The National tribune., 1882-02-11
III.


count kept in Philadelphia with Drexel & CO., in
the name of John Bell, and had still another at
Belmont, N. Y. The confederacy had plenty of
means in its secret-service fund. [ believe there
was something like S6oOO,OO0 altogether to the
credit of the confederate commissioner and his
colleague. Most of it was deposited in the bank
at Toronto.
II, of course, turned my attention to cultivat-
ing the acquaintance of officers of the steamer
Michigan, and all military officers stationed at
Sandusky or who came there, as prerequisite to
success in releasing the confederate prisoners. l
wined and dined the officers continually, and
was on excellent footing with them.
This was all very well in its way, but 1 soon
found it necessary to have some men in my en-
ploy Oh board the Michigan, and also on JOHN
sons Island AS the United States Government
wanted both seamen and soldiers, two confeder-
ates were enlisted as seamen and sent aboard the
Michigan. Ten of our men were enlisted as SOL
diers and went on duty as members of the regi-
ment stationed on JohnsOn's Island. Besides my
good social relations with the officers you see l
was in a position to be fully posted as to what
was going on, both on the vessel and On the ISL
and. The men had enlisted as Federal soldiers
were necessarily of infinite value in communi-
eating our purposes and their progress to the
confederate officers, and also in getting arms to
them.
There were, of course, very many ludicrOus,
interesting and even thrilling incidents attending
the days, weeks, and months of our preparations
for the assaults. 1t would take volume to re-
cord them all. We had to keep up constant COM
munication with Mr.. Thompson the representa-
tive of the confederate government III Canada,
from whom we received all our orders. This was
the more important, as each confederate COM
mander in the States acted independently of all
the rest. Thompson a man Of great nerve
Just such bold, aggressive spirit as Secretary
Stanton. If he had been Secretary of War, as
Stanton was, he would have given you just the
same kind of an administration.
"Not long before our plans were completed
Mr. Thompson, at one of our conferences in Can
ada said he should like to visit and look over
the steamer Michigan before we attacked her.
and also personally inspect the details of my plan
upon the ground
eff you think it safe, Mr. Thompson, should
be exceedingly glad to have you do so.'
He did not reply, and we parted without my
knowing what his intentions were. A few days
after, while sitting in my room at the West
House. Sandusky, the servant came up and said:
"'Your aunt is in the parlor and would like
to see you
/ told Miss Davis my assistant, to go down
and invite her up Of course, knew it was not
my aunt, but [ was never taken by surprise at
anything, and was always on my guard. l sup
posed possibly it was female courier with orders
or information.
Miss Davis went down to the parlor and in
moment returned with an elderly lady, nicely
dressed in a style that well became her age
When her veil was removed there stood Jake
Thompson. l was wholly taken aback, as the
disguise was perfect, and the assumption of the
character easy and graceful.
"He informed me that he came to visit the
Michigan.
g Immediately sent word to the steamer that
l had lady relative who had stopped over a
train to visit me: that she had never seen man.
of-war, and that should like to bring her aboard.
They returned a cordial invitation, and that
afternoon Mr.. Thompson and | went out to the
ship. He went all over it, and in a squeaky
voice put such questions about her construction
and arrangement as a rural female of well ad-
vanced years and small opportunities for CLEAN
ing information would be likely to PROFOUND. No
one suspected him. and the officers were exceed
ingly polite to the one they afterwards spoke of
as My Country Aunt
" 1t was, of course, great risk for Mr. Thomp-
son to run. 1t took man of nerve and tact
to succeed. He felt great interest in the cap
ture of the Michigan, for it was his intention to
board her soon after she was captured, and really
make her the headquarters of the civil power of
the confederacy in the Northwest
"Our plans were finally matured and it was
decided to make the attack on Monday, the 10Th
day of September. The intention was the moment
the Michigan was captured and the confederate
officers released to cut all the telegraph wires
leading out of Sandusky, seize railroad train,
run down to Columbus, assist in releasing the
prisoners there, then run back to Sandusky and
establish the temporary headquarters of the con-
federate department of the Northwest. General
Trimble, of Maryland, who was the ranking con-
federate officer confined on Johnson's Island. was
to be made commandment chief, and had in my
pocket commission from the confederate govern
ment appointing him to that position the moment
he was released was supplied with other COM
missions in blank, all properly signed and at
tested, to give to all other men who enlisted in
the confederate army for this service This was