Dated “Headquarters Provost Marshall’s Office/Washington, Jan. 20, 1863”; From Lieut. Col. W.E. Doster to Major G.W. Richardson, ordering the capture of Confederate Capt. I.H. Boyle, a suspected spy. Major Boyle writes back [on the reverse] to inform that Boyle was arrested and is now in custody. 2 pp., in ink on lined paper w/official provost marshal letterhead, 8 x10”. Letter exhibits fold-marks, and slightly smudged front page ink, while remaining entirely legible, and VG plus.

Text: “Major…..It is represented at these Head Quarters that I.H. Boyle, a Captain of C.V.A., and a member of Stewart’s staff, is at present staying at the house of his father, Dr. Boyle, in U. Marlboro, Md., wearing his uniform and defying the vigilance of the Federal authorities. It being very desirable to increase the collection of Confederate officers in the Old Capitol after the proclamation of Jefferson Davis, you are directed to send a force sufficient him and bring him to these Head Quarters. If the same officers who recently searched for Walter Bowie are still at your disposal one of them had better be sent/ Very Respy. / W.E. Doster/ Lieut.-Col. Of Prov. Marshal.”

Reverse reply of Major Richardson:

Sir:……I respectfully report that Lieutenant French left camp last night at 10 P.M. for Marlboro, Md., with 16 men. At 4 miles beyond Anacostia Bridge they overtook 6 detectives of the War Dept. and followed them into town. He was unable to find the residence of Dr. Boyle, being answered by those of whom he made inquiries, that the doctor had left town six months ago, in consequence of which he [Lt. French] was obliged to remain in an old barn from half past two until four o’clock, when having discovered the house, he surrounded it with his force, and, entering the house himself, found Captain Boyle in the custody of the detectives, who reported having arrested in a house where he usually slept, about three quarters of a mile from his father’s. Captain Boyle that he was in the Rebel Service and on Stewart’s Staff.

The Chief of Detectives requested to be escorted to this city with the prisoner by Lieutenant French’s detachment, faring that some demonstration might be made by the people of the town, which request was complied with/ Very respectfully/ Your obedient servant/ G.W. Richardson, Maj.”

William Emile Doster was 24 years old when he enlisted on 10/18/61 as a Major. On that date he was commissioned into the 4^th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Promoted to Lt. Colonel on 10/30/62 and to Brig. General by Brevet on 3/13/65 for his actions during the Battle of Gettysburg. He resigned on 10/18/63. Born in Bethlehem, PA in 1837, he died there on 7/2/1919; he is buried in Nisky Hill Cemetery.

At the close of the Civil War, W.E. Doster practiced law in Washington, DC & was appointed to defend two of the Lincoln conspirators—Lewis Payne [AKA Lewis Powell] and George Atzerodt, both of whom were convicted and hanged. In 1915 Foster published a book, Lincoln and Episodes of the Civil War which included parts of his provost marshal letter Major Richardson and Richardson’s reply.

The Doster-Richardson letter in is enclosed in a black vinyl folder, which also includes Doster’s argument to the court in defense of Lincoln conspirator Lewis Payne.

In all, a fascinating piece of U.S. Provost Marshall correspondences. Invites further research.  [jp]

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