The National tribune., 1888-03-29
s1aNALEn EoR ATTENTION.

i, ]. ga" which means yes go ahead" 1
sent a few words neryously, in effect for Mr..
John COvode-Call at Old Capitol Prison to see
me" and signed my name
This was all done so quickly and so quietly
and effectively that not one person present sus-
pccted that l was occupied in anything Of the
sort, They no doubt imagined from my appear
ance that was intent only on the conversation
between my Captain and the Quartermasters
clerk.
But the word had been sent and had been
recorded at the other end of that long telegraph
circuit in precisely the same shape and form as
though il had been regularly dispatched by
Mr.. Limerick. Neither the Captain or the LIEU
tenant, who were present, for one moment sus-
peCted that while l was sitting on the table
alongside Of the ticking telegraph instrument
that my hand was imperceptbIy manipulating
the familiar key, and sending flashes OF cleo
tricity that would bring me relief in as magic
a manner apparently as if touched by AIaddu's
Lamp or the Magic Carpet. Lest / should be
suspected, / left the telegraph desk abruptly.
But I had the satisfaction of hearing the ac-
acknowledgement Of my dispatch IN the familiar
telegraph sound, 80. K"
Right here I viii say that in a year or so fol-
lowing ] rode with Air. limerick from AldIe to
Washington during the Gettysburg campaign,
and was amused beyond my power Of descrip-
ti0n to hear Mr.. limerick detail
THE TRICK THAT a REBEL SPY
had played on him at Aquia Creek. He did
not detect in my hearty laugh, at his recital Of
the story, that / was in any way an interested
party, because at that time | was on the Head
quarters Cavalry Corps, Army Of the Potomac,
stat, and wore the blue uniform.
1t Is true story, and one that has afforded
me any amount Of fun.
at the regular hour for the daily boats to
leave Aguia Creek for Washington we, the
Captain Lieutenant and myself were aboard
and comfortably seated in arm-chairs on the
hurricane deck.
An evening sail up or down the Potomac IN
the Summer evenings Is q pleasure that only
those who have enjoyed it can appreciate
il has been my privilege TO have frequently
enjoyed these trips since the war but / believe
/ may say that have never once been on the
broad river on a pleasant summer evening cE-
cGIziou bat I have had recalled TO my memory
this one journey from Aqua Greek to Washing
ton. Naturally it would detract somewhat
from the enjoyment of such a ride when one
would reGec. that he was being escorted to a
prison, but / believe / may say that notwith-
standing this ugly truth was at the end oi the
journey, / nevertheless enjoyed that evening
0a the boat IN The pleasant society o. my gen
tlcmau3y Captain.
1t was somewhere along about p. m. when
we ran up past tie Arsenal and finally fastened
FIRST time that the Captain and Lieutenant
were both strictly attentive to me, insisting on
giving me q helping hand 10 almost every step
through the crowds that were then rushing oil
The boats a5 soon as they touched the landings.
For the moment / realized, with q siekeuiug
ensa-ion at my heart that ! was not now free
TO 60 az I pleased, as had been MY habit on
many former trips Up the river 10 Washington,
The officers In charge not knowing he l0ca-
r.s Naf. as on
ii became my duty TO
PILOT ny GUARD TO ny own PRISON.
In 1852 there were no beautiful Capitol
grounds 10 the north and south Of the building
but instead the whole country tlercabOut was
occupied by the gangs Of stone-cutters and then
piles of marble or stone debris similar 10 that
which surrounded the Washington Monument
within tie last few years.
/ slecred the way IN d direct course to the
Old Capitol. When we got there we were
stopped by IN armed sentry on the pavement,
who called an officer, who escorted Us inside the
hallway.
Hcre we were again detained to wait until
the C0mmaudaut had been heard from. After
a tires0as and most unhappy wait Of half an
hour wc were ordered to the Office. Here fol
the first time I saw Col. VI. =. Woods, who Is,
( understand, 2 resident Of Washington; so ] viii
be careful Of my facts, knowing that nc IS 3
regular contributor 10 the press. Col. Wood:
was rather q y0ung, shaTp-lookiDg man, If
remember correctly, with side whiskers; OF, a
we term them, short PresDEterians."
He was evidently accustomed to receiving
guests at his hotel, and at first seemingly paid
but little attention 10 the new arrivals, being a
the time engaged il an earnest conversation
with some lady visitors The Captain produced
q letter, which young fellow with all the air
Of q hotel clerk grac.0usly deiEneh 70 open anc
read. lie lcil Lis seat and whispered q word q
Capt NyJ3z-h1 WAS CAPTAIN then, | think
/ who at once lafg his laxative lady friends ani
turned his attention 10 us with rs sudden az
/ interest as il hc had discovered o millionaire
shoa3y guest among tho recent arrivals.
1 never knew what were the contents OF the Iet
ter delivered 20 the Captain. ] presume Il IS Oh
record in the War Department among the Re
4 be.isn Records. Only this much, ] am sure
. am not mistaken in saving that / was an uuex
4 pectcd guest and at once the center Of attrac
tiOH for Capt. Woods and his force Of attend
ants,
HE GAVE Us HIS PERSONAL ATTENTION,
4 and himself took the records Of his guest an
entered them Oh bis register, where they vii
! BE- found today.
TIE walls Of the Old Capitol Prison Of tn
war os the rebellion are still standing on tn
corner Of First aud a streets northeast, Wash
( ingt0u, blg IL 50 altered a shape as 10 b
/ scarcely recognized by the oldest inhabitants
IN 1862 this famous building was q plain, Oh
I long structure, more closely resembling q ware
f house after the style Of the Richmond tODaCc
Libby, than anything else that / can think G
Just now by way o. comparison.
The old ba-di1g was what was known as
double house; that is, il had the large, vcr
broad hallway, rluuing through tie center
the house, extending 70 the back porch CfEar
on tho I-shap-d wing which was q sort q
back building on street.
Iu0uCOr the four rooms that opened out Of th
hail. located nearest the door think, was Cap
Wos5s's Office. Here was detained for wei
probably an hour after the Captain had biddg
l4ca cordial g0gd-By, promising that when
reported ms safe arrival 10 the Secretary 0
the following morning hc would cudeay0r
% say q word Of cymmCndation Of my goo
conduct.
BY HEART SANK WITHEE NE
when realized 10 the fullest extent that 7 ";
q genuine prisoner After the Captain depar
ure. BIT. Woods seemed 10 me 10 have as sul
denly dropped his interest IL me as it had bee
desk, while he, with some others, arrange
. suitable quarters for me. Ia due time I wi
shown TO my room, which was located IN the
Immediately at the head Of the back stairs th
led up out Of the porch. / am living to-ds
within a few squares Of the celebrated o.
r builaing, now occupied as q princely resden
bv Justice Field Of the Supreme Court and du
iug my daily walks 10 and fro / frequently pa
. the old window, and never once fail TO look I
, 10 il, almost expecting 70 sec ghost Of my 70