The sun. [volume], April 06, 1913, FOURTH SECTION PICTORIAL MAGAZINE, Page 5, Image 35

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ITTLE KNOWN STORY OF A TRAITOR IN
m
ow Acting Master Daniel
a Portion of Gunboat Fleet in the Mississippi River in
That it would be a profitable speculation or the Coufediracy to buy xomc
0 the Union gunboats stationed on the Mississippi was a proposition submithd
to Jefferson Davis. This attempted treason of an o(ieer of the Union Xary
forma a little known incident of the ciril war. The story is told in official letters.
B7 GUN. MAIICUS J. WHIGIIT. I
THE attempted sale by Acting
Master Daniel W. Glenney of
the United States navy of a
portion of the gunboat Meet in
T the Mississippi River to the
' . ... . . (DC. I ,.
Confederate autnoruies in aiay,
not generally known. The correspond
ence which follows gives all details
which are obtainable.
On the 7th of May, 1&C3, John J. Pet
tus, Governor of Mississippi, addressed
a letter from Jackson to Jefferson
avis as follows:
Mr. I'uesiiiknt: Allow me to consult
you on a matter we deem of great in
terest. "A private citizen unconnected with
the army some four weeks ago con
reived the plan of buying out a consid
erable portion of the enemy's gunboat
Meet. He consulted the Hon. Jacob
Thompson In the premises, by whom he
was urged to open the negotiations
through a suitable agent, with an ns
urance that the Government would
Approve and Indorse the project. The
gentleman then procured a shrewd polit
ical man, of character nnd property,
whose proximity to the fleet gave him
unusual facilities for success.
Ti,n lofritintlrinu linvi nun' become
'"so far perfected that we arc Informed
tlx boats, all north of VIcksburg and
iouth of Memphis, can be had for a
consideration not exceeding one-half or
twu-thlrds original cost, Tho boats will
'e delivered at the muuth of the White
River, with all their equipments and
t rrmaments.
i ." "The condition of success now is the
Government's Indorsement nnd the
money with which to pay. Confederate
noney will not answer tho purpose; it
-nust be cither specie or sterling ex-
.-f hange. It will require. alout $1,000,000
fi .o complete the purchase. It must be
II lone at the earliest practicable moment.
I . . . n.l.c... I r. the. n il vti n til I rt.a (n
,iur cause of such arrangement. Wo
ivould capture north of VIcksburg ten
'mes the value of the boats.
"In connection with this scheme Is
: nother of scarcely less Importance,
Vought to my notice by tho same gen
eman and Intrusted to the same agent.
The post of Helenn, tho richest in
tores of any on this continent, perhaps,
rdnance, Ac, can be bought out at one
tenth its value, with which tho de
irtment of Gen. K. K. Smith could be
"urnlshed with arms, &c. If you ap'
rovo the plan please include Helena
,'llh the boats, and give us by telegraph
h' knowledge of your Indorsement In
i?rtaln words; say, plan approved.
"General Pemberton, tho Confederate
-easurer, Mr. DeBow and others might
le ordered In general terms to confer
mit yp- x
V. Glenney of United
May, 1863, to Confederacy
with me and furnish all facilities to ac
complish an understood purpose. There
must not be delay or all may be frus
trated. We ought not, of course, to be
restricted much as to reasonable terms
or sums of money. General Parsons of
Missouri, with a good command, Is now
encamped a few miles west of Helena,
and could cooperate with the boats on
the river in the bloodless capture of
Helena.
"Awaiting your earliest advices and
begging to urge prompt action, I beg
to subscribe," &c.
President Davis on tho back of this
letter wrote, "Confidential letter of Gov
ernor Pettus."
The record shows nothing further of
the proposed transaction until June 24,
when a despatch from Governor Pettus
was sent .o Mr. Davis. Tho despatch
shows that Mr. Mallory, the Secretary
of tho Navy, had not approved of tho
plan, and that Mr. Davis had forwarded
a copy of the Secretary's letter to Gov
ernor Pettus. To this Governor Pettus
replied:
"To tho President: The plan pro
posed and submitted to you In my letter
7th of May Is embarrassed and may fall
by reasons of Instructions given by the
Secretary of the Navy. No Illusions
made to Helena.
