Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-06-28

'Have you any other way OF provIn
that your name is Munson, excepting tn
letters found in your pocket?'
Il am not acquainted here, SIR and d
not know any one.'
You say you arc originally from Knox
vile. Can you give me the names Of an,
persons whom you know thcre?'
'lt has been good many years since
lived in Knoxville, but remember som,
persons who were there when | left
gave tho names Of several men WHOM
knew resided in that city.
Would they know you?
Il think so, though residence OF eigh
years in California has, nodoubt, change,
me very much. III should see them
think could make them remember me-
had takcn the name Of Munson, be
cause had learned that several familo
of that name belonged in Knoxville, ant
the son Of a certain Judge Munson hnc
been in California, whom could repro
sent. Ha
Davis rang bell, messenger appear,
ed, and taking name, left the room.
suspected at once his errnnd. lie wai
dispatched for somebody from Knoxville
to identify me, If my story were true
The crisis in my affairs had come. / con.
cluded tho game vas up, and my vocation
gono. IL was moment Of great anxiety
and my thoughts woro intensely active
with tho possibilities OF escape from the
snare in which I seemed to bo caught
Davis continued writing, and Toombs
] olaaaI lta Tko l.f. A.
door ajar, and, unobservod drew my
chair noarly In front of il, TO gain view
Of the outer hall. In IL, on small table,
were blank cards on which those who call.
cd TO see tho Confederate President wrote
their names, and sent them by an orderly
before they were admitted to an audience
with him.
Soon the messenger with stranger en-.
tered this ball. The latter wrote his name
and handed Il to the orderly. who camo In
where | was sitting. | raised my hand TO
take the card, aud he stopped to give IL to
me, when | glanced at the name and made
motion 10 have IL laid on Dayis's table.
The rebel Executive did not observe this,
and Toombs was apparently asleep. The
orderly put tho card before him, was di.
rected to ndmit the visitor aud retired.
The Knoxville man came in, and turning
toward him with look Of sudden recog-
milton. | rose, grasped his hand aud OK
claimed:
why, how do you do, Brock2'
Toombs raised himself up aud nodded
to Davis, who said
'Bo seated, sir. Do you know this man?'
Brock was taken by surprise. but, not
TO appear ignorant before the President,
replied:
"Yes, l know him, but can't call his
name now
My name is Munson, Of Knoxville.
Don't you remember Judge Munson's son,
who went to California;
What, Sam Munsony
That's my name
'Oh, yes, said Brock, turning to Davis,
now remember. him. Yes, | know him
very we'll
DO you know his people thcrc?' asked
Davis.
Il know his father, Judge Manson, very
WE'LL
Toombs stood up and said, That will
do, sir, that will do and Brock walked
out Of the room.
Toombs then drew chair close 10 Da-
Wis, and they conversed in whispers for a
few moments. when the guard escorted me
to my quarters. l fancied that l had
made some progress at this interview.
The next morning brought Mr.. Brock
to my loft, evidently to satisfy himself
fully that was Sam Munson. A delicate
and difficult task was before me, and the
result to- my own mind very doubtful.
Brock, however, was tskative, willing to
carry on the conversation, and evidently
quite sure that he was not mistaken in
his man. l knew something of the Nun.
sons and localities in Knoxville, and by
the aid of Imagination, could Gil any
pauscs in Brooks conversation; eight years
Of absence excusing failures, in memory.
Brock asked leading questions, saying.
for illustration, You know so and so.
oh, yes ! responded, though had not
the remotest knowledge Of the person.
Then Brock would refer TO something very
ludicrous, and | would burst into laugh
ter, as though at the recollection, while
Brock, greatly enjoying it, would uncon-
sciously tell tho whole story, so that
could put in fitting remark here and
there, which seemed TO come naturally
from recollection. Brock vent away. Gu
tircly satisfied, aud reported to Jer. Davis.
Two days later, commissioned officer en-.
tered tho room with parole, plcdging
myself not to leave the city Of Richmond
without orders from the Provost Marshal
| signed il, and was released from con
inemont. With the freedom Of the city,
| continued my observations.
Walking through a street on Sunday
morning, by high board fence covered
with posters concerning regiments being
organized and other military announce
mcnts, from which | cleaned additional
information, man came up aud slapped
mc on the shoulder with =
'Hallo, Baker What are you doing
here?
The name sounded strangely under the
circumstances. l was startled. but, look
ing around calmly said
Il guess you arc mistaken, Sir. Ny
name is Munson.
'Ain't your name Baker2'
No, Sir
Didn't you go to California in ls5OY'
No, Sir. | have lived in California,
but did not 60 there till 49,
why, didn't you go across the Isthmus
with me in April. 1850, when we had the
fight with the natives2
No, Sir. l guess you have mistaken
the man.