The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-28

WAS GkcH 10 speak 10 no one, ana tTUSty
man was detailed 10 watch the cell, the
door OF which was doubly locked, aud
the keys IN my own pocket. Arrange
ments were made the next day TO receive
him at the State penitentiary, and at
midnleh, he was aroused from his slumbers,
masked, placed in closed ambulance, and.
surrounded by a mounted guard, driven
rapidly across the city to new quarters. In
the State poniieniiary there was, upon the
second floor, 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 the prison
were so secure-so far removed from posi-
bic approach. In the inner cell he was con-
fined, while in the other one was stationed
a sentinel. Never was prisoner more Sc
curely confined.
TIE MAN OF MYSTERY.
Once each day visited the penitentiarv
and did what | could TO give the captive
comfort. found him genial gentleman
despite the fact that his spirit was vi>ibly
depressed | bad learned 10 call him PRO
fcssor," from having heard him so adj
dressed by the officer who bad delivered
him over TO me. Other than this | knew
nothing OF his name or history and was
utterly ignorant OF the reason for bis close
confinement. Nor could | deem il my
privilege TO question relative TO personal
matters. One morning, however, he in.
sisted that should listen TO his story. lie
said:
"Captain Schoonmakcr, You have treated
me with marked kindness and have allowed
me many fay0rs had no right TO expect.
assure YOU this generosity is esteemed
most highly, and | trust the day will some
time come when, as a free man, shall be
able to prove my thankfulness. You have
never asked me my name," he continued;
.'now, Captain, fear this reserve on your
part is due TO an Oyer-care for my Feelings.
| want to tell you something OF my>eH.
STAY with me a little while. | am sure |
can interest you, and the recital OF my eX-
perience to some one who takes an interest
/ i'm me will do me a'vast deal OF good. MY
name is cCullogh-Robert :. Nc
! Culogh. At the outbreak OF the war
| | was Professor of Chemistry III
/ Union College, but my sympathieS were
with the southern people. and resigned 10
accept a position upon the stan OF Pfesl-
dent Jeti. Davis. However, il is not for
! that am under arrest. After coming south
/ | perfected an explosive compound upon
which had labOred and eXpeiimented for
years. This explosive was especially adapt
/ ed to torpedoes, and the Conicderates, quick
/ TO discover its value, made such use OF II.
| bv nv Dermi> sion, as resulted in the loss TO
! the North Of millions OF property ana ives
| innumera5e Robert l.. Lee said 70 me
! only few weeks ago: Professor McCul-
! lOgh, YOU have done more for our cause on
the sea than any other living mani
Secretary Stanton discovered that the
southern torpedo was my invention, and
many have been his efforts to capture Inc,
in all OF which he failed till Richmond fell.
Stanton knew me intimately while | was
connected with She Philadelphia Mint.
When Lee surrendered escaped 10 Florida,
and was wellnigh to Cuba in skifi when
gunboat ran me down. | was recognized
and carried to Washington. 1t was an cX-
citing interview had with Stanton when
first we met. lie demanded that should
make known TO him the secret Of the manu-
facture Of my torpedo explosive. lie offered
me instant release and large sum OF
money rs an Involvement. | refused, and
he grew exceedingly wroth, threatening 10
staive me into submission. But, Captain
SchOonmaker, shall never tell him. lWlll
die first"
The prisoners face grew very pale as ne
spoke these last words, and rising from the
side OF his cot, where he had been sitting,
he hastily paced up and down the cell,
his hands tightly clasped behind him, and
his always expressive eyes fairly fishing
ire. His agitation was past description,
and thought it best 10 leave him TO him
self.
had hardly arrived at my quarters when
the card OF a well-knOwn Washington de-
tective was brought me. Giving the man
an audience, he abruptly remarked
professor Bob Mccullough is here with
you; want TO see him."
The insolence OF the fellow astounded me,
| and | responded IN manner much more
expressive than polite. But be was not 10
be easily checked, and he continued
"Pshaw! Now, Captain, it's no use a
irwin to fool me. I've worked this thing
down fine, and there's cool thousand IN II
for YOU if | can have a ten-minutes' talk
with your prisoner. Cash it is, too, Cap
tain. and"
"Anotber word, sir, and I'll lock you up.
| There's the doOr-leaye."
He left.
AN ENLARGEMENT or BOUNDS.
1t was my CUSTOM to visit PROBES or Nc
| Cullogh's cell more frequently than any
other. | had conceived a deep interest in
the man, and the days were not many ere
we were bound one 10 the other by the
strongest ties Of friendship. He gave me
the full story OF his life without reserya-
ton. Of bis family connections he loved
particularly TO speak, having most to say
J i'm honor OF wife and daughter, then re-
siding i'm New Jersey. The time came
when those two relatives were allowed,
| by a special permit from the Secretary
| Of War, to correspond with the prisoner,
il being only provided that / carefully
examine and read all letters received and
dispatched. Wife and daughter were in
| Ignorance Of the whereabouts Of HIM whom
they addressed, only knowing that he was
under my charge, and probably In Rich
mond. One other correspondent OF the
prisoner was brother the head OF one OF
| the heaviest firms dong business in the
celebrated "sWamp" OF New York. 1t
was through the influence this brother
brought to bear at Washington the fave" OF
CORES pOndence with bis family was allowed
| Mccullough; and to the brother also were
due other indulgences granted at a later
date. "YOu will draw on me for any sum
necessary to meet the needs OF my brother"
wrote this great dealer in leather 10 me.
q" Do not spare money in providing for his
comfort. Attend to his every request with
out regard TO cost" So far as was within
my power | complied with TIL Sc instrGc-
ti0ns, and all the luXuries in the market
were at the prisoners command. Al the
close Of each month | submitted bill TO 4
Richmond commission mercbant-NeIson,
if | remember Alright, was his name-for
expenses. Never were items called for; The
cash was always forthcoming on the IN