Upon his representation that he had escaped from armed rebels in McDowell County, and without further knowledge of the facts, the Post Quartermaster set him at work.

About the 19th of February Hopkins came to town with Mrs.Smoot, and without notice to the quartermaster or any color of authority by any civil process, procured the aid of Kelly, the jailer, seized the negro and took him to Wright's hotel.

The provost-marshal, knowing that Hopkins was an active Secessionist and that he had been personally engaged in the combat at Boone C.H.last fall, ordered his arrest.

Shortly after, he was waited upon by B.F.Smith, Esq., U.S.District Attorney, who stated that he had known Mr.Hopkins for a good many years and was confident he was a good Union man, although in fact the deputy-marshal at the very time held a warrant for the arrest of Hopkins for treason and conspiracy, under an indictment found in the U.S.Court, of which, to say the least of it, it is very strange Mr.Smith should have been ignorant.

At the request of the provost-marshal, the warrant was served on Hopkins, who was admitted to bail in the sum of $2000, which is most inadequate security for the appearance of a man of Hopkins's wealth and influence, accused of such a crime.