Louisiana capitolian., 1880-09-02
C1AL JOURNAL OF THE PARISH AND CITY.

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Your own life depends on his safe keep
ing. We came up the James this after
noon on - revenue cutter aud anchored
OIL the Rockets, waiting till after darl
to land our man. We had to smuggl'
him out of Washington the sahle way
last night. Remember, this is no ordin
AIRY prisoner, and Secretary has directed
me to instruct you to allow no mar
other than yourself and your persona
guard to see or speak to him save by al
order from the Secretary of War in per.
son. You fully understand 7"
"Yes,o
'Then follow me-"
We went into dimly-lighted room
and there. guarded by three soldiers
was tall, rather slimly proportioned
man. He was neatly attired, had an
intellectual cast of countenance and,
withal, deported himself with tho air
of a thorough gentleman. He was in
formed as to my position and the guard
instructed to obey my orders. That
night the prisoner was confined in the
strongest cell of Castle Thunder; his
parole was taken 20 speak to no one,
and a trusty man was detailed to watch
the cell, the door of which was doubly
locked and the keys iu my own pocket
Arrangements were made the next day
to receive him at the State penitentiary,
aud at midnight he was aroused from
bis SAUNDERS, masked, placed ia closed
ambulance, and, surrounded by a mount
ed guard, driven rapidly across the city
to new quarters. In the State peniten-
tlary there was, upon the second floor, a
short gallery containing two cells, one
opening into the other. These were
now set apart for my prisoner of State.
No other two cells in all tho prisons
were SO secure-so far removed from
possible approach. In the inner cell he
was confined, while in the outor one
was stationed a sentinel. Never was u
prisoner more securely confined.
THE MAN OF MYSTERY.
Once each day | visited tho peniten-
tiary and did what could to give the
captive comfort. found him a genial
gentleman despite the fact that his spir
t was visibly depressed. had learned
% call him "Professor," from having
heard him 80 addressed by tho officer
who had delivered him over to me.
Other than this l knew nothing of his
lame Or history, and was utterly igno.
ant of the reason for his close contine.
neut. Nor could | deem it my privilege
% question relative to personal matters.
)ne morning, however, he insisted that
should listen to his story. He said:
"Captain Schoomaker, you have treat
N me with marked kindness and have
lllowed me many tavors bad no right
o expect. | assure you this generosity
s esteemed most highly, and | trust the
lay will some time come when, as a free |
nan, | shall be able to prove my thank
ulness, You have never asked me my
'ame,' he continued; "now, Captain, ]
ear this reserve on your part is due to
N over care for my feelings. | want to
ell you something Of myself. Stay with
no a little while. lam sure can inter
st you aud the recital of my experience
o some one who takes an interest in me
will do me vast deal OF good. My name
8 observation-disclosures s. McCnlOCh. At
he outbreak of the war was Professor
f Chemistry in Union College, but my
ympathies were with the Southern peo-
lie, and resi- igned to accept a position
pon the staff of President jeff. Davis.
however, it is not for that | am under
rrest. After coming South perfected
II explosive compound upon which l
ad labored and experimental for years.
his explosive was especially adapted to
Drpedoes and the Confederates, quick to
iscover it's value, made such use of it
y my permission as resulted in the loss
0 the North of millions of property and
res innumerable. Robert E. Lee said
. me only few weeks ago: Professor
lcCulloch, you have done more for our
ause on the sea than any other living
lan'
Secretary Stanton discovered that the
outhern torpedo was my invention, and
lary have been his efforts to capture
10, in all of which he failed till Rich
lond fell. Stanton knew me intimately
lille was connected with the
Mint. When Lee surren-
cred | escaped to Florida, and was well
igh to Cuba in skiff when gunboat
III me down. l was recognized and
lrried to Washington. 1t was an ex-
ting interview | had with Stanton
hen first we met. He demanded that
should make known to him the secret
f the manufacture of my torpedo explo-
We. He offered me instant release and
large sum of money as an inducemeut.
refused, and he grew exceedingly
roth, threatening to starve me into
lbmission. But, Captain Schoonmaker,
shall never tell him. will die first"
The prisoners face grew very pale as
e spoke these last words, and, rising