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diff --git a/34973-8.txt b/34973-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b5fcf83 --- /dev/null +++ b/34973-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,16908 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Spy of the Rebellion, by Allan Pinkerton + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Spy of the Rebellion + Being a True History of the Spy System of the United States + Army during the Late Rebellion, + +Author: Allan Pinkerton + +Release Date: January 15, 2011 [EBook #34973] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPY OF THE REBELLION *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. + + + + + + + + +THE SPY OF THE REBELLION + +[Illustration: _Frontispiece._ P. 158. + +_Allan Pinkerton and General McClellan in Private Consultation._] + + + + +THE + +SPY OF THE REBELLION; + +BEING + +A TRUE HISTORY + +OF THE + +SPY SYSTEM OF THE UNITED STATES + +ARMY + +DURING THE LATE REBELLION. + +REVEALING MANY SECRETS OF THE WAR HITHERTO NOT MADE PUBLIC. + +_COMPILED FROM OFFICIAL REPORTS_ + +PREPARED FOR + +PRESIDENT LINCOLN, GENERAL McCLELLAN AND THE PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL. + +BY + +ALLAN PINKERTON, + +WHO + +(UNDER THE NOM-DE-PLUME OF MAJOR E. J. ALLEN) + +WAS + +CHIEF OF THE UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE. + +_WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS._ + +Introduction by Patrick Bass + +University of Nebraska Press +Lincoln and London + +Introduction copyright © 1989 by the University of Nebraska Press + +All rights reserved + +Manufactured in the United States of America + +First Bison Book printing: 1989 + +Most recent printing indicated by the last digit below: + +10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 + +Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data +Pinkerton, Allan, 1819-1884. + +The spy of the rebellion: being a true history of the spy system of +the United States Army during the late rebellion, revealing many +secrets of the war hitherto not made public / by Allan Pinkerton: +introduction by Patrick Bass. + +p. cm. + +"Compiled from official reports prepared for President Lincoln, +General McClellan, and the provost-marshal-general." + +Reprint. Originally published: Hartford, Conn.: M. A. Winter & +Hatch, 1883. + +ISBN 0-8032-3686-7 (alk. paper) ISBN 0-8032-8722-4 (pbk.) + +1. United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Secret service. +2. United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Personal narratives. +3. Pinkerton, Allan, 1819-1884. I. Title. +E608.P65 1989 + +973.7'86--dc20 89-33081 CIP + +Reprinted from the 1883 edition published by M. A. Winter & Hatch, +Hartford, Connecticut. An appendix, "Rebel Forces before Richmond," +has been omitted from this Bison Book edition. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +_Introduction_ 17 + +_Preface_ 23 + +CHAPTER I. + + PAGE + +_An Unwritten Page of History.--A Political Resumé.--Abraham +Lincoln is Elected President._ 33 + + +CHAPTER II. + +_Opposition to Mr. Lincoln's Inauguration.--A Plot to +Assassinate him.--The Journey from Springfield, +Illinois._ 45 + + +CHAPTER III. + +_The Conspirators at Work.--Detectives on their Trail.--Webster +as a Soldier._ 58 + + +CHAPTER IV. + +_The Conspirators in Council.--My Operative Joins the +Conspiracy._ 74 + + +CHAPTER V. + +_The Presidential Party Arrives in Philadelphia.--Independence +Hall.--The Departure from Harrisburg.--Telegraph +Wires Cut.--Through the Lines of Treason.--Safe +Arrival at Washington._ 81 + + +CHAPTER VI. + +_My Connection with the Rebellion.--Timothy Webster +Accepts a Mission._ 104 + + +CHAPTER VII. + +_Webster on his Way to the Capital.--Wrecked Trains +and Broken Bridges.--An Adventure with a Cavalryman.--A +Rebel Emissary.--President Lincoln +and Timothy Webster_. 114 + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +_Timothy Webster in Washington.--The Return to Philadelphia.--I +go to the Capital.--An Important Letter_. 131 + + +CHAPTER IX. + +_An Adventure in Pittsburg.--A Mob at Bay.--An Explanation.--Good +Feeling Restored._ 142 + +CHAPTER X. + +_General McClellan in Command of Ohio.--I am Engaged +for the War.--The Secret Service.--A Consultation.--Webster +Starts for Rebeldom._ 151 + +CHAPTER XI. + +_Webster Fraternizes with the Rebel Officers.--A Secession +Hat.--A Visit to a Rebel Camp.--"The Committee +of Safety."--A Friendly Stranger.--A +Warning.--The Escape._ 168 + +CHAPTER XII. + +_I Take a Trip to the South.--Danger in Memphis.--A +Timely Warning.--A Persistent Barber.--An Unfortunate +Memory.--Return to Cincinnati._ 182 + +CHAPTER XIII. + +_East and West Virginia.--Seceding from Secession.--My +Scouts in Virginia.--A Rebel Captain Entertains +"My Lord."--An Old Justice dines with +Royalty.--A Lucky Adventure.--A Runaway Horse.--A +Rescue._ 203 + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +_The Rebels Attempt to Occupy West Virginia.--General +McClellan Ordered to Drive Them Out.--Early +Battles.--The Federals Victorious.--West Virginia +Freed from Rebel Soldiers._ 227 + + +CHAPTER XV. + +_General McClellan is Called to Washington, and Placed +in Command of the Armies after the Battle of Bull +Run.--The Secret Service Department.--Its Duties +and Responsibilities._ 237 + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +_A Female Traitor.--Suspicious Correspondence.--A Close +Watch under Difficulties.--I am Arrested.--Exposure +of the Treason of a Trusted Officer.--A Disgraced +Captain._ 250 + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +_Timothy Webster in Baltimore.--An Encounter with a +Fire-eater.--Webster Defends Himself.--Treason +Rampant in the Monumental City._ 271 + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +_Webster Makes a Journey to the South.--A Secret Organization.--The +"Knights of Liberty."--Webster Becomes +a Member.--A Sudden Intrusion of the Military.--The +Conspiracy Broken Up._ 283 + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +_Suspicions in Washington.--"Uncle Gallus."--Property +Searched.--A Rebel Family sent South.--Webster +Starts for Richmond._ 301 + + +CHAPTER XX. + +_The Spy at Richmond.--Earthworks Around the Rebel +Capital.--An Unexpected Meeting.--Pistols for Two.--A +Reconciliation.--Safe Return to Washington._ 314 + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +_Again in Baltimore.--A Warning.--The Spy is Arrested.--And +Escapes._ 326 + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +_Webster and Scobell.--A Negro as a Spy.--A Traitor +Deserts from the Army.--He Carries Dispatches to +the Rebels.--Which Fail of Their Destination.--An +Attack in the Woods.--"The Loyal League."--Slaves +as Patriots._ 343 + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +_A Negro Spy.--Passage on a Steam-Packet.--Lyrical +Melodies.--Scobell Deserts the Ship.--His Tramps +Through Rebeldom._ 358 + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +_A Perilous Ride.