Port Tobacco Houses, Port Tobacco, Charles County, Maryland(c.1936 LOC - LC-DIG-csas-01728)
From The New-York Times July 13, 1861:
…
WASHINGTON, Friday, July 12.
Mr. TALIAFERRO, who was recently removed from a clerkship in one of the Departments, and who has been in that position for several years, has, since his departure from the Government employ, where he has so long fed liberally from the public crib, turned against us, and has indulged very indiscreetly in his secession anathemas. An eye was on him, and he was followed. The steamer [James] Guy went down the river last night and overtook this gentleman at Port Tobacco, in his hotel. A squad of soldiers seized him and brought him to the city. In his pockets were found several important letters to Secessionists in Virginia, and indications that he had furnished to the rebels drawings of the camps, fortifications, etc., around Washington. He is now in custody of the military authorities here.
…LEO
Later in the article it is stated that the Guy is the James Guy and that Captain Darling of Capitol Police was in charge of the federal operation to capture the spy. Here’s a Virginian report as reproduced at “The Daily Dispatch:
The case of G. S. Tallaferro.
–We hope that our Government at Richmond will have an eye to, and regard for, the case of Mr. G. S. Tallaferro, formerly of this place, but more recently of the Light-house Board, Washington. Mr. T. is a nephew of the late Hon John Tallaferro, of this State, and secured his office, at Washington, under the Pierce Administration, through the influence of leading men of Virginia. We believe him to be true to the South; and the fact that he was making his way to this place when arrested at Port Tobacco, and taken back to Washington, as a spy, according to the Lincoln telegrams, is of itself sufficient to justify our Government in interfering in his behalf, and securing his release as early as possible.
All the male relatives of Mr. T. in this section are unswerving in their love of the South, is their valuable services in the ranks of those who are fighting its battles will fully attest. –Fredericksburg Recorder.
