Two escaped Black Marylanders reveal hidden rebel weapons cache to the army

Two escaped Black Marylanders reveal hidden rebel weapons cache to the army

Lt D. C. Clark to Capt Chas Corbit enclosing two affidavits from formerly enslaved Black Marylanders revealing the location of a hidden cache of rebel weapons as well as the details of their escape to join the Union Army.

2/11/1864

Anne Arundel & Calvert Counties, MD

Maryland Physician to the Provost Marshal of Baltimore, and Two Affidavits of Black Marylanders, All Enclosed in Lieutenant in the First Delaware Cavalry to his Commanding Officer


Head Quarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps,
Office Provost Marshal,
Baltimore, Feby 11th 1864
Major Hayner
Dear Sir There are two contrabands at the "rest" who say that they buried on the lands of their master a box of Rifles, a box of swords and a cannon about tobacco cutting time... and that they could show where they are. would it not be well to see them about it? Yours truly
James Armitage
N.B the locality is Fair Haven a secess hole


Head Quarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps,
OFFICE PROVOST MARSHAL,
Baltimore, Feb 11th 1864.
Albert Carrol, Cold. Says that he left his master, Flanklin S Griffith living at a place called Mount Air Hill about 2 miles from Fair Haven Calvert Co Md. about three weeks ago. I left in Company with Cold boy Ira Cook and for the purpose of Enlisting in the Service of the United States — but was not accepted after examination Mr Parrott the overseer fired on both of us & wounded us— This Fall about housing tobacco time there was buried by Edward Cook Cold a Box of Swords in the Barn on the premises this was done by order of the overseer Mr Parrott, I got one of the Swords out of this Box after it was buried and gave it to my wife intending to bring it away with me when I came for proof— I know there is a large Secession Flag buried in the Turkey house on the premises. there was 2 Boxes of Guns brought to this place last Spring & then they were Carried to Mr Tom Chews place about 5 miles from Mr Griffiths. There was a Cannon buried at Friendship Ann Arundel Co by Mr Griffith where he now resides, I know the
very spot where it is buried
his
Albert X Carrol
mark
Sworn this 11th Feby 1864 before me
H Y Hayner
Maj & ADC Pro. Mar.


Head Quarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps,
OFFICE PROVOST MARSHAL,
Baltimore, Feb 11th 1864.
Edward Cook Cold Says that he left his master Franklin S Griffith living at a place called Mount Air Hill about 2 miles from Fair Haven Calvert Co Md. about three weeks ago I left in Company with Cold Boy Albert Carrol and for the purpose of enlisting in the United States Service but was rejected after being Examined by the Dr. last Spring Mr Parrott the overseer took me to the Barn and made me bury a large Box of Swords, he was damning the Yankees during this time he said to me if I told anyone where these Arms were buried he would blow me to pieces, I saw the 2 Boxes brought to the place and asked Albert Carroll & Thomas Whittonton Cold & head man on the plantation what was in the boxes and they told me they were full of Rifles, they were carrying them on an Ox Cart towards the Bay Shore, I heard they were carried to Mr Thomas Chews I saw a Rebel Flag made by Mr Frank Griffith assisted by his Cousin Ed Griffith, I helped bury this flag in the Turkey House. it is contained in a round
sugar Box. Mr Parrott the Overseer helped me bury this flag. I heard there was a Cannon buried by Mr Griffith on his premises at Friendship Ann Arundle Co Md.
his
Edward X Cook,
mark.
Sworn before me this 11 Feby 1864
H Y Hayner
Maj & A.D.C. Prov. Mar.


Hd. Qrs. Co. C 1st Del. Cavly
Relay House B.O.R.R.
Feb. 16th 1864
Captain I have the honor to report that in obedience to instructions from Brigade Head Quarters I proceeded to the house of Mr. Parrott on the property of Mr. Griffith near the village of Friendship in Calvert County Maryland, and made Search for arms and other Government property, I found in a tobacco barn the Sabre box mentioned in Carrol,s affidavit but the Sabres had been removed. I then Searched the house of Mr. Parrott and succeeded in finding two Sabre belts. which I brought Away with me, One of the belt plates was marked with the Maryland Coat of Arms I also searched the Turkey house for the Secession flag but could not find it. Mrs. Parrott, informed me that there had been such a flag about the house, and that it was the property of Mr. Griffith, but did not know what had become of it, Mr. Parrott could not be found but think he was concealed in a wood near by, I also made search for the buried cannon in the village of Friendship but was unsuccessful as my guide could not recognise the spot. The two boxes of rifles supposed to be buried on the property of Mr. Chews, near the Bay Shore. I did not look for, as I had no one to guide me in the
search, I sent Carrol accompanied by one of my men to the house where his wife lived, for the Sabre which he Stated in his Affidavit as taken from the buried box. but the wife fearing its discovery might implicate herself, carried it to the house of a neighbor. the person she left it with being absent. I was unable to get it, I then Started for camp bringing the Negro Carroll with me. Very Respectfully Your Obd,t, Serv,t,
D. C. Clark
Lt Co "C" 1st Del Cav
Chas Corbit
Capt Co "C"
1st Del Cav


James Armitage to Major Hayner, 11 Feb. 1864, Affidavit of Albert Carrol, 11 Feb. 1864, and affidavit of Edward Cook, 11 Feb. 1864, all enclosed in Lt D. C. Clark to Capt Chas Corbit, 16 Feb. 1864, C-62 1864, Letters Received, ser. 2380, Middle Dept. & 8th Army Corps, RG 393 Pt. 1 [C-4176].