--A Suspicious Peddler.--Uncle Gallus +Again.--Scobell Investigating.--Doubts and Suspicions._ 367 + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +_The Journey Resumed.--A Midnight Pursuit.--A Brave +Woman.--A Deadly Encounter.--Scobell Defends +Himself.--Death of a Rebel Spy._ 381 + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +_A Woman's Discoveries.--An Infernal Machine.--The +Shipping in Danger.--Discovery and Destruction of +the Submarine Battery._ 394 + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +_"Stuttering Dave."--His Tramp Through the Rebel +Lines.--An Ammunition Train.--"Dave's" Plan +Succeeds in its Destruction.--A Man who Stuttered +and "Had Fits."_ 404 + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +_Another Trip to Richmond.--A Rebel General Taken In.--Curtis +Makes Valuable Acquaintances.--"The +Subterranean Headquarters."_ 414 + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +_A Virginia Home.--Unwelcome Visitors.--Mr. Harcourt +Arrested and Released.--Dan McCowan makes Forcible +Love to Mary Harcourt.--The Girl in Peril.--A +Timely Rescue.--The Villain Punished._ 429 + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +_Curtis Again on His Travels.--A Loving Episode.--Dan +McCowan Again Turns up.--The Capture of Curtis.--A +Fight for Life.--And Escape.--A Bit of Matrimony._ 445 + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +_McClellan and his Enemies.--The Peninsula Campaign.--The +Rebel Forces Before Richmond.--The Union +Forces Outnumbered by the Enemy, and their Commander +Hampered by Superiors.--An Honest Opinion._ 457 + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +_Webster's Expedition.--His Gallantry.--A Stormy Passage.--A +Mysterious Package.--Treason Discovered and Punished._ 468 + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +_Activity in Washington.--Webster's Journey Through the +South.--His Return to the Capital._ 481 + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +_Webster's Last Mission.--Anxiety at his Long Absence.--No +Tidings of the Faithful Scout.--Operatives Sent +in Search of Him.--Webster Ill in Richmond._ 485 + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +_McClellan and the Government.--Lewis and Scully Arrested +as Spies.--An Attempted Escape.--Trial and +Conviction.--Condemned to Die.--Before the Gallows +their Mouths are Opened._ 498 + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +_Webster Arrested as a Spy.--A Woman's Devotion, and +a Patriot's Heroism.--Webster is Convicted.--The +Execution.--A Martyr's Grave._ 530 + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +_The Defeat of General Pope at the Second Battle of +Manassas.--McClellan Again Called to the Command.--The +Battle of Antietam.--A Union Victory.--A Few +Thoughts About the Union Commander.--McClellan's +Removal from Command, and His Farewell +Address._ 561 + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +_General Burnside in Command.--My Connection with the +Secret Service Severed.--Reflections upon Important +Events.--Conclusion._ 579 + +_APPENDIX._ 587 + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. + + +PAGE + +ALLAN PINKERTON AND GENERAL MCCLELLAN +IN PRIVATE CONSULTATION. _Frontispiece_ + +THE OATH TO ASSASSINATE THE PRESIDENT. 65 + +SWEARING IN OF HOWARD. 76 + +LINCOLN RAISING THE OLD FLAG. 87 + +THE DEPARTURE FOR WASHINGTON. 94 + +SAFE ARRIVAL. 98 + +ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE WEBSTER. 146 + +A VISIT TO A REBEL CAMP. 171 + +TIMELY WARNING. 195 + +THE BARBER'S RECOGNITION. 201 + +AN ENGLISH LORD AND A REBEL CAPTAIN. 215 + +CAPTURED BY THE GUARDS. 260 + +AN ENCOUNTER WITH A FIRE-EATER. 277 + +A SUDDEN INTRUSION OF THE MILITARY. 299 + +THE SPY IS ARRESTED. 334 + +ESCAPE OF THE SPY. 339 + +SCOBELL ENGAGED AS DECK-HAND ON A STEAMBOAT. 364 + +DEATH OF A REBEL SPY. 389 + +TIMELY INTERRUPTION TO A LOVE SCENE. 441 + +WEBSTER'S GALLANT BRAVERY. 474 + +WEBSTER DISCOVERS A MYSTERIOUS PACKAGE. 475 + +THE PRISONERS RECAPTURED. 522 + +WEBSTER'S DEATH WARRANT. 542 + +A NARROW ESCAPE. 569 + + + + +PREFACE. + + +Nearly a score of years have passed since the occurrence of the events +related in the following pages. The "Rebellion," with its bloody scenes, +has ended, and the country is at peace. The grass is waving green and +beautiful over many Southern fields that once ran with human blood, as +the contending forces met in the deadly encounter. The birds are +carolling sweetly in the air, which then was laden with the clarion +notes of the trumpet; the fierce, wild yell of assaulting soldiery; the +booming of cannon, and the groans of the wounded and dying. The +merchant, the mechanic, and the husbandman have returned to the pursuits +which they followed before the dark clouds of war had overshadowed this +fair land, and they shouldered their muskets in defense of the Union. +From the desolation and the ravages of war, the country has emerged into +the sunshine of abiding peace, and now, in the evening twilight, the +gray-haired veterans gather around their family hearthstones to repeat +the stories of bravery and devotion associated with those trying hours +of their country's history. + +In the twilight of my days I have been tempted to the recitals which +follow, and in relating my experiences as the Chief of the Secret +Service of the Government during the Rebellion, I have been governed by +a desire to acquaint the public with the movements of those brave men +who rendered invaluable service to their country, although they never +wore a uniform or carried a musket. Working quietly, and frequently +under disguises, their assistance to the Union commanders was of +incalculable advantage, and many acts of courage and daring were +performed by these men which, until now, have never been revealed. +Indeed, as to my own _nom-de-plume_, "E. J. Allen," many of the officers +of the army and officials of the Government, with whom I was in constant +communication, never knew me by any other name, and the majority of them +are to this day in ignorance of the fact that E. J. Allen, late Chief of +the Secret Service, and Allan Pinkerton are one and the same person. + +During the progress of the struggle, and the years which have since +elapsed, many of my old acquaintances, who held important positions in +the army and in governmental departments, have passed away from earth. +Some of them falling in the heat of battle, in the courageous discharge +of duty, while others, passing through the fiery ordeal, have died amid +the comforts and the charms of home. + +President Lincoln, Edwin M. Stanton, William H. Seward and Salmon P. +Chase, all giants in their day, have departed from the sphere of their +usefulness, and have gone to their long home. Soldiers and civilians, +generals and privates, with whom I was connected, and their name is +legion, have taken up their journey to "that bourne from whence no +traveler e'er returns." + +In detailing the various events which follow, I have been careful to +offer