The New York herald., 1865-06-13
r II e II r I A L.
Report ofthe Rebel Ageh> "P'oyeo
In Blowing Up the 0rdeA nee
Boat at City Point,


Several witnesses examined for the defence, bui
nothing Of importance was elected.
EXAMINATION OF ASSISTANT ADJUTANr GENERAL
Y. ID. TOWNSEND.
BY Judge Advocate HoIt--Q State whether you arc
qaainted with j. Rains brgadier general in the rebel
military service. A. very we'll acquainted with G..
j. Rains, who 1881 resigned his commission Of Lieu
tenant Colonel Of tho Fifth regular United States in
fantry.
@ We're you acquainted with his handwriting A.
Yes sir.
O. Look "a that endorsement, and state whether yon
believe to be in his handwriting exhibiting psper TO
witness A. To tho bcss OF my knowledge and belief
niG
The paper referred owas given in evidence without
objection It dated December TO- 1884 end addressed
10 Captain e. Mcdaniel, commanding Torpedo Company,
snd signed John MAXWELL II forth in substance that
IN obedience the order Of the person To- whom 1t 10
addrcssed and with tho means and equipment furnished
BY him, the writer left Richmond on the 26sh Of July,
1854 for the limo OF the James river operate with
the neurological torpedo against the enemys vessels
navigating that river The writer was accom-.
engaged for the expedition After sundry adventures
these two men reached City Point before daybresk
his operations as NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. nv compsn,on
to remain behind about half mile, cautiously ap-
proached The wharf, with my machine and powder GOV
cred by small box. Finding the captain bad
como ashore from barge then ct the wharf,
| seized the occasion 70 hurry forward with
sentines succeeded passing him by representing
the captain had ordered to convey the box
board HaIlng man from the barge put the machine
in motion and gave IL in his charge he carried aboard
The magazine contained about twelve pounds Of powder
Rejonng companion retired to safe distance to
explosion occurred. Its effect was communicated to
another barge beyond the operated upon, and
ensmys eSS ose % ~hch was ,osy sAS dsasoyed f
The scene was terrific and the effect
deafcned companion to an extent from which he has
not recovered. My own person was severely shocked,
but am thankful to Providence that we have both
escaped without lasting injury We obtained and refer
you the enclosed slip from the enemy's newspapers
which afford their testimony of the terrible effects OF the
blow"The enemy estimated the loss Of life at eight
killed and hundred and twenty six wounded but
have reason to believe 1t greatly exceeded that Tho
pecnniary damage we heard estimated at four millions Of
dollars; but of course we can give you no
ture Of the vessel Jane Duheld by party of which
Acting Master w. H. Hinds Of the Confederate States
CURED on the 18th Of September last In Warwick river
The party further states that he finally compelled to
abandon these operations in consequence Of the vgant
watch kept upon him and his cOadutors by forces The
endorsements the letter by Mcdaniel Captain
ofConedcatc States Army secret service and Rains,
Brgadicr General superint OF the latter
being to the effect that r. K Dlard and John Maxwell
sent by e. Mcdaniel into the enemy Shines by the
authority OF the writer for some such purpose and that
when the tremendous explosion occurred at City Point,
on August the supposon strong that II was done
through this agency. further endorsement was as
follows
Certified copy forwarded War Department, June 1855
j. KELLOGG Assistant Adjutant General.
Assistant Judge Advocate BINGHAM, by permission Of
mails OF the Senate and House OF Representatives OF the
Congress Of the United States showing that Abraham
Lincoln and Hannibal Hamln elected President and
Vice President Of the United States for four years from
the 4th day Of March, 1851, aud that Abraham Lincoln
and Andrew johnson were elected President and Vice
President Of the United States for four from March
4, 1866
Assistant Adjutant General E. D. Townsend, being re
called testified that from and after the 4th day OF March,
1881 until the 10Th day OF April 1865 when he died,
Abraham lincoln acted as President Of the United statos
that for four years preceding tho 9Th Of March, 1885,
SVts from the 4th day OF March, 1885, until
the 18th Of April, Same yearthe day Of the death Of
Abraham Lncoln-Andrew johnson acted Vice Presi-
Mr. Darster stated that no had received note from
pi.ai Informing him Of the death Of tho vito Of DR.
