Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1911-03-14

From the LynebburS Advanced
Under this caption weli-known local
veteran writes the following interesting
bit of Confederate history.
Forty six wears ago. that is to say, in
Febrarnrv. 1865. Acting Master John
Y. Beall. of the COME iersse States ravy,
was hanged a. spy 10 Fes' York State.
BesH pTououpcod Eell with others.
operating ifoiu the Canada SIDE. had
captured several vessels on Lake Erie I'D
the attempt to release the Confederate
prisoners who were held at Johnson s
Island. He was captured IN December.
1904. and was tried and conGemDed.
The then Governor. John A Dix.
approved the finding of the court Cap
tain Beall lsometimes 50 desi2 naiecl
asked that he be defended al the trial by
General Roger A Proyr. who was one
of the Confederate prisoners. but this
was refused by c. A. Dana.
acting Secretary of War of
the u oited States. The present Cover
nor Dix. of New York. is a nephew OF
that Governor Dix. and Roger A Pryor
is Supreme Court judge Of New York,
and unbiased opinion says the unfortun-
ate Beall was unjnstlv condemned
As an -old Confed" ] was very much
interested to read the above. contributed
to the News of February I4'h. It was
my good fortune TO know Johu Yates
Beall verywell, We were boys together.
attedded the same school. went to the
same church. His fathers pew was just
in front OF my fathers so our families
virtually sat together every Sunday,
As a boy, be was of the highest type,
and as q man be was one Of the most
gallant. chivalrous. Christian gentlemen
il was ever my good fortune to know.
He and ! went into the Confederate
army in the same company at Harper
Perry. which afterwards became Com
pany G. Second Virginia Infantry.
Stonewall Brigade. In all my four
wears war experience. / never knew q
Drawer man then John Beall. He seemed
absolutely UNCONSCIOUS of danger. nc
matter what the conditions were. Not
very long after the first Manassas latte
was commissioned and left my com
pany for service IN another branch oil
the army. Late in 1862, while OF duty
in Gordonsvilie. one day. without any
premonitlon John 3 call walked into my
quarters. salrted me Familiarity as il be
Just seen me the day before. He became
my guest and remained with me for some
days. OF course We exchanged expert.
ences. he telling me what be had done
while inside the enemy's lines aud what
be proposed to do, which was to get NJ
an expedition. to be made up in Canada
the object Of which was to hberate Con
federate prisoners, then suffering and
dying in the Northern prisons. ! re
monstrated with him. and knowing him
was certain he did not appreciate It
remember saying TO him;
John, you acknowledge the narrow
escape you made when acting as 4 spy
but il you undertake it again thos,
Yankees will catch you and hang YOU Al
certain as fate"
remember now his incredulous smile
aud saw my p'eadings ned been entirel'
Intellectual. and no matter what b.
thought. he made no sign. Go not re
member how long he remained with me
but one morning be did not show up a
breakfast, and have not since TO thi
day seen him. ! knew h- was waiting
for an opportunity to get through ib
lines" because he told ME be was. bu
never iptima,ed, in the remotest degree
when or how.
He succeeded. however. aud wbs
followed is history. which all know. 0
can if they wish TO A full account wa
publ isbed ia book form Of his exploits
his ca pture. trial and execution. ant
all Of the extraordinary efforts made 70
his paTdep. which would probably hay
availed except for Secretary Dana
then in charge Of the War Office. Tbi
very interesting book was written b,
Bealls schoolboy friend. Judge DAME
BedInger Lucas.a distinguished law
yer of West Virginia. who afterward
became presiding judge Of the Suprem
{ ourt of his State, ard WIS also for
time United States Senator from Wrs
Virginia Judge Lucas defended beal
at bis trial and made almost supeIbuma
efforts to procure his pardon.
The last time. and indeed many time
when have been at my native town
Charles Town. West Virginia. visite'
John Yates Beal's grave. which is il
the family square ID the old ZaD churc
yard where be attended Sunday schol
and church when boy. Beall's fanil
WAS English, and be got his name Jon
Yates from MS grandfather. u DO was
native Englishman. and whom well re
member.
! A REMINISCENT CONFEDERATE
Lynchburg. Va. Feb. 10. 1911
This is a IA Easy Test
Shake slf.nse Poet vase in one shos ~