yawl (with a dirty
sail), worth about twenty or thirty dollars, was earning two hundred
dollars in one night in carrying Smith and his tobacco over.

As I said before, the Potomac was patrolled by gunboats, and the north
shore was garrisoned at many points with troops, yet these little
fellows would creep right in between them. My plan was to go equipped as
they were, and meet them on their level.

We did not consider the neck between the Potomac and the Rappahannock as
the enemy's country, yet the Confederates had a signal station on the
Potomac all through the war; it was in charge of Harry Brogden, whom I
knew. When I get along in my stories to June 30th, I will show you how
well it was understood in the Confederacy.

FILE XV.

General pass for the schooner "W. H. Travers"--Trip down the bay after
blockade runners and mail carriers--Gillock and Lewis, two of my officers,
captured by Union pickets--Commodore Foxhall A. Parker--Potomac flotilla--
Arrest of J. B. McWilliams--My watch gone to the mermaids--The ignorance
of "poor white trash."

To save delay in getting out of the harbor the following request was
made:

Headquarters, Middle Department,
8th Army Corps,
Baltimore, June 9, 1864.

Capt. Cornell,
Commanding Revenue Cutter,
Baltimore Harbor.

Captain.--I have the honor to request that you permit the
schooner "W. H. Travers" under command of Lieut. Smith, to
pass your vessel without Custom Clearance. She is employed in
the Secret Service Bureau, 8th A.C.

Respy, your most obdt. servt.,
JOHN WOOLLEY,
Lt. Col. and Provost Marshal.

Headquarters, Middle Department,
8th Army Corps.
Baltimore, June 9, 1864.

Special Order No. 76.

Lieut. H. B. Smith with detachment of Secret Service Corps,
will proceed on schooner "W. H. Travers" to such points on
Eastern and Western shore of Maryland, Eastern and Western
shore of Virginia, and Southern and Northern shore of the
Potomac river, as he deems proper and necessary to further the
instructions of the Government.

By command of Major General Wallace,
JOHN WOOLLEY,
Lt. Col. and Provost Marshal.

The chain of war vessels extending along the Potomac under the command
of Commodore Foxhall A. Parker, he having jurisdiction of the waters,
was known as the Potomac flotilla.

When I attempted to approach the Co