nothing but that which actually transpired. I have avoided giving +expression to any thoughts or feelings of antagonism to the South, +because the time for such utterances has passed. Indeed, except for the +existence of slavery, I always cherished a warm affection for the +Southern people. But this institution of human bondage always received +my most earnest opposition. Believing it to be a curse to the American +nation, and an evidence of barbarism, no efforts of mine were ever +spared in behalf of the slave, and to-day I have not a single regret for +the course I then pursued. + +Many times before the war, when I was associated with those +philanthrophic spirits who controlled the so-called "Underground +Railroad," I have assisted in securing safety and freedom for the +fugitive slave, no matter at what hour, under what circumstances, or at +what cost, the act was to be performed. John Brown, the white-haired +abolitionist of Kansas fame, was my bosom friend; and more than one dark +night has found us working earnestly together in behalf of the fleeing +bondman, who was striving for his liberty. After his gallant effort at +Harper's Ferry, and while he was confined in a Virginia prison, my +efforts in his behalf were unceasing; and had it not been for the +excessive watchfulness of those having him in charge, the pages of +American history would never have been stained with a record of his +execution. As it is, though his fate may have been in accordance with +the decrees of the laws then existing, I can recall with all the old +enthusiasm that I then experienced, the thundering effect of thousands +of our brave "boys in blue," joining in that electric war cry, the +refrain of which was: + + "John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave, + But his soul goes marching along," + +while they hurried in solid phalanx to meet the enemy upon the field of +battle. + +In the preliminary chapters, I have detailed with accuracy the facts +connected with the conspiracy to assassinate Abraham Lincoln, when he +was first elected to the Presidency. The part I took in discovering the +existence of that plot and the efforts of my men in ferreting out the +prime movers of that murderous compact, are told for the first time in +these pages, and the correctness of their relation is undoubted; though +in the dark days that followed, the bullet of the assassin removed the +martyred President, while engaged in the fulfillment of his mission. I +cannot repress a sense of pride in the fact, that at the commencement of +his glorious career I had averted the blow that was aimed at his honest, +manly heart. + +In the events which transpired during the years 1861 and 1862, I took an +active part. From the early days of April until after the battle of +Antietam had been fought and won, I was connected with the military +operations of the government. In Washington I acted under the directions +of the Secretaries of War, and Colonel Andrew Porter, the +provost-marshal; and in the field, I was under the immediate direction +of General George B. McClellan. + +My relations with the various departments were always of the most +cordial and confidential character. To particularize in this matter is +almost impossible; but I cannot refrain from mentioning, in the highest +terms of respect and friendship, Colonel Thomas A. Scott of +Pennsylvania. In the early days of the nation's peril, he occupied the +position of Assistant Secretary of War. In him I always found a warm +friend and advocate, and in many emergencies his prompt and intelligent +action was most potent in accomplishing good results in that era of +confusion, of doubt and hesitation. + +Of my service with the military department while in active duty, little +needs to be said here. From the time of his commission by Governor +Dennison of Ohio, to the day when he was relieved, after his splendid +victory at Antietam, I followed the fortunes of General McClellan. Never +doubting his ability or his loyalty--always possessing his confidence +and esteem, I am at this time proud and honored in ranking him foremost +among my invaluable friends. When secret enemies were endeavoring to +prejudice the mind of the President against his chosen commander; when +wily politicians were seeking to belittle him in the estimation of the +people, and when jealous minded officers were ignorantly criticising his +plans of campaign, General McClellan pursued his course with +unflinching courage and with a devotion to his country unsurpassed by +any who have succeeded him, and upon whose brows are entwined the +laurels of the conqueror. + +His marvelous reorganization of the army, the enthusiasm with which his +presence invariably inspired the soldiers under his command, and the +grand battles which he fought against enemies in front and in rear, have +all passed into history--and to-day the intelligent and unprejudiced +reader finds in a calm and dispassionate review of his career, an ample +and overwhelming justification of his course as a loyal and capable +commander-in-chief. + +Self-constituted critics, whose avenues of information were limited and +unreliable, have attempted to prove that the force opposed to General +McClellan was much less than was really the case; and upon this +hypothesis have been led into unjust and undeserved censure of the +commanding general. From my own experience, I _know_ to the contrary. My +system of obtaining knowledge upon this point was so thorough and +complete, my sources of information were so varied, that there could be +no serious mistake in the estimates which I then made and reported to +General McClellan. From every available field the facts were gleaned. +From prisoners of war, contrabands, loyal Southerners, deserters, +blockade-runners and from actual observations by trustworthy scouts, my +estimates were made, and to-day I affirm as strongly as I then did, that +the force opposed to General McClellan before Richmond approximated +nearer to 200,000 men, than they did to the numerous estimates of +irresponsible historians who have placed the strength of the rebel +forces at that time below 100,000 men. In this connection I must refer +also to the valuable assistance rendered both General McClellan and +myself by that indefatigable Aid-de-camp Colonel Key. Though he no +longer mingles with the things of earth, the memory of his devotion and +his intelligent services to the cause of the Union is imperishable. No +truer, braver man ever drew a sword than did this noble and efficient +staff officer, now deceased. + +Of Timothy Webster, who so ably assisted me in my various and delicate +duties, and whose life was sacrificed for the cause he held so dear, I +have only words of warmest commendation. Brave, honest and intelligent, +he entered into the contest to perform his whole duty, and right nobly +did he fulfill his pledge. No danger was too great, no trust too +responsible, no mission too delicate for him to attempt, and though +executed as a spy in a