Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-01-16
A "MODEL" sECBsH WIDOW.
TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENCE.

| have on former occasions spoken of the
abuse to which the flag of truce. in spite of the
utmost vigilance Of the officers, was liable. |
have an interesting case, and as usual. there is
a woman in it illustrating the fact. Saturday
afternoon last, there came from Norfolk two
ladies, direct from Richmpnd one of them
from Rhode Island, whose identity was estab-
lished beyond all dispute, and was accompanied
by her son, released from Imprisonment. The
other, by the name of Baxley, was travelling on
the usual pass. On The way to Old Point, she
made inquiries of Capt. Millward whether she
would be subject to an examination at Old
Point, and as she was informed that Provost
Marshal Davis, about whom she seemed anxious
to know as much as possible in advance, would
probably act according to circumstances she ap-
pearcd slightly uneasy. On arriving here she
was not submitted to rigid examination. but
allowed to proceed to Baltimore. Capt Davis
suspicion had become aroused however, and us
the boat was about to leave he particularly
charged his deputy, Sergeant Brigham, of For
tress Monroe, who constantly goes up and down
the bay, to keep a close watch on her. This
officer formed her acquaintance during the eve
ning but she did not suspect the capacity in
which he was acting. The suspicious commu-
nicated by Capt. Davis were strengthened, but
it was deemed prudent to communicate them
lug At the breakfast table Mrs. Baxley (for
she appeared to be a married woman) threw off
all disguise and avowed herself a Secessionist,
which entirely convinced Deputy Marshal Brig
ham that he was on the right track. The boat
arrived at Baltimore, and Mrs. b. went ashore
and engaged hack. Returning to the boat,
she gathered up her luggage which consisted of
a satchel and two or three parcels, and was
about to leave the boat finally, when the officer
informed her that he desired Il few moments
further conversation in his proper character as
Deputy Provost Marshal for Old Point acting
under the orders of Gen. Wool. Processing
some surprise, she accompanied him the
mems saloon of the boat, where she was in
formed that she would have to submit to have
her person examined. This piece of informa-
ton threw her off her balance, in fact COM
pletcly broke her down. She confessed and TAX
ing her bonnet from her head. disclosed the fact
that it was lined with letters, and taking off
her shoes and stockings brought out another
batch, at the same time protesting on her honor
and character that they were all that she had
in her possession. But the officer who had i'm
bbed no very elevated opinion of either, de-
clines to accept the assurance and informed her
that the examination must go on. Meanwhile
Provost Marshal McPhail, who had been sent
for arrived with female to make the, search,
which was in a state-room. We need not here
confine ourselves to minute detail farther than
to state that officer Brigham, who was at the
door, soon had his attention attracted by noise
and a scream in the state-room. Opening the
door he beheld the searcher with her hands
griped about the throat of the searched, who
was in nearly nude state and who cenched
in one of her hands paper, of which the Off
Ger Gt being no time for special modesty)
speedily took poss ssion. Mrs. Baxey was
highly indignant in fac, she was amazed, per-
fectly furious, and undertook to make an exhi-
btion of herself, Ia Varieties, in the saloon Of
the boat. The paper in question was a com
mission signed by Jefferson Davis, appointing
DIR. Septimus Brown, Of Baltimore, surgeon in
the Confederate army. This with other papers
and letters was ingeniously placed in the lining
of part of her Dress so as to increase the
funess, SO becoming in a well-proportioned
woman, though seldom suspected Of owing its
graceful lines to commissions signed by Jeffer
son Davis. The search was thorough. Letters
and papers of more or less Importance were
found in all sorts of places Mrs. Baxley now
had little left to conceal and she was perfectly
ferocious. Re-cothing herself, she was taken
in custody to the Provost Marshal's office.
Here she undertook to convey a warning TO
some one-probably Brown-by throwiag out
of the window piece Of paper which had writ
ten on it, "Flee am caught. All is lost I"
The message fell into other hands than those
for whom il was intended Doctor Brown was
shortly alter lodged in Fort McfIenry, and
proper steps taken in regard to other persons
implicated by the papers found on Mrs. Baxley,
who is retained in custody. To Officer Brigham
she confessed that but a short time ago, she left
Baltimore, made her way across Maryland to
Potomac, and thence to Richmond told her
adventures, which were marked by many stir
ring incident, with bitter lamentaton, and with
almost broken heart mourned the miscarriage
of all her undertakings.