"In these Instructions give if possible
to Gen. Johnston a wide discretion In
the uso of this fund, embracing tho pur
chase of boats, destructions of trans
ports nnu securing of Helena.
"Gen. Johnston nnd I are more
familiar with circumstances surround
ing the matter than Secretary Mallory.
We nro willing to tnko tho respon
sibility of the disbursement. Tho de
tails of tho transaction cannot bo wisely
prescribed by the Secretary without n
mure thorough knowledge of all tho clr.
cumstances."
Tho proposed purchnso of tho stores,
Sc.. ut Helena failed, but as to tho
negotiations for tho purchase of the
United States gunboat Rattler and Its
results the following correspondence will
explain:
"U. 8. R. Ratti-kr, Sept. C, 1864.
"Sm: It Is with deep regret that I
mako the following report:
"Receiving Information that two Con
federate olllcers were stopping at tho
house of one Mr, James, which Is a
short distance from this vessel on the
bank of tho river, I resolved to mako an
effort to capture them. On the night of
the 4th Instant at about 8 o'clock an
officer left the vessel In the cutter with
twenty-two men nnd landed on the shore
abreast of tho vessel. Two negroes
who wero left in charge of the boat
were attacked by the enemy and killed.
"The officer In charge of the expedi
tion had nearly accomplished this mis
THE
Gen. Grant at Chattanooga. From the Painting
States Navy Tried to Sell
sion, when hearing the discharge of
musketry he immediately started for
this vessel nnd suddenly fell Into an
ambuscade of about 600 of the enemy:
my men being completely surrounded,
were obliged to surrender. The guns
of this vessel covered the parties dur
ing the whole time, but It was not
prudent to tire, ns we were In danger
of killing our own men.
"In the meantime the enemy had
manned the cutter and proceeded to
capture this vessel, and when along
side became Intimidated and started
with all speed down the river. In the
meantime 1 had slipped cable, but it
was useless to chase the boat, as It
had become lost to us In the darkness.
I headed slowly up the river, keeping
close of the bank, nnd was o fortunate
as to pick up my officer nnd two of the
men, who had escaped after they had
surrendered to the enemy.
"I am painfully conscious I have been
the victim of negro duplicity by trust
ing In their apparently truthful stories,
which has been the cause of this un
fortunate disaster. I have no excuse
to offer In vindication of myself, and If
I have erred it has been with the in
tention of benefiting the good cause we
are nil mutually engaged In. I re
covered twenty white men by despatch
boat, who were the ones captured.
"In conclusion I would respectfully
state that to-morrow I shall endeavor
to recover my men,, even if I am
obliged to give myself a ransom for
them. I should undoubtedly have been
with them now if Illness had not pre
vented my so doing. I nm, very re
spectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
"Daniel W. Gi.ennev,
"Acting Master Commanding.
"Lieut. Thomas O, Selfrldge, com
manding U. S. S. Vindicator and Fifth
District.
"P. 8. The thirteen boxes of to
bacco which I captured I shall ssnd to
Cairo by the despatch boat."
. "U. S. 8. Rattler, Sept. C, 'CI,
"Sir: In my despatch to you of the
uth Instant 1 gave an account of tho
capturo of a number of men by the
enemy under the command of ono Col
onel Isnne V. Harrison.
"Yesterd.-iv I tirnreel(l r iir. on.v...
of the enemy, had nu interview with
the commanding officer and procured
the release on their parole of honor not
to bear arms ngalnst tho Confederate
nnthnrttlen until ni-nneriv vniinm.n,i t
am, very respectfully sir, your obedient
servant, Daniel W. Olennev,
"Acting Master Commanding.
. "Lieut. Thomas O. Selfrldge, com
manding U. 8. 8. Vindicator and Fifth
district.
