Entrance to the Provost Marshal’s Building, Holiday Street, Baltimore, Guarded by Cannon to Prevent the Intrusion of the Mob—Colonel Kenley Acting as Provost Marshal in place of Marshal Kane, Confined in Fort McHenry, on a Charge of Treason, by Order of Major-Gen. BanksFrank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, July 13, 1861
Arrest of Marshal Kane and the Police Commissioners of Baltimore, Md.1
Major General Banks has acted with great promptitude and decision since he assumed his military duties. He acts out the old saying that “prevention is better than cure;” that a rebellion prevented is better than a rebellion put down. In this faith he promptly arrested Marshal Kane as the most active rebel in Maryland and incarcerated him in Fort McHenry. He supplied his place by Colonel Kenley, a tried and trustworthy officer; and as the Police Commissioners put all the police officers off duty, and, in a measure, disbanded them, he first swore in a body of loyal men as substitutes and then arrested the Commissioners, and sent them to keep company with Marshal Kane in Fort McHenry. Symptoms of disaffection among the populace were too manifest to be disregarded, and, to quell it before it ripened to a revolt, Major-General Banks stationed troops, with artillery, in the principal streets of the city of Baltimore, and thus effectually subdued the spirit of insubordination and restored confidence to the loyal citizens.
In the meantime, Provost-Marshal Kenley actively pursued his search after concealed arms. He took possession of the late Marshal’s office, the entrance to which was guarded by a cannon planted in the hall, and officers with drawn swords, a precautionary measure rendered necessary by the disturbed state of the city, and the fact that this building was the principal point of excitement. Thus guarded, the business of the office was carried on without interruption.
The search after arms was eminently successful. In an old back building of the City Hall, recently used by Marshal Kane, was found two six-pounder and two four-pounder guns, half a ton of assorted shot, four hundred weight of balls, eight hundred rifle ball cartridges, gun carriages, &c. In the office and under the Marshal’s office, in the floors and in the ceiling, arms and ammunition were found, among them a case of splendid pistols, two hundred and fifty muskets and rifles, twenty-five of which were Minie, besides several muskets which were supposed to belong to the Massachusetts soldiers disarmed by the mob on the 19th of April. There was no lack of evidence of the traitorous sentiments of Marshal Kane and his coadjutors. The prompt action of General Banks has been of vast service at this time, when it is highly important to preserve peace in our midst whilst our army is engaged with a powerful and active foe in the field.
- Kane was arrested on June 27, 1861, at his home in the dead of night.