The National tribune., 1884-04-03
A NEWSPAPER ACCOUNT.

10 the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
That there was rebel spy hung at Freder-
lex, Nd, in 1863, the following extract from the
Philadelphia Inquirer of July of that year,
viii sufficiently prove One division (Geary's)
was marched past the tree and corpse four days
after the battle OF Gettysburg. He was hang
ing stark naked.
RICHARDSON THE sPY-INTEREsrING STORY
OF HIS CAPTURE AND EXECUTION.
An officer of the 9Th regiment, of this city, sends
us the following particulars OF the operations of
Richardson, the rebel spy, who was captured and
hung some time since IN Frederick City. l knew
this Richardson from the beginning Of the
When first came TO Baltimore, he came into
eamp-just he has done since-singing
songs and selling them lie "a man of about
fifty years of age, long hght-coiored beard, intel
leetual looking and SOFT pleasing voice in speak
ing. He was weil-known in every camp OF the
Army Of the Potomac, and, having excellent
voice. he used TO delight the soldiers with his
songs. On Sundays he distributed tracts, and
recolleet one day talking 10 him about them He
was excellent draughtsman, and got up
craving of our fort on Federal HILL OF which have
some copies. He in and out of all the camps
constantly, and was rather fond OF asking ques-
tons. The reason he gave for this was that ne
getting up history of the war.
he was arrested while we Were in Frederick City.
His questions appeared TO be rather too systematic
and pointed. lie was arrested ON this account by
three different parties, but gave such plausible
cuses to the first two that they let him CO. Cen
erai Slocum was In command of the city, and so
strong the suspicion excited against him, both
euTnstaDces reported by many soldiers, who had
for some time suspected him and had previously
called The attention of their officers to him, that it
determined TO try to force confession from
him. He was put upon a horse. with his arms PIN
Toned behind him, and rope around his neck. The
horse was led under tree and the end of the rope
thrown over branch The rope was pulled tight
and the horse driven from under him. He WIS al
lowed 10 hang thirty seconds. and then let down.
Nllen brought TO he refused 10 answer any ques-
tions. He was hung up again, and when revived
second time, he answered some OF the questions
asked. The third hanging brought full confession.
he had IN siis breast pocket brandy flask told
his captoTs to unscrew the metal bottom. On do
ing so, they found considerable hollow. In this
hollow and in the lining of one of his boots they
found plans of all our works very carefully and
beautifully drawn also the exact position OF each
regiment, and even the particular companies de-
tailed for picket or other service. Ten thousand
five hundred dollars in greenbaeks was found upon
him, and a quantity OF Confederate money. This
was all handed over TO the five men who arrested
nifn lie also told them that they would find IN
certain place mulatto (who was his nepAew)-he
himself was white man. His only other accom-
plice was his son. He told them that this negro
could guide them 10 place where they could cap
ture some OF Stuarts men, Richardson was, it
seems, in constant communication with Stuart, and
he confessed that he had been furnishing the rebels
information all through the war.
Men were sent after the mulatto he found
placed securely upon horse, and a rope thrown
around MS neck, to suggest 20 him the consequences
OF playing false. The expedition was so far sue
cessfui as TO capture some of Stuart's men.
The negro was retained by General Slocum, and
were told that the would be hung as soon as lie
was tried. Richardson was hung. The body re-
manned hanging for five days when it was cut
down and buried. Before be was cut down / &. So
a cavalrynan ride up and attempt to cut off lock
OF hair with dull knife. Not liking the trouble
he cody proceeded TO jerk out what hair he want
ed utterly regardless OF the disgusting body as it
swung.
Comrades Carpenter aud West can now rest
satisfied that the execution of the above spy
was witnessed by thousands of the Army of
the Potomac. Dr. AUG. E. ZEITLER,
Sergeant Major, 109th Pa. Vols
OKAHUSKA, FLA.
THE spy Richardson was hung during the
night Of the 9th of July by order of General
Ruford. IL is evident that the correspondent
Of the Philadelphia Inquirer erred in his state
ment that General Slocum was in command at
Frederick City, as he had not then left Gettys-
| burg. General French was in command of the
troops in and about Frederick City.-EDl