Itaey conversed In whispers for a few momenta, ?heii tbc guard escorted uio to my quarters. I fancied tbat I bad made some progress at this interview. ' The nest morning brought Mr. Brock to my loft, evidrutlv bent to satisfy himself lull that I was am Mtinson. A dciicate and difficult tak was before me, and the result to my own mind vei j doubUu). Brock, boever, wa talkative, willing to carry on the con vernation, and evidently quite Hire that ho was not, mis taken In his nun, I knew something of tie Munsons and localities in Knoxville," and, by the aid of Imagination, could till any pauses In Urock's conversation; eight sear of aosence excusing iHllures in memory. Brook asked leading questions, Faying, for illusttation, "Von jknow se-and-so.'' "Oh, yes," I responded, .though I hail not the rcrao'est know'edeeof the person. Then Brock would rder to something very ludicrous, and 1 would burst Into laughter, as though at the re lolleeiim, while Brork, greatly enjoying It, would unconsciously tell the whole etoiy. so that I could put in a fitting remark here and three, which seemed to come naturally from recollection. Brock went away entirely t at isticd, and reported to Jeff. Davis. Two days later, a commissioned officer entered the room' vitli a parole, pledging myself not to leave the city of Richmond without orders Irom the Pro vost Marshal. I s'gned It, and wus released lioui conBnement. With the ireedom ot the city, I continued my observations. Walking throueh a street one 8un lay morn ing, by a bien board lence covered with posters concerning regiments being organized and other Diili'ary announcements, Irom which I gleaned additional information, a man came up and sitiDped me on the shoulder with "Hallo, Baker ! What are you doing here ?" The name sounded strangely under the cir cumstances. I was startled, but, looking wound, calmly said: "I guess you are mistaken, sir. My name is JIunson." "Ain't your name Baker?" "No, sir." "Didn't jou go to California in 1850 ?'' "No, sir. I have lived In California, but I a not go there till '62." "Why, didn't you go across the Isthmus with me in-April, 1850, when we had the light with the natives!'' "Wo, sir. I guess you have mistaken the it an," "Well, I would have sworn that you were linker. Didn't you have a brother there?" "I had a brother there, but he came home in '63. "Well," said he, turnlne away, "It's all right, I suppose; but I never taw two men look so much y.l ke in my life!" In the meantime I bad ob'aloed Information of military movements and plans, learned where be enemy had stationed troops, or were build lug fortifications, and what they were doing at i be Tredegar Works. 1 had obtained the know ledge for which I came, and was anxious to re iu.n .North. Through the influence or Hayes, I f.ot from tbe Provost Marshal a pass to visit Fredericksburg, making an appointment to '.neet the former, which, of course, 1 did not Mfp. Arriving in Fredericksburg, I made three or lour ineffectual attempts to get into the coun try, and finally, by the aid of a negro, crossed t,be Rappahannock one rooming four miles below the city. To reach the Potomac would tax all my powers to the utmost, but the case was desperate, and I must go forward. As, when entering upon my Southern tour, it was indispensable to success that I should even among my friends be incog., so now I must return with the precious eptBtles in my pocket, through the Confederate lines, on my own ac count, having only the chances of escape which any wanderer at largo might have. My face was towards Washington, and the only question remaining was, whether the suc i e-s in tbe attempt to reach it would equal that of my journey towards Richmond. 1'j.e Potomac was the goal of my solitary travel through forest and over open fields; for en its northern banks lay the Union army, and, once across its waters, I was safe. My appear ance was that of a common citizen, ana I hoped to pass unnoticed any persons with whoiit a meeting was unavoidable. Scarcely two miles were travelled, when, by the sldeot woods which Doraerea tae road, an omcer and soldier on horseback appeared, and too near to give me time to seek concealment In the forest. The officer reined up before me and inquired: Have you got a pass, sir?" . "Yes, sir." "Let me see it." With the promptness of assurance I drew forth and handed him the pass from Richmond to Fredericksburg. If able to read I hoped he might be satisfied with a glance at the paper, and let me proceed. lie studied it awhile, till his eye caught the word "Fredericksburg;" he then said: "I don't think this will do, sir 1" "Tis all right." "Well, it may be. but you'll have to go back with me to Fredericksburg." My locomotion had not been observed, and, wiili a pitiful limp, I remarked that it was bard tor a lame man to be compelled to walk that distance; and that, if I attempted it, I must neceesniily defer my iouruey till another day. I made a painful effort to walk, and so far moved the compassion of the officer that he offered to take tho pass to the commanding General and leave me in charge of the soldier. When lie was gone, alter a little pleasant con versation, the day being warm, I proposed to my guard that we go Into the shade of the woods. Tjing his horse to a small tree, he threw himself down on the grass. Half an hour was spent in pleasant chat, and the officer did not make his appearance, "Ugh!" said the guard, stretching, "How sleepy I am. I didn't sleep a wink last night." Ibis fact, with the inviting greensward and shade, disrosed him to snatch a nap; and soon he was oblivious to everything around him. It was no pleasure tome to subject him to punish ment or even censure on my account; but the law of sell-protection necessarily overruled my regard for the unwatchful guard, and, carefully appropriating his revolver, J unloosed and mounted his horse. Hiding leisurely along the path a short time, I turned suddenly into the woods; but the ground was rough, and the bushes almost impenetrable, making progress distressingly slow. As the sun was sinkin" be hind the trees. having;travelled half-a-dozen miles I emerged into a clearine, where a white- uaiiru uiu luuu, wno evidently had reached his threescore years and ten, was makins shingles. B With a respectful salutation, I inqalred- "Will you tell me the shortest road to the Potomac?" This Southern patriarch looked at me with surprise. I said again: "The nver the Potomac river which way is It?" J "I never heard of it In niy life." "How long have you lived here?" "Always; was boin here." "And don't know where the Potomac river 4'I never heard about such a river." He was equally ignorant ol the existence of Aqula creek, or any ot the stream's or places along the river. - "Did you know that the South had seceded ?" I inquired. "Well, well ! I've beard suthlng was going on, out hain't taken much interest in politics no ri?w.Bince Jackson's time. 