The National tribune., 1882-02-11

600 soldiers guarding them, and 800 navy re-
volvers were in the possession of the confederate
officers confined there
II knew that in going forward we had to pass
directly over the magazine. pulled vigorously
at my segar to get it well lighted, then taking it
from my mouth, I held it by my side, and in
passing dropped it in the little air-hole which
opened into the magazine I therefore reached
the deck expecting that every moment the pow
der would explode and that the ship and all on
board would be scattered to the four winds.
Can you imagine a feeling of suspense more alb
sorbng than that which possessed me while |
was being questioned by the three Union Gen
erals? You may also Judge what was my men
tai reply when General Heintzelman asked Cap
tain Carter why he had not hung me to the yard
arm"
II
Il was" said ne TO me, when reluctantly speak
ing of the incidents above related and those to
follow, "a member of the Fifth Tennessee con-
federate regiment of which my brother was col
onel.
q was summoned to Richmond, and there reg
ularly commissioned by the confederate govern
ment as a military officer in its secret service,
and with several others sent to report to the Hon.
Jake Thompson, formerly Secretary Of the In
terror under Buchanan, but who was then the ac-
credited head of the confederate government,
with headquarters in Canada. was assigned to
the command of the Department of Ohio, with
headquarters at Sandusky.
Major Tom Kinds, now Judge at Bowling
Green, Kentucky, had the State of Illinois, with
his headquarters at Chicago Major Castleman
had Indiana, with his headquarters at Centralia.
At all of these places we had Northern allies
working in conjunction with US
"At Camp Douglass, near Chicago, there were
about 5000 confederate prisoners; at Camp Chase,
near Columbus, Ohio, about 5000 more, and at
Camp Morton, near Indianapolis, about 1000.
On Johnson's Island, in Sandusky Bay, there were
about 5000 confederate officers confined. The
object was to simultaneously release all these
prisoners, and officer the men in the other three
camps with the officers on Johnsons Island.
"The time selected for making the assault upon
these camps was to be gagged by General Early's
attack upon Washington, SO as to make it impos-
sible for any of the troops to be sent North to
reinforce the limited number of Federal soldiers
then in the Northwest. There were not enough
there to materially interfere with our plans.
"If you will remember, the Democratic National
Convention was held at Chicago about that time
and it was first intended to take advantage of its
meeting to make the attack. We had 1000 men
in Chicago, while the convention was in session.
ready to do the work. Early's delay in striking
Washington, and the arguments of our Northern
allies that the attack should be deferred caused
a postPonement.
Il have always thought the delay was mis-
take, for there certainly was never time when
there was such feeling in the Northwest against
the war, and such a necessity for troops at the
front, as in July, 1854
The Northwest was selected as the basis of
our operations because there was great rebellion
there against conscriptOns and the people were
generally tired of the war. Then, too, we had
holder and stronger friends in that section than
in the East. Those who were willing to do and
dare more to aid us.
"The 1000 men in Chicago the time the con-
yention met were not all regular confederates,
but many of them were Northern friends ready
to assist the confederate authorities commits
stoned to do the work.
Il think that the action of the convention in
calculated to further increase the discomfort then
being manifested in various sections of the coun-
try The La Crosse Democrat was established at
La Crosse, Wisconsin, for like purpose, and
Jake Thompson gave Brick Pomeroy confederate
money to establish it. The temper Of the paper,
however, was so violent and abusive that it
injured rather than aided our cause.
when | was assigned to the command at
Sandusky, of course the confederate authorities
recognized the fact that the capture of the man
Of-war Michigan was of vital importance to their
scheme. My instructions, therefore, were to turn
my earnest attention to that duty.
Il went down to Erie, where she was living
before she was sent up as guard-ship to the pris-
oners on Johuson's Island. Through friends |
made the acquaintance of the officers entertained
them handsomely, and was invited to the ship
SO that when it came to Sandusky was always
welcome guest aboard of her.
II established myself in Sandusky as an oil
speculator, organized the Mount Hope Oh Com
pany and located well near Titusville, Pennsyl-
vania | put about $4,000 of confederate gold
into the organization of the company Judge
Fillmore, of Buffalo, was made president, and
was elected secretary. This gave me a business
standing and my position as secretary and prac-
teal manager of the company readily accounted
for the travel it was necessary for me to do in
furtherance of my military duty. 1t also ex-
planned the abundance of money 1 had and my