Colonel Currie of the Mississippi Marine Brigade described an event in September 1863, near Bolivar Landing, Mississippi, which would be located on modern day Lake Whittington. Lake Whittington was formed in 1937 when the Corps of Engineers made a cut across Caulk Neck, thereby shortening the river,and the former river channel becoming a lake. During the war, Bolivar Landing was used a lot by the Confederates as a launching point to cross the river over to Arkansas. The current would carry a boat or raft down and across the river to the mouth of Cypress Creek. Vessels could then go up creek and unload in relative safety from Union gunboats. To cross back to Mississippi, boat or raft would re-enter river and pole,paddle or whatever upstream from Cypress Creek. A counter current would carry vessel upriver and at some point vessel would be propelled across river back to Bolivar Landing.
Back to the main story, while on a scout mission Marine Brigade captured a stagecoach that turned out to contain a Confederate paymaster with one million, two hundred thousand dollars in Confederate money plus a draft for one million more. Also were letters from Davis to officers in Trans-Mississippi and commisions for officers recently promoted. The destination was Little Rock. The pay was stated as pay for Trans-Mississippi soldiers. Colonel Currie does not name the said paymaster. Currie did state, "He was an educated man, possessing many excellant qualifications. I gave him quarters in my cabin, where he is allowed his freedom under promise of not making an effort to escape. We soon became friends as he proved to be excellant company and remained on board some days waiting an opportunity to send him and his men to Memphis.
On the day of his departure he made me a present of an antique scarf pin set with a lump of North Carolina gold never having been in the crucible as an evidence of his friendship. Some two weeks later I received a letter from him ( as he promised to write ) dated at Johnson's Island near Sandusky, Ohio, in Lake Erie. After receipt of this letter I never heard from him again."
The captured money was reported to be sent to Washington DC and used by Union spies. There is no mention of what happened to the letters and promotion orders.
Anyone know of any other reports of this story? Or what became of the letters and orders? Who was said Confederate paymaster?
Thanks in advance.