Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-04-16
Remarkable Performance of a Mis-
souri, Sergeant.

admires ?-Bostoa Post.
Remarkable Performance of Mis-
souri, Sergeant.
Sergeant C. W. Redman, of Company
ii Third Missouri Volunteers, has been
guilty of an outrage in st. Louis, which
shows him to be one of the most impudent
Williams on record. On Saturday morning
he went to Benton Barracks, No. 60, and
informed a Wisconsin Captain named
SouthwOrth, that Gen. Halleck had sent
him for a detail of eight men to be imme-
diately placed in his command, for the
execution of business of great moment
He gave his name as Reed, but presented
no written document to the Captain, who
very thoughtlessly complied with his de
mand.
Sergeant ''Reed'' and squad moved with
military dignity down Grand avenue,
Morgan street and Broadway, to the bank
ing house of G. 5. Hammer & Co., No.
33l, on the east side of Broadway, between
Cherry and Wash streets. The officer
placed several of his men at the door to
prevent the intrusion of outsiders, and
entered with the others. Only Mr.. Ham,
mer was in the store, and he was engaged
in counting some fifteen thousand dollars
which he had in piles around him behind
the counter. "Reed" promptly told the
banker that he had General Halleck's or
der for his immediate arrest. Mr.. IT.
asked for what? but '-Reed" replied that
he did not know, he had simply to take
him in custody, and no doubt wrong
would not be done him. Mr.. II. said he
would place the money in the safe and 60
at once, but the officer told him he must
leave the money as it was. Mr.. III. hasti-
ly seized bag containing 81 900 in gold,
and also snatched pile of bills, hurried
ly threw them into a small vault in the
interior of his large safe, and shut the
door. This locked the door of the vault
He then attempted to close the remaining
doors of the safe, but bayonet was inser-
ted between them, and he was collared.
He at once resigned the key, and was then
allowed to shut and fasten the DOORS
Reed gave him in charge of his men, and
bid them take him to Broadway Garden,
to be guarded by the soldiers there until
further orders. The party proceeded up
Broadway in a car, and Reed with a single
sentinel at the door, attempted to unlock
the safe. In this he failed, but indignant
ly dispatched messenger TO Broadway
Garden with am order that the prisoner
should be brought back again.
At the Garden, Hammer was received
by the commanding officer without a sus-
piston that he was not properly in military
custody, and in the full belief that his
commitment was fully authorized. The
Fequisition for his return was obeyed with
alaerity In half an hour after his arrival
he left the Garden, again guarded by the
six soldiers, and was taken in a street car
down Broadway In the store he was
compelled to take the key and unlock the
safe. In his eagerness, the robber Sergeant
failed to notice the interior vault, and
hence it remained closed. "Reed" next
ordered the seven men to escort the cap
tive back again and saw them safely off.
Leaving the door locked and the senti-
mel standing outside, he proceeded to the
restaurant, No. 347 Broadway, and soon
afterward returned in eif:-en's clothes. He
then entered, and dismissed the sentinel
who of course, odeyed orders and moved
off. 4 party of curious gazers on the
sidewalk, could look directly througRthe
windows into the store and observe all the
Sergeant's movements. He took several
piles of bills from the safe and the rear of
the counter, and large quantity of gold
and silver. A bankers tray stacked with
half dollars, he covered with some sheets
of paper, and leisurely placed under his
arm. Laden with his booty he passed to
the door, locked it in sight of the crowd,
and walked off with the dignity and speed
of smart man of business engaged in an
every day transaction
OF course the spectators were impressed
with the idea that Messrs. Hammer &
Co., had been violating some law and
were being summarily dealt with in con-
sequence.
The amount taken was S2,2S9 10, in
United States Treasury notes, Illinois cur
rency, and gold and silver.
Mr.. Hammers partner, who was absent,
on hearing of his arrest, made inquiries
of the military officials, and soon found
that there was mistake somewhere. An
investigation took place, and Redman's
performances came to light. A search
was Immediately instituted for him, and
he was finally arrested on Friday morning
just as he was getting on board the Alton
& Chicago cars. Redman acknowledged
that he took the money, but insisted that
he acted under the orders of a superior
officer, whose name, however, he declined
to give The DemOcrat, from which We
condense the above particulars, says that
it is believed that Redman was not alone
in concocting the ingenious plan he so
well executed. The Wisconsin captain
has been arrested for sending a detail ef
men upon verbal order. Redman has
been in st. Louis only few days. having
some of the Pea Ridge pris-
oners thither. 1t is said that before arrest |
ing Mr. Hammer, he had perpetrated
similar outrages, on u smaller scale, on
several residents of the city.
He has earned place in the penitenti-
airy and position among the first cracks
men of the age"