The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-08
HENRY B. EDENBOROUGH.
BRIEF SKETCH or 4 REMARKABLE
CHARACTER.
A Participant in Every War Of His Time, and
the Occupant of Numerous Prisons-Iiis
n Drix
[For The Times.l

The New York papers not long ago an
nounced the death in that city of one OF the
most remarkable men that have ever known.
As he lived in Richmond during The Southern
Confederacy and participated in our war be-
tween the States he deserves notice and an
introduction TO the people of Richmond.
When he came herein 1S63-he was q very
handsome young man, about twenty-hV years
Of age He had the manners and deportment
of a cultivated gentleman. He dressed well
had plenty of money, and boarded at the
Epotswood Hotel He was q stranger. and as
he walked about the town, a striking contrast
crowds OF misunderstanding Confeder-
stes who swarmed our streets. General
Winders detectives thought he was a
suspicious character, and reported nm
as such. General Winder had hun
arrested and sent down 10 Castle Thunder
where / was stationed as adJutant OF tne prs
on We were directed 10 treat him with more
courtesy. and 10 give him better accommoda;
ton than the prisoners generally had until
further orders Accordingly. we put nm IN
separate room, adj Joining our Office. with
window between. 1t was there made ms &C
quaintance. and there he enabled me 10 pass
many a happy hour in listening to his lively
narrative of the interesting incidents III his
chequered life.
AN ADVENTUROUS LIFE.
His name was Henry b. Marlborough: He
was an Englishman and lieutenant IN the
Royal Indian navy. He remained IN PRISON
about n month when Hon. James A. Seldom,
Secretary of War. ordered his release Dur
ing this time he gave me- in pleasing. unpre-
tentious conversational manner, a general
history Of his life. He was in some Of the
wars Of Great Britain in India. He was en-
gagged in the Crimean war. and he served on
the staff of Garabaldi in his Italian cam
Tho 1ieft ba1 Confederate officer
Major Bob Wheat (who came to Richmond as
the commander of the notorious louisiana
Tigers" who were terrible in battle, but alto
gether unmanageable in camp, and nearly
everyone of whom was at one time or
another during the war in Castle Thunder
for time) was also on Garibaldi's staff.
Marlborough told me n very amusing story
about Major Wheat, which indicates the feel
ing sentiment or preiudice-whatever II way
be called-which Southern people before the
war had. and even now TO a very large degree.
have towards the negro. One day he and
Major Wheat were dining together at restau-
rant in Naples. There was n vacant seat at
the table next 10 Major Wheat, and
gentleman of dark appearance came
in and sat down in it. Instantly the
Major, looking at him. took him to
be negro. He at once arose, and
catching the man by his coat collar. lifted
him up and showed him out of the room, re-
marking at the door TO the man that no
damned negro should eat Mt the same table
with him. He had made grand mistake. for
the man whom he took for a negro was the
celebrated French novelist and author. Alex
ander Dumas, who, II has been stated, had
some negro blood in HIN. OF course this
caused a great excitement. and Dumas chal-
lenged Wheat, but through the intervention
eff mutual friends the matter was explained.
Wheat offered all apologies and the duel was
prevented
IN CASTLE THUNDER.
Marlborough conducted himself while in
prison in a gentlemanly manner. and won
their regard of all who came in contact with
him by his affable. pleasant department and
agreeable conversational powers. After his
discharge he frequently came back TO the
prison to talk to us all, and upon one occasion
he remarked 10 me: Il could have been re-
leased from the id old prison at any time
j pleased" | asked him could he have
done it? He put his hand in his
pocket, pulled out two letters and
asked me to read them. Sure enough
they would have prevented his imprisonment
il he had shown them, or have opened the
doors Of the prison 10 him afterwards. One
of them was letter addressed to Hon George
w. Randolph, Secretary of War of the Con
federate States, by the Hon. William L.. YAM
cey, Confederate States Commissioner in
London, introducing Lieutenant Henry
j. Marlborough, late of the ROYAL
Indian navy, and recommending him
to the Secretary for appointment to some
suitable position in the service of the Confed-
crate States. This letter was endorsed by
General Randolph, whose handwriting was
well known TO me. with directions to Gene
raj Gorgas to put Lieutenant Edenborough's
name on the list for positions in the
artillery service. The other letter was a
safe conduct, signed by General II. T. Lee.
directed to the officers of the Confederate
army, requesting them TO afford t. the
bearer, Lieutenant Peterborough, whatever
COurtesies he might need during his stay in
the Confederacy When | had read these
letters. asked him why he didn't show them
20 General Winder when he was arrested!
ills reply was: Il have been in prison in
Russia Italy, Sardinia, and India, and wan
ted to try prison life in the Confederate States
with that Of other countries, and now can
pay that have been treated better in prison
here than have been elsewhere.
INHEIITs FORTUNE.
After this Peterborough remained in Rich
mond for some months without taking Qny
active part in the service. Then he received
Intelligence of the death of an uuce in Eng
land, who bequeathed 10 him q large fortune
whereupon he applied to Mr.. Mallory. Secre-
tary OF the Navy, TO give him an appointment
IN the Confederate volunteer navy. promising
that if he would do So and if he would allow
him TO select his own crew, he would
go down to the Potomac and Chesa-
Federal vessel. with which he
would sail TO England and there purchase
with his own means q suitable ship. in which
he would privateer on the high seas in behalf
of the Confederate States Mr.. Mallory gave
him an appointment of lieutenant in the
navy and for some months he was stationed
near Drewys Bluff, on the school ship. Pat
nck Henry. Here he showed himself to be
an accomplished, capable officer In the fall
or winter of lS64-5. having obtained his crew,
he did capture vessel upon the Chesapeake
from the enemy, in which he sailed for
England. but before he reached il the
Confederacy had come to an end.
INTERESTING sToRY-TELLER
Peterborough was "a very interesting racon-
teur. and he had an iuexhaustible stock of
rare and racy stories concerning men and
things which his large ana varied experience
In LIE had enabled him to secure One of his
crew was Portuguese sailor whom he called
Jack Horner. When first became acquainted
with marlborough he related To me some OF
Jacks experiences while he served ON hoard
OF his vessel in the Indian war. He said Jack
was very fond of fighting both in battle and
upon his own private hook. and that he
mad been engaged in innumerable trials
In the Indian and China seas with
sailors and others, and that he bore upon his
persons such patent evidences Of them. as
thst ms whole anatomy was covered with
scars, hardly an inch apart, which were pro.
uuced 10y pistol shots, sword cuts and all
other weapons OF warfare known in ,ba, .