The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-06-07
THE STORY OF A SPY.

Gen. L. C. Bakers Initiation into the
Secret Service Of the Government
Thrilling Incidents.
Gen. Baker is a native of New York,
but at the outbreak of the war had been
for some years a resident of California.
where he was prominent member Of the
Vigilance Committeesn s5s. Immediate,
y. after the attack "a Fort SUMTER he
the Government II Experience as de-
tective in California Suggesting the nature
of his employment, and having been in
troduced to Gen Scott by the Hon. Hiram
Walbridge and the Hon. M. d. Kelley, he
was authorized by the veteran Lieutenant
General to undertake secret expedition
to Richmond On his way thither he was
stopped, arrested as a spy, forwarded to
Richmond and imprisoned in an engine
house. On the way, however, he had man
aged to learn a good deal about the num-
Der and disposition of the troops. The
following is his account of an interview with
Jefferson Davis:
''On the fourth or fifth day of my con-
fnement, a commissioned officer, attended
by guard, entered the room and said the
President wished to see me. | obeyed the
summons, and after reaching his room
waited nearly two hours before l was pre-
sented to Mr.. Davis with the simple express
sion, This is the man, sir. The room oc
cupied by him in the Spottswood House
was a front parlor connecting with bed
room. The weather was warm, and he
wore simply light linen coat, without
vest, collar, or cravat. He then said, You
have been sent here from Manassas as
spy; what have you to say p Irelatei the
circumstances of my capture, complaining
bitterly of my treatment, to which he lis
tened with perfect Indifference. He then
asked substantially the same questions
Beauregard had proposed, and which were
answered as nearly as possible in the words
used during the interview with him. was
taken back to the engine loft.
At the next interview, the arch traitor
determined to make thorough and salts
factory examination of the prisoner.
He began, What is your name Sir?'
Samuel Munson.
wv here were you born !?
TN Knoxville, Tenn
What is your business here 2
The settlement of certain land claims in
California, for a man whose agent [ am.
who is the man2'
The Rev. Mr. s., of Barnwell Court
House; now l believe, a Chaplain i'll the
army
Having brought with me from the Pa
cifc coast land claims in behalf of minis
ter, who returned to Barnwel Court House,
his former place of residence, and whose
name as Chaplain was on the army roll, my
statement had certainly an air of plausi-
bility.
flow long have you resided North?
Il have been in California eight years.
when did you leave California ?
'On the first day of January, 1861
Then followed several questions as to the
number of troops in Washington and the
strength of the Notifications around the
city. Davis then continued:
Do you consider yourself Southern
man?'
Yes, Sir, I do
DO you sympathize with the Southern
people?'
I Do
Are you willing to fight with them?'
yes. Sir
will you enlist ?
NO, Sir,
why not ?
Because l am here on business which L
ought first to accomplish
The guard was summoned to take Mr.
Munson' to his prison again. Before leav-
ing, stepped forward to a table on which
stood pitcher of ice water, and turning
to the rebel chief, said:
will you allow me to take drink of ice
water. get none where am.
Certainly lie replied.
Three additional days of monotonous life
in my loft were passed, when [ was sum
moned once more into the presence of Da-
Wis. He sat by the table writing, with his
back toward the door, while nearly opposite
reclining upon lounge, half asleep, and
looking much like man who had imbibed
strong drink too freely, was Robert Toombs
He reused himself as I entered, to listen to
my examination by the President, who,
laying down his pen, turned to me and
said.
Have you any other way of proving that
your name is Munson, excepting the letters
found in your pocket?
L am not acquainted here, sir, and do
not know any one.
you say you are originally from Knox
vile, Can you give me the name Of any
person you know there {?
1T has been goud many years SINCE
lived in Knoxville, but | remember some
persons who were there when left.
l gave the names of several men whom |
knew resided in that city.
Would they know you?'
4 should think so, though a residence of
eight years in. California has. no doubt,
changed me very much. If | should see
them think l could make them remember
me-
l had taken the name of Munson, because
| had learned that several families of that
name belonged in Knoxville, and son of
2 Judge Munson had been in California
whom could represent.
Davis rang bell, messenger appeared
and, taking name, left the room. [ sus-
pected at once his Grand He was dis
patched for somebody from Knoxville to
identify me, if my story were true The
crisis in my affairs had come. concluded
the game was up, and my vocation gone
1t was a moment of great anxiety, and my
thoughts were intensely active with the
possibilities of escape from the snares in
which | seemed to be caught. Davis con-
tinued writing, aud Toombs closed his eyes.
Tho p,accapoor loft tho door a;ar opd IN