Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 24.djvu/97

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Virginia side, I went to the residence of Dr. Howe (Hooe), about twenty mile-, from 1- rcdricksburg. This place I reached at i A. M. This gentlemen was a perfect stranger to me, but he received un- kindly, entertained me handsomely, he anil his charming family so MI. in to be rendered houseless and homeless by the incendiary art of the vandal Captain Hudd, of the United States gunboat, a name ever to be remembered, desecrated as the insultcr of unprotected females, firing into barns and houses, and everything but what might have been expected of an officer or a gentleman.

The same day Dr. Howe (Hooe), chartered a buggy and drove me to Fredrickpburg, where I arrived at six o'clock in the afternoon. n registering my name at the hotel, a gentleman, Mr. Chew, intro- duced himself to me, and insisted most kindly on taking me to his house, where he entertained me most handsomely and hospitably. Next morning I went to Richmond on the cars. I immediately pro- ceeded to the Navy Department and reported myself to the Secre- tary, and at once received my commission as captain in the Confed- erate States navy. After getting my position and commission, I went into the Bureau of Details, where I met many of my old friends, who had also resigned Barren, Maury, Lewis, Spotswood, and many others. In conversation in that office I suggested my plan of seizing the Saint Nicholas, and carrying out the scheme that had suggested itself to me at Colonel S 's. I was told that the Sec- retary (Mr. Mallory) would not agree to the plan, but that the Gov- ernor (Letcher) would. I then remarked that I would obtain Mr. Mallory 's permission to apply to the Governor. I walked into Mr. Mallory's room and asked his permission. He granted it, and I at once went straight to the Governor's. When I made my propo- sition, Governor Letcher, without a moments hesitation, acceded to the proposal, and gave me a draft for $1,000 to send North for arms and men, etc. He then and there introduced me to Colonel Thomas, of Maryland, alias Zarvona, as a person who could be trusted to go North to purchase arms, or transact other business. That same afternoon I started off for Point Lookout via Fredericksburg. After leaving Fredericksburg I met my two sons, who were on their way to Richmond; they joined me of course. That next evening we recrossed the Potomac to the Maryland side, St. Mary's county, where I went to the house of a friend and remained untill sundown, when I, my two sons, and five men started in a wagon in a pouring rain, a nasty, dirty night, for Point Lookout, where the Saint Nicho- las had to stop on her way to Washington. About an hour after