The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1910-10-20

start for the Pacific slope the tocsin of
war startled the land, and in common
with the loyal citizens of the north he
decided to abandon his private bust
ness enterprises and serve the imper-
He'd country.
! 1t was in April of that year that
Baker visited Washington city for the
purpose of allying himself with the
government in the defense of his coun-
try There he had an interview with
General Scott, who was then in COM
mand of the army of the United States.
Present at the interview was Hon.
George W. Wright Of California, and at
that time the plans were discussed and
laid for visit to be made by Baker
| to Richmond, which was the capital of
the Confederacy. In pursuance of this
plan the start was made for Richmond
| on July IL, the purpose of the hazard.
GUS journey being to learn, If possible,
the locality and strength of the hostile
troops and of their fortifictaions. There
being traitors in the government and
In the army, the Union troops were not
let into the secret of the expedition
or its mission. Therefore Bakers first
step from Washington in the direction
of the Sacred soil of Virginia" was one
of great risk, as any attempt to pass
the lines might cause his arrest.
Twice at least he was apprehended
and returned to Washington, but after
Vna ftfh lof h. Il.
evading the outposts and hired negro |
boy to row him across the river Here
he was promptly placed under arrest |
by the confederate sentinels. BY them |
b" was discredited and looked upon |
as a spy, when he assured them that |
he was peaceful citizen, unarmed and
on his way to Richmond
Four days after his arrival In Rich
mond Baker was ushered into the pres
ence of President Jefferson Davis, the
audience being in the front parlor of
the Spottswood house. The weather
being warm, the confederate chieftain
wore simply light linen coat, with.
out vest, eravat or collar. Davis lis
tened with Indifference to the story
told by Baker, and at the conclusion of /
the narrative gave no intimation as to
his probable action. After lapse
of three days the suspected spy was
for the third time taken into the pres
ence of Davis. Impersonating Sam, a
son of Judge Munson of Knoxville, who
went to California at an early day, Il
Baker succeeded in deceiving the pres
ident, from whom he received a parole
that released him from confinement
and pledged himself not to leave Rich
mond without first having received per.
mission from the provost marshal
Richmond thus became an open book
to Baker, who soon obtained all the
information he desired relative to the
movements, plans, Notifications and
strength of the enemy. Being anxious
to return to the north without delay,
he secured a pass that carried him to
Fredericksburg. At point four miles
below that city he crossed the Kappa.
hammock without difficulty, but In steal.
ing an old rowboat in which to eff.
feet his escape across the Potomac he
was so closely pursued that he was
compelled to kill one and wound two
of the confederate sentinels who were
guarding the river bank.
This, then, Is the story of the begin
ming of the secret service department
of the government, although 1t was
not until August, 1861, that Baker be-
came regularly attached to the war
department as secret agent.