rty, with a guard
from Co. G., N. Y. Arty., consisting of one sergeant, two
corporals and twenty-two men, with two days rations, will,
when transportation is provided, proceed to Alexandria, Va, in
charge of ninety-three soldier prisoners, and turn them over
with lists and charges of same to the commanding officer of
Camp of Distribution, near that place.

II. This duty performed Lieut. Smith and guard will return
without delay and report to the commanding officer of this
post.

Lieut. Thos. Grey, the quarter master, will furnish the
necessary transportation.

By command,
Col. P. A. PORTER.
Ford Morris,
1st. Lieut. 6th N. Y. Arty.
Post Adjutant.

Lieut. SMITH,
D. Co., 5th N. Y. Arty.

[Illustration: THE MAPLES, LAUREL, MD]

On our way to Washington, at Laurel, Md., we found the railroad bridge
crossing the Patuxent river had been washed away by a recent freshet.
We were forced to disembark, go down a high embankment and cross the
river by a foot bridge. By some means some of the prisoners had obtained
some "fire water" and were troublesome; some of them were fighting on
this foot bridge. I took a hand in it and tumbled a few into the river
(not very deep). Just then I noticed three or four of them scurrying
away, running through a field of grain. I really felt more sorry for the
owner of the field than for the loss of the men. Aunt Mag had often
spoke of our visiting her brother William and sister Mary at Laurel, but
we never went there until after our marriage, when I found, on arriving
there, that the owner of the grain field my prisoners had so ruthlessly
damaged was brother William. He could not remember the instance, as such
events were of frequent occurrence, but we had a laugh over it.

FILE V.

Appointed assistant provost marshal at Fort McHenry, where I began my
first experience in detective work--Somewhat a history of my early
life--Ordered to execute Gordon by shooting.

I was on duty with troops until detailed as Assistant Provost Marshal at
Fort McHenry. The administration of prisoners confined at Fort McHenry
had become unsatisfactory; escapes were frequent. Colonel Porter
selected Capt. Holmes of the 8th New York Heavy Artillery and myself to
reform the prison.

Headquarters, Fort McHenry,
October 25, 1863.

General Order No. 51.

I. Lieut. George Nellis, Co. D., 5