The Daily Dispatch: October 19, 1863., [Electronic resource]

---

---

Secret history of the subjugation of Maryland.

the arrest and Imprisonment of her Legislature — arrangements for a Subsequent election — secret correspondence Showing the condition of Affairs in Maryland in '61--letters of spies and Informers, &c.

---

Among the most remarkable developments of the secret history of this war is the publication of the correspondence which attended the subjugation of Maryland. There are few citizens of the United States, lost as they are to the sense of liberty, who will not turn from reading it with an apprehensive thought of Seward and the "tinkle of the bell" at his right hand. We publish some extracts from this correspondence, which has been aired in nine columns of a New York paper. The letters form an important portion of the history of this revolution:

---

Relating to the arrest of the Maryland Legislature--letter from Simon Cameron in Relation to the Maryland Legislature.

The passage of any act of secession by the Legislature of Maryland must be prevented. If necessary all, or any part of the members, must be arrested. Exercise your own judgment as to the time and manner, but do the work effectively.

---

Legislative Matters.

[Confidential.] After full consultation with the President, Secretaries of State, War, &c., it has been decided to effect the operation proposed for the 17th. Arrangements have been made to have a Government steamer at Annapolis to receive the prisoners and carry them to their destination.

Some four or five of the chief men in the affair are to be arrested to-day. When they meet on the 17th you will please have everything prepared to arrest the whole party, and be sure that none escape.

It is understood that you arranged with Gen. Dix and Gov. Seward the modus operandi. It has been intimated to me that the meeting might take place on the 14th.--Please be prepared. I would be glad to have you advise me frequently of your arrangements in regard to this very important matter.

If it is successfully carried out, it will go far towards breaking the backbone of the rebellion. It would probably be well to have a special train quietly prepared to take the prisoners to Annapolis.

I leave this exceedingly important affair to your tact and discretion, and have but one thing to impress upon you — the absolute necessity of secrecy and success.

---

Letter from R. B. Marcy, Chief of Staff.

Enclosed I have the honor to send you an order regarding the Legislature of Maryland. Will you do me the favor to acknowledge its receipt by the bearer?

---

Copeland's report — Legislature, Sept. 16.

I find that there is some probability of no quorum; this is particularly Gen. S.'s opinion. He thinks the whole thing is crushed by the arrest. But there is reason to believe he is mistaken.

Noakes is here, and says there are at least twenty-five in town; that they have spread the rumor that there will be no quorum, in order to lull attention; but that there will be enough to meet and adjourn to a place outside the town.

He saw to-night four carriages and a party of men come in one of the back roads and go to a drinking saloon, where they were loud and deep in threats and imprecations. They left the tavern and came into the town and separated, where he could not tell, as he was on foot. He has got no evidence of any messenger from Virginia; thinks no one is here.

But there is one bad thing. Gen. Dix has sent his son here, and a Major, and the Provost Marshal of B--, and a party of police to make arrests. I have tried to get them sent back early in the first train to-morrow, accompanied, at least as far as Monocracy, by Mr. Dix. He does not like to get up and go at that time. It is a mistake.

General S. has no particular information, and wants to shield some personal friends; would like, for the future, to make it easy for some men.

I think I shall get a plan arranged to take a number at any rate. The arrests in B. have terrified them very much, and all profess obedience there.

None of the members from the Eastern Shore have come up yet, which inclines me to wait for day after to-morrow.

I regret your letters to Colonel R. did not put the matter more under my especial control, as he is rather disinclined to be as careful and patient as is desirable, and I do not feel authorized to direct.

If anything occurs to you send by messenger to me, care of Col. R. I am at the U. S. Hotel. In haste,

---

Young Dix tells me his errand was to meet you and give you a list of names of men to be arrested — nothing more. He will give me the paper to morrow and await orders. You will get this at six--a messenger can return in three hours.

---

Copy of letter of instructions Concerning Legislature.

