Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-03-02
THE BATTLE-FIELDS.
OLD SOLDIERS TALK OVER
ARMY EXPERIENCES.
The Blue and she Gray Review Incl
dents of the Late War, and In a
Graphic and Interesting Manner
Tell Of CaEsp, March and Battle.

Al the outbreak OF the rebellion Bal
timore was turbulent and dangerous
city. There probably never was a time
when the secesslonists outnumbered the
Union people there, but the former
class were noisy. fierce, and full Of
eagerneSs to commit the state of Mary
land 10 the cause OF the Southern Con
rederacy The mobblng OF the sixth
Massachusetts Regiment in the streets
OF that city as IT was attempting TO
pass through. on its way to Washing
ton, showed the temper and despera-
uon OF this dangerous element and
there cannot be the slightest doubt
now, that had Abraham Lincoln not
Needed the warning sent him by Dean
Richmond (who had learned OF the
conspiracy through his great railroad
connections and passed secretly
through Baltimore, the great martyr
dom would have occurred four years
before 1t did.
After General Mcclellan had ar
rested the Maryland Legislature, put
ting ii out OF their power TO do any
mischief, and General Butler had laid
the heavy hand of military government
on the city there was quiet there. and
no more talk was heard about taking
Maryland ont Of the Union. Hundreds
probably thousands, OF uneasy spirits
made their way 10 Richmond, and
joined the Confederate army. Their.
We're plenty remaining in Baltimore
whose hearts and sympathies were all
enlisted in the cause of revolt; but
they found 1t prudent to keep their
tongues still. and not make any open
manifestations OF their desires.
Some there were, even so late as
July, 1861, who fingered about that
city, watching keenly for chance to
strike blow In aid of the Confederacy
One of these men was the author OF
an exploit about this time. that de
serves, by its holiness and cleyerness.
10 be preserved in the minor literature
OF the war. The story has been often
told, but usually without those full de
tails that show the cunning and au-
dacity OF the man who planned and
executed the successful scheme.
Captain Thomas, widely known RS
the French Lady" from certain
feature of his exploit. claimed to hold
a commission from the Confederate
government If this were true. IL is
6tffpllf IN " hu b &c
in the manner that will be related, he
should not have been tried and exc
cuted as spy: for he was certainly
lurking In and about Baltimore, car
rylng on war by stealth far inside the
Union lines. But military justice was
not summary and thorough at that
early day OF the war, as In its later
years. and sending such man az
Thomas 10 confinement In Fort Lafay-
cite, in New York harbor, was thought
to be the correct thing.
The Baltimore American Of July ..
1861, gave a long account OF Thomas
exploit, from which. and from the rec
objection of the writer of the reports
Of this daring mans doings that sum
mer, as they were published at the
time, this account is made up.
Among the many passenger steamers
plying on Chesapeake Bay was one
named the Saint Nicholas She was
fast boat. and the secret Confederate
agents IN Baltimore had their eyes on
her as a desirable acquisition to the
slender navy of the rebellion.
A day or two before the account was
published in the American this steam
er left Baltimore oil one OF her usual
trips down the bay. She had aboard
about fifty passengers for various
points along the shores, and party OF
twenty Ave men In workmens blouses
and overalls. These men carried car.
penters' and other tools, and talked
freely Of the job they had been hired
to 80 at some place on the eastern
shore. Their appearance was that Of
Baltimore mechanics and there was
nothing about them 10 excite the least
suspicion. In fact, nobody dreamed OF
the slightest danger from public enc
mics to steamboat running out OF
Baltimore on a regular route
Shortly before the boat left the
wharf, a lady was helped aboard She
was yelled so that her face could not
be seen but her attendant told the
captain OF the steamer that his mis-
tress was a French lady. whose health
was very delicate. and that she would
like 10 retire to her state-rOom az once.
Captain Krwan tcll Of politeness and
sympathy for his fair and suffering
passenger, bestirred himself 10 make
her comfortable The stpwariess and
the chambermaid were enlisted in this
labor Of love. and they were profuse in
their attentions. They did think II
rather strange that the lady kept her
veil on q 8 she lay 10 her berth but re
Ing women themselves they knew that
a woman viii sometimes do unactount
able things without any reason for
them, aud this incident did not make
them uneasy BesideA this was