fore that time. (Oct.
'64.) I deserted during Early's retreat. The Battery that I
was a member of lost all their guns. I heard officers say that
they lost forty-four pieces.

"I had a hard time getting through Westmorland County. I did
not cross the river until about two weeks ago, and during that
time I have been on my way from St. Mary's County to this
city.

"Now I wish to give certain information to the Government:
John J. Spaulding, who lived near Leonardtown, Md., and now
lives on the Virginia side, at Westmorland Court House, six
miles from the Potomac River, and boarding with a Mr Harvey,
who keeps tavern at the Court House, brought me over the river
and eight persons besides myself.

"He brought us over in the night; he seemed very much afraid,
and kept out of sight, and landed at Caywood's Bluff, near
Britton's Bay.

"Spaulding is a blockade runner, and keeps a large store of
blockade goods at Westmorland Court House. He brought a large
lot over the river a few days before I arrived at the Court
House. He keeps his boat in Poor Jack Creek, and in a small
gut. From what I heard, I think when he comes over after goods
he goes to St. Clemmen's Bay in St. Mary's County, up to a
certain Merryman's store, and I know that Merryman sells goods
to Spaulding and a much larger quantity to Watkins & Pumphrey,
two blockade runners at the Court House.

"Pumphrey did belong to my company; Watkins to the 1st
Maryland Infantry (Rebel) and deserted, and they are now
running the blockade.

"Watkins and Pumphrey were over about a month ago, and while
on their way up St. Clemmen's Bay, while landing in a creek
near Merryman's store, the Federal Cavalry, being informed by
a citizen came near capturing them, but they hid in their
hiding place, and then they went in the night to Merryman's
store; he told them that if they were not more careful, he
would not sell them goods.

"Pumphrey told me about it when he came back to the Court
House. They bought at that time about five hundred dollars'
worth of goods; Pumphrey showed me the bill made out by
Merryman. The kind and quantity of goods were, sugar, coffee,
dry-goods, gray cloth, hats, boots and shoes, gun-caps, powder
spices and other goods, shot, &c.

"I have seen