"P. 8, I would respectfully mention
that threo Colt's naval revolvers and
seventeen Knfleld rifles were captured
Respectfully, D. W. Glknnkv."
'U, 8. S. Vindicator, Fifth District,
"September 7, J864.
"Sir: Your surprise at the capture
of the Rattler's men will not be greater
than mine upon Capt. Glenney present-
SUN, SUNDAY, APRIL 6,
Ihi' lilnii'lf In mo List pvonlnir: sur-
!'rlECda,s muc at the !ntoinKome or
vc.sel without permission and come
down to me.
'Some weeks npo Capt. Olennoy
went out lck of St. Joseph with n
party from the Ueiiton, and narrowly
escaped capture. When I learned of
It 1 told him positively that 1 wished
him to confine himself to the vessel and
not to send parties ashore. It would
seem to me a plan laid to entrap him,
the story of the necroes that there were
to be officers, at Mr. James's house that
evening, nnd the Improbability of there
belns such a larpe force close to the
banks of the river at that time of nUht
without a reason. Unhappily their
plans worked very well.
"The party sent ashore were raw re
cruits, and in charge only of an engi
neer that escaped. The strangest part
of the story is that the enemy went off
In the Hauler's cutter to capture her.
They were only discovered when within
musket range, nnd, hut for an accident,
would have been on board of her. Capt.
Glenney states that he immediately
slipped, but lost eight of her and she
escaped. As the night was bright and
starlight It would seem to show that
there must have been great confusion
and excitement on the Rattler.
"Capt. Olenney the next day went
some twenty miles In the .ountry, un
attended, to seek an interview with
Coi. Harrison, who Anally consented to
release them on parole. Upon after
consideration, I will (keep) those pa
roled men on the Hattlcr until I learn
If there Is any Immediate chance of ef
fecting their exchange, If not, I will
send them up the first opportunity.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"Thomas O SELFitirxjE,
"Lieutenant-Commander.
"Rear Admiral David D. I'orter, Com
manding Miss. Squadron."
"U. S, S. RATTLKn,
"Miss, River, Nov. 4, 1864.
"Sin: It becomes my duty to inform
you of the desertion of tho exectitlvo
ofilcer of this vessel, Acting Knslgn
P. Nellls, nnd of tho escape of Act
ing Master D. W. Glenney. Sentries
wero placed at each door of tho room
In which Acting Master Glenney was
confined and all precautions taken as
usual.
"They probably left the vessel be
uvi.,n Mm iinnm nf 11 an,l 12 P. M. In
In skiff which was on tho guard. Tho
' olllcer of deck. Acting Knslgn II.
C'hurch, reports that ho was relieved
, y Mr. Nellls. I am very respectfully,
V0"1" obedient servant,
"Nl 1,1 Willcts,
' "Acting Mnstrr Commanding.
u eutenant-i ommanoer u.
Commanding Fifth District, Missis-
slppl Squadron."
"U. 8. fl; Pittsburo,
"Off Rodney, Nov. 5, 1864.
"Sir: The Inclosed letter hns Just been
handed mo by Acting Second Assistant
Engineer W. H. Mitchell of this vessel,
with tho request from Captain Glenney
that he (Mr. Mitchell) would send It
on shore for him. Mr. Mitchell did not
send It on shore, as ho knew It was
contrary to do so without my permission,
and as he knew that I had some letters
returned to Captain Olenney a few days
before. ' which were addressed to the
1913.
by T. de Thulstrup.
THE NAVY
Gunboat Commanded by Glenney Was to Be Sold for $50,000, but
Delivery Failed Through Misunderstanding Attempted Treason
and Revenge Told in Official Correspondence
same person, ho thought it not worth
while to ask me.
"After tho Vindicator passed down
this P. M from which vessel we learned
of the desertion of Captain Glenney, Mr.
