The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-02
A FAMOUS SPY
HUDSON, OF WAR FAME, ON 4
 VISIT TO RICHNoND
Tried to Kidnap MT. Davis-Was Himself Captured and Placed in Castle Thunder from Which
 He Escaped.

big. broad -shouldered man. speaking a tered into the State Library yesterday morn, ing and asked lo see the files of Richmon request, he began carefuliy to peruss the publi- cations bearing dates from January to Aprif, Sn f hs ase Gf as ss ss under the caption Spy that told of the es- cape from Castle Thunder of Federal spy.
 It was the same Hudson that was then rssqs sbe ' man m, %ho had Fast Sesn n tbis og prisoner, charged with the blaekest cr.ns a man can commit m time of war. stood read ing with proud interest the few lines that toll
 But Hudson was the principal character in portant to the Confederacy than his leaving. unpardoned. his cell He was the man ap- by hsn b, bssr son. although captured as a spy was no, until after the war when the secrets ef both sides came to light under the protection again of united government
 A Bold Plan.
 The plan that Hudson was to have carrie l out was most audacious; it was almost impcs- sible. The spy had gained entrance to Rich mond. in the disguise of a Confederate soldier. He had studied the home and public life of the President and he knew the methodical regime of that important persons everyday life. Gsn-
 
 that Hudson had and he was the very man to lead the dare devil expedition. Hudson was men. in whom he had the uttermost confidence. They remained true.
 The plan was to intercept the President and his secretary as they left the Executive Man. sion at certain time. gag tkem and throw them in wagon that was to be near by and with with the aid g of forged passes was to to leave ss Richmond and as quickly as possible enter the Federal lines. then within eight miles of Rich mond
 That, reads nice in cold type. and for the Federals would have been the saving of thou became too reckless. and before he could carry out the orders of his commander he lost his was foreeS so es ne Noth,nr dsuntsd s he maae another attempt to enter the city, attempt that proved fatal to the project. By circui- in disguise, and obtained passage on . train over the old Wilmington and Weldon Railway conversation with Governor shorter s' of Ala bama and his language led the executive to suspicion that Hudson was plsyins false role. ger on the same train. and Governor shorter told him of the conversation he had just had the spy. He was brought to Castle Thunder. in this city.
 The Escape.
 After a short incarceration in prison. Hud- son, through the treachery of negro employe at the castle. obtained a forged pass through the Confederate lines. After many vicissitades. nc Tetcneu 11Dsby \ COfituAuI dt FfOht Va, was sent out a scout. position hs desired so that he could enter the Federal lines, which he did. and later arrived in Washington. Hudson's idea in not joining the Federal army around Richmond at the time of his escape. but to keep in the confe 1efate lines. to accumulate information for his Government. He was an adept at forgery and twice signed the name of General Winder to passes admitting him to the headquarters of the Confederate commanders.
 Hudsou's visit to the city this time Is not without adventure as he came near lesing his grip by leaving it in the care of dishonest saloon-keeper. The former enemy ot the Con federacy left the grip at the saloon Thursday until he could secure a lodging place Hc went to Zimmermans Hotel and after registering went back to the saloon for the grip No one there knew of it. until the police put in an appearance. when the grip suddenly appeared
 Since the war Hudson has lived in tho mountains of Kentucky, enjoying the niven turesome life of a mountaineer. He maintaina a mysterious silence about his present visit but from his care in collecting war data 1t is ostensbly for the purpose of securing a pen sion. or else incorporating the adventure in a memoir. He spent the day sight t-seeing and visiting many points that were familiar to him during the war. None of thcse attracted his attention more than the Jefferson Davis Man sion. at Twelfth and Clay, where. had not providence miscaFried plans, he was to enact a drama that would have made him famous