[Important and confidential.] The Legislature of Maryland is appointed to meet in special session to morrow--Tuesday--September 17.. It is not impossible that the members, or a portion of them, may be deterred from meeting there on account of certain arrests recently made in Baltimore. It is also quite possible that on the first day of meeting the attendance of members may be small. Of the facts, as to this matter, I shall see that you are well informed as they transpire. It becomes necessary that any meeting of this Legislature, at any place or time, shall be prevented.--You will hold yourself and your command in readiness to arrest the members of both houses; a list of such as you are to detain will be enclosed to you herewith; among whom are to be specially included the presiding officers of the two houses, secretaries, clerks, and all subordinate officers. Let the arrests be certain, and allow no chance of failure. The arrests should be made while they are in session, I think.

You will, upon receipt of this, quietly examine the premises. I am informed that escape will be impossible, if the entrance to the building be held by you. Of that you will judge upon examination. If no session is held, you will arrest such members as can be found in Frederick. The process of arrest should be enter both houses at the same time, announcing that they were arrested by orders of the Government; command them to remain as they are, subject to your orders. Any resistance will be forcibly suppressed, whatever the consequences. Upon the arrests being affected, the members that are to be detained will be placed on board a special train for Annapolis, where a steamer will await them.

Everything in the execution of the orders is confided to your secrecy, discretion, and promptness.

---

Copeland's report--Maryland Legislature, September 17.

The arrests in Baltimore have entirely broken down and disorganized the secession element in the Legislature, and much less than a quorum have assembled.--Of the members present the larger number are Union men, who, encouraged by our presence, are here to face the enemy. I have had pickets set since noon in all the woods leading to this place, with orders to let no one go out unless they are right, and to let all come in who wish. I went down to Frederick junction with a trusty man to see who should come up, and make arrangements for them — only seven came. We find that there are only about six bad specimens here, but that there is a chance that more may arrive. We have spotted the house where these men board, and shall arrest them to-night. I have let the train go to B — with a sergeant who will come up on the train and will spot, and, if needs be arrest, any man who tries to leave the train at Monocacy. To day some persons left at the station below M — to drive here in a carriage. As yet the Legislature has not convened. When it does I shall have the trap sprung on them. Your letter has just arrived. I will attend to it as you wish. You have by this time learned of the arrests in Baltimore yesterday which has alarmed all. I sent Mr. Dix and the policemen away on the train, and went myself, as we were surrounded by a crowd in which were ten of the worst-men. They now think we are all gone. I and two of the policemen returned afoot.

Noakes is on the watch to find out where every man lives, and I do not think we can fall to get some; but the worst men are too wary to come here. I shall send this to you just as soon as I can find a messenger, and shall telegraph when the arrest is completed.

General S. and his friends believe that nothing can be effected, as those whom we shall take are the least conspicuous. I shall arrest the clerks of the two houses, who are mentioned as particularly venomous. Nothing more occurs to me now. I will add whatever happens later.

---

To Major-General N. P. Banks.

It is now five P. M. We have arrested twelve of the worst men, and are progressing very well. We shall get the whole eighteen, I think; and if any come in on the train to-night we will bag them, too. General S. is invaluable. We have been besieged for passes — every avenue being blocked. It has taken three men all the time to write and inquire into the merits of the case. No news from Virginia — all seems quiet as far as we can learn. The House met to-day; was called to order by the clerk; four members present, and adjourned until to-morrow noon.

Respectfully,
R. M. C.

---

Copeland's report of arrest of members of Maryland Legislature--Sept. 18.

