The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-10-11
ILLICIT TRADING
A Planter and Family Caught Snug
CLING.


Ina former article / recounted the adven-
lures Of the Provost Marshal of Vicksburg in
search of Illicit traders and smugglers on the
Mississippi River.
The penBing of that article and the neces-
Esrv research among my old diaries and notes,
long since laid away and almost forgotten, has
recalled TO my mind a number OF other incl
dents which may interest your readers and at
the risk Of firing them ] VIII recount lew OF
the more interesting ones.
As NAV have been surmised by his conduct
In the capture OF the steamer Homeyer, MAJ.
Mckee was man of great courage, declslon
and nerve From the day he assumed the
duties of Provost Marshal he became terror
toevil-doers 10 the district, and fer time the
old Nicksburg Jail fairly grOaned with the
plethora of 4" fresh fish who found an asylum
within IFS walls. Great irregularities had be
fore this time existed in the granting OF passes
nermits to purchase merchandise and IN the
handlingof cotton. When, therefore, the pick
cts were doubled and extra precautions were
taken to prevent illegal traffic with The rebels
the horde of yultures who hung onto the skirts
Of the army were put to their wits 10 continue
their vocation.
Before Gen. Grant left Vicksburg TO assume
command at Chattanooga he made several Ell
forts to rid the department Of the STiav follow
srs. cotton buyers and irregular Suffers, and his
asst effort ID this direction eliminated IN the
issuing of his celebrated order expelling all
Jews from the department. But at the time
Of which / write the district was again fairly
pyerruu with smugglers, spies and adv cnturers
Of all kinds and Of both sexes.
ADMINISTERING TBE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.
Itwas my duty TO administer the oath of al
legianee to anyone applying for pass or per-
init OF any kind and no civilian could come or
20 trade or barter without first taking the
oath of LOYALTY. This oath WIS what in slang
~,--H-,s,as 1tFtf hn HI,a1 dandy - and hound
the affiant to support almost everything that
Mr. Lincoln OF Congress had ever done or might
choose 10 do Ia the near or remote future. it
was often a great source OF amusement 10 us IN
che Office SO note the various expressions OF
c0HnteBaHce that accompanied the swallowing
OF this bitter pill by the different applicants Tor
favors. Jonas Rosenbanm would raise his
hands toward Heaven and gnlp down the oath
with twinkle OF tie eye and q suave smile.
NIS c. 5. Aye would Ia most eases hatly refuse
TO swear and subscribe, and the flashing eye
aud heaving bosom told Of 2 volcanic condition
of feeling which often broke forth IN open re-
volt and bad language; but the greatest study
was usually the planter who had come 10 sell
cotton and TO replenish his stores. Without
taking the iron-clad oath be could not remain
witAin our lines. to say nothing OF purchasing
stores and selling cotton. TIE printed form with
hissignatuFe attached had 70 be produced before
the proper officer in an adjoining room before
his invoices could be stamped 20. K-''; SO It
Basa
GROUND HOG CASE" WITH HIN.
Usually he would try to argue the case, but
il generally ended in bis unconditional sur
render. and in nine cases out OF ten The patient
would close his eyes, swear silent oath, and
take the whole dose. IL often happened, bow
ever, that the reBtllious spirit IN the applicant
for trading permit would be SO powerful that
he would decline percmptOFily 70 swear allegl-
Guee 10 tne Yankee Government. 10 this case
the refractory ulprit would he incoDtinentiy
hustled cat beyond ouI lines, and if be had
brought with him load two Of cotton, the
staple would be promptly turned over to the
Agent Of the Treasury Department.
One Of the most respected citizens of Warren
County. of which Ficksburg was the Comfy
seat, WAS old Mr. Lewis. who lived quietly on
splendid plantation about three miles from
the city. He was typical Southerner, about
10 years Of age tall, erect, and very afable ~
mas manner. ME. Lewis came to the city al
most every day, and was usually accompanied
by his daughter aud Miss Cline, bis ward
These young ladies were VOL educated. had
lived for some time In Tie North, were pleasant
takers. aud were always welcome at the Pro
F0st- Marshal's Office. When Mai. Mckee came
into Office be did not take kindly TO the very
frequent visits Of Kunnel Lewis and tho
yOang ladies' and always declined the frequent
LANlAhAGBN@ Oh tEldL gentleman 10 WISH BID a
MS plantation OF 10 smile /" or dine with hin
in the city That the Majors instructive Eus
pieion of the motives OF the Lewis family wa
correct the sequel fIlly proved.
One very warm day in April, 1864. we heard
tie clanking Of sabers aud the tramp Of man,
feet OF tle stoue tagging ia front Of the Court
house tall German Sergeant entered tn,
door, and after him came several files Of sol
diers. leading between them our whilom frient
fsnH rtA 4lfa %wao lads IT'S avtf-
necessary 90 Jock At the face OF the Old man q
know that something dreadful had happened
for bis Whole frame vas CONFUSED with terri
bic excitement, and his usually glib tongu
utterly failed ~ do its Office. His daughter
pale, delicate girl was n q faiBtiHg condition
from excitement, and il was found n1cessar,
T. call ia The assistance Of 6 woman from nea
by u care for tins young lady. Miss Cline, IN
ward, however. was the heroine OF the hour
and Der defiant attitude and scoraful men wa
not unlike that 0f a li0ness brought TO bay. A
soon as the prisoners had become somewhat re
assured and quiet the Sergeant Of the pickle
was asked FOR the cause Of the arrest, but hi
report was mere matter Of form. as il wa
only Necessary to look upon the enormously
disteHded skirts Of the ladies % guess that
was very bad case Of c0utraband smuggling
The most rigid questioning failed 10 elci
from either the ladies or br. Lewis a particl
OF information in regard to their traffic nc
would they confess that they bad contraban
goods about their persons. The ladies wer
finally sent 70 the Soldiers Home, where Mr.
Gov. Harvey and Der assistants attempted
make q search, but they succeeded only after
DESPERATE HAED-T0-HAND CONFLICT
with Miss Cline, who fought like tigress; bJ
handicapped as she was by great burden
HWkwardly -adjusted bundles and packages, 81
was soon compelled to yield. rich store
military goods was the result Of the exam ini
tion5 and when tie cargo was all landed it vi
found 10 consist principally OF gray CLOTH un
form buttons and gold lace, several hundrG
boxes 81 percussion caps, 100 plumes, sever
pounds Of steel shoe-pegs, large amount
calomel.- blue mass, 200 boxes Brandreth
pills, Is revolvers, large quantity Of gu
sights, 10 field glasses, and pistol-cartridg
enough TO have made angels Of the whole par
in case Of an explosion. saw the collect,
when the women were entirely unloaded, al
IL looked like gOod-sized military noti
store. and the value Of the merchandise "
very great
On account Of bis great age and poor healt