The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-03-31
A Confederate Spy.
WHO PLAYED THE PART OF A DEAF AND
DUMB MAN.
ARRESTED AND CARRIED OFF TO TIRE
oUARD-HoUsE-THE ORDEAL UN-
DERGoNE AT THE OFFICE OF

DERGoNE AT THE OFFICE OF
THE PROVOST MARsHAL-
SOME SURPRISING TESTS
TURNED LOOSE.
When Gen. Early made his great raid on
Washington l was scouting between bis
advance and the city, and was captured
within the city limits twenty-four hours be-
fore his battle-fags appeared in sight.
was dressed in citizens clothes, pretended
to be eeaf and dumb, and claimed to have
been driven out of Richmond, because l
had written threatening letters to Jeiler-
son Davis.
l had been inside the Notifications for
half day, and was slowly walking out,
when a couple of young men, both of
whom were considerably the worse for
liquor, halted me and wanted to fight.
had pencil and block of paper with me.
and wrote:
81 am deaf and dumb"
That made no difference with them. In
deed, they declared that it would be a
novel idea to lick deaf and dumb man,
and one of them gave me cuff on the
ear.
In those days weighed 160 pounds and
bad the muscle of a prize fighter. 1 tried
to get away from them without further
trouble, but when they seemed determined
to have row gave them all they wanted,
and wasn't many minutes about it. A
crowd of soldiers and civilians collected,
the provost guard came up, and the result
was as had anticipated. l was arrested
and carried off to a guard-house. One of
the young men, who afterward turned out
to be related to a member of the cabinet.
followed me to the Office Of the provost
marshal and charged me with being spy.
No one seemed to entertain doubt that /
was deaf and dumb, as claimed, and my
examination was carried on IN writing,
was asked my name, age, when born
and hundred other questions, and then
searched They found nothing on me of q
eliminating nature, and reasoned that
would be detained until after the excite
ment had passed aud then turned loose.
NEARLY THROWN OFF HIS GUARD.
After being detained three days ar
officer entered my quarters one morning
and said to me:
swell, dummy you can pack up and ge
out"
The minute | heard his step outside
was on my guard. but he spoke in such
natural tone that came near giving my
self away. On three different occasion
during the war played the part of dea
and dumb man, and tell you it takes al
the nerve ard presence of mind man ca
call up. l sat facing the door, and, Will
heard his words, made no movement
He came closer to me and said:
"Come, pack up your traps, you are t
be turned loose"
looked him straight in the eyes wlthoy
winking, and aftor bit look of chagrl
stole over his face and he motioned for IN
tc follow him. He took me to the provo.
marshars Office, and / was ushered into
private room where the marshal and thrC
or four other officials we're seated. On ii
way to the office, as We crossed a wide stree
the officer suddenly exclaimed:
''There's a runaway horse-lcok outp'
If hadn't been expecting solue sue
thing on his part must have betrayed m
self. As 1 gave no sign, continuing c
with my head down, heard him grow
ing:
"They think they've got sucker, b,
they'll find out their mistaken
~
trick would be resorted to to break n
down, and my nerves we're braced as if
charge a battery of artillery. Twas Il
standing by the door for a moment, VIII
enc of the officials looked up and quiet
said:
"Take seat, sir, and well attend to y
In a moment"
made no move, but looked around {
room in a stupid sort Of way, 1 was loo
ing out of the window on to roof VIII
the same official said:
"You may come forward and take Il
chair"
stood like a stone, and be rose up,eai
ever to me, and led me to chair at
table. When was seated one Of the ot
era remarked:
"Wrlte your name, age and last place
residence on slip Of paper"
That was trick number three, and It fai
as the others had done. By and by
marshal wrote on a slip of paper;
"WhO are you, and where fromS"
wrote In reply, Il am Charles Jones
Richmond"
"But you are Union manr sagges
sac Of the officers aloud.
saw bis lips move. bat be got no 8
from me- The examination eentlnust
this manner for full hour, The men US
every artincs TO trap ne, bui they faileC
sesrs q single point knew they w0
Fsssrvs the sharpest trick to the last,
WAS therefore nsrvOd up for T. Al len
tAs marshal Phshsd back In his chat, ,po