I have just telegraphed to Gen. Dix that we have seized seven members of the House of a very bitter character, and some officers, clerks, &c., who are intensely bitter, and are said to have been very forward and to have kept some of the weaker men up to the work. Several arrests were made of violent or resisting persons, whom I shall let go after the others are gone. I shall send four men at least to General Dix at Baltimore who are very bad men. I have advised Colonel Ruger to send to Sharpsburg Landing to seize five hundred sacks of salt which are waiting for the Southerners to come and take them. They have tried twice to do it. We have also heard of some arms which the Colonel will look up. There is a very bitter man here, a Mr. Sinn, who is currently reported by General Shriver and others to be the medium of communication with the Southern Confederacy. The name of the members are — R. S. Salmon, R. C. McCubbin, J. H. Gardon, C. J. Durant, Thomas Claggett, Andrew Kessler, and Bernard Mills. We shall get T. Lawrence Jones.--The officers of the Legislature: J. N. Brewer, Chief Clerk Senate; Thos. Moore, Reading, do; Samuel Penrose, Jr., Assistant; N. Kilgore, Reading, do; Milton Kidd, Chief of the House. Mr. Jones is taken; Edward Houser, citizen. Riley, (very bad,) printer to the House; John Hogan, (very bad,) citizen; Jos. Elkins, do; Mr. Mason, folder to the House. We shall leave here for headquarters this afternoon. The arrests were nearly all seized by the policemen.

---

Mr. McCubbin is a person whom I should recommend you to set at large if he takes the oath, which I have no doubt he will. He is brother-in-law to Gen. Hammond, and a man much respected; also, a man of rather timid nature and greatly troubled by his arrest.--General Shriver has been very active for us, and is very earnest that you should let him go on these terms. If you can do it, it will be well to telegraph to Annapolis to have the oath tendered and release him. I should do it under my instructions, only that Col. Ruger thinks he has no authority to allow any man on his list any liberty. R. M. C.

---

Copeland's report that the prisoners left Frederick 18th Sept.

United States Military Telegraph. Received September 17, 1861.

From Frederick.

To Major-General N. P. Banks.

The rations have gone. R. M. Copeland.

---

Letter of Introduction of Gen. Hammond to Gen. Dix, Recommending release of McCubbin, member from Anne A., upon taking the oath.

The member from Annapolis City, Mr. McCubbin, has many qualifications which recommend him to you as a person to be released on his taking the oath.

I have communicated the facts to Major-General Banks, and have urged him to telegraph to Annapolis that he may be released on taking the oath. I will communicate further in my report. Will you attend to this matter?

---

Major-General McClellan concerning prisoners for steamer at Annapolis. Answered 2 A. M., 20 September.

Have you any more of our friends to send from Frederick to Annapolis? Please answer at once. I wish to know on account of ordering off boat.

---

Copy of report to Governor Seward, on arrest of members of Legislature--Sept. 20.

I have the order to report in obedience to the orders of the Secretary of War and the General Commanding the Army of the Potomac, transmitted to me by letter of the 12th inst., that all the members of the Maryland Legislature assembled at Frederick City, on the 17th inst., known or suspected to be disloyal in their relations to the Government have been arrested. The opening of the session was attended chiefly by Union men, and after rigid examination but nine secession members were found in the city. These were arrested, with the Clerk of the Senate, and sent to Annapolis, according to my orders, on the 18th inst., under guard, and safely lodged on board a Government steamer in waiting for them. Of their destination thence I had no direction. The names of the parties thus arrested and disposed of were as follows, viz:

B. F. Salmon, Frederick; Wm. R. Miller, Cecil county; I. H. Gordon, Alleghany county; Lawrence Jones, Talbot county; Bernard Mills, Carroll county; R. C. McCubbin, Annapolis; Thomas Claggett, Frederick; Clerke J. Durant, St. Mary's county; Andrew Kessler, Jr., Frederick; J. N. Brewer, Chief Clerk of the Senate.

No meeting of the Senate occurred; but three Senators were in town, and these were Union men. Three subordinate officers of the Senate, the Chief Clerk and Printer of the House, and one or two citizens, were also arrested, but released after the departure of the members for Annapolis — upon taking the oath of allegiance. Milton Kidd, Clerk of the House is in the last stages of consumption, beyond the power of doing harm, and was released upon taking the oath and making a solemn declaration to act no further with the Legislature under any circumstances whatever; this course was adopted upon the urgent solicitation of the Union members of the Legislature present. The same parties desired the release of R. C. McCubbin, of Annapolis, upon the same conditions. I telegraphed to the commander of the steamer that he might be left at Annapolis under sufficient guard until the orders of the Government could be ascertained.