Richmond prison, his name shall ever be +cherished with honor and friendship by those who knew his worth, and who +appreciated the unswerving devotion of a loyal heart. No dishonor can +ever attach to the memory of a patriot who died in the service of his +country. + +The events narrated have all occurred. The record is a truthful one. +Although not so complete as I could wish, they must serve the purpose +for which they are intended. In the disastrous fire which swept over +Chicago in 1871, my records were mainly destroyed, and to this fact must +be attributed the failure to more elaborately detail the multitudinous +operations of my men. With the able assistance of Mr. George H. Bangs, +my efficient General Superintendent, "we did what we could," and the +approbation of our commanding officers attest the efficiency of our +efforts. + +After leaving the service, the conduct of the war passed into other +hands. Other men were chosen to the command of the armies, and other +sources of information were resorted to. Succeeding battles have been +fought, defeats have been sustained, victories have been achieved, and +the war is happily ended. The slave is free, and in the enjoyment of the +rights of citizenship. The country is at peace, her prosperity is +assured, and now that passion and prejudice have died away, and honest +judgments are given of the events that have transpired, I leave to the +impartial reader, and historian, the question whether the course I +pursued, and the General whom I loved and faithfully served, are +deserving of censure, or are entitled to the praises of a free and +enlightened people. + + ALLAN PINKERTON. + + + + +THE SPY + +OF + +THE REBELLION. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +"_An Unwritten Page of History."--A Political Resumé.--Mr. Lincoln is +Elected President._ + + +Many years have elapsed since the occurrence of the events which I am +about to relate. Years that have been full of mighty import to the +nation. A bitter, prolonged and bloody war has laid its desolating hands +upon a once united country. For years the roar of cannon and the clash +of steel reverberated through the bright valleys and the towering hills +of the fruitful South. In those years when brother arose against his +brother, when ties of kindred and association were broken asunder like +frail reeds, glorious deeds were wrought and grand results have been +accomplished. America has taught the world a lesson of bravery and +endurance; the shackles have been stricken from the slave; an error of +a century has been crushed, and freedom is now no longer an empty name, +but a beautiful and enduring realism. + +To-day peace spreads her broad, sheltering arms over a reunited and +enlightened nation. The roll of the drum and the tramp of armed men are +now no longer heard. North and South have again clasped hands in a +renewal of friendship and in a perpetuity of union. + +But a short time ago a Republican President elected by but a slight +majority of the voters of this great community, left his peaceful home +in the West and journeyed to the capital of the nation, to take the oath +of office and to assume the high duties of a chief magistrate. As he +passed through the towns and cities upon his route a general plaudit of +welcome was his greeting, even noted political foes joining in the +demonstrations. His road was arched with banners and his path was strewn +with flowers. Everywhere he found an enthusiasm of welcome, a universal +prayer for success, and the triumphal train entered the capital amid the +ovations of the populace, which reached almost a climax of patriotic and +effervescing joy. + +Twenty years ago witnessed a different condition of affairs. The +political horizon was dark and obscured. The low mutterings of the storm +that was soon to sweep over our country, and to deluge our fair land +with fratricidal blood, were distinctly heard. Sectional differences +were developing into widespread dissensions. Cherished institutions were +threatened with dissolution, and political antagonism had aroused a +contented people into a frenzy of hate. + +On the twenty-second of May, 1856, an American Senator was assaulted in +the Senate-house by a political opponent for daring to give utterance to +opinions that were hostile to the slave-holding interests of the South. +Later in the same year a Republican candidate, with professed +anti-slavery views, was nominated for the presidency, and although +defeated, gave evidence of such political strength that Southern leaders +became alarmed. + +At this time the Hon. Stephen A. Douglas was a prominent leader of the +Democratic party, but through his opposition to what was known as the +Lecompton Bill, he incurred the displeasure of his political friends of +the South, who vainly endeavored to enact such legislation as would +practically lead to his retirement from the party. + +In 1858 the famous contest between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. +Douglas for the United States Senatorship from Illinois took place, and +during its progress absorbed public attention throughout the country. +The two candidates indulged in open discussions of questions of public +policy, which were remarkable for their brilliancy and for the force and +vigor with which their different views were uttered. It was during this +canvass that Mr. Lincoln made the forcible and revolutionizing +declaration that: "_The Union cannot permanently endure half slave and +half free._" Mr. Lincoln was defeated, however, and Mr. Douglas was +returned to the Senate, much against the wishes of those Democrats who +desired the unlimited extension of the institution of Slavery. + +In the following year occurred the slave insurrection in Virginia, under +the leadership of that bold abolitionist, John Brown. The movement was +frustrated, however, and John Brown, after a judicial trial for his +offense, was sentenced to be hung. Up to the day of his execution he +remained firm in the belief that he had but performed his duty toward +enslaved humanity, and he died avowing the justice of his cause and the +hope of its ultimate success. + +All of these occurrences tended to engender a spirit of fierce +opposition in the minds of the Southern leaders. The growing sentiment +of abolitionism throughout the North, and the manifest disposition to +prevent its increase or extension, aroused the advocates of Slavery to a +degree of alarm, which led to the commission of many actions, both +absurd and unjustifiable. + +The year of 1860 opened upon a scene of political agitation which +threatened to disrupt long united associations, and to erect sectional +barriers which appeared almost impossible to overcome. + +In April, 1860, the Democratic National Convention assembled in +Charleston, South Carolina, for the purpose of nominating a candidate +for the presidency. During its session loud and angry debates occurred, +in which the Southern element endeavored to obtain a strong indorsement +of the