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Please tell me what you know, or believe as to the conduct and disposition of E. Jacquelin Smith, residing near Salem on the Mannassas Gap Railroad. A. LINCOLN
[1] ALS, RPB. ``Kelly's Ford'' is not in Lincoln's handwriting, and may have been inserted by the telegrapher. Montgomery Blair wrote Lincoln on September 11, 1863, ``The bearer of this Mrs E. J. Smith is a relative of mine from Fauquier Co. Va. Her husband is confined in the Old Capitol for no offense save that he lives in the `belt of desolation' & refuses to take the oath of allegiance, and his only reason for this refusal is that the Govt has not heretofore protected the people of his neighborhood. He has been a consistent Union man---is a man of Education a lawyer formerly but of late years ceased to practice his profession. Was an intimate friend of Scott & is well known to Geary & others of our officers who have been stationed in that county.'' (DLC-RTL).
General Geary replied to Lincoln at 12 M., September 13, ``In reply to your telegram I have the honor to state that `Edward Jaquelin Smith' from near Salem was a warm secessionist disposed to aid the rebel cause to the extent of his ability. He plotting and his son William T. Smith executing. This son was arrested by me upon May 28th. 1862. and sent to Washington . . . as a noted spy and bearer of dispatches for the rebels with proofs of his being a dangerous man.'' (DLC-RTL).
A second despatch from Geary received on September 15 is as follows: ``I have a telegram from Mrs E. B. Smith relative to her husband My telegraph of Sept 12th referred to E. Jacquline Smith of Fauquier County. E. Jacqulin Smith of Clark County is also a warm secessionist & abettor of the rebel cause. His son William gave (8) horses to the rebel cavalry early in the war. Both families were similarly disposed I have the honor to offer this as explanatory of any distinction that may be made between the two.'' (DLC-RTL).