The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-25
A FAMOUS SPY
RET URI|N|,.S. |. l..:.' {.
Hudson, of War Fame, on a Visit
to Richmond.
TRIED TO .KlDNAP Mr.. DAVIS.
Was Himself Captured aud Placed in Castle
Thunder, from Which lie Es-
capped -Au Interesting
Character.
TRIED TO .KIDNAP Mr.. DAVIS

A big, broad siouldered man, speaking
a lingo that belongs only to a hentuckian,
sauntered into the State Library yester-
day morning and asked to see the files Of
Richmond papers published during the
war. Granted his request, he began care
fully to peruse the publications. bearing
dates from January to April. 1861, until he
found copy of the Richmond IN
aminer of the date of April &C. 1861. HIS
1re nix face frightened as he read an az
ticie, under the caption Spy that -cio
OF the escape from Castle Thunder of
Federal spy. Hudson by name.
1t was the same Hudson that was then
reading of his own escape. After thirty
eight years the man who had last been
in this city as a prisoner, charged VITA
the BLACKLIST crime a man can commit III
time Of war, stood reading with proud
interest the few lines that told OF his
escape
But Hudson was the principal chafac-
ter in another war incident that was lar
more important to the Contederacy tiau
his leaving, unpardoned, his cell nc
was the man appointed by General Ben
(.Beast'O Butter to kidnap Preslueht
Davis and bring him into the federal
lines The plan miscarried and HUI
son. although captured as spy, was nv.
confronted with the part he took IN tlle
ROT Until AFTER the war, when the secrets
OF both sides came TO light under ltto
protection a gain of q. united government
4 BOLD PLAN
The Man that Hudson was to have car
ried out was most audaCious; it was al
most Impossible The spy had gained Gu
trance to Richmond, in the disguise OIL d
| Confederate soldier. He had STUDIED me
| home and public life of the Presldent d tl
! he knew the method!cal regime oL tids
| important persons everyday me.
| eral Butler was Informed OF TINS hlloMi-
| edge that Hudson had and he was t.is
yerv man to lead the dare devil eNpedi-
| tion Hudson was told to select his as
| sociates and he took seven men, in whom
he had the uttermostt confidence. my
remained true.
| The plan was to intercept the fresldeh'
and his secretary as they lett the hAecu-
tive Mansion at a certain time, gas 'heIii
and throw them in a wagon that was 70
no near NV and throw loose hay over the
pair. Then the party with the aid OF
forced masses was to leave Richmond anu
rs quickly as possible enter the Federal
lines then within eigh miles OF Rlch-
| mond.
That reads nice in cold type, and lor
! the F7ederaS would have peeh thc Sth'iii9
of thousands of dollars and many men.
| Rnt Hudson became too reckless, and be-
| fore he could carry out the orders or
| his commander he lost his entry through
| the lines around the city and was forced
! to flee Nothing daunted, he made az
| other attempt to enter the city an at
| tempt that proved fatal to the project.
| BY Il crcutouS route HUDSON Fedchtu
| Wilmington y. c.. i'll disguise. and obtain
| ed massage on a. train over the CID Will
| mington and Weldon railway TO th's city
| While on the train he engaged III CONVEX
| sa ton with Governor Shorter, OF Ala-
bama, and his language led the exec
utive to suspicion that Hudson was play
| ing a. false role. y secret service detec-
| tive was, also passenger on the same
| train and Governor Shorter told ht.u 1t
| the conversation he had just had with
| Hudson, and it was decided to arrest the
| suy. He was brought to Castle Thunder,
| in this city.
THE ESCAPE.
After short Incarceration in prison,
! Hudso1r through the treachery of a ne
gro employe at the caste ootalneo d
1 forged pass through the Confederate
(" lines After many vicissitudes, he reach
| cd Mosby's command at Front Royal
| Va, was sent out as a scout, a position
! he desired 50 that he could enter the
Federal lines which he did, and later
| arrived in Washington. Hudson IDEA
/ in not Joining the Federal army around
! richmond at the time OF his escape, but
! to keep in the Confederate lines, was to
/ accumulate information for his Govern
| 1ncnt He was an adept at forgery ana
| twice signed the name of General Wlnder
/ to passes admitting him to the head
! quarters of the Confederate commanders
| Hudsons visit to the city this time is
| not without adventure, as he came near
| losing MS grip Ky leaving 1t in the care
/ Of a dishonest saloon-kceper. Inc 1pr-
/ ,ner enemy of the Confederacy LETT the
! grip at the saloon Thursday until ne
could secure a. lodging place lie went
/ to Zim,uelmans Hotel and after regis
tering went back to the saloon tor the
grip. No one there knew Of it, until The
/ policc put i'll an appearance, when the
| grip suddenly appeared
Since the war Hudson has lived in inc
mountains of Kentucky, enjoying the
adventurous life of Inourtaineer. lie
! maintains q mysterious silence about ms
| present visit but from his care in coli
lecting war data it is ostensibly for the
purpose of securing a pension. or else lit-
cooperating the adventure in a. memoir.
/ He spent the day sightseeing and Wis
/ tied many points that were familiar ["
him during the war. None of these at
/ tracted his attention more than the JET
ferson Davis Mansion at Twelfth and
/ CLAY where had not providence miscar-
1 ricd plans. he was to enact q drama that
/ would have made him famous.