institution of Slavery, and of the right to carry slaves into the +Territories of the United States. They were met by the more conservative +portion of the party, who desired to leave the question to be decided by +the States themselves. After a prolonged discussion the majority of the +Southern States withdrew their delegates from the convention, and the +remainder proceeded to ballot for a candidate of their choice. + +After a protracted sitting, during which several ballots were taken and +no decided result obtained, the convention adjourned, to meet in the +city of Baltimore on the eighteenth day of June succeeding. Stephen A. +Douglas, of Illinois, received a large percentage of the votes that were +cast, but failed to obtain a sufficient number to secure his nomination. + +The withdrawing delegates organized a rival convention, but, without +transacting any business of a decisive character, also adjourned, to +meet in Baltimore at a date nearly coincident with that of the regular +body. + +On the nineteenth day of May, the Constitutional Union (being the old +American) party held their convention in the city of Baltimore, and +nominated John Bell, of Tennessee, for President, and Edward Everett, +of Massachusetts, for the Vice-Presidency. + +The Republican Convention was held on the sixteenth day of May, in the +city of Chicago, and upon the third ballot nominated Abraham Lincoln, of +Illinois, for the office of President, and Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, +for the second office. + +This convention also adopted a platform very pronounced upon the subject +of Slavery, and which was calculated to give but little encouragement to +the extension or perpetuity of the slave-holding power. + +On the eighteenth day of June the regular Democratic Convention +assembled, pursuant to adjournment, in the city of Baltimore, and named +Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, and Herschel V. Johnson, of Georgia, as +their standard-bearers in the political conflict that was to ensue. + +On the twenty-eighth day of the same month the seceding delegates met in +the same city, and after pronouncing their ultra views upon the question +of Slavery, nominated John C. Breckinridge, of Kentucky (then the +Vice-President of the country), and General Joseph Lane, of Oregon, as +the candidates of their choice. + +The lines of battle were now drawn, and from that time until the +election, in November, a fierce contest was waged between the opposing +parties. Never before in the history of parties was a canvass conducted +with more bitterness or with a greater amount of vituperation. The +whole country was engrossed with the gigantic struggle. Business +interests, questions of finance and of international import were all +made subservient to the absorbing consideration of the election of a +national President. + +The Southern "Fire-eaters," as they were called, fully realized their +inability to elect the candidates they had named, but strove with all +their power to prevent the success of the regular Democratic nominees, +and when at last the day of election came, and the votes were counted, +it was found that the Republican party had been victorious and that +Abraham Lincoln had been elected. + +In many portions of the South this result was hailed with joyful +enthusiasm. The anti-slavery proclivities of the successful party was +instantly made a plausible pretext for secession and the withdrawal of +the slave-holding States from the Union was boldly advocated. + +The same power that threatened in 1856, in the words of Governor Wise of +Virginia: "That if Fremont had been elected, he would have marched at +the head of twenty thousand men to Washington, and taken possession of +the capital, preventing by force Fremont's inauguration at that +place"--was again aroused, and an open opposition to the Republican +inauguration was for a time considered. + +The absorbing and exciting question in the South was: "Would the South +submit to a Black Republican President and a Black Republican +Congress?" and the answer to the question was a loud and decisive +negative. + +Among the bolder advocates of secession the election of Mr. Lincoln was +regarded with pleasure, and meetings were held in Charleston, rejoicing +in the triumph of the Republican party. Secession and disunion were +loudly advocated, and the slave oligarchy of South Carolina regarded +this event as the opportunity to achieve her long-cherished purpose of +breaking up the Union, and forming a new confederacy, founded upon the +peculiar ideas of the South. + +Says Horace Greeley: "Men thronged the streets, talking, laughing, +cheering, like mariners long becalmed upon a hateful, treacherous sea, +when a sudden breeze had swiftly wafted them within sight of their +looked for haven, or like a seedy prodigal, just raised to affluence by +the death of some far-off, unknown relative, and whose sense of decency +is not strong enough to repress his exultation." + +Open threats were made to withdraw at once from the Union, and these +demonstrations seemed to find sympathy among other nations than our own, +and soon foreign intrigue was hand and glove with domestic treason, in +the attempt to sap the foundations of our government, and seeking +peculiar advantages from its overthrow. + +It is unnecessary to detail the various phases of this great agitation, +which, firing the Southern heart with the frenzy of disunion, finally +led to the secession of the Southern States. Various compromises were +attempted, but all failed of beneficial result. The "masterly +inactivity" of the administration contributed in no small degree to the +accomplishment of this object, and in the end the Southern Confederacy +was organized and Jefferson Davis was elected as its President. + +The Palmetto waved over the custom-house and post-office at Charleston; +government forts and arsenals were seized by the volunteers to the +Southern cause, and on February 1, 1861, the Federal mint and +custom-house at New Orleans were taken possession of by the +secessionists. + +The removal of Major Anderson from Fort Moultrie to the more secure +stronghold of Fort Sumter, in Charleston harbor, had been accomplished, +and as yet no measures had been taken by the government to prevent +further demonstrations of a warlike character on the part of the +Southern Confederacy. The administration remained passive and inert, +while every effort was being made to calm the public fears of +hostilities, and the organization of an open revolt. + +The city of Baltimore was, at this time, a slave-holding city, and the +spirit of Slavery was nowhere else more rampant and ferocious. The +mercantile and social aristocracy of that city had been sedulously and +persistently plied, by the conspirators for disunion, with artful and +tempting suggestions of her future greatness and advancement as the +chief city of the new government. + +If a Confederacy composed of the fifteen slave-holding States was +organized, Baltimore, it was urged, would naturally be the chief city of +the new Republic. In time it would become the rival of New York, and +occupy to the Confederacy the same relations which New York does to the +Union, and would be the great ship-building, shipping, importing and +commercial emporium. + +These glittering prophecies had not been uttered without effect. The +ambition of the aristocracy was aroused. Already they saw the ocean +whitened with her sails, and the broad domain of Maryland adorned with +the palaces reared from her ample and ever-expanding profits. Under +these hallucinations, their minds were corrupted, and they seemed eager +to rush into treason. + +Being a border State, Maryland occupied a position of particular +importance. Emissaries were sent to her from South Carolina and +elsewhere, and no effort was spared to secure her co-operation in these +revolutionary movements. It is to be regretted that they were too +successful, and the result was that the majority of the wealthier +classes and those in office were soon in sympathy with the rebellion, +and the spirit of domestic treason, for a time, swept like a tornado +over the State. + +Added to the wealthier classes was the mob element of the city of +Baltimore--reckless and unscrupulous, as mobs generally are--and this +portion of her community were avowedly in full accord with the +prospective movement, and ready to do the bidding of the slave power. +Between these, however, there existed a great middle class, who were +loyally and peacefully inclined. But this class, large as it was, had +hitherto been divided in their political opinions, and had as yet +arrived at no common and definite understanding with regard to the novel +circumstances of the country and the events which seemed to be visibly +impending. + +The government of the city of Baltimore was under the control of that +branch of the Democracy who supported Breckinridge, and who had attained +power under a popular cry for reform, and it was soon learned that these +leaders were deep in the counsels of the secessionists. + +The newspaper press was no small factor of this excitement--their +utterances had much to do in leading public opinion, and though their +efforts "to fire the Southern heart," many were led to sanction the +deeds of violence and outrage which were contemplated. + +Especial efforts had been made to render Mr. Lincoln personally odious +and contemptible, and his election formed the pretexts of these reckless +conspirators, who had long been plotting the overthrow of the Union. No +falsehood was too gross, no statement too exaggerated, to be used for +that purpose, and so zealously did these misguided men labor in the +cause of disunion, and so systematically concerted was their action, +that the mass of the people of the slave States were made to believe +that this pure, patient, humane, Christian statesman was a monster whose +vices and passions made him odious, and whose political beliefs made him +an object of just abhorrence. + +This was the condition of affairs at the dawning of the year 1861. + +[Illustration: A COUNCIL OF WAR.] + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +_Opposition to Mr. Lincoln's Inauguration.--A Plot to Assassinate +him.--The Journey from Springfield._ + + +With the opening of the new year, the political condition evinced +alarming symptoms. As the day of the inauguration of the new President +drew near, the excitement became intense. Loud threats were made that +Mr. Lincoln should never be permitted to take the oath of office, and +the hostility of the South manifested itself in such a manner as to +excite the fears of those who desired the peaceful solution of the +important question of continued union. + +The events about to be related have been for a long time shrouded in a +veil of mystery. While many are aware that a plot existed at this time +to assassinate the President-elect upon his contemplated journey to the +capital, but few have any knowledge of the mode by which the conspiracy +was detected, or the means employed to prevent the accomplishment of +that murderous design. + +Considerations which affected the personal safety of those who actively +participated in this detection, precluded a disclosure at the time, but +that such a conspiracy existed no doubt can be entertained. Now, +however, that the dark clouds have passed away, and the bright sunshine +of an enduring peace is throwing its beneficent rays over a united +country, the truth may be disclosed, and a desire to peruse a hidden +page of history may now be gratified. + +Early in the year 1861 I was at my headquarters in the city of Chicago, +attending to the manifold duties of my profession. I had, of course, +perused the daily journals which contained the reports of doings of the +malcontents of the South, but in common with others, I entertained no +serious fears of an open rebellion, and was disposed to regard the whole +matter as of trivial importance. The same tones had been listened to +before, and although the disunionists had hitherto never taken such +aggressive steps, I was inclined to believe that with the incoming of +the new administration, determined or conciliatory measures would be +adopted, and that secession and rebellion would be either averted or +summarily crushed. + +At this time I received a letter from Mr. Samuel H. Felton, the +president of "The Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad," +requesting my presence in Philadelphia upon a matter of great +importance. From his communication it appeared that rumors were afloat +as to the intention of the roughs and secessionists of Maryland to +injure the road of which he was the President. From what had already +been learned, it was feared that their designs were to prevent travel +upon the road either by destroying the ferry-boats which then carried +the trains across the Susquehanna river at Havre de Grace or by +demolishing the railroad bridges over the Gunpowder river and other +streams. This road was the great connecting link between the metropolis +of the country and the capital of the nation, and it was of the utmost +importance that no interruption should be permitted to the free +communication between Washington and the great cities of the North and +West. + +This letter at once aroused me to a realization of the danger that +threatened the country, and I determined to render whatever assistance +was in my power towards preventing the successful operation of these +ill-advised and dangerous men. + +I lost no time, therefore, in making my arrangements, and soon after +receiving Mr. Felton's communication, in company with four members of my +force was upon the train speeding towards Philadelphia. Upon arriving in +that city, I went directly to the office of Mr. Felton and obtained from +him all the information he possessed of the movements and designs of the +Maryland secessionists. I also had a consultation with Mr. H. F. Kenney, +the superintendent of the road, with