Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-22

lect Information as to the strength, po-
sition, resources, movements and inten-
tons of the enemy and for his services
was to receive the Largest remuneration
paid by the United States under like cir
cumstances. According to his own state
ment he was engaged military ex-
pert" though a less imposing title would
seem more appropriate. Equipping himself
with a stock of quininc, he entered the enc
my's territory as contraband purveyor
of that important drug, and made such
good use of his opportunities that he was
enable to apprise Gen. Grant of the con-
templated occupation OF Paducah Ky, py
the enemys forces. Gen. Grant, however
stole a march ON them, and took posses
sion of the town to the great surprise and
CONSERVATION of the inhabitants, who had
made PREPARATIONS to welcome very oil
feNnt army.
There was a large supply of valuable
stores in Paducah, which, of course, reli
into our hands, and the place itself was
then considered an important one In
military sense. no doubt whatever can
exist that the military expert" who
seems to have had the true military in
stinct is entitled to whatever credit at
tacheS to the capture OF Paducah. AN AM
davit Of Gen. Fremont and letters from
Gen. Grant and Commodore Foote settle
that question beyond peradventure. Gen.
Grant says that it was solely on informa-
ton furnished by the expert that he TOOK
possession of Paducah, and Commodore
FoOte credits him with having saved the
United States thousands of lives and mil
lions of dollars"
The Usual Fate.
Not long after rendering this valuable
service, and while following his profession
in the enemy's country, he was recognized
by a confederate officer, was knocked on
the head, sh.." in the leg and narrowly
escaped with his life. Before he could
obtain settlemeit with Gen. Fremont,
that officer was relieved from the com
mand of the Western Department and his
successor referred the expert and his claim
to Washington. The claim, which amount
ed to 5000 for special services and ex-
penses from July 81 to October 81, 1861,
was submitted to President Lincoln, who
Endorsed upon 1t request thai the ac-
counting officers would Investigate and pay
1t, If found just and equitable.
The Secretary of War Gen. Camerun)
took the papers, reduced the amount to
$1,000 and that sum was paid by the dis
bursting clerk of the War Department, the
claimant giving a receipt in full.
After settling with his attorney, who re-
tanned liberal share of the 5000 for his
special services, the expert went to Europe
to recuperate from his wounds and I'll
usage, and nothing was heard of him for
twenty-five years. Then he returned TO
Washington, was recognized and befriend-
ed by Gen. Fremont, who at that time
QSS6) resided here a bill granting him
$4,000 for the capture of Paducah was IN
troduced in the Senate, and he presented
himself to the accounting Off1cerS, with
request that they would adjust his Calm
in accordance with the Endorsement of
President Lincoln. The reply was, in ef-
feet: THE claim was settled Ind paid by
the War Department, as appears by your
receipt in full Moreover, you have taken
your case to Congress. We have no 1uris-
diction." After two years delay the pa
pers were referred to the court of claims,
but the expert Jared no better with the
legal authorities than with the treasury
officials, and so far he has obtained no
satisfaction from the law makers.
What 1t Cost.
The total expenditure on account of army
secret service was about S2,O00,O0O, one
half Of which was paid from the special
secret fund, and the remainder from the
appropriations for incidental expenses Of
the quartermaster's department and con-
tingencies of the army, and from the pro-
ceeds of confiscations, military contribu-
lions, etc. The mention of these funds re-
minds me of an anecdote told by the late
Secretary Belknap during a conversation
about secret service accounts. He said
that when he was a brigadier general OF
s1G0 900, Think of what were known as
irregular funds" that is, money not APP
propriatcd by Congress and not accounted
for to the treasury. Talking with broth
er officer about these moneys he prlded
himself upon having strictly accounted TO
his mlit ary superiors for every cent tnat
had come into his hands. Whereupon the
brother officer politely remarked: you
must be a fool"