There was some delay in the preparation of my written report which caused anxiety at headquarters, which was expressed in the following:
Headquarters, Middle Department,
8th Army Corps,
Baltimore, Apl. 5, 1864.
Colonel.—I am directed by Major General Wallace to request you to inform him what is the latest information you have concerning Lieut. H. B. Smith, 5th N. Y. Arty., who was sent with a squad of men on the 22d ult. to make certain seizures. Please state near what point he was last known to be.
Resp'y your ob'd't serv't,
Sam'l B. Lawrence,
A. A. G.
To Col. Porter,
Com'd'g 2d Sep. Brigade.
The above I find among my papers. I cannot understand it in view of the fact that I reported March 30th (see following), and was appointed Chief of the Secret Service by General Wallace on April 3d. The years are many since then and it is hard to remember details, but my present theory is that as General Wallace had but recently assumed command, the Adjutant General's office was in confusion. "I am directed by Major General Wallace" is the usual language for an Adjutant General to use; at any rate my report is dated March 30th, and I was interviewed by General Wallace on April 2d, this I clearly remember.
Fort McHenry, Mch. 30, 1864.
To the General Commanding,
8th Army Corps, Middle Department.
General.—I have the honor to report that in compliance with Special Order No. 73, Mch. 22, 1864, I proceeded with a guard of 12 men on board the steam tug "Adriatic," but on account of the weather did not leave until the morning of the 23d.
I was alongside the Cutter (Revenue) and notified the officer commanding to arrest any of the vessels named in my order. I was afterwards hailed, and ran back to the Cutter again, and learned that the schooner "Frances E. Burgess," Capt. J. J. Lewis, had left just one-half hour before. On the morning of the 22d, she came in and just touched at the wharf, immediately dropping out in the stream. This last fact, connected with the previous one, also the fact that Quinn was much worried about the "F. E. B." led me to believe that the "Burgess" was not all right, and that Captain Lewis had learned of my moves and had attempted to evade me. I made chase for her.