reference to a plan of operation +which I proposed, and which was considered would result in obtaining the +information so much to be desired. + +I resolved to locate my men at the various towns along the road, +selecting such places where, it was believed, disaffection existed. +With a view, therefore, of acquiring the facts necessary for an +intelligent prosecution of the inquiry, I took passage on one of the +trains of the road, intending to see for myself how affairs stood, and +to distribute my men in such a manner as to me seemed best. + +At the city of Wilmington, in Delaware, I found evidences of a great +political excitement, but nothing that indicated a hostile disposition +or which led me to believe that any danger was to be apprehended at this +place. Nothing that savored of organization was apparent, and I was +therefore compelled to look further for the existence of any antagonism +to the railroad or any desire to prevent the running of their trains. + +At Perryville I found the same excitable condition of affairs, but +nothing of a more aggressive character than at Wilmington. Men indulged +in fierce arguments, in which both sides were forcibly represented, but +aside from this I discovered no cause for apprehension, and no occasion +for active detective work as yet. + +At Havre de Grace, however, the lines were more clearly drawn and the +popular feeling much more bitter. It was at this point that the boats +which carried the trains crossed the Susquehanna river, and where +serious damage might be done to the company, should the ferries be +destroyed. I therefore left one man at this place, with instructions to +become acquainted with such men as he might, on observation, consider +suspicious, and to endeavor to obtain from them, by association, a +knowledge of their intentions. + +At Perrymansville, in Maryland, the feeling was considerably more +intense. Under the influence of bad men the secession movement had +gained many supporters and sympathizers. Loud threats were uttered +against the railroad company, and it was boastfully asserted that "no +d--d abolitionist should be allowed to pass through the town alive." + +I have always found it a truism that "a barking dog never bites," and +although I had but little fear that these blatant talkers would perform +any dangerous deeds, I considered it best to be fully posted as to their +movements, in order to prevent a catastrophe, if possible. + +I accordingly directed Timothy Webster, a daring and discreet man upon +my force, to locate himself at this point, and to carefully note +everything that transpired which had any relation to attempted violence +or a disposition to resort to aggressive measures. + +As I neared the city of Baltimore the opposition to the government and +the sympathy with secession was manifestly more intense. At Magnolia, +particularly, I observed a very dangerous feeling, and among men of all +classes the general sentiment was in favor of resistance and force. +Another operative, John Seaford, was accordingly left at this place, +with instructions similar to those which had been given to the others. + +I then proceeded on to Baltimore, and there I found the greatest amount +of excitement that I had yet experienced. I took quarters at the Howard +House, and proceeded to inquire closely and carefully into the political +situation. I soon found that the fears of the railroad officials were +not wholly without foundation. The opposition to Mr. Lincoln's +inauguration was most violent and bitter, and a few days' sojourn in +this city convinced me that great danger was to be apprehended, and that +the sentiment of disunion was far more widespread and deeply rooted than +I had before imagined. + +The police force of the city was under the control of Marshal George P. +Kane, and was almost entirely composed of men with disunion +proclivities. Their leader was pronouncedly in favor of secession, and +by his orders the broadest license was given to disorderly persons and +to the dissemination of insurrectionary information. This individual was +subsequently arrested, and, after a brief sojourn in Fort McHenry, fled +in 1863 to the more congenial associations of Richmond. + +From the knowledge I gained of the situation in Baltimore, I resolved to +establish my headquarters in that city. I accordingly engaged a building +situated on South street, and in a position where I could receive prompt +reports from all quarters of the metropolis. I also sent for an +additional force of men, whom I distributed among the people of all +grades and conditions of life. The building I had selected was admirably +adapted for my purpose, and was so constructed that entrance could be +gained to it from all four sides, through alleyways that led in from +neighboring streets. + +Day by day, the reports of my men contained many important revelations +of the designs of the opposition, and as a matter of additional +precaution, I advised Mr. Felton to employ a small number of men to +guard the various bridges and ferries, who could be warned in time to +resist attack should such be made. + +The chief opposition seemed to be to the inauguration of President +Lincoln, and the plan of the conspirators was to excite and exasperate +the popular feeling against the President-elect to the utmost, and so +successfully had this been done that a majority of the wealthier +classes, with few exceptions--those in office--and the mob element in +general were in full accord in their desire to prevent the inauguration +from taking place. + +On the eleventh day of February, Mr. Lincoln, with a few of his personal +friends, left his quiet home in Springfield to enter upon that +tempestuous political career which eventually carried him to a martyr's +grave. Among the party who accompanied the President were Norman B. +Judd, Esq., Col. Ward H. Lamon, Judge Davis, Col. Sumner, a brave and +impetuous officer, Major Hunter, Capt. John Pope, Col. Ellsworth, whose +heroic death took place shortly afterwards, and John G. Nicolay, the +President's private secretary. + +As the President was about leaving his home, the people turned out en +masse to bid him farewell, and to them Mr. Lincoln addressed the +following pathetic words of parting: + + "My Friends: No one who has never been placed in a like + position can understand my feelings at this hour, nor the + oppressive sadness I feel at this parting. For more than a + quarter of a century I have lived among you, and during all + that time I have received nothing but kindness at your + hands. Here I have lived from youth until now I am an old + man; here the most sacred ties of earth were assumed; here + all my children were born, and here one of them lies buried. + To you, dear friends, I owe all that I have, and all that I + am. All the strange checkered past seems now to crowd upon + my mind. To-day I leave you. I go to assume a task more + difficult than that which devolved upon Washington. Unless + the great God who assisted him