Mitchell opened the letter nnd. seeing
the nature of its contents. Immediately
brought It to me. The person to whom
the letter Is addressed is a young lady
living In the town of Rodney, nnd, ns
near as I have been able to learn, is no
relation whatever of Captain G.'s. Very
respectfully, your obedient servant,
"W. R.Hoel,
"Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Com
manding. JlLteutcnnnt-Commander IL.L. May, U.
S. N Commanding Fifth District
Mississippi River."
The letter referred to by Mr. Hocl
rends as follows:
"U. S. S. Rattler,
"Wednesday Morning, 10 o'clock.
"My Dearest Cousin: Once more I
have the pleasure of beholding the
pleasant hills of your little town, but
alas It is a mournful one, for I nm still
In durance vllo nnd with no prospect
of an Immediate release. The Insult
that has been placed upon me by tho
servant of an imbecile Government has
sunk deep Into my heart. I now live for
one purpose, and that is deep, bitter
revenge.
"I will sacrifice home, kindred, aye
my dearest friends, to accomplish my
aim. Like a snake, I will sting when
least expected and my name shall bo
a terror to every Yankee. The haunts
of old ocean are too familiar to mo to
fear their fast cruisers, for will not my
bonny barque, bo equally as swift?
"Do not repronch me, dear cousin, nnd
abhor mo ftir my Intentions, but you
wish me to bo all confidence with you
or else you would not know my future
Intentions. There nro other bravo hearts
that will sail under my orders who are
now serving under Federal Govern
ment. "You, who nro tho only being that I
claim as a friend, will not, I hope, do
splso me. Do not call mo a traitor;
remember that I have been true nnd
faithful to tho Federals, till they wrong
fully abused me, and I have protested
ngalnst them forever. We havo come
here for tho purposo of getting coal, but
ns there Is nono here wo shnll proceed
on to Natchez.
"I shall expect to get a nlco letter
from you on my return. Tear this letter
up ns soon as you have read It. Did
you get my letter I sent by hand?
"Hoping wo may meet again. I remain
as over, your nffectlonntn cousin, D,
"P. S. Excuse that bad looking blot."
The envelope, was addressed, "Miss
Winnie Wilcox" or Wllcore. The con
clusion of the story Is given Jn the
following letters forwarded by Admiral
Lee to the Secretary of tho Navy:
- "Natchez, November 7.
"Sin: Capt. French of the transport
Drown had a friend to visit him at
VIcksburg (on his last trip down) who
was a prisoner at some place back of
VIcksburg. While confined one night
In a room adjoining one occupied by
IN THE
rebel olllcers he overheard them dis
cussing the case of Glenney. He
learned that Glenney was to weaken
his crew by allowing his men to bo
taken prisoners and then to be over
powered by men from shore. He ngreed
to cross the rebel army or allow It to
cross, for which he was to receive $2,000
In money and 100 bales of cotton. It Is
said that he has received the money,
but not the cotton.
"Respectfully submitted,
"It. L. May.
"Lieutenant-Commander, commanding
Fifth District Mississippi Squad
ron." "U. 8. S. Rattler, Oct. 18, 1864.
"Friend Randolph: Last evening the
merchant steamer Jos. Pierce touched
alongside of this vessel and a gentle
man who clnlmed to be your brother
visited me. On account of existing cir
cumstances his wish could not be
granted. He was kind enough to send
me the following message, to wit, that a
rebel deserter was on board the Ronton,
who could swear that I had sold my
vessel to them.
"Cod Is conscious that T nm Innocent
of anything wrong, nnd If I have dono
a wrong It has been from a desire to
servo the good cause that we aro actu
ally engaged In. My conscience, dear
friend, is ns clear as the noonday suu,
hut circumstantial evidence has at times
proven stronger thnn posttlvo proof,
and such evidence undoubtedly may bo
brought against me.
"I now wish to recelvo a favor from
you, and you will eventually find that
I am not unmindful of it. As soon ns
you receive this note answer It by first
boat up nnd toll me who tho rebel Is
that you have. Whether ho Is an o'llcer
or a private, what Is his name, when
hi did como aboard of you and what
the Ktory Is that ho tells. Plenso be
candid with mo and you will never re
gret it. Let mn know whnt Mr. I.ouud's
sentiments are.