Col. Ruger, 3d Wisconsin regiment, my aide-de-camp, and a detachment of police, rendered efficient aid. Sufficient information was obtained as to preparations for board, &c., to lead to the belief that the attendance of members would have been large had not the arrests of some of the leaders been made at Baltimore on Saturday and Monday, before the day of meeting.

---

Classification of the members of the Legislature.

A classification of the members of the Legislature is given, in which the members from one to four attached to their names indicates the intensity of secession principles. Among them we find the following bad cases: R. M. Denison, 4; J. W. Dennis, 4; John B. Brown, 4; G. W. Goldsborough, 4; Barnes Compton, 3; H. M. Warfield, 3; T. Parkin Scott, 3; S. Teackle Wallis, 3; W. H. Legg, 3; G. Kilborn, 3. In the Senate — Franklin Whittaker, 4; Coleman Yellott, 4; Thos. J. McKaig, 3; Teagle Townshend, 3.

---

Suggestions of arrest — the Altered Complexion of the Legislature.

I suggest the arrest of the following members, I. A. D.:

Senate — Anne Arundel, Thomas Franklin; Cecil, John J. Heckart; Charles, John F. Gardiner; Dorchester, Charles F. Goldsborough; Harford, Franklin Whittaker; Howard, John S. Watkins; Kent, David C. Blackston; Prince George's, John B. Brooke; St. Mary's, Oscar Miles.

McKaig, of Alleghany, and Lynch, of Baltimore county, are already in custody, and Yellott, of Baltimore city, is in Richmond Teagle Townshend, of Worcester, should not be arrested. Great rascal.

House — Alleghany, Josiah H. Gordon and William B. Bernard; Anne Arundel, B. Allen Welch, McCubbin, E. G. Kilbourn, Calvert, James T. Briscoe and Benjamin Parran; Caroline, G. W. Goldsborough; Carroll, Bernard Mills; Cecil, James M. Maxwell and W. Miller; Charles, Barnes Compton, Frederick, Andrew Kessler, Jr., Thomas J. Claggett, N. E. Salmon, and John A. Johnson; Howard, John R. Brown; Kent, Philip F. Raisin; Prince George's, E. Pliny Bryan, Richard Wooten, Ethan A. Jones; Montgomery, Howard Griffith; Queen Anne, William H. Legg, William L. Sharkey; St. Mary's, Clark J. Durant, George H. Morgan; Somerset, James U. Dennis; Talbot, Alexander Chaplain, J. Lawrence Jones; Washington, Martin Eakle, John C. Brining; Worcester, George W. Landing.

Wallis, Pitt, Scott, Sangston, Morfit, Winans, Thomas, Harrison, and Warfield, of Baltimore city, and Dennison and Quinlan, of Baltimore county, are in custody.

The list I marked with you has been carefully revised and corrected by the Legislative journals, so that the propriety of the foregoing selection is unquestionable.

If these arrests are made the Senate will stand thus:

Secessionists arrested	11
Secessionists absent from the State	1
Secessionists at large	3
Union men at large	6
Doubtful men at large	1
Total	22

the house will stand thus:

Secessionists arrested	40
Secessionists at large	12
Union men at large	13
Doubtful men at large	8
Total	73

---

Gov. Hicks in Relation to election — received Nov. 1, answered at once by Telegraph.

I should have written at an earlier day, but delayed for return of Geo. W. Howard, who had been sent down the Potomac by Major-Gen. McClellan, and soon after his (H's) return the papers represented you to have gone with your forces into Virginia. Indeed, I dislike to occupy a moment of your closely occupied time, and write now only because I feel it due from me, in view of your uniform courtesy and kindness to me, of which I shall always entertain most grateful recollections.

You will excuse me, I am sure, for suggesting the importance of looking closely to Maryland until our election is over, 6th Nov.

