Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-11-21
kirby, the Alleged spy, azd a Brief EEis-
tory OF zAina,

Et'ihl tAt AANuuiUuA E4Adlilnef
For several days past the proper military su.
thonties have been engaged in Investigating the
case of j. T. Kirby, the Canadian I EuglisEman
arrested in this city on the charge of being spy
in Yankee employ. Much has been developed
which Of course It would be indiscfeet to make
public Just now, but brief chapter Of his pre-
vious movements and origin will prove interest
ing. Kirby, it appears, in 1861, held the office
OF sheriff in some part of Canada, but in coHsa-
quence Of some ENHANCEMENT Of his accounts,
which he could not make straight, he was obliged
to leave Canada, which he did, sud havinga pre-
ference for the 'best government the world over
saw" crossed the Niagara into the United
States He made his appearance early last
winter in Baltimore, where his fine personal ad-
dress and earnest Southern expressions gave him
the entTec of fashionable Southern society, and
ensured his Introduction to the very exclusive
clubs and coteries of the Southern gentlemen Of
Mount Vernon Place. His frequent visits to
Washington during his stay in Baltimore, and
his known intimacy there with various Lincoln
officials, first created suspicion in Baltimore Sc
cession circles as to his true principles, and he
was finally "cut' entirely by those who had at
first received him.
About December last he disappeared from
Baltimore. and turned up at Manassas, at the
headquarters of General Bssuregsrd, with whom
no dIned frequently, and with whose commits
ssry and quarteTmaster he was au fait. He had
with him letters from prominent citizens of
B1!timore and made himself intimate with the
officers and members Of the Ist Maryland regi-
ment, snd departing to return 20 Bsltimore by
the "blocksde route" was entrusted with
numerous letters from the regiment to friends ia
that city From that time Kirby disappeared
for a season. He turned up at Winchester,
while IN the occupancy Of Gen Lees army, aud
had the run Of the town and the camps, and a
seat at the officers mess and card tables when he
desired it. lie talked terribly secesh," and
went about booted up to his thighs, and a pair
of 4" gEffs " upon his heels hatclankad applause
behind him. Then, recently, when the opposing
armies commenced their movements Kirby axe
cuted another movement, and appeared in Rich
mond, whittier his eetat lad preceded him, and q
troop of sycophantic officials attended his morn
ing, noon, and night ieUees. By pretending that
his ostensibls business 10 Richmond was the
introduction to the notice of the government 3
machine for preparing soldiers rations which
he knew from It's impracticabtY would be re-
jected, hs succeeded in inEratiaiiug himself into
the nstce and confidence of the head officers Of
the government visited the defenses of the city,
sud other points Of interest. But it would seem
that the Lynx-eye of the detective had been fol-
loving Kirby in his various walks, aud whether
from an innate sense of insecurity, or some hint
dropped IN his presence, his time was up and ne
made MP mis- naind to Teturn to the North. Accord
| ingly on Saturday morning he applied TO Gen.
Winder, at his office, for permission to obtain a
passport to leave the Confederate lines. lie
seated himself at the request Of the general, who
| being busy, said he would attend to his case in
| a few moments 10 the interval an officer was
dispatched to Kirby's room in a hotel, and s9or
| returned with his cerpetsack and portfolio, coa
tanning, among other papers, diary Of obseTva
tions, dated in McCollans camp on the PENN
| suls, beginning at Yorktown, where be detailed
the raising of the " glorious stars snd stripes,
snd rejoiced over the fact that he was among
| the first to hail it.
The author Was Immediately placed unde
! arrest where he yet remains awaiting the result
of the investigation row progressing
From persons acquainted with the movement
Of the prisoner during the intervals of bis dis
| appearances from Southern view, it would seem
that he is either very indiscreet man, or spy
| of the first water; apt, plausible and PROPOSES
/ sing, the fright man in the right place