Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-10

4 = resulted in the conversion OF
an innocent river steamer into a
more or less formidable vessel OF
war of the Confederates-is thus related
nv Can't. Baker A. Jamison, formerly OF
this city. now of New York 1t was
dramatic episode of which he was an eye
witness.
1T was June -, 1851 he said, that
7 took massage at Baltimore on the river
steamer st. Nicholas, plying between that
place and Washington. and making land
ines for passengers and freight at vari-
Gus points on the Potomac. When she
left her dock at Baltimore on this oc-
casion she carried, besides the usuai
travellers of the lower counties. large
number of men whose faces were I'M
familiar to the regular patrons OF the
boat. and who, appearing to be strangers
TO each other, excited no special attention
from the boat hands and regular patrons
There was, however, one passenger whom
we who were acquainted styled among
ourselves the French lady She awaken
ed our passing interest, though IL was
scarcely warranted by her actions.
Throughout the entire evening she sat
quietly in her rocking chair In the Sd
loon, apparently intent on her own
thoughts and unacquainted with any one
Thus burdened the small steamer
moved down the Patapsco between the
green-cIad shores of Maryland. passing
the historic Fort McHenry, immortalized
alike for its heroic defense against the
British in 1914 and as the scene of the
penning Of the noble anthem, The Star
Spangled Banner. and entered at last the
H. haS "a Ia a.
ing was made and nothing occurred to
mar the harmony of the trip or arouse
the suspicion the steamer pointed
southwark.
place, some noticed that the French lady
had retired from the saloon, but 1t was
close upon midnight and time for ladies
of her age to retire. those awake sup
posed she had gone to her berth AS the
evening was warm a number OF paSsen-
gers sat on deck. watching the loading
and unloading of freight At this point
some new passengers came ABOARD, ana
one of them was d flne-looklng man OF
about six feet, wrapped in a military
coat, who came suddenly from the saloon
and looked anxiously about him. In
few moments young fellow, dressed
in zouave costume, climbed up the side
of the steamer, which had again started
on its way, and, leaping upon the deck.
whispered a few words to the officers OF
the boat and they quickly disappeared
into the saloon. These peculiar actions
aroused not little curiosity, but much
stronger feeling took possession of US
when in minute two the boat came
to a standstil. Naturally there was a
rushing from all quarters to know the
cause and the explanation was found
below.
A.There were assembled our strange
passengers, buckling on the revolvers and
handling the carbines which they had
taken from their trunks, brought on as
baggage. Two of them were holding PTS
tolls at the heads of the captain and en-
gineer, and the order to steer Tor the
Virginia shore was given and ooeyed
X
..The military officer was Commodore
Hollins formerly of the United states
NAVY. but then in the Confederate serv-
ice, and the French lady was DICK
Thomas of a well known st. Marys fam
lily. He played two parts on that eVehtiui
night When he disappeared from the
saloon he was in woman's apparel. as
the lady wellwishers thought the french
lady had gone to rest quietly IN peo' ~.
subsequently 1t was known tnat sns
went to don Zouave uihloini' ~
he appeared later ,.,
tie utmost secrecy and promptness. le
passengers were assured tndt no mol ~
should befall them, Dut ds q oeeaiiei 49,
needed for the Confederate service one
had heen secured in this manner. All
the the passengers were sympathizers with
the south and no one therefore felt any
alarm or regret. Indeed, one young iaas
from Charleston clapped her hands and
said: Isn't il splendid; hooray for Dixie.
I'VE had now turned about and. crossing
the Potomac in the morning. entereo
Coan river. Va. At the wharf. as mao
been planned, we were met by Ten
nessee regiment of infantry and the
Messengers were allowed to land with their
baggage and other personal belongings
The troops were then quartered on the
hoa, small cannon mounted and the
Confederate flag unfurled TO the breeze
Then. to the music of Dixie and amid
the cheers of all on the shore. the newly
eouipped little vessel. Commodore Hoi.
lins in command and the French lady,
Dick Thomas his aid, daringly headed
for Fredericksburg. The outfit was ready
and willing to fight any government gun