr. Archibald Sterling, an attorney (a prominent Union man), to go to southern Illinois to ravel out a contested

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FILE XLIX.

FILE XLIX.

Brevetted major—Governor Fenton's Letter. State of New York, Executive Department, Albany, 8th May, 1867. Bvt. Major H. B. Smith. Dear Sir.—I have the honor to transmit herewith a Brevet Commission, conferred by the President in recognition of your faithful and disinterested services in the late war. In behalf of the State allow me to thank you for the gallantry and devotion which induced this conspicuous mention by the general government. I feel a lively solicitude in all that relates to the ho

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