© Kathy Duncan, 2025
After receiving word that his wife was seriously ill, Col. James S. Piper presented himself at the federal line at Charles Town [West Virginia] in late August 1863, where he took an Oath of Allegiance in order to make his way home to Washington, DC. Initially, Piper was not confined. However, after the Provost Marshals changed, he was confined to the guardhouse at Harper's Ferry.
Shortly afterward, he began writing letters in his defense with the goal of gaining his freedom.
The following letter was written from the Harper's Ferry Guard House on September 3, 1863:
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"Guard House
Harpers Ferry
Genl Lockwood Sept 3, 1863
Dr Sir
About ten days since I came into the lines and reported myself to the Provost Marshal at Charlestown on the following day Col Cloudsley of the 9th Md Vols brought me before you and you told me my case would be attended to in a day or two. At the request of Col Cloudsley I was not confined in the Guard house until there was a change made in the Provost Marshall since that time I have been incarcerated in this loathsome place which is crowded and filthy.
I will briefly state my case. I have been engaged in business in the south have never been in the Rebel army. I have made several attempts to come home since the war, but was always unsuccessful untile [sic] this time. I was born and raised in the city of Baltimore and have a family there. I have two sons that are old enough for the service and expect they are or will be in the service after the last enrollment.
I am a loyal citizen and willing to take any obligation that is required of me to prove my loyalty.
Since my confinement [sic] I have been informed that I have been charged with being in Baltimore and engaged in the riots of the 19th of April 1861 and of recruiting men for the rebel service. I was in Alabama at the time of the riots in April 61, and never recruited any men for the rebel service, and the men that I am charged with being engaged with in recruiting, I was not acquainted with. An alibi is always hard to prove but the above charges having no foundation to base them on I am satisfied that I can establish my innocence.
Had I entered either service I would not have occupied a very subordinate position. Gen Kealy and myself were Captains in the same regiment in the Mexican War. I was this superior and after the death of Col. Watson I for a time commanded the Regt and as officers of experience in the beginning of the War were in demand had I entered the rebel service it would have been generaly [sic] known.
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Ser
Jas S Piper"
This letter proves that the James S. Piper who was arrested and confined by the Provost Marshall at Harper's Ferry was Capt James S. Piper of Baltimore who fought in the Mexican War. It also further confirms that he was the James S. Piper who was in Alabama at the onset of the Civil War.
The two sons whom he references are probably his eldest sons, James S. Piper Jr. and Horatio N. Piper. William H. Piper, who was 12 years old on the 1860 census, would have been about 15 to 16 years old at this time and too young to enlist.
A letter that James S. Piper wrote on 9 September 1863 to Provost Marshal Col. Fish states that Piper came to the federal line at Charles Town on August 23. Piper was still confined in the Guard House at Harper's Ferry when he penned another letter on September 14.
Evidently, he was released shortly afterward so that he could go to his wife in Washington, DC, where he was arrested again at the end of September.
James S. Piper wrote several letters in his defense from 1863 through early 1864. These letters can be found on Fold3 and on FamilySearch. I am only going to reference a few key letters.
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