shall be with me and aid me, + I must fail; but if the same Omniscient Mind and Almighty + Arm that directed and protected him shall guide and support + me, I shall not fail--I shall succeed. Let us all pray that + the God of our fathers may not forsake us now. To Him I + commend you all. Permit me to ask that with equal sincerity + and faith you will invoke His wisdom and guidance for me. + With these few words I must leave you, for how long I know + not. Friends, one and all, I must bid you an affectionate + farewell." + +How touchingly simple and earnest seem these words. A strange and almost +weird presentiment of grief and suffering give his utterances a pathos +that becomes profoundly impressive when linked with subsequent events. +How prophetic too--full of tears and fraught with the prescience of a +future terrible and bloody war--they bear yet an echo like that of the +voice that sounded in the ear of Halleck's dying hero--for surely in +their tones are heard the thanks of millions yet to be. How more than +prophetic they seemed when, four years later, "a funeral train, covered +with the emblems of splendid mourning, rolled into the same city, +bearing a corpse whose obsequies were being celebrated in every part of +the civilized world." + +From Springfield the passage was a perfect continuous ovation. Cities +and towns, villages and hamlets, vied with each other in testifying +their devotion to Union and their determination to uphold the chief +magistrate in the great trial before him. Immense crowds surrounded the +stations at which the special train halted, and in the cities of +Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus, Pittsburg, Cleveland, Erie, Buffalo, +Albany, New York, Trenton, Newark, Philadelphia and Harrisburg, public +demonstrations of an imposing character were given in his honor, and +vast concourses of people assembled to greet him. Everywhere he was +received and honored as the chief of a free people, and in reply to +complimentary addresses which he day by day received, the President +endeavored to utter cheering words, and indicated a disbelief in any +bloody issue of our domestic complications. + +On the day prior to the departure of Mr. Lincoln from his home, I +received a letter from the master mechanic of the railroad, of which the +following is an extract: + + "I am informed that a son of a distinguished citizen of + Maryland said that he had taken an oath with others to + assassinate Mr. Lincoln before he gets to Washington, and + they may attempt to do it while he is passing over our road. + I think you had better look after this man, if possible. + This information is perfectly reliable. I have nothing more + to say at this time, but will try to see you in a few days." + +This communication was confirmatory of reports of an indefinite +character which had reached me prior to this, and the information was +far too important to be disregarded. I determined, therefore, to probe +the matter to the bottom, and obtaining the authority of Mr. Felton for +such action, I immediately set about the discovery of the existence of +the conspiracy and the intention of its organization, and then, if +coolness, courage and skill could save the life of Mr. Lincoln, and +prevent the revolution which would inevitably follow his violent death, +I felt sure of accomplishing it. + +My plans were soon perfected, and they were to have several of my men, +together with myself, announced as residents of Charleston and New +Orleans, and by assuming to be secessionists of the most ultra type, to +secure entrance into their secret societies and military organizations, +and thus become possessed of their secret designs. In looking over the +qualifications of the members of my corps I found two men admirably +adapted to the object I had in view. They were both young and both fully +able to assume and successfully carry out the character of a +hot-blooded, fiery secessionist. + +One of these men, whom I shall call Joseph Howard, was a young man of +fine personal appearance, and of insinuating manners. He was of French +descent, and in his youth had been carefully educated for a Jesuit +priest, but finding the vocation distasteful to him, he had abandoned +it. Added to his collegiate studies, he possessed the advantage of +extensive foreign travel, and the ability to speak, with great facility, +several foreign languages. He had a thorough knowledge of the South, its +localities, prejudices, customs and leading men, which had been derived +from several years residence in New Orleans and other Southern cities, +and was gifted with the power of adaptation to persons whom they wish to +influence, so popularly attributed to the Jesuits. + +Howard was instructed to assume the character of an extreme +secessionist, to obtain quarters at one of the first-class hotels, and +register his name, with residence at New Orleans. This was done because +he was well acquainted with the city, having resided there for a long +time, and was consequently enabled to talk familiarly of prominent +individuals of that city whom he had met. + +The other man whom I selected for this important work was Timothy +Webster. He was a man of great physical strength and endurance, skilled +in all athletic sports, and a good shot. Possessed of a strong will and +a courage that knew no fear, he was the very man to operate upon the +middle and lower classes who composed the disunion element. + +His subsequent career as a Union spy--one of the most perilous and +thankless positions--and his ignominious death at Richmond, at the hands +of the rebels, have passed into history, but no historian will ever +relate the thousand perils through which he passed in the service of his +country; of his boldness and ingenuity in acquiring information that was +of incalculable value to the Union officers, nor of his wonderful +fertility of invention, which frequently enabled him to escape from +dangers which would have appalled a less brave or less devoted man. +Arrested at last, he was condemned as a spy, and on the thirtieth day of +April, 1862, he was executed in the City of Richmond, by order of +Jefferson Davis. Even then he would have succeeded in effecting a +well-devised plan of escape, had he not been rendered incapable of +movement by reason of a prostrating sickness. His name is unknown to +fame, but fewer hearts beat truer to the Union, and fewer arms performed +more devoted service in its cause, and a record of his daring and +romantic adventures as a Union spy, would certainly equal, if not +surpass, those of the Harvey Birch of Cooper. + +It was not long before I received undoubted evidence of the existence of +a systematized organization whose avowed object was to assist the +rebellious States, but which was in reality formed to compass the death +of the President, and thus accomplish the separation of the States. I +learned also that a branch of this conspiracy existed at Perrymansville, +under the guise of a company of cavalry, who met