Between the Lines Part 3

Headquarters, Fort McHenry, Nov. 19. 1863.

General Order No. 53.

In pursuance of General Order No. 54 and 56 issued from Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps, Oct. 26, and Nov. 3, 1863, and General Order No. 92, issued from headquarters 2d. Separate Brigade, Defences of Baltimore, Nov.

19, 1863, William F. Gordon, a prisoner in confinement at this post, will be shot to death with musketry, between the hours of 12 M. and 3 o'clock P. M., on Friday, the 20th inst., on the Parade Ground at Fort McHenry, according to military usage in such cases, provided the approval of the President of the United States be received.

The a.s.st. Provost Marshal of the Post, Lieut. H. B. Smith, is charged with the execution of this order.

(Signed) By Command of Col. P. A. PORTER, 8th N. Y. V. Arty., Com'd'g Post.

GEO. WIARD, Lieut. 8th N. Y. V. Arty and Post Adjt.

A harder duty could not be directed. In cases where execution is by shooting, a firing party is picked, and their rifles are loaded for them. One gun among them is loaded with a blank cartridge, so that each member of the firing party can hope he has it. In case death does not result from the firing it becomes the duty of the officer commanding the firing party to complete the execution of the order. That was not a cheerful prospect for me. I had twenty-four hours for serious contemplation; suppose the men should aim wrong? Then I would be compelled to shoot the man as a mere cold duty. We were spared its execution by the following telegraphic order:

War Department, Nov. 20, 1863.

Major General Schenck:

The President directs that the execution of sentence of death against Gordon, now in Fort McHenry, be suspended until further orders.

(Signed) E. M. STANTON, Sec. of War.

FILE VI.

Detective work required an extension of territory--A flattering endors.e.m.e.nt by Colonel Porter--Introducing Christian Emmerich and incidentally Charles E. Langley, a noted Confederate spy.

For the purpose of showing how I grew in the service I will ask you to read each order carefully. Sometimes they explain themselves, sometimes not.

Investigations started in the prisons required work to be done outside the garrison, throughout Maryland and perhaps into Virginia, which would carry me outside our post limits and required authority from Department commanders. The Department comprised Maryland, parts of Delaware and Virginia. The following personal letter was addressed to Colonel W. S.

Fish, Provost Marshal under General Schenck:

Headquarters, Fort McHenry, Nov. 27, 1863.

Dear Colonel.--Our a.s.sistant Provost Marshal, Lieut. Smith, has got hold of a sloop and her Captain. He was to be examined before you, but Smith says that McPhail's men have other and earlier accounts to settle with him. I suggest this as you may have a great deal to do and may prefer to transfer the case to those already familiar with it.

Very truly, P. A. PORTER, Col. 8th N. Y. V. Arty., Com'd'g Post.

The following will show my progress in such matters:

Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps.

Office Provost Marshal, Baltimore, Dec. 23, 1863.

Lieut. H. B. Smith, a.s.sistant Provost Marshal, Fort McHenry, is hereby authorized to visit and search any house in the City of Baltimore that he has good reason to believe contains Rebel mail, or any treasonable matter.

By order, W. S. FISH, Col. and Provost Marshal General, 8th Army Corps.

My work at Fort McHenry absolutely required freedom to act outside.

Office Provost Marshal, Fort McHenry, Jan. 8, 1864.

_Confidential._ Colonel Fish, Provost Marshal, 8th Army Corps.

Dear Sir.--I am at last able to report that we have gotten underway an underground correspondence between Trought and Emmerich. At first the correspondence was unimportant (which was, of course, policy for them), but now they have become confidential. I, with some others, intend to enlist in the Rebel service, but my plan is too long to explain here.

Now, Colonel, if you will drop a line to Colonel Porter, asking him to allow me to organize a squad of reliable men, say twelve or fifteen, and instruct them, whom we can call upon at any time, we will guarantee to show some rich developments inside of three weeks.

Emmerich is not alone but is connected with some of the largest houses in Baltimore.

Trusting this will meet your approval, I am, Col.

Very resp'y, H. B. SMITH, Lt. and a.s.st. Pro. Mar.

This was officially approved first by Colonel Fish, and then by Colonel Porter.

Office Provost Marshal, Fort McHenry, Jan. 26, 1864.

Col. P. A. Porter, Commanding 2d Separate Brigade, Defences of Baltimore.

I respectfully beg leave to lay before you the following and ask for authority to proceed further.

Four recruits for the Rebel Army are in Baltimore, also two Rebel officers. I want authority to follow them and make the arrest when about to cross the Potomac, thus implicating all the parties connected in recruiting for the Rebel Army in and about Baltimore. I have it so arranged that it will be impossible for them to get away from me, if I am allowed to proceed. And as I have some more operations in process of development, I would respectfully ask to have the authority extended to cover them also.

I could make some of these arrests in Baltimore, but as it is perfectly safe, by allowing them to get a little further, it would make the case a still more fatal one for the parties concerned.

I am, Colonel, Very Resp'y, Your Ob'd't Serv't, H. B. SMITH, Lt. and a.s.st. Pro. Mar.

The endors.e.m.e.nt on the back of the above paper has always been a source of gratification. No man from New York State was ever more highly esteemed than Colonel Porter. He was talked of for Governor. A brave, true, and generous man, loved by all. He was killed at Cold Harbor, leading his regiment. His body was dragged back to our lines in the darkness of the night.

Headquarters, 2d Separate Brigade, Defences of Baltimore.

Jan. 26, 1864.