The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-09-23
Richardson the Spy.

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this city sends US the following particu-
lars of the operations of Richardson the
Rebel spy, who was captured and hung
some time since in Frederick City, Md.
We give the story in the officers Ian
guage:-
! knew this Richardson from the very
beginning of the war When We were
first ordered on 10 Baltimore he came in
to camp just as he has dune ever since,
singing songs and selling them. He was
mau about fifty years of age, with a
light colored beard. verr intellectual
looking, and with a soft, pleasant voice
in speaking He was known in every
camp in the Army of the Potomac, aud
having an excellent voice, he used to de-
light the soldiers with his songs.
On Sundays he distributed trrcts, and
| recollect one day talking TO him about
them. lie was an excellent draughts-
man, and got up an engraving Of our fort
on Federal Hill, of which have some
copies. He was in and out of all the
caups constantly. aud was rather fond Of
asking questions. The reason he gave
fol this was that he was getting up his
tory of the war
He was arrested while we were at
Frederick City. His questions appeared
to be rather too systematic and pn!nted
He wss arrested on this account ~ diff
terent parties, bat gave snch 'auslbIe
excuses TO the frst two that :hey lei him
20. Gen Siocam was ia COMMAND al
/ Frederick City. and s. stroug WAS the
suspicion excited against him, both by
his questions on this occasion and BY the
circumstances reported by many soldiers
who had Tor SOS e tin.e suspected hlm
and had previously called lie attention
of their officers to hil., that II was de
termiued to Try TO force some confession
out Of him.
He was put upon hose with bis arms
piniOned behind hlu and rope around
Ills beck. The horse was led under a
tree, and the eud Of the rope thrown over
a branch. The rope was pulled tight
aud the horse driven from under hun.
he was allowed to hang thirty seconds
aud then let down. When brought to-
he refused to answer any questions. He
was hung up again, and when revived Z
second time. he answered some questions
asked. The third time hanging brought
cut a full confession. lie had in his
breast pocket a small brandy flask. He
told his captors to unscrew the metal
bottom Of this. On doing so they found
considerable hollow. IN this hollow
aud in par. Of the lining of his boots they
found plans Of all our works, very care.
fully and beautifully executed, also the
exact position and nun bers of each regi-
uent, and even the particular companies
detailed for picket and other service
! Ten thousand five hundred dollars in
'greeubacIs" were found upon him, be,
sides quartity of Confederate money,
This was all handed oGer TO the FIVE men
who arrested him.
He also told them that they would
end in a certain place mulatto. who was
his nephew, Che himself was white man
HIS other accomplice was his son. lie
told them that this negro could guide
them to a place where they ccu:d capture
some TWO thousand of Stuart's meu.-
Richardson wa, it seems, IL constant
communicarion with Stewart, AID he con.
| fessed thai he had been furnishing the
Rebels informatiou ali through the var.
Men were sent after the mulatto He
was found, placed securely on a horse,
and rope put around his neck, to Sug-
gest to him the Consequences of playing
false. The expedition was So far success
full as to capture some of Stewar!'s men.
The negro was retained by Gen. S,ocum,
and is considered by him most valuable
servant. We are told that the sou would
hang as soon as he was tried. Richard
son himself was hung The body re-
mained hanging for five days, when it
was cut down and buried.-Ere Post