Nichols and asked that Dr. Hall be substituted for that
gentleman az person TO examine into the Ques
lion 0f the alleged insanity Of the prisoner Payne
The proposed substitution was accordingly made.
The President Of the Commission gave notice that the
report Of Dr. Hall would be expected tomorrow morn
INFLAMMATION OF RICHARD MONTGOMERY BY
ASSISTANT JUDGE ADVOCATE BURNETT.
O. Examine that paper and state when and from whom
you received IT, A. received that letter from Clement
G Clay, J the evening of the 1s I'd OF November
1854.
O State whether you saw Mr.. Clay write any portion
OF that paper A. Yes sir, very considerable portion
oft.
"
sir; he rote that letter in the house in which he
residing, Clark street Il think that is the name at s.
Caiharincs, Canada West.
To whom did YOU deliver the papersr A. To Hon. q.
A. Dana Assistant Seer ;tary of War.
Q (Exhibiting to witness second paper) State
whether that is copy Of the letter which made by
you for convenience in reading A. II Isl that Is
acorrcct copy.
ven any instruction with reference IN giving information
as to what would be inscrtedf A. Yes, sir; In
sructed to deliver that lete- 70 Mr. Benjamin. Secretary
t,cr ea IA
was informed OF the namest TO put in the blanks; there
are several blanks.
O. What WAS the reason for emitting the signature Of
this letter. A. That for safety principally and
tbst II might not be used az evidence against the
writer; both reasons were given To me by Mr. Clay
Y. Do you know at what time Clement c. Clay left
Canada? A. About the LIST OF January, think.
The letter then read bearing date st. Catharncs
G. w., Nov l, 1894. and addressed TO Hon r. Benja
min, Secretary Of State, Richmond, Va 1t gives quite
detailed account Of the circumstances connected with
the 81 AIbsns rad-the writer stating that Lieutenant
Bennett H. Young, who led the raiders, was well known
10 him one whose heart was with the South IN her
struggle and that in his attempt to burn the town OF
ing TO tho writer's instructions, and urging the
Confederate government 10 assume the responsibility in
the premises The letter also speaks OF Cp'an Charles
H. Cole escaped prisoner OF the rebel Forests COM
mand, who captured on board the steamer Michigan
Lake Erie while engaged In an attempt 10 capture
shat vosssl and liberate rebel preoners on John
sens Island. The writer protests against Cole
being treated s,s spy and ESss various ",.dssr es
IAN that large portion Of tho Northern people esps
cally in the Northwest want In order TO resist the op
presons Of dcspotism st Washington il leader They
ripe for resistance and may after the
Presidential election Tho letter was signed the
given being tina, signature was necessary, ~
the messenger presenting IT, and the person 10 whom IL
was addressed could identify the authors.
Messs Jacob Schaver and Willis Hamilton, citizens Of
Troy Now York, being called for the prosecution, tcst
fed that they had been intimately acquainted with Fran
cs Norton, witness In this for the prosecution,
for number OF years; that In the city Of Troy, New
York. where he resides his reputation for veracty and
integrity Ia very good; that they would believe him
oath otherwise that they knew him TO be lawyer in
good practice, and that attempt which was made 10
impeaoh his character proved unsuccessful
ExAHIEArI0R or HoRArIo KING.
BY Judge Advocate HoLr--l live in Washington city
have held the position Of Assistant Postmaster General
and Postmaster General Of the United States; made
acquaintance, while here Of Marcus r. Norton lawyer,
Of Troy, New York; have known him quite Intimately
for eight or ten years; have always regarded him ~
being scrupuously honest and correct from my know
ledge Of his character ! would unheeitatngy believe
| him under oath.
BY Mr. DosTnR-Have never lived In Troy; do not
know what Mr. Nortons reputation In that ciy e have
had some connection with him In reference TO patent
heard any one In Washington speak otherwise than
m ho.. In