Thomas H. Duke.-Born in Shepherdstown; raised there, and worked in the mill of Alexander Boteler until July, 1860; then went to Antietam Mills, in Maryland. Staid there till Christmas, 1860; then returned to Shepherdstown and worked for two months for William Sherrard; then went back to Antietam Mills and worked off and on there until harvest; then went back to Antietam and worked until he came over to see his mother, when he was arrested. Says he got there on Thursday and was taken on Friday, and taken to Colonel Ashby's camp. This boy is strongly suspected to have guided the party that seized Capt. Alexander Boteler when he (Captain Boteler) was taken by the Massachusetts men. Duke acknowledges he came over that night and returned the next morning. He denies all connection with the affair, and says the party was led by one Kezer, a deserter. He is also suspected to have come over when he was taken as a guide to a party intending to attack Colonel Ashby's camp. He admits he was with the party, and escaped them by promising to return; but says he gave information to prevent Ashby's surprise. Says he was with the same party when they crossed the river some nights before; that he was compelled to go with them but pretended he did not know the road and they turned back. I do not like this boys manner, and strongly suspect him to be in complicity with the enemy in these two affairs. He is near twenty-one years old. Is willing to take the oath of allegiance and is desirous to enlist. I think the best disposition that can be made of him is to permit him to enlist provided he is sent to the South.
SOURCE: Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, Series 2, Volume 2, pg. 1467
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