Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1886-07-20
MIScELLANE
A Confederate Spy.

When Gen. Early made his great raid on
Washington 1 was scouting between his ad-
vance and the city, and was captured within
the city limits twcnty-four hours before his
battle-flags appeared in sight. I was dressed
in citizens clothes, pretended to be deaf and
dumb. aud claimed to have been driven out
of Richmond. because had written threaten
ing letters to jefferson Davis.
had been inside the fertilization for half n
day, and was slowly walking ont. when n
couple of young men. both of whom were con-
siderably the worse for liquor. halted me and
wanted to fight. I had pencil and a block of
paper with me and I wrote:
g l am deaf and dumb"
That made no difference with them. In-
deed. they declared that it would be novel
idea TO lick deaf and dumb man, and one OF
them gave me cuff on the car.
In those days I weighed 1GO pounds and
had the muscle of a prize fighter. Itried to get
away from them without further trouble, but
when they sccmd determined to have row
gave them all they wanted. and wasn't many
minutes about it. 4 crowd of soldiers and
civilians collected. and the provost guard came
up and the result was us I had anticipated.
was arrested and carried off to a guard-house.
One of the young men, who aftcrward turned
ont to be related to n member OF the cabinet.
followed me to the Office of the provost marshal
and charged me with being n spy. No one
seemed to entertain doubt that was deaf
and dumb. SIS I claimed. and my examination
was carried on in writing. l was asked my
name. ngc, when born and n hundred other
questions and then searched. They found
nothing on me of eliminating nature. and l
reasoned that would be detained until after
the excitement had passed and then turned
Isosc.
After being detained three days an officer
entered my quarters one morning and said to
me:
"Wcll, dummy, you can pack up and get
ont
The minute heard his step outside I was on
my guard, but he spoke in such natural tone
that l came near giving myself away. On
three different occasions during the war
played the part of deaf and dumb man, and
tell you it takes all the nerve and presence
OF mind a man can call up. l sat facing the
door. and. while heard his words. l made no
movement. lie came closer to me and said ::
''Comc, pack your traps. you are to be
turned loose"
l looked him straight in the eyes without
winking. and after n bit n look of chagrin stole
over his face and he motioncd for me to follow
him. He took me to the provost marshal's of
nee "u" was usn''Gu ii'o pfi'"'" too'.'
fcials were seated. On the way to the Office,
as we crossed Il wide street the officer suddenly
exclaimed:
"Thcre's a runaway horse-look out"
II / mum oceu cNPcct'"S s"''Ie su'n thii's
on HIS part l must nave betrayed hlyseii: As
l gave no s'Sh' continuing Win my he"u oo"h'
near" MN growing
lhey ''llnk .hcE VIC got sucher' Oue 'ney
VIII H'iu OUT t"cir mistake.
en'erc" the ONCE knowing mat every trlck
"oulu oe 'esor'co 10 10 urcah ipe u""h' ana
my nerves were Draccu as II /" cnot gea battery
OF "r'liiery' was ici' standing Dy the uoor
ior rio''i'nt' "hrh ono Vi 'he OFFICIALS 'ooNc"
up anu P"'e''S f"iu
"Nc sea'' sF' ana VIC H''eh" 10 you
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Sa~ MS ups move Dut ne got u" sign from
flee to tran me bpt thcv failed 70 scorc n si,gIe
point. knew tbey would reservetl,e sbarpegt
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