  Statement of Illinois Crothers, giving valuable and reliable information, implicating Mr. William Mitchell and a Mrs. Keenan, of Winchester, Virginia—Report on Daniel W. Jones and Joseph Bratton—Am given unlimited access to prisoners in Baltimore city jail. Headquarters, Middle Department, Lt. Col. Woolley, Colonel.—I have the honor to hand you statement made by Illinois Crothers, of 1st Md. Rebel Cavalry, who came to this office to report. I questioned him closely and on every point of importance, he seemed very ignorant. He was in this city several days without reporting, and to all appearances is as bitter a Rebel to-day as ever. I took from him a document marked "A," which shows that it was generally known to the authorities in Virginia, that he was coming to Maryland, and unless they were sure he would return, I have reliable information that all of the Rebel Spies, commissioned as such, are from the Signal Corps. Harry Brogden, named in the document, was once in our hands, tried as a spy. Herewith I hand you Brogden's history. I think that this document shows that he, (Crothers), came with the consent of the Rebel authorities, and with the intention to return. I am, Colonel, P.S.—Mrs. Keenan, of Winchester, should be arrested. This is not the first transaction of the kind implicating Mr. Wm. Mitchell. (H.B.S.) It required experience and skill to cull out the spies from among real deserters and refugees. Spies would swallow the oath of allegiance as easy as water. One of the best tests of probabilities, was to ascertain the route travelled in coming out from the Confederacy. Harry Brogden was the Confederate secret signal officer on the Potomac. The following is a report made from the records in my office, and it serves to show how thorough in detail our data had come to be: Headquarters, Middle Department, Lt. Col. John Woolley, Colonel.—I have the honor to give you a history of the previous arrests of Daniel W. Jones, and Joseph Bratton, of Somerset Co., Md. The first arrest of Daniel W. Jones was made in 1862, and he was placed in Marshal McPhail's custody, under charge of attacking an enrolling officer. He was afterwards released on giving bonds to the amount of $2,000 to keep the peace, and to deport himself in every way becoming a loyal citizen. A copy of the bond is on file in this office. Joseph Bratton was arrested March 31, 1864, on the charge of disloyalty, and aiding the Rebels. A sworn statement now on file in this office shows that Bratton aided an escaped prisoner from Point Lookout to evade military and get back within the Rebel lines. I am, Colonel, The following gave me unlimited access to our prisoners confined in the city jail: Headquarters, Middle Department, Col. Thomas C. James, The bearer, Lieut. H.B. Smith, 5th N.Y.H. Arty., who commands my detective Corps, is permitted to see any prisoner in the City Jail who belongs to this office, and at such times He will be permitted to have private interviews if he desires them. By command of Major General Wallace. John Woolley, |
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