'Spose they are all w-,me eUlnK up suthlng new." with a cup of water from the unsuspecting jacicsonian Democrat, who was enjoying Cow ?ifl 1 ln the wilderness, undisturbed by i lI? 01 I rode away, to try the next i? viaii of wume. At length ahouse t0Wald9 U 1 Dismounting near It, I hitched my horse, and commenced observations. Two negroes only were In sight, in an out house. I went to them . Ub a plausible story, 2nd for ten uU tained some bread amf milk, which broke the day s fast, with refreshment lor ttie night's ad venture before nie. Darkness was setting minn the forest, and unable to discern the wire and etones ahead, I became entangled amouir the branches, and found I must abandon mT hor.e and plunge Into the thicket alone. After wan dering mooui uewuuereu lur un nour, 1 uneon sclously returned to the very house I had left I decided to ritk a rest here till morning, and woiting ruy uouy ieet loremosi uuaor a hay THE DAUAT EVENING TELEGRAPH PHILADELPHIA, WEDNESDAY, Ol tH. (I, U 11 I 1 1 1 IHII fit J U l I U I 11, It'll IU VO T DUUU 1 fc. sleep. Just bciore tbe dawn of the next day, I'D was startled irom nunio'T, ann, listening, soon l'-arned that Rebel cavalry were- in search of me. nnd had surrounded the house. A dozen horsemen could be seen tnrough the lattice woik of bay, moving about in the dinkne-s. Fiotn th dwelling they went to the oufhoines, nnd finally came to Uie haystack. I prepared lor the worst. . With my heal thinly covered, 1 could watch my fos, unseen by them; while my revolver lay befoie me. If discovered, I molved to shoot the succe sful man, and run lor dear ll;e toward the wood. Several times the cavalry rode round the stack; then one cf the number, dismounting, bciart a swor.i examina tion ol my lodgings. I could hear tbe thrust ol the blade into tbe buy, until it graze! my coat, and I grasped my six-shooter to spitng; but he passed on, saying: "lie ain't in thre, boys." Remounting, with his comrade', he role off. Wa ching tbein till out of sigat, I crept cau tiously Into the deepening light, and started tor the woods. The sun rose gloiiously over the near horizon; but whether to light me towards safety or capture, was entirely uncertain. Without breakfast or dinner, I hastened on, having not even a glimpse of a human being, and avoiding every indication of his habitation. At two o'clock In the afternoon, when emerging from a clump of bushes, I caaie In lull view of a man hauling timber. 1 could not retreat, and, changing the coat banging on one arm to the other, I nut my hind on my pocket, and stood in thinking posture. I saw that I bad an Irish man to aeai with, ana not a retuaricaoiy Drigm spi cimen of bis race. With the nir of one interested, I asked: "What is this timber for?" "It's tur the baithery down here, in course." This answer settled tbe question of the proxi mity of the Potomac, and also apprised me that icrtiflcatlons and plenty of Rebels were not far off. I walked along a stick of timber, measuring it by paces, and then said: "Tell these men they are petting this Umber four leet too short, will youl" "Yes, sur, I will sur. It's only baulln, I am, meself." "Well," I replied, leaving him, 'I tell them to cut it four feet longer, will jou? Tell them I say so." "I will, sur." Into tho woods again, and making as good time as possible, I walked on two hours longer. Hunger begau to gnaw, and create that despera tion which disregards tho cooler prudence of a full stomach. Striking a small creek or bayou, running into the Potomac, I resolved to follow it till it decided my fortunes for tho night. No sign ot anything in reach to appease hunger appeared, nor of a boat in which, to get across the river. The very first sight of human exist ence was in a form to excite fear a white tent, snugly pitched on the sloping point of a hill, by the water-side, ond surrounded with bmhes. I paused to watch, for further intimations of what was there. At length a soldier came up the bank with fish, and entered the tent. Boon atter, with another man, he reappeared outside, and tbey sal down, lighted their pipes, and chatted, afier the fashion of good-natured Dutchmen. The imperious demands ot hunger urged me to join them, and, advancing, I accosted them. It turned oat that tbey belonged to a battery on the hill above, and had moved to tbe bank to catch fish for tbe officers. I told them I lived up the creek, and had come down to see how thintrs were getting on; then inquired: "Have jou got anything to eat in the tent?" "We gotnot much here to eat?" "Boys, I am very hungry. I hain't had any thing to eat since I came from home, and I'll pay jou for something " "Veil, dat ish tifferent matter. If you pays, dat ish tifferent matter." "Can't you cook some fish?" "Oh, ersh, I spose we get you some flh." In a few minutes they set before me a supper simply of fish, cooked in their primitive style, and jet no luxury was ever so gruteful to the taste. After it was finished, I asked lor a pipe, and beffau to puff away, entirely at home; but all the "while revolving in my mind the chances and expedients for a final parting with my Dutch irieuds. Finally, my eye fell upon a small boat Ivlng in the bushes below; and the conviction followed the discovery, that it was my only hope of crossing the Potomac. Learning that the llbberroen owned it, I said to them: "I want to buy that boat. What will you take for it?" "I no sells dat pout," replied one. "I'll give you $20 for it in gold." "It's worth more as that to us. Tho Yankees ish breaking up all poats on the Potomac." There wa9 an end to the prospect of a pur chase; and a new plan must be devised. The sun sank behind the trees, and in the pleasant t-bade we smoked and talked away the hours. I lound, in the course of conversation, that the battery was not over 200 yards from us, and the Potomac a few rods below. The evening advanced, and I begged the pri vilege of sleeping in the tent, as I was too tiled to think of returning home before morning. Permission was reluctantly granted, and, spread ing their blanket, they "turned in," while I coulinued without, smoking, till the moon rose. I had practical business on band, which ex cluded contemplation ot the romantic scene tbe silver light tipping and then flooding the hills, and creeping down to the quiet spot of anxious wakefulness. For the illumination was to aid me in my design to escape. I could now w arch the movements of my companions in the tent sufficiently to see when they were appa rently asleep, depending on the ear for the fur ther evidence of the desirable fact. When all was still, indicating prolound slumber, suddenly a change of position, a grunt, and a look outside would dispel the illusion. Towards midnight I heard a sbout: "Hello w, there 1 you come to ped to-night?" "Yes, I am coming in." Soon after entering tent, I found that room bad been left between tbe men, and the effort to get on an outer edge of the blanket was fruitless. A suspicion bad evidently crossed the mind ot the one who had Jut spoken to me, respect ing the stranger, and there was a design to guard against any unpleasant results from the vieit. The day's fatieue made my own inclination to sleep almost irresistible; but l watcned anx iously for the favoring moment to leave the bed unobserved. Repealed trials found tbe dis trustful soldier sufficiently wakelul to look after his guest. Overcome by the slumberous influences of fatigue, my comfoitable quarters, ana tbe "stilly night," 1 sank into a restless repote. Scarcely an hour had passed, when I suddenly awoke, starting with alarm lest the opportunity to escape was lost. On tbe con trary, I fouud my companions were thoroughly asieep, tneir Joua Drcstning tae oniy sign ot life. I carefully crawled from between them, till balf my body was out of the tent. Tbe sus picious man, with a sound of unrest, turned over.i I remained perfectly still till he made another turn and stretched out his arm to see if all was light in the middle. I drew back to my old place, and be lai4 bit hand upon me several times before he seemed satisfied that I was there. Several attempts to leave the tent ended in a similar failure. Day light began to steal into the tent, and the night of suspense must end in some decisive effort to st cure the boat and cross the Potomac. The soldier-fishermen were sleeping quite as soundly as at any time before, and ia another moment I stood before the door watching the effect ot my movement. There was a little stir, and I stood mechanically poking the embers ot our evening fire, as if looking out to see tho breaking day; but with mv pistol in one hand ready for service. Returulug it to my pocket, muzzle down, I hastened to the bank. To my great disappointment, there were no oars In the boat. Upon making search among the willows, I found a short one, partially de caved. Noiselessly as possible I launched the frail bark, fearing each Bound on the sand or in the water would bring my Dutch friends down the bank. In a few moments, which suspense made impressively long, 1 floated away into the stream, at this point not over thirty feet in wldih. Taking the middle of the current, I pulled ofl my coat, and began to row for life. The tide favored me, and I was congratulating myself upon the ptospect of an unmolested voysge, when a shout drew my atleniion to the vigilant Dutchman, whoe gestictiliitions could not be tnlsunderstoo 1. Ho called loudly to his bed-follow: "Meyer 1 Myer I the poat ish pone ! the poat Ish gone 1" j He Fcif.ed his mufket and made tor the bunk, Hot n oie than a dozen feel from me, shouting: j "Come pack here I come pack mil that boat !" My only answer as a more vieorous use of the our. "Placing my right hand upm the pis tol, and watching the soldier, 1 propelled the biit with my left. "Come pack!" he continued, following me n loi.u the bank. lie then paused, levelled his m usket, and was about to fare. I did not want to kill "mine ho. t," but the law of self-defense at;nin demanded n sacrifice. With quicit and sudden aim 1 fired; with a cry of distress, he staggered And tell lileless beside bis musket. His comnule wus lunnirg down the hill, when, scelrg what lad hnppcned, he turned back to the tent. He soon returned with a doable biurelle d shot-pun, and stole along cautiously through tho bushes, until within lorty yards ol the boat, nnd then tired. The shot (ell around mo in the water. Catching a glimpse of my enemy in the thicket, I discharged my revolver. Heianaway, evidently unhurt. The reports bad given the alarm, and several soldiers soon came in sight. An instant later a bullet whis tled over mv shoulder. I had reached the de ceive moments of my last efforts to get out of "Dixie." Again petting sight ot the Dutchman in the bushes, I once more took deliberate aim and tired. He threw up one arm, gave a yell, and tell to the ground. In a moment he rose again, and, groaning, stapgeted away. Then two or three shots saluted me unceremoniously, striking and splintering the side of the boat. I was now at the mouth of tbe creek, and rapidly left tbe shoie behind me. A snuad of soldiers. by this time, stood on the brow and at the base of the hill, firing their muskets. The chug of tncDuiieisin toe water reminaca me that my transit to loyai son was not jot certain, uotu hands were laid to the oar, and striking ihe bioad current of the Potomac, which wai here four miles wide, I rapidly receded trom musket range. A lnpb wind swept the waters, and while rounding a bluff, a sudden gust curnet away my bat, and lifted my coat, lying in the bow of the boat, dropping it into the water. But it was no time to look backwards to those artl cics ot apparel, floating between me and my foes, whose bullets still came unpleasantly near. Their shots continued until they fell far in the wake of my boat. The sun had risen above the horizon, warm nnd bright, while, for two hours and a balf, I worked with a single oar, and. aided by the oriCting tide, approached tho Maryland shore. With an Inexpressible sense orreiiei i neara tne Doat's now touch the sand I was near Chapel Point, ten miles below the creek on which 1 embarked, and so exhausted that with difficulty I reached the bink. On its green cat pet, nnd under the cooling shade of its trees. 1 laid down to rest, leaving the boat to which I owed my deliverance to the winds and waves ol ihe Potomac. (ieneral Baker seems to have been fertile in expedients and unusually adroit in maintain ing his disguises. Wishing to effect the arrest ot a prominent Confederate at the Clifton House, Niagara Falls, be assumed the name of Philip Herbert (the Southern Congressman, who, it will be remembered, killed a waiter at illard's Hotel some years ago), figured for some days at the Clifton House in bis chosen character, and at last persuaded the man whom he was in search of to yvalk with hint on the Suspension Bridge, where an officer in waiting arrested him, a tew feet this side of the American line. Two or three exciting chapters are devoted to the bounty-jumping frauds in New York, and the means adopted by the Government detectives to arrest the guilty parties. I bad been told tbat soldiers would receive the bouniy, re-enlist the same day, be sent to the Island, and repent the process the day follow ing. I tvas, at the time, skeptical respecting 6uch facility in deception and incredible assu rance, and to satisly myself in regard to the truth ol the matter, I dressed myself in the garb ot a regular jumper, and repaired, February l, to a recruiting office in the public square neurthe Astor House, New York. Assuming the air of a veteran in the business, I asked the officer what he was paying for recrnits. Befoie the question could be answered, the pentlemanly broker, always on hand, inquire-! of me my name and place ot residence, which 1 gave him. In a low tone of voice, and with a knowing wink, he said, "Have you been through before in New York?" I answered, "Not since last fall." He added, "All riht, come inside." And in less time than it has taken to relate the incident I was one of "Uncle Sam's boys." My friend gave mo $100, promising the re maindei due me when I should arrive at the Island; then, directing me to remain where I was lor a while, he lett me. Returning within an hour, he opened the fol lowing conversation with me: "Have jou ever been on the Island?" I replied, "Yes." Evi dently enlightened in regard to the matter, he immediately remarked, "You know how to get or), then ? When you do, come up to Tammany Hal), and I will put you through up town;" meaning, of course, be would enlist mo again. While this conversation was passing between us, another broker stepped up and said, "Geutie n en, let us take a drink." We accented the invitation, and they conducted me across the Park to a saloon, where I saw, at a glance, they were quite at home. Liquor was called lor, and while ILe vender was getting it one of the brokers quietly stepped behind the bar and addressed some conversation to him. We then all drank to the success of the Union, or, rather, all of us appeared to do so. I raited the glass to my lips, and, unob served by the rest, poured its contents into my bosom, as I had done many times before when compelled to join the convivial ring. I was convinced tbat my pota'ion had been drugged. Next followed a proposition to re pair to an adjoining room and engage in a game of cards. We played until I thought it necessary to affect drowsiness and insensibility. My eyes began lo close, ur.til at length my head rested on the table in front of me, and my whole ap pearance indicated to my betrayers my entire helplessness in their hands. At this juncture one of them left the room, but soon returning, exclaimed, "All right." Immediately I caught ihe sound of carriage wheels, and, us I anticipated, was carried to the door, and, supported by broker number one, lifted into a vehicle, and driven rapidly to the Cedar street rendezvous. My bat was then unceremoniously pushed over my face, and 1 was hurried into the presence of the recruiting officer in attendance, who asked me, "Do you wish to enlist ? Number two answered, in a tone to represent my own voice, "Ye-e-s." I was again declared lobe one of tbe volun teers, taken into another room, and laid on a bench, where 1 remained an bour, in company with three other recruits, who had been druergeel in tbe same manner, my friends the brokers supposinp they had disposed of me. In the meantime broker number one returned, and said: "Well, ol fellow, bow do you feel?" to which I replied, "Very sick." Then remark ing. "You'll be all right by-and-by," ho left roe. I looked about me to judge of the possibility of escape. I saw at once that I could not pass cut by the door, as a sentry was stationed there, and came to the conclusion that I would have to try my chances at a window. I opened one which overlooked a baek yard, sprang out, and alter walking through a long passage-way, which led me into the opun street, I went deliberately to my room in the Astor lleuce. Here I masked my faee, disguised myself anew, and proceeded directly to the office of Mr. Blunt, where I offered myself to the army service, to make my third enlistment for that day. I was hardly seated, when broker number three approached me, say hag: : "You want to enlist, do you?" I "Yes, I am thinking of it. What are you pay ing recruits uow?" "Six hundred dollars. ' Where are you from f" "Steuben county. 1 would like to enlist if I could get Bltuallou s clerk. I can write pretty good hand, and am hardly able to go into the ranks." He replied quickly. "Oh. I can fix that all rlfht." A conversation then followed between mm snd the recruiting officer, when I was mi lea soldier of the Union army once more. I was requested to be seated for & few moments. Soon alter the broker asked me lo tnkc "a glass.'1 I wcut with him to an o'd drli.kinp f-alooti in Cherry street, where I found broker numbers one and two, wno immediately recoenizect me, but expressed no surprise at the meeting. My succcslul escape from the Ceder street head- qtmrtrrs ronvinced my menus that 1 was an old expert In tricks of the irude. Their aomiratiou lor me became so great mat they received me into lull fellowship, resided me as a shrewd n.emoeroi tnc Dotiniy-iumping brotheihooJ, and after freely discussing their plans and prospectp. declared me to be a "per feet trump." Propositions were made to enter into partnership at ouce, Iwasgreatlv amused while listening to the exploits of each, as he in turn detailed th-m. One related, that at a certain period lie left New York, and having enlisted at Albany, Trov, Utics, Buffalo, and Chicago, returned via Elnura, at which place he likewise enlisted. Another had enlisted at every rendezvous from New Yoik to Portland, Maine; while a third bousled of the amounts he had received, and mentioned those paid to recruiting officers, sur geons, brokers, and detectives. The den In which I spent the evening was a favorite haunt ol the bounty-jumpers. It contained a ward robe of wearing apparel, coupling of both sol diers' and cirizens' outfits. . Tne idea of this I easily comprehended; here the jumpers could assume whatever dress tbey pleased, to carry out their designs. Three times that nurht, be fore 2 o'clock, 1 saw the interesting operation perlormed. I selected one of my assistant to experiment in this military lottery. He dressed himself in the appropriate apparel, and In one day enlisted three times; he was sent to the Island, bought himself off, and reported for duty the follow ti g day. The scenes described were followed by num berless arrests ot 'bounty-brokers, bounty jumpers, and otfccrfl in the business, and conse quently by the disclosures of their crimes, which have since attracted much public attention. I shall select only one additional, very pecu liar, and hichly interesting narrative from the mass of fragmentary materials in my possession that ot the kidnapping of the idiot boy Corne lius Garvin, of Troy, N. Y. Some of the facts found thair way Into the newspapers at the time ot iheir occurrence. Mrs. Garvin, tho mother of the boy, was a poor, but honest and respectable Irishwoman, who supported her family by hard daily labor. She had placed her Imbecile son in the Alms house at Troy, happy in the consciousness of his talet.v, and being near enough to visit him occa sionally. The child, while playing in the grounds, was carried off by bounty brokers, and transported to Albany, where he was en- "i listed and sent to the front. ri The mother, upon receiving the news, became nearly frantic, and, leaving her work, managed to get to Washington, where, throueh the inte rest which ber story awakened, she gained an interview w.li h the President. That good man, whose ear was ever open to tne appeals or humanity and justice, gave her a note to the Secretary ot War, who referred the case to me. I detailed a detective to accom pany her td the battle-field. Nearly a month was spent in 1he fruitless search for tbe lost boy, notwithstanding it was proved that "por Con"' was somewhere In the army. The disap pointed but not discouraged motner went back to ber toil again, to get money to bring her once more to the capital. Seven months passed over in the search, with no ciuc to me noy. umcers lent their assist ance, and no means were lett untried to find tbe wanderer. Tbe persistency of nuroose. the un-i dying hope and affection ot the sorrowing motner ror ner simple "con," were naruiy ever surpassed in human experience. Unable to rend or write, she carried always in nea apron a targe number ot letters, and other memoranda, from prominent officers and orueis, given to aid ner unrewarded search Yet she could, as if by intuition, or the insmra tion ol her love, place her hand upon any of the documents she desired to use, and repeat their contents. Aud whenever she found an inte rested listener to ber mournful story, 6he would select the particular document she wanted and give its statements. After exhausting the subject, she would sit in a musing mood, gazing into vacancy for several moments, and then start from her reverv. gather up her treasure of manuscripts, and ex claiming, "My poor Con; I must go and find him!" she would start again on her journey uuii iig me regiments or tne union army. Wl.en the money which was given her, aud earned by the severest toil, was gone, she would get back to Troy, replenish her purse by her daily labor, and return to the hunt for "Con," aionga new pain or noventure, on which had suddenly fallen a ray of hope irom some quarter respecting the absent boy. liius month after month parsed away, and 1. . , : , 1 iu:. , . if-- . : , iul- uuujmji iuvc ui in is uioiuer ior tne imoc cile child, over whose unsteady steps and aim Ices w anderings she had watched with a fond' no s intensified by his very helplessness, led her alorg tbe army lines, and into tbe camps, at the heart of the great and bloody war. "Poor Con ?" was on her lips when she sought w ,ci and restless sleep, and at the dawn oi day. whin fc.be resumed the travel which would hove no nause until darkness made it impossible. While she was roaming at will, followed by the sympathizing interest of tbe President, and the humblest officials in the army, 1 received the following letter; in kiau of Military Justice, War Dkpart m.nt. June 1, 1S65 Colonel: 'Ihe esse ol Cornelius l.uiviu, so Idiot boy, en listed Into the 51d Iteglinenl ol JSew York Volunteers, ban been reierred to this nuieuu for report. A mi n th papers In the case Ik a letter or yours to the Mayor of the City of Troy. New Vorlt. In which von mate th8t Captain Deguer iu whose company Uie lioy la Biippontd to liave been refused, or ne glected, to search tor blm.wheii ordered to do to, ulil.ouglj repe.ledly assured that be was in bis coin, puny, under an assumed name; but, instead of doing bo, endeavoied to iutiinldale, by threuts, pri vates of his company who were disposed to aid lu the senrch lor I lie boy. lie i leased lo furnlsb tbls bureau with any proof thutiijuy belli your possession of tbe itatenients re ferred to, or which may otherwise throw Hi; lit on Uie case. It la desirable that any meter al Information you La e in the case should be coin uiuiiica led at your euriltsl ctuvtuierice. Your obedient servant, W. W. WINTIIROP, Major, and Judge Advocate tor Judge Advocate General. To Colonkl L. C Bakir, Special Agent War De partment. Mr. Troit, from this bureau, bas twice called at your olllce on this subject. But all efforts to find Cornelius Garvin were in vain. Several times tbe mother seemed to be near him; but the Joy at the prospect of meeting him soon faded before cruel disappoint ment. It was rumored that he dted In the army; w hicb was doubtless true, lor no further tidings to this hour, I believe, have beeu received of his late. The final scene in Ibe assassination conspiracy is indirectly connected with the famous case of Mr. Cobb, the Washington pardon broker, who, it will be remembered, caused General Baker to be indicted for extolling money from her, and for false imprisonment. Our leaders may also lecollect tbat the trial resulted in a verdict ot guilty, and that the General was sentenced to a fineol one dollar. He had encountered Mrs. Cobb and her husband several times in tbe o ivirte of his duty, before the celebrated pardon chso. His narrative of this ailalr is so extra ordinary that we give it in his own words: At Baltimore, while going towards the Har risburg depot, I met one of my detective offi cers, who informed me that Inane 8urratt was then in that city. 1 repaired immediately to the telegraph ofhee, and seut a telegram to Mr. Stanton, in cipher, that Isaac Burratt was in Baltimore; at the same time telegraphing to my asbislant, Colonel Asmussen, and directing him to look out tor Burxatt. 1 proceeded to Canada, and was absent two weeks. When I returned, Ignorant of what had transpired, and anxious to know, I quettloned my assistunt as to what had occurred; be told tne that he had detailed two detective officers to go to the White House, MAY 22, 1807. ith lntrrtiont to rr-mnln otitM'le. and not to , rtiske tbilr business known to any Individual, llns l-.p b, done soiflt ma mntlrrof nreenti- ' tion, 1o prevent ny stspirtous tbirctprs from entrrira the Kr mivc tu'insinn. N.ithlne unu- finil, however, liMii occur red. I then sent tor r. H Jonrs, (ten! tlip npurlc ilptaileil for this scrvire, nnd Interrogated htm with reler Micrto sreina anv porronsof douMful butness rrhRrter about me Executive Mam-ion. He ni?o nstirca me that noihtnr ularminir bad liampircd, hut n n srked. "There's some strange proceedings there;" that the second day afier re entered on only lit buiint'Mt became known to mmi e ot the attaches ot tbe Whlie lk use. who tnvitfd him lnMdo, nd he became Inn.tliar roon with many of ibe trcrjuent visitors nl the Nutiousl Homestead. He inormed me that a ri puiar sjstein of pardon brokerage was in surces-ful operation, both-by the conspicuous lU belstnthe capital and by a certain cla of obteputpble women, well known to the local police of this city: among bom he mentioned tbe name ol Sirs. Cobb, wno he ssld was a con stant visitor, was there at all honrsof the day and night, boasting onrnly that she had pr. cuied, and could procure, pardons from the President at any time tn six hours, and she ex hibited to Mm on one oceailon two pudons which she hud obtained for Ite twin at Uiehmond, decluring on that day she had made a thousand dollars. When questioned as to her mo le of proceeding, she simply renmrked she had an understanding with the President, and he dare not refuse to grant her requests. She further claimed that in the prosectuiou of her bunine-s she found it necessary lo divide a portion of the money reclvert for pardons with certain Gov ernment official. I decided to bring such a recotd of fact brf re the President, lih respect to ber case, as would satisfy him ot ber unworthy conduct, and tbe nefarious business lu which she was engaged. To accomplish this I determined to msnuiacture a fictitious application for pardon. To represent an applicant I selected Captain II. 11. Hine, formerly Assistant Provost Marshal Geneial at fet. Louis, who was then in Washing ton endeavoring to procure the revocation of a senter.ee passed upon him by a military com mission under General Kosecraus. It seems Captain Hine had been tried, convicted (as he claimed unjustly), and sentenced to the Alton Penitentiary. Before the sentence was carried ioto execution, however, he escaped and fled to Canada. While there he was known as a Rebel officer, and consequently became very lamiiiar with all tne kpdci officers men encaged in organizing raids and committing depredations upon the border. He wrote me a number of letters giving Information as to the movements of the Itebel emissaries in Canada. After the assassination of the President, ho communicated many important facts to the Government, in consideration of which tne Assistant Secretary ot War gave him permis sion to visit Washington, with the view of obtaining a revocation of his previous sentence. While he was there, waiting to have a hearing at the War Department, the case of Mrs. Cobb come up, aud I selected him to represent an applicant for a pardon. A regular application was made, in the name of Clarence J. Howell. In this fictitious applica tion were set forth fully the offenses committed by the applicant. The detective officer before mentioned, who was placed on duty at the White House, and who had become acquainted with Mrs. Cobb and her business, being in the secret, introduced Howell to Mrs. Cobb as an applicant tor a pardon. However censurable, unjustittable, or illegal my course may have been, my only desire was to serve the President and the Government. The fact is familiar to jurists, that in such case of emergency, when prompt action for the public good is demandeJ, tbe courts have decided that a margin of authority transcending tho letter of the law is allowable. The charge and verdict pronounced by tbe iudge, in the disposal of the case, clearly indicate his unwillingness to regard the letter at the sacrifice of the spirit of legislation. Captain Howell slated bis case to Mrs. Cobb, and she agreed to procure a "full, complete, and unconditional pardon for all his past offenses," as the contract reads, lor the sum ot three hundred dollars. It is proper here to remark, that the usual routine at the Executive mansion and the Attorney-General's oflice, In procuring pardons, reauires from two to five weeks, a record of the names of the applicants being placed on tbe books ot the Attorney-General's office, which names are taken up In their Older aui disposed of. For an extraordinary consideration, however, Mrs. Cobb agreed to procure the pardon in question in twelve hours, as appears from the following contract: Wahhinoton, D. C, Novembers, 1865. For and In coiibiderailon ot the Bum of paid to me by Cap tain Clarence J. Howell, 1 hereby agree as follows, to wit: To take irom Captain Howell big statemeul lu regard to Mb case, and procure lor him the lull and complete pardon lor Ids past oflenses. Tbe money lo be paid as follows: 100 In band, and tbe remaining t'Jou on ihe delivery ot his pardon on Monday evenluK at s o'clock, 1 further agree tbat in case I do not succeed In getting tbe pardon as agreed, 1 will return lo him the Slou received of him. (hipned) Mrs. L. L. COBB. The above contained tbe following receipt on the back : Washington, D. C., November 5, 1865. Received on the within. Slw. (signed; Mrs. L. L. COBB. This occurred on the 6th of November. To secure positive and indisputable evidence aeuinst Mrs. Cobb, I took six 950 Treasury notes and marked them in the presence of five persons, tbat they might be identided as the bills paid for the pardon. On the evening of the 7th, when Howell was to have it, accom panied by a detective officer, I went with him to the Avenue House, where he was to receive the document, determined, as soon as the money was paid by him to Mrs. Cobb, and he had the pardon in his hands, to demand of ber the money. As shown by Mrs. Cobb's testimony. tbe pardon was not procured on the 7th, she alleging that the President was sick, tbat Mr. Reward was not in the city, and tbat a rrlend of hers in the Treasury Lepartment, who assisted ber, was also absent from the city, In New York, but on the lolloirg evening she would cer tainly have the pardon ready. Accordingly, on the evening of the 6th, I again visited the Avenne House with a detective, and the moment Howell paid the money to Mrs. Cobb and received his papers. I entered the loom and demanded from Mrs. Cobb tbe $210. She at once recognized me, and re rnorked tbe "bad met me before." I informed her I had been watching her for several days, I believed I was posted as to her doings at tne White House, and said, "You shall not impose upon tne rresioent c-y your presence, lie, doubtless, regards jou as an honest woman, and when ne is maae aware or your real char acter, and the business in which jou are en- cnged, t think jou win not oe permitted aerain to visit tbe Wbite House." She refused to re- turn tbe money, when I asked her to go with me to my oflice; she consented, and asked me It 1 had any orjection to ner nusoand accom panying us; I replied, "Certainly not," and, en tering the carriage with Mr. and Mrs. Cobb, went to my headquarters. I took Mrs. Cobb into my private oflice, and requested her to re turn to me the money paid her by Howell.stating to her distinctly that it was my money; I bad marked it for the purpose of entrapping ber; the pereon for whom she had obtained the pardon was not Captain Howell but Captain Hine; I hod devised this plan to ascertain how and through what means she . obtained par dons; she should not impose upon tbe President any longer, and I should lay all tbe facts before him at once, awaiting his decision in the matter. She became very much excited and extiemely abusive, declaring she had obtained a great niauy pardons from the President, and she should continue to obtain them as long as she could find customers; she and the President had a perfect understanding, and he dare not refuse to sign any paper she presented to him. I asked her how many pardons fhe had procured. ho said she could not tell, but a great many; she had got three in a single day, and very indig nantly claimed tbat she had as much light to do so as other brokers, . I asked ber who among her acquaintances were engaged, Jn the business. Kbe mentioned the name of Mrs. Ella B. Wash ington, she, and one of the Rebel colonels and others; she said that Mrs. Washington had ob tained ten patdons where" she (Mrs. Cobb) had obtained one; she did not see why she should be selected lor arrest while Mis. Wahtngton and i . i i . .. V! -.! ....i c- ii ' , '' ' I ,1 ' . i i ,' ' ( - If : I ' others were allowed to be unmolested, uddinsr theicmaik, "Your action In airesling me wiil cost you your comints-lon; I shall see the Pre sident to-morrow, and have you mti1err.d out m i' L 1 r,1'),,,!l tu hr, "The President ..... i ui nur rrquiie soni oilier reason for my dismissal tu rn svrvi. e than the stntemrut of a vile crenrc like yon." To satisfy tne of t,-r intienry with tl Presi dent and with the attaches at Ihe. Whit House she entered Into a long and minute suu mont of conversations she had had with him, assuring in that he hnd informed her Mint wst to bo mustiicd out or service on the isth of Novem ber; that Mr. bt'iiitmi would not be retained in the Cabinet beyond the 1st of Januury; thl many cf the Black Iepiihlicnn an l Abollmntnt otl.ce-holders wero to be removed, and she knew who they were ; that the President hal In formed her, on one occasion, that the ftatectlve Bureau was to be broken tip, and that Htanton's Irlend, Paker, would retire into private life. After listening for mote thin an hour to converiutiou ot this character, I de rided immediately to tee the P.eitiftnt. I took the pardon, as delivered by Mrs. tobb to Csptsln lime; Mrs. Cobb's written coutrsctwiih Captain Hine lor procuring; the fame, the marked J.;0 notes paid by Hine to Mrs. Cobb and by her returned to me, and, leaving Mrs. Cobb In chireo ot one of my otlicers, I went to the Kxecutive mansion about 8 o'clock. 1 fotiiid the Pre ident alone In his room, and, alter the usual salutation, I srtid, "Mr. Presl denl. 1 have some papers here that I desire to how jou." He said, "Tak a seat, sir." I im ined ntdy un olded the pardon and laid It on the table bt lore btin. Up put on his spectacles, looked at It, and said, "Mr, where did you get this?" "1 pot It irom Mrs. Cobb." 1 then banded to him Mn. Cobb's written contract for procuring said psrdon. He read It, when I exhibited lo bhu the marked money, and began a detailed stutemcnt of all the facts connected with the cuse. Ho Interrupted me in a moment, and said, "Where did you get this paidouf" I replied, "From Mrs. Cobb ;n and whs proceeding to nar rate the clicumstatices, when he apaln Inter rupted me, and added, "Well, what is all this about ?" 1 began a tbiid time to relate tbe cir cumstances, when be interrupted me, with tiling passion. ' This is a detective Job, isn't It?" I answered, "Yes, sir; and If you will listen to me n moment I will explain IW He ralied the Eardon Irom tbe table acd said, "But what ufiness have jou with tbls pardon t" When I again attempted to make au explanation, he nrnge in iy sajing, "rven, this is a very strange atlalr. This pardon ha not been recorded. You have no business with It, sir. Hi ere is no oatb ot amnesty attached to it." 1 then politely requested the President to listen to roe, stating that I would explain the whole matter. I baa not proceeded far, however, when he became very much excited, rose fiom his chair, and suiti, "Mr, what business have you to inter fere here? What business has this woman to use my name iu connection with this matter? How did this pardon t,et out of the Attorney-General's oflice without being re corded?" Looking at the pardon, he remarked, "Ibis Is my signature. I did not sign tbls pardon until very late tbls afternoon, and here I find it returned, as you say, through a pardon broker." He called ht son Kobcrt, and inquired, "Ro bert, do jou know anything about this pardon?" Robert auswered, "es, father; that is the par dou jou signed for Mrs. Cobb this afternoon." He took tbe pardon from bis drawer, unfolded It. and remarked, "This is a pretty business. Where Is Mrs. Cobb?" I replied, "At my head quarters.'' "Did you arrest her, sir?" I replied, "No, sir; I simply a-ked ber to go to my headquarters to make an explanation." Again ho became very muck excited, walked tbe room to and fro, and sud denly turned lerociovsly upon me and exclaimed, "Who employs you to Interfere with the duties of the President or the Attorney General ?" My answer was, I certainly Intended no wrong; I did not conceive It to be possible that be could know the real character of this woman; my only desire was to exhibit to him the character ot the persons engaged in pro curing pardons, and tbe means employed; and if I bad done wrong I was very sorry. He be came more composed, and wanted to know who this Mrs. Cobb was. I staled to him, as fur as possible, who the was. He then asked me if I would request Mrs. Cobb to come and see him the following evening at o'clock. - I replied. ' and see hi in the next evening, which I promlied to ('.o, and, leaving the pardon and Mrs. Cobb's contract with Captain Howell in his possession, 1 returned to my headquarters. But to return to Mr-t. Cobb. On arriving at my headquarters, I informed her that she was at liberty to go home, and Immediately fur nished btrself and husbacd with a conveyance. Bplore leaving, she reiterated her determination to lay the whole matter before the President, and nave me summarily dismissed tbe service. 8he told me that she had very intlueutial friends in Washington, and she would go before the Grand Jury and have me indicted for false im prisonment, etc. In compliance with the President's request, I went to hi mansion the next evening, and found him in a state ot great excitement. He denounced "my interference with matters at the White House; Mrs. Cobb was a respectable, virtuous lady, and I had no rlaht to interfere with her occupation." I had sincerely believed I could rtnder the President a great service by exposing the. character and business of this woman. When, however, I found that he was determined to put a wrong construction upon my motives, and to sustain Mrs. Cobb, I felt mortified and indignant. Never was there a greater contrast between anticipations and the result. It was comlag down from tbe summit ot human glory, when the unworthy ruler of a great people was conquered and led captive ap parently by the vile rroteqeot b la fancy. The Grand Jury of tbe Tfiktrictof Columbia then being in session, on the following day, very nuicli to my surprise, I lesmed that four indictments bad been round against me one for false imprisonment of Mrs. Cobb; one for false imprisonment of Mr. Cobb; one far robbery in taking trom ber the f 200 I bad marked andgiven to Captain Howell, and one for extortion. It would be difficult to Imagine how a Grand Jury could ever find evidence In this case en which to base these indictments; but when it is recollected that nearly every mem ber of this Grand Jury was a secessionist; that many of them, if not all, had at some tint during tbe previous four year Mien under my official notice, these facts will, perhaps, furnish an explanation. When it became known that these indictments had been found against me, tbe dt.-lovat nress throughout ih - Country hailed tlif rvtnt nnn Itkoli' in Orml. nate my official connection with the Govern- mcnt, and declared that President Johnson j would never permit hlnioelf to be compromised ; by permirting the continuance of Ihe iMectlve Bureau. Especially were Dulus taken by the Associated Press to send the news broadcast everywhere, that Colonel Baker bad been indicted for robbery, without giving any of the circumstances In connection with the coae. To thete reports I made no replv, determined to wait .pntiently. satisfied that If" an Impartial investigation could be bad. 1 should stand not only honorably acquitted before the com munity, but that aiy action in the case would be commended raihcr than censured. On tbe evening ol November 10.180)5, in a conversation with the President, he allirnied tbat it was not possible that he could know the character of the females visiting his house; be desired to give all an intsrview. Mrs. Cobb and Mrs, Washington had been there frequently he knew their faces well; believed he had on one or two occasions recommended Mrs. Cobb to the Secretary of the Treasury for a situation, but, beyond that, he knew nothing of ber or of Mrs. Washington, and if he could be convinced that the character of these women was bad, be certainly would not tolerate their presence at tbe Executive Mansion a moment. He then asked me to make out a written report, as briefly as possible, on which he could ba-e some order directing bis subordinates to exclude bad char act ers Irom the Whtte House. After what I had said t the President respect Ing Mrs. Cobb and her operations at the White House; aud afier fumlsblug him with an official report at his own request, I oertniuly thought he would give orders to have her kept out of tbe Kxecutive mansion. On the contrary, I heard
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