Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-06-28
STORY OF A SPY.
General L. @. Bakers Initiation Into tho
Secret Service Of the Goyesnment.
rnRILLrNo iScrpENr

General Baker IN native Of New York,
but at tho outbreak OF the war had boon
for some years o resident Of California,
where he was prominent member Of the
Vigilance Committee In 1856. Immcdi.
atey after the attack on Fort Sumpter, he
went 10 Washington 10 offer his services
to the government. Ills experience as n
detective in California suggested tho na.
turc of his employment, aud having been
introduced TO General Scott by the Hon.
Hiram Walbridge aud tho Hon. NJ. ID.
Kelley. he was authorized by the veteran
Lieutenant General to undertake secret
expedition to Richmond. On his way
thilher, he was stopped, arrested as o spy,
forwarded to Richmond and imprisoned
in au engine houzo. On the way, howev.
er, ho had managed to learn a good deal
about the nunber aud disposition of the
troops. The following is his account Of
an interview With jeff Davis;
On tho fouftlfpr fifth. day of my con-
linement, commissioned Offices, attended
by guard, entered the apartment, aud
said the President wished to see me. |
obeyed the summons, aud after reaching
his room waited nearly two hours before /
was presented to Mr.. Davis, with the sim.
pie expression, "This is the man, sir. !"
The rooGI occupied by him in the Spots
wood House was front parlor connecting
with bed droom. The weather was warm,
and he wore simply a light linen coat,
without vest, collar, or cravat. He then
said, You have been sent here from Ma
nassas as spy; what have you to say9"
| related the circumstances Of my capture,
complaining bitterly of my treatment, to
which he listened with perfect indifTer.
ences. lie then asked substantially the
same questions Beauregard had proposed,
and which were answered as nearly as pos.
sible in the words used during the inter-
view with him. was taken back to the
engine loft.
At the next interview, the ii traitor
determined to make thorough nd satis-
factory examination Of bis pris6f er.
'He began: 'What is your name, sir?'
Samuel Munson.'
where were you born?'
I'm Knoxville, Tennessee
what is your business here?'
The settlement Of certain land claims
in California for man whose agent am.
WHO is the man?'
The Rev. Mr.. S., of Barnwcll
Court House; now, | believe, a Chaplain
in the army.'
Having brought with mo from the Pa.
cidc Coast land claims in behalf Of min :
lister. who returned to Barnwel Court
House, his former place Of residence, aud
whose name as Chaplain was on the army
roll, my statement had certainly an air OF
plausibiity.
How long have you resided North2
Il have been in California eight years.
'Whon did you leave California;
On the first day Of January, 1861
'Thon followed several questions as to
the number Of troops ia Washington and
the strength Of the fortiiications around
the city. Davis then continued:
DO you consider yourself Southern
man7'
Yes, sir; Do
DO you sympathizc with the Southern
peopleg
Il do
Are you willing TO fight with thcm7'
Yes. SIR
Will you enlist?'
No, Sir
why notl'
Because am here on busines which l
ought first to accomplish
The guard was summoned TO "a ke Mr..
Munson' to his prison again. Before
leaving, | stepped forward to table on
which stood pitcher Of ice water, aud,
turning to the rebel chief, said:
viii you allow me to take drink of
ice wat.r--I get none where aRY
Certainly he replied.
Three additional days of M ptonous
life in my loft were passed, wi [ was
summoned once more into the euce of
Davis. lie sat by his table VIZ z, with
his back toward the door, while arly op-
posite, reclining upon lounge, asleep,
and looking much like man who had i'm
bibed strong drink too freely, was Robert
Toombs. He reused himself as | entered,