Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-01-03
A CON fEDERATE- AGENT.
Many Thrilling Experiences and Narrow
Escapes from Capture.

Captain Levi S. White had many
thrilling experiences and narrow es-
capes from capture while acting as an
agent of the Confederate Government
in Baltimore during the civil war.
1T was difficult matter at first to
obtain supplies for the Confederates."
be said, but very soon ex-
perience showed how it could be done.
Detectives were closely watching those
in Baltimore who were supposed to be
Southern sympathizers-but in New
York 1 practically had no difficulty.
There could purchase anything that
was needed /; it was merely game of
the 'Pieman and Simple Simon. Show
me your money first.' They had the
goods and l had the money.
'.To illustrate-I had made, at diff
ferentstimes. some small purchases
from a large dealer in military goods
in Maiden Lane, New York, as a
sfeeler' to ascertain how far l could
go. One morning when walked into
that store the senior member of the firm
came up to me and said. We have
large lot of goods on hand which we
cannot at present sell, but you can
handle them, and 1 would like to sell
you the whole lot He then showed
me a large quantity of Virginia.
North Carolina, South Carolina and
George buttons. He told me that he
had a son in the Union army, But, he
added, we are here to do business-we
have goods to sell. and our business is
to sell to anyone who has the money
to pay for them.' 1t is only necessary
to say I had the money, and all those
buttons were speedily sent to Rich
mond. purchased large quantities of
goods from that firm, and had no
trouble. The members asked no ques-
tions and I volunteered nc inf ormatiOn.
"From another firm on the same
street,a branch house of large Phila
delphia manufacturing firm, purchas-
ed more extensively, as soon ascer-
tanned that the resident manager was
a strong Southern sympathizer. He
bluntly told me at first that he knew for
what purpose I purchased his goods,
but said he, 1 wish you success. l
will sell you anything that you may
want, and if haven't what you want
1 will get it for you.' And he did
and proved valuable ally to me.
"In the South west the Confederates
had captured several hundred breech-
loading rifles of new and superior
make for sharpshooters. The cart
ridge had to be placed in rubber tub
ing and this tubing could be recharged
q number of times.-Only a few OF
these tubings had been captured, and,
of course, without them the rifles were
useless. General Gorgas, Chief OF
Ordnance, gave me three of the tub
ings with orders to purchase as many
as l could without regard to cost. !
sent one of those tubings to my friend
in New York, asking him to get them
for me. He replied tina there was but
one factory that made them, and they
were under contract to deliver all they
made to the. United States Govern
ment-and to no one else. l urged him
to make another effort, and offered an
advanced price. He reported that the
factory had two cases-about 5000 OF
the tubings ready for ship
ment to the United States Arsenal at
Wasnington-but they would sell them
at double the price. 1t is only necess-
ary to say those two cases were de.
livdred to the Confederate Arsenal at
Richmond instead of the United States
Arsenal at Washington.
"During the war had experiences
which were not always pleasant ones
but the old adage ALPS well that ends
we'll frequently applied to me. One OF
these was a raid upon my house on
McCulloh street. when was at home
by nine detectives sent to capture me
bv Provost Marshal McPhail. They
suddenly pounced upon us one warm
Summer afternoon.--Th Provost haG
learned, so they said, that l was al
home. The information was correct
but the result not as anticipated. NJ
doubt the information was derived
through some lndiscreet young lady
who had received letter. by me, from
her. Rebel Soldier Boy The de
tectives surrounded the house. Som
Jumped over the fence from the alley
others came in at the front door, say
ing: We'll, we know Mr.. White is a
home and we want him. And said m!
wife, you will have to catch him first.
IN the bathroom of my house Mr.
Rufus Bennett had constructed for m
a very ingenious hiding place after tn
plan of a false bulkhead into which
could go. When closed it was impos
sible to detect it, atleast none of thos
nine detectives did. retired to thi
refuge, the house was searched owe
and over again. from garret to cellar
the bathroom; but they did not cate
me. heard some of them say in th
ward, just below where l was hiding
we are too late, he has been here, bu
gone.' The detectives came about
o'clock in the evening and RENAME
until O'Clock re searching, as perhaE
they might have overlooked some pal
of the houss. We have two colore
servants, good. true, loyal women, wh
were questioned and threatened, BIT
nothing could be obtained from then
'sAfter the detectives were Statistic
that they were too late they left, an
then my house was thoroughly searcl
ed again-this time for concealed d