"I am anxious to get information
ns speedily ns possible, as I havo n law
yr already engaged who Is In direct
communication with me. Tho events
nf tho Inst few weeks have made mo
nearly broken hearted. I havo been
tr'nted unjustly, but I will not com
plain, convinced as I nm that an Im
partial court will honorably acquit mo
(if any wrong. You will excuso me for
not going Into nny details at present,
but at a favorable opportunity I will
tell you all. Hoping to hear from you
rnon, I will close, remaining, your
friend, Daniel W. Olenney."
"U, 8. Navy Off Hurricane Island En
closure. U, 8, Steamer Benton,
"Natchez, November 7, 1864.
"Sin: There Is no doubt about the
treachery of Acting Master Glenney.
lly tho letter (marked A) It will bo
s:rn that he and his friend Nellls es
caped from tho steamer Rattler on the
4th Init. I learn that Glenney had
much Influence over Nellls, who was
young and romantic. I did not know
CIVIL WAR
Its
if their intimacy before, or I would
have had Glenney brought to the Ben
ton. I ordered him In close arrest when
I first came down nnd fnptnin Wllleta
thought he could take care of them.
"I forwarded two letters from Glcnnejc.
(U&C) that present a remarkable con
trast one to an Knslgn nf his ship, who
handed It to the Captain nt once, and
ono to a lady In Rodney, which Is ex
plained In Captain Unci's letter (marked
D). I have ma'do a memorandum K of a
report from the Captain of the Hrown,
which goes still further to show the
perfidy of the traitor. Glenney was a
seafaring man, having been mate of a
-Bhlp out of New York.
"On the 24th of October Mr. NcHIa
sent In his resignation as acting Ensign,
In order, ns he says In his letter, to get
the appointment of pilot below VIcks
burg. Accompanying Is a recommenda
tion from the two pilots of the Forest
Rose. I am, very respectfully, your
obedient servnnt, R. L. May,
"Acting Rear Admiral, S. R. Lee, Com
manding Mississippi Squadron,"
All that can be ascertained rela
tive to the proposed purchase of the
United States gunboat of the Ironclad
fleet stationed between Natche". and
VIcksburg during 1SC3-4 Is that tho
boat was commanded by Captnln Glen
ney nnd was to have been sold for
$50,000 gold. Arrangements wcr all
ngreed upon, but failed when tho de
livery was about to be made, through a
misunderstanding between Cnpt. Glen
ney and tho Confederate com
mander, Col. J. F. Hnrrlson of the
Third Louisiana Cavalry. Glenney, as
beforo shown, was put In Irons, but
made his escape, went to New Orleans,
and was assisted by the Confedvrates
In that city to go to Mexico, and htm
not Blnce been heard from.
Neutral Water Is Tab' o
According to old fishermen thero Is
what might bo called neutral ground,
or rather neutral water, In rivers, where
thcro Is no ubo of trying to make a
catch unless It bo that some fool fish
with a piscatorial brainstorm snntchea
bait llko nn Insano human might grab
a red hot Btove.
This neutral water is tho part of the
river where Its flow encounters -the
snllno Impregnation of tho salt water
nf t..o bay or ocean into which It finally
empties. With tho ebb and tho flow of
tho tldo tho Fait wnter of the bay runs
up Into tho river for miles, and on tho
reverse tho fresh wnter descends several
miles again to the bay leading Into the
salt sea.
Thero Is a midway bctwen the salt and
fresh -water points, however, that very
seldom shifts. Around this midway shad
and blue and other salt water fish, It
they visit at all, will hover on tho ocean
side. On the fresh water fringe will
loiter such fish as Inhabit currents that
are devoid of tho saline ingredient. If
the fisherman happens to cast bait In this
neutral gone he Is not likely to get
either one kind or the other.
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