Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-12-12
THE CASE OF WM. T. SMfTRsoS.


War Department, dju.a,t G5Merars oiF.s,l
Washington, November is, 1853.
Geaeral Orders, No. 37t.--I. BeIore general
court martial, which assembled In the city of
Washing ton, September 20, 1868, pursuan: to
W ar Department special orders Nos go, 800,
422, and i3i of 1863, was arraigned and tried
William T. Smithson. =.
CHARGE l.-"Holding correspondence with
the enemy, in violation Of the fifty seventh Ar.
tcle OF War"
Specification 1s.-"In this that the said VIM.
T. smithson did, at Washington, in the District
Of Colum hin, on or about the 18Th day OF Ds.
c,mber, 1851, under the assumed and c.itious
name Of Charles r. Cables, write to e person
in the service OF the rebel government, and sn
enemy OF ,he United States, letter in the fol-
lowing words and figures, to wit
"tDEc'R 18th. 81.
"Mr DEAR Col: wrote you last we. X;
hope You reed my letter. Ireceived your little
handed it to her. Yon had better direct ali
your letters, DC, under an envelope to Charles
r. Cables-I aean all yog intend for me; hereto
fore, they have reached me in rather q loose
way. We can learn little or nothing about the
intended movements of McClellan's army
across the river. believe the fellow is cow
ard, and will never attack you without he is
forced to do IL. would like to see YOU rnsh
do so. l think you could drive them back to
their forts with ease. and with great advantage
10 the cause you are fighting for; but you know
what is best. have an important fact for you,
and 1t is important that you look TO it promptly.
Johnson, Of Tennessee, is here, and he has q
devil in him as large as an OK. He is entering
into arrangements with the President and cab.
met 10 furnish him with large sums of money.
to be used in the employment Of men to 90 to
Tennessee and Kentucky to burn bridges and
mills and machine shops, and such like.
These devils have determined to destroy
every vestige Of property, and to take the life
of every citizen In Tennessee, rather than
not succeed with their fiendish purposes
TWO meaner and viler devils never lived than
JnhnSnn Etho-id1p
all sorts Of plans to get possession OF Tennessee
Watch these devils closely. The cabinet viii
give them any amount Of money toenable them
TO carry out their plans: ! send you pam
phlet touching up McClellan; read it, it srich:
it will give you some incite also to matters and
things as they are viewed by such men as the
author-Ellet. Shat continue to look after and
supply our frisad ia B. Eapsnses fail Aseri-
y upon me in nay present en- bo7rcssea comdis;or
Everything have, after payi.g my debts. is at the
eommana OF those yon represent II yon should
l have given our friend in B the money to
buy the books you wrote tor. My God how
/ would rejoice to gee you and your army In
this city soon; come ahead. believe you can
"Ethefidge has gone to Kentucky to employ
men to engage in bridge burning on q large
scale; Look to this matter all over the South,
IFns in rs l hy and Srsv ss e saT ss.
Lilly M. is dead; died yesterday with the
typhoid fever. o, how sorry am! what q
nice, intelligent, sweet girl she was. She was
as true ne steel The family are in deep distress,
and also in great pecuniary need wish was
able TO aid them; they ought to be cared for by
Lilly's friend, to some extent. write IN haste:
have already written you touching money
matters; let me know if my letters reach Won.
/ suppose yon receive our papers reoalarly.
Troops continue to come in, and how strange ii
is-no inducement in the world but the small
pay they receives with the officers it is different
they 90 In for plunder, ac. Whata set of rogues
they are; watch all the. time.
A. - y @a3HARLRs r. CAByEa
".lsth Just received; letter from friend in
B
sand did, at or near said Washington, at or.
about the time last aforesaid, forward, by q
vessel on the Potomac river, the said letter
above get forth, Enclosed in an envelope sd
dress in cypher, rs follows: Col. ~ cA, with
the intent that tho said letter should be deliv.
ered to q persoHzin the ssSryies OF the rebel
Igovcfameat and am snsmys OF me United
sSsciacaudn I'd. !. i In this that the said VIII.
liam T Smithsen did, at the city OF Washing,
:oS S.Sfn the District OF Columbia, ON or about
.hS 1ihsday OF Decanhers 1851, under tho as.
S srfned and fictitious name OF Charles Rsfe.
bIes. wri,e to u person In the service Of the
rebel xovsrnment, and IN enemy of the United
Stafes, q letter In the following words and Hg.,
ures, to wit; as o ass...yna.
"MY DEAR Cox: have Just reed your
letter Of the 7th ipstants glad % hear nom you:
handed the letter enclosing SEQ 10 our TREND ia
P. In your letters referring to our ntsnd.
only use the zlettsr B----s An b.. I wroEe
friend in prison; hope Yen reed II. I observe