The Confederates will endeavor to effect something by which to operate on our elections. You may suppose, my dear sir, that I am anxious to have a killing majority rolled up against secessionism. Not only am I and is Maryland deeply interested, but the Government is greatly concerned. Will it be possible to have Col. Kenly's regiment placed near Baltimore temporarily, so as to save their votes? I hope so.

---

War Department,
Washington, Oct. 28, 1861.
Major Gen. McClellan, Commanding. Sir:

In order to have a full vote in Maryland at the coming election, Wednesday, November 6, so that the legal voters may decide by their ballots all public questions, you are hereby directed to grant three days furlough to the soldiers of the first, second and third regiments of Maryland Volunteers, all to return to duty on Thursday, Nov. 7.

Very respectfully,
Simon Cameron, Sec. of War.

---

Report from Col. J. W. Geary, Concerning elections, &c.

Previous to the election a number of enemies to the Union in this State pedimented schemes for disturbing the peace of the various precincts. I had several of the most preeminent actors in this, among whom was a candidate for Senator, arrested before election and held until to-day. I had derailments from various companies of my regiment, with proper officers, stationed in Sandy Hook, Petersville, Jefferson, Urbana, New Market, Backeystown, Frederick city, and other places where the polls were held. Owing to the presence of the troops everything progressed quietly, and I am happy to report a Union victory in every place within my jurisdiction. Some of the Maryland troops visited the polls with their muskets, which I directed to be given up, to be returned at the expiration of their furloughs, mostly dating until to-day.

---

Letters of spies — the blockade business.

There are several columns of letters from spies which chiefly relate to the blockade business and catching those employed in it. Y. L. Catchel denounces several runners. Gov. Hicks asks for remuneration for a spy named Howard, who has been very successful. He says to Gen. Banks:

‘ This man has been more than two months passing through secession counties in our State, and has been in Virginia. He is now employed by Lieut.-Gen. Scott in lower Potomac counties. What I desire is, that you be so kind as to write Hon. S. Cameron, Secretary of War, and say that you think this man Howard shall be reasonably compensated. He has spent his own money. I have not furnished a dollar, and Gen. Cameron, he (Howard) says, wishes to hear from you. I wrote the Secretary. This is a valuable man, is shrewd and reliable, and if stopped will be a loss to us.

’ With lively recollections of our brief intercourse and your kindly manner, and a good hope that all will be well, am yours,

---

J. Bly denounces a supposed spy as follows:

Their passes were procured by E. Petherbridge, who knew their sentiments well having cooperated with them and others during the last twelve months in efforts to divide the M. E. Church on the slavery question by Mason & Dixon's line. Strange as it may seem this same Petherbridge is in the service of the Government as a recruiting officer. One day he procured passes for well known and mischievous Secessionists and the next recruits for the Government.

The case of Dr. McGill, of Hagerstown, is thus disposed of:

Department of State,
Washington, Sept. 21, 1862.
Maj.-Gen. N. P. Banks, Darnestown, Md: General:

If you can arrest Dr. Charles McGill, of Hagerstown, Md., or cause him to be arrested and sent to Fort McHenry, to be thence conveyed to Fort Lafayette, let it be done.

I am, very respectfully, your ob't servant,
Wm. H. Seward.

---

Headq'rs, Williamsport,
September 30, 1861.
Maj.-Gen. N. P. Banks, Com'g Division: General:

Dr. Magill is now a prisoner in my camp. If one man can be dangerous he is the man. I shall send him direct to Fort McHenry by Capt. Waltemeyer, of my regiment.

He will be there to-morrow night.

Affairs are tolerably quiet along my lines to-day; but one of my officers at Dam No. 4 is a little nervous, and I have strengthened his post.

You have been kind enough to say that you would assist me if attacked by overwhelming numbers. Do not forget the 1st Maryland if you be attacked.

With the highest regard,
John R. Kenly,
Colonel First Maryland Regiment.