Between the Lines Part 10

The New York "World" and "The Journal of Commerce" were the newspapers involved in the affair, but the odium should not attach to the present papers.

The bogus proclamation spread faster and further than the denial of it possibly could.

FILE XIV.

Arrest of F. W. Farlin and A. H. Covert--The Pulpit not loyal, reports on Rev. Mr. Harrison and Rev. Mr. Poisal--Comical reports on a religious conference and a camp meeting--Seizure of Kelly & Piet's store with its contraband kindergarten contents--Sloop "R. B. Tennis" one of my fleet, and an account of a capture of tobacco, etc.--Arrest of Frederick Smith, Powell Harrison and Robert Alexander--Harry Brogden.

Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps, Baltimore, May 21, 1864.

Lt. Col. Woolley, Provost Marshal.

Colonel.--I have the honor to report the arrest of A. H.

Covert and F. W. Farlin, as per order annexed.

I have it from a reliable source that Mr. Alexander Civin went to Philadelphia this morning, I therefore telegraphed to the Provost Marshal there, for his arrest, and to send him under guard to this place.

I am, Colonel,

Very respy. your obdt. servant, H. B. SMITH, Lieut. Comdg. D. C.

To discover persons engaged in creating sentiments of disloyalty, or in pandering to such sentiments, was a part of our duty; the pulpit was not always loyal.

Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps, Baltimore, May 22, 1864.

Col. Woolley, Provost Marshal.

Colonel.--I have the honor to report in regard to the sermons of the Reverends Harrison and Poisal: Neither preached a political sermon nor dealt in any way with the affairs of the country, except in one or two instances Mr. Harrison spoke of the present deplorable condition of affairs in this country and seemed to be very much downcast in both preaching and praying. He (Mr. H.) did not utter one word of prayer for our President, Army or Government.

I know of Mr. Poisal's being a correspondent of some of the Rebel prisoners in Fort McHenry.

At both sermons they had very slim audiences.

I am, Colonel,

Very respy. your obdt. servant, H. B. SMITH, Lieut. and Chief.

On one occasion it was my duty to attend a State conference in one of the churches; it was rather slimly attended. We were invited to come nearer the altar, and I, with the rest, complied.

We were then asked to in turn arise and announce what district in the State we represented, and report on its condition. I was embarra.s.sed, but kept my eye on the ceiling or on the floor. I presume my dumbness excused me. The closing hymn was No. 701, on page 417, and the first verse was:

"Jesus, great Shepherd of the sheep, To thee for help we fly, Thy little flock in safety keep, For O! the wolf is nigh."

They were correct in the guess, about the wolf, but I did not say so out loud.

A very laughable report was made to me by one of my officers who was sent into the country to a meeting in the woods. This officer knew more about guns than about religious meetings. He reported nothing disloyal was said, but urged the necessity of going there next Sunday, as they said: "they would have some big guns there then." The officer was used to guns, and so he a.s.sumed that they meant cannons, whereas they were referring to popular speakers who were to be present there the following Sunday.

General Wallace was just the man to administer the affairs of a department so complex in sentiment. No better ill.u.s.tration can be furnished than the following circular letter issued to the churches at a time when the public mind was so wrought up by the a.s.sa.s.sination of the President. It is too fine a doc.u.ment to be lost. To the General's memory I insert it here:

Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps, Baltimore, Md., April 19, 1865.

Circular.

The conduct of certain clergymen in this city has in some instances, been so positively offensive to loyal people, and, in others, of such doubtful propriety, to say nothing about taste, as to have become a cause of bad feeling with many well-disposed citizens.

As you must be aware, the recent tragedy, so awful in circ.u.mstance, and nationally so calamitous, has, as it well might, inflamed the sensibilities of men and women who esteem their loyalty only a little less sacred than their religion.

In this state of affairs you will undoubtedly perceive the wisdom of avoiding, on your own part, everything in the least calculated to offend the sensibilities mentioned. You will also perceive the propriety of requiring members of your congregation, male and female, who may be so unfortunate as to have been sympathizers with the rebellion, not to bring their politics into the church.

So profound is my reverence for your truly sacred profession, that, in the sincere hope of avoiding any necessity for interfering with the exercise of your office, I choose this method of respectfully warning you of the existing state of public feeling, and calling upon you, in the name of our common Savior, to lend me your influence and energetic a.s.sistance, to be exerted in every lawful way, to soothe irritations and calm excitements. You know that what I thus request I have the power to enforce. You ought also to know that, to save the community from the dishonor and consequences of a public outbreak, it would be my duty to exercise all the power I possess, without regard to persons or congregations.

If you feel that you cannot yourself comply with this fraternal solicitation, or that you are unable to control evil-disposed members of your flock, I suggest that it is better, far better, in every respect, that you should close the doors of your church for a season at least.

I have no fear that the kindliness of my purpose in thus communicating with you will be mistaken; and that you may not understand yourself as accused, or specially selected from the ma.s.s of your professional brethren, you are informed that a copy of this note has been or will be addressed to every clergyman in the city.

Very respectfully, Your friend, LEW WALLACE, Major General Commanding.

The firm referred to in the following two doc.u.ments was one of the largest stationers in the city. Their reputation for disloyalty was well understood by us. An important part of their business was the dissemination of articles which tended to have the kindergarten effect of schools of disloyalty.

Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps, Baltimore, Md., May 23, 1864.

Lieut. H. B. Smith.

Sir.--We have the honor to report that this afternoon we went into the book store of Kelly & Piet, No. 174 W. Baltimore street, and told them that we were book agents on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and had just arrived from Frederick City. We asked Mr. Piet if he had any books of Abraham Lincoln Trials; he hesitated for a short time, then told us that he had. We then asked him if he had any of the Life of Jackson; he said he had a few, and said he would send and get us some more in half an hour. He then showed us some different books and also some playing cards with the different Rebel Generals on the face of them, which he offered to sell at $4.50 per dozen: also some writing paper and envelopes with the Rebel Flag on, which we bought and you will find the bill enclosed.

We are, Lieut., your obdt. servants, I. W. STERN and GEO. R. REDMAN, U. S. D.

The bill attached was $34.24.

Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps, Baltimore, May 23, 1864.

Col. Woolley, Provost Marshal.

Colonel.--I have the honor to report that I this day seized and searched the store of Kelly & Piet, No. 174 West Baltimore street, and enclosed hand you a list of contraband articles seized. I also enclose the report of the detectives.

Mr. Piet states that he has been arrested before on a similar charge.