s for the purchase of a lot of
Confederate bonds, which purchase was consummated in the following
November. For an account of which please refer to my report of the
arrest of Brewer and Pittman, November 24th.

Baltimore, June 30, 1864.

Mr. Plyle.

Sir.--I expect to go to Norfolk or Richmond to-day. I send my
partner, Mr. Shaffer, who will hand you this, to talk with you
about purchasing your bonds. He will answer as well as I in
the matter.

I will be back about July 10th.

Yours respy.,
SINCLAIR.

To Col. Plyle,
Franklin House.

FILE XVII.

A Confederate letter.

The following discloses how perfectly the Confederate government
understood the travelled route through the lines. It was by way of their
signal station on the Potomac, that was their official channel. I was
determined to break it up.

Westmorland and Northumberland counties, Virginia, are the south shore
of the Potomac river. Mosby, or at least part of his command, covered
this country.

Confederate States of America,
War Department, Ordnance Bureau,
Richmond, June 30, 1864.

Captain:

The bearer, Mr. White, is confided in as trustworthy. He
desires information as to the best mode of proceeding to
Maryland.

I will thank you to give him any assistance you can
consistently.

Mr. W. is engaged in procuring stores for the Government,
through the blockade.

Very respy. your obdt. servt.,
J. GORGAS, Col.
Chief of Ordnance.

To Capt. Barker,
In charge Signal Corps.
Approved,
By order,
J. A. Campbell,
A. Sec. War.
July 1, 1864.

This has endorsed on it:

Signal Bureau,
Richmond, July 1, 1864.

The officers in charge of Signal Station on Potomac, will
furnish Mr. White any assistance in their power, in crossing
into Maryland.

WM. M. BARKER,
Capt. in ch. Signal Corps.

FILE XVIII.

Confederate army invades Maryland in 1864--General Wallace's masterly
defence of Washington--Trip outside our pickets--Confederate General
Bradley Johnson and Colonel Harry Gilmor--The Ishmael Day episode--Uncle
Zoe--Arrest of Judge Richard Grason--Report on certain "disloyals."

About this time our efforts were pointed in another direction, for a
portion of Lee's Army had been detached and had begun the invasion of
Maryla