The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1862-01-09
FROM FORTRESS MONROE.
Correspondence of the Tribune.
Fortress Monroe, Old Point Comfort, !
Dar 3O 1891 (

Fortress Monroe, Old Point Comfort, !
Dec. 30, 1861.
| have 90 former occasions spoken q
the abuse to which tho flag of truce, i
spite of the utmost vigilance of the off
GERS, was liable. / have an intere.tinI
case. and as usual, there is woman in i
illustrating the fact. Saturday after
noon Last. there came from Norfolk, tw,
ladies, direct from Richmond; one o
them from Rhode I,lsnd, whose identit,
was established beyond oil dispute, and
was accompanied by her son, released
from imprisonment. The other, by the
name of Baxley, was travelling on the u
sual pass. On the way to old Point, she
made inquiries Of Capt Milwsrd whether
she would be subjected to an examination
at Old Point, and she was informed that
Provost Marshall Davis, about whom she
seemed anxious to know as much as posi-
bic in advance, would probably act ao
cording to circumstances she appeared
slightly uneasy. On arriving here she
was not submitted to rigid examin alton
but allowed to proceed to Baltimore.
Capt. Davis's suspicious bad become g.
reused however, and as the boat was about
to leave he particularly charged bis depu.
ty, Sergeant Brigham of Fortress Monroe,
who constantly goes up and down the Bay,
to keep close watch on her. This officer
formed her acquaintance during the O.
vening, but she did not suspec. the capa-
city in which she was acting The sus
picions communicated by Capt Davis were
strengthened, bat it was deemed pruden,
to communicate them to no one, nor to
take any steps before morning. At the
breakfast table Mrs. Baxley (for she ap-
peared to be married woman) threw off
all disguise and avowed herself seces-
sionist. which entirely convinced Deputy
Marshal Brigham that he was Oh the
right track. The boat arrived at Balti-
more, aud Mrs. B went ashore and en-.
gagged a hack. Returning to the boat,
she gathered up hsr luggage, which con-
sisted of o satchel and two or three par
GELS, and was about to leave the boat f.
nally, when the officer informed her that
be desired few moments further CONVEX
sation in bis proper character as Deputy
Provost Marshal for Old Point, acting
under the orders of Gen. Wool. Profess
ing some surprise, she accompanied him
t the mans saloon Of the boat, whore she
was informed that she would have to sub
nit to have her person examined. This
piece of information threw her off her bal
ance, in fact completely broke her down.
She confessed, and taking her bonnet
from her head, disclosed the fact that it
was lined with letters, and taking of her
shoes and stockings brought out another
batch, at the same time protesting on her
honor and character that they were all
she bad in her possession. But the off
Ger who had imbibed no very elevated o.
pinion of either, declined to accept the
assurance, and informed her that the ex-
animation must 60 on. Meanwhile, Pro-
vost Marshal McPhail, who had been sent
for arrived with a female to make the
search, which was in q state-room. We
need not here confne ourselves 90 minute
detail farther than to state that officer
Brigham, who was at the door soon had
his attention attracted by a noise and a
scream in the state.room Opening the
door he beheld the search with her hands
griped about the throat of the searched.
who was in nearly nude state, and who
clenched in one OF her hands q paper, of
which the officer (it being no time for spe.
cial modssty) speedily took possession -
Mrs. Baxley was highly indignant; in fact
she was amazed, perfectly furious. and
undertook to make an exhibition of her.
self, q Ia Varieties, in the saloon of the
boat. The paper in question was COM
mission signed BY Jefferson Davis. ap-
pointing DR.. Septamus Brown of Balti.
more, surgeon in the Confederate army.
This with other papers and letters was
iugeniously placed in the lining Of part
OF ber dress, so as to increase the full
ness, SO becoming in a well-proportioned
woman, though seldom suspected Of OF.
ing its graceful lines to commissions
signed BY Jefferson Davis. The search
was thorough. Letters and papers of
more OF less Importance were louuo iu ail
sorts of places. Mrs. Baxly now had lit,
tie left to conceal, and she wss perfectly
ferocious. Re-clothing herself, she was
taken in custody to the Provost Marsha's
office. Hero she undertook to convey
warning to some one-probsbly Brown
by throwing out Of the window piece
of paper which bad written on it, "Fleel
| am caught. All is lostI' The message
fell into other hands than those for whom
it was intended. Doctor Brown was
shortly after lodged in Fort McHeury,
and proper steps taken in regard to 9th.
er persons implicated by the papers found
on Mrs. Baxley, who is retained in custo-
dy. To officer Brigham she confessed
that but short time ago, she left Balti-
more, made her way across Maryland to
the Potomac, and thence to Richmond;
told ber adventures, which were marked
by many a stirring incident, with bitter
lamentatiop, and with almost broken
heart, mourned the miscarriage of all her
undertakings.