New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-05-21
HISTORY OF THE SECRET SERVICE.
GEN Lc BAKER,s NARRATIVE.

SURRATT--THE BURIAL OF BoOrH-MRs. COBB
AND THE PRESIDENT
Cen Lafayette C. Baker, the well- aDown Chief of
the Bureau of National Detective Police during the
Rebellion, has published portiy volume presenting
record of the operations of his force, so far as it
is proper 10 make them known 80 the public" We
surrender large part of our space this morning TO
copious extracts from his narrative.
Gen Baker is q native Of NewYork, but at the out
break of the war had been for some years resident
of California, where he was prominent member oil
the Vigilance Committee in 1866 Immediately after
the attack on Fort Sumter he went TO Washington
| to offer his services to the Government His eXpe-
rieuce as a detective in California suggested the
nature of his employment, and having been intro
duced to Gen. Scott by the Hon. Hiram Walbridge
and the Hon. VI. d. Kelley he was authorized by the
veteran Lieutenant-G General 70 undertake a secret
expedition TO Richmond. IL was essential to the
success of the enterprise that his character should be
concealed not only from the enemy but from our own
| troops and the passing OF the Union lines was not
the least difficult part OF his task. lie failed twice
| but was more fortunate the third time, when he
crossed the Potomac Dumfries, and after
making his escape from two Confederate soldiers
who had arrested him as spy, pushed on aioot to-
ward Manassas Junction. He was again stopped by
the Rebels and sent to Brensyille and after having
been examined by Bonham and Beauregard, was for
warled TO Richmond and imprisoned in an engine
| house. On the way, however. he had managed to
learn n good deal about the number and disposition
of the troops The following is his account OF an IN
| teryiew with Jefferson Davis:
| On the fourth fifth day Of my confinement, com
mssOned officer attended by guard, entered the apart
ment and said the President wished to see me- oDeyed
the sumuos and after reaching his room waited nearly
two hours before was presented TO MI Davis win the
pied by him III the Spottswood House was front paror
! connecting with q bedroom. The weather was wa1l'
lar or cravat lie then said Yon have been sent here
from Manassas u spy; what have yOu 10 say re-
lated the circumstances OF my capture complaining plt
tery OF my treatment which he listened with perfect
Indifference then asked substantially the same ques-
swered as nearly possible In the words used during the
interview with him. taken back 10 the engne0tt,
and 40 expiration VI three days once more es
cOrted to the Executive apartment. The Confederate
President out engaged in the inspection OF troops
who had lust arrived from the South ana returned To
my quarters without interview At the expiration of
week. ordered for the third time into the pres
many troops do you suppose there are IN Wash
answered. Ihaye no means of knowing; probably
1000 or 100000 with more daily alrlylng;
"who commands the Yankee troops =
| suppose, General Scott"
| where are his headquarters -
Then he is not with the troopsl"
| mo; General Mcdowell is IN immediate command
| was then marched back to my prison chamber;
Al the next interview, the arbitrator deternhed 10
make a thorough and satisfactory examination OF his
lie began what is your name Sir 4"
| samuel Munson,"
where were You born!'
| "In Knoxville. Tenn
| "What is your business herei"
The settlement Of certain land claims in California for
a man whose agent am.
The Rev Mr. s. OF Bamwell Courthouse; now,
! | believe, Chaplain in the army
| Having brought with from the Pacific Coast land
claims behalf of minister, who returned to BarnWel
name as Chaplain ON the Army Roll, my statement
| had certainly an air Of pausihiIity,
I IIov Ioup have IN rpsin
when did you leave California;"
ON the first day Of January, lsCl.'
| Were You III Washington =
Did you come directly here from Washington
Were there many troops in washingioni'
Yes, Sir, q great many
1T impossible to say, as they were constantly arry.
Where were they conceuratngi"
"In Virginia opposite Washington
Throwing up fortiheatons, are theyi'
"Nes, Sir; believe So
Are they terrifying Arlington Hights!'
aoF in the vicinity of Long Bridget"
Are they terrifying about Alexandria :"
Il cannot say, have not been there"
can You tell ne he names OF any OF the regiments
mentioned the names Of a few of which he could not
have failed to know something through the press and r
lie continued where is General scottl"
81 do not know lie Is said 10 he in Washington"
do You consider yourself Southern mani
do YOU sympathlze with the Southern peopel'
Are you willing to fight with them!"
viii You cnlistl"
No. Sir"
why mott"
because am here business which ought first to
The guard was summoned to take Mr. Munson TO his
prison again. Before leaving. stepped forward to
table which stood pitcher of ice-water and, turning
"Wi Won allow me TO take a drink Of ce-waterl get
none where am. III,
/ was soon in my upper room rejecting upon the din
cucs in my way, and the probability that they would
yet thw1T my plans ana leave me uhuls8useu ~ INC
mercy of eNaSpemted enemies. 49,
Three additional days OF monotonous life in my loft
were passed when was summoned once more into the
presence of Davis. He sat by his table writing with his
back toward the door, while nearly opposite reclining
upop lounge half asleep and looking much like man
who had imbibed strong drink too freely, was Robert
Toombs He reused himself as entered, to listen to my
examination by the President who, laying down his pen,
Have YOU any other way of proving that your name
IL Mson excepting the letters found in your pocketr
~ am not acquainted here, Sir and do not know any
Davis resumed his writing for few moments, then
said: -. ,,o.. ,.n .,o,. ara ,,nr,n, ,bo cors ON
the Alexandria and Orange Railroadw
u don't know have not been on that side -,
DO You know whether they are running the ears on
the Leesbnrg Roadf
do not
the vicinity OF Washington"
heard that there are one hundred and twenty
thousand but have no means OF knowing whether III Is
true" - 49,, = H., o.ou,,oo,ds ,,.u,,
believe General Mcdowell does.
You say YOU are originally from Knoxville. Can yon
give me the name Of any persons whom you know there T.
=" II has been good many years since lived In Knox
ye but remember some persons VINO were tnere "hen
left" -, Ia,
gave the names OF several mon whom knew resided
in that city.
Would they know yOuF'
Il think So though residence OF eight years IN Cali
fornia has doubt changed me very much II lsnouid
SEQ them think could make them remember me- . |
had taken the name Of Munson, because had learned
that several families Of that name belonged IN KNOXVILLE
and the Judge Munson had been IN California
whom could represent. .,,
name left the room suspected AZ once his Grand He
was somebody from Knoxville to identity