The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-05-22

Chief of the Bureau Of National Detective
Police during the Rebellion, has published a
volume presenting a record of the operations
them known to the public" 71Tt
General Baker is native of New York, but
at the outbreak of the war had been for some
years resident of California, where he was
a prominent member of the Vigilance Com
mittee in 1856 Immediately after the attack
on Fort Sumter he went to Washington to
offer his services to the Government. His ex-
perience as adjective in California suggested
the nature of his employment, and having
been introduced to General Scott by the Hon.
Hiram Walbridge and the Hon. w. ID. Kelley,
he was authorized by the veteran Lieutenant
General to undertake a secret expedition to
Richmond. 1t was essential to the sue
cess of the enterprise that his char
acter 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. He failed
twice, but was more fortunate the third time,
when he crossed the Potomac near Dumfries,
and after making his escape from two Con-
federate soldiers who had arrested him as a
spy, pushed ON afoot towards Manassas juno
ton. He was again stopped by the Rebels and
sent to Brentsville, and after having been exa-
mined by Bonham and Beauregard, was for
warded to Richmond and imprisoned in an
engine-honse. On the way, however, he had
managed to learn good deal about the
number and disposition of the troops.
General Baker proceeds to tell a very in
teresting story about an interview he had with
Jefferson Davis during the war. As Mr.. Davis
| is now in New York, and may see this nara
| tive, we hope he may tell us how much truth
there is in it. The tale is neatly told, how
ever, and will bear perusal.
Three additional days of monotonous life in
| Uar uhnpV Uod cnD1 INN mod
into the presence OF Davis. He sat by
his table writing, with his back towards the
door, while nearly opposite, reclining upon a
man who had imbibed strong drink too freely,
was Robert Toombs. He reused himself as
entered, to listen to my examination by the
| me, and said:-
"Have you any other way of proving that
your name is Munson, excepting the letters
81 am not acquainted here, Sir, and do not
know any One."
Davis resumed his writing for few moments,
do you know how far they are running the
cars on the Alexandria and Orange Railroad %
81 don't know. l have not been on that
side.n
do you know whether they are running
the cars on the Leesburg roads ~
81 do not.n
How many Yankee troops do you think
there are in the vicinity of Washington ~
Il have heard that there are one hundred
and twenty thousand, but have no means of
knowing whether it is true"
81 suppose you know who commands them 9i
~ believe General Mcdowell doesn
"1ou say you are originally from Knoxville.
Can you give me the name of any persons whom
you know there ~
''It has been good many years since lived
in Knoxville, but remember some persons who
were there when LETT"
gave the names OF several men whom knew
resided in that city.
"WOuld they know YOU ?r
II think so, though residence of eight years
IN California has no doubt changed me very
make them remember me.n
had taken the name of MunsOn because
nad learned that several families of that name
belonged In Knoxville, and the son of Judge
Munson had been in California, whom could
represent.
Davis rang bell, messenger appeared, and,
taking name, left the room. I suspected at
once his GRAND. He was despatched for some
body nom Knoxville, to identify me, If my
story were true. The crisis In my affairs had
eome concluded the game was up, and my
an xiety, and my thoughts were intensely active
with the possibilities OF escape from the snare
IN which seemed to be caught. Davis con-
tlnued writing, and Toombs closed his eyes.
The messenger left the door ajar, ana, unob-
served, drew my chair nearly In mont OF II, 20
gain view of the outer hall. In IT, on small
table, were blank cards on which those VINO
called to see the Confederate PRESIDENT wrote
theiI names, and sent them by an orderly, Pc
fore they we're admitted to an audience with
him. eat ou o,,.o.oa
Soon the messenger with stranger entered
the hall, The latter wrote hls name, ana
handed IL to the orderly, VINO came IA Where
was sitting / raised my hand 10 take the
card and he stopped to give 1t to me, when l
olanced at the name, ana made motion to
sln a laid On Davis table. The Rebel Execu.
i've Aid not observe this, and Toombs was ap-
SnarentIv asleep. The orderly put the card
before 6Im, was directed to admit the visitor,
and retired. The Knoxville nan came In. and
turning towards him with a look of sudden
recognition, rose, grasped his hand, and ex-
claimed;-
"Why, now do you do, Brock ~
ToOmos raised himself up, and nodded to
Davis, who said:--
"Be seated sir. Do yoH know this manYn
Brock was taken 10y SURPRISE, but not to ap-
pear ignorant before the President, replied;-
Yes, know him, but can't call his name
now.n
my name is Munson, of Knoxville. Don't
you remember Judge MunsOn's son who went n
Californian
''Whati Sam MuneonW
'That's my name.n
ooh, yes,S said Brock, turning TO Davis, ''now
remember him. Yes, know him very we'll. -
DO you know his people thereW asked
Davis.
~ know his father, Judge Munson, very wei >
TOOmbs stood up and said, "That will do, 81,
that will dO;" and Brock walked out Of the
J TOOnbs then drew chair close to Davis, and