Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-12-12
To tAs Editor of The CHICAGO Times:

On Wednesday morning. October 22d, 1862
while engaged IN my employment as an orna-
mental Iapanner. in the shop of Mr. John Dun
lap. dealer in tin plate. sheet-iron brass copper
&c, and manufacturer OF japanred tin ware &c,
southwest corner of Market and Second streets
Pittsburg. Pa, was called upon by gentleman
who said he was a B,timorean: and having
learned that my wife was from the same city. and
myself somewhat acquainted there, he took the
liberty To call upon me for the purpose of spend
ing hall or three quarters OF an hour ina friendly
chat. | expressed the pleasure It would afford
me. As the subject OF the war was as il now is
the chief theme OF conversation, ours very natu
rally 'urnel upon il. and very soon glided into
matters connected with the Mexican war By
some apparently casual remark was lei 10 speak
OF service rendered by myself in that war aud OF
m. having there made the acquaintance OF Mr.
Davis, now President of the Confederate States
Nv visitor very made himself aware of the
fact that, while politically | was opposed to Mr.
Davis. personally was friendly lie then stated
THAI he had been recently i'm Richmond and had
seen md conversei with Mr. Davis who mentioned
b him: ami he desired TO know il he might talk
co..ndentIsliy with me rs messenger from Mr.
DAVIS. ! replied that would depend upon the nt-
ture OF the communications he had 10 make If
he desired TO enlist me in the service OF the
Confederate States, in any capacity, he had bet
ter not say anything; but. it such wis not his
DISTINCTLY
stated that he had no written communication TO
me from Mr. Davis-he not ,leemins il prudent
to be tie bearer of such thing: bat that Mr.
Davis greatly desired should 60 TO him ut Rich
mond Immediately. At such request | was
surprised and amazed. inquire what for! Nv
visitor asserted lac did not know, and persisted in
the assertion asked him who he was when he
gave his name Horace y Wilson formerly
connected with the detective police in Baltimore
hrf Of Rsft 81.
feared, on hearing this announcement, that some
trap was being laid for me. some trick about
10 be played, which might place me IN an equivo-
cal or embarrassing position. But soon became
treasured, "a the consciousness was aroused ith-
IN me OF having never, bs wotd or act, occupiel
for moment false or disloyal position toward
the Federal Government, or OF haviu. performed
any act ahich the Confederate Government
might have deemed Of sufficient importance to
revenge vas unprepared for an answer then.
and 80 told Dir Wilson. | told him he might
call again ia the afternoon. ana that he might
RELY upon my secrecy He went away. and ON
his returning. about the middle cf the afternoon
questioned him closely as u his knowledge of
Mr. Davis object ia sending such a strange 70
quest. compliance with which would be attended
With much peril. All knowledge of theotjcct
be denied a. before: but secuted the idea Of rer1
" by that meant risk Of personal safety
told him u WIS that; When be undertook 20 con.
vince me heel have no fears he :hen init
mattel hat i ~ -ht DE productive uf COOL te The
whole country. though in what way he proiessed
not 10 know: and finally wound up by saving
that. II hesitated through fear. he thought Mr.
DAVIS WAS mistaken in the estimate be pat UPON
my promptitusle ana bravery. lie said Nj DAVIS
had spoken 90 him of the deliberate cooiuess and
dauniless courage which ! manifested in Mexico
These complimentary remarks. srtfaily thrown
IN Just - ~ss feeling the sting OF the former
ones. decided my mind resolved 90 accom-
psny him and the risk On the ensuing
morning started with him for Richmond. by
way Of Wheeling. Stanton. and charlottesville
We arrived in Richmond on Sunday morning the
9th; aud, after putting myself IL ouser. and
eating breakfast ! was conducted 10 Mr. Davis
pre-enre.
II my ierlnps. Re proper that should here
say something 10 my previous acquaintance
stfis n DAVIS As before intimate ted. j was in
military 81, ice IN Mexico was connected Wah
c plain shoVef'- Bitterly. Third ARTILLERY Al
the battle 81 BaeGa Vista, Mr. Davis Colonel
oI the Mississippi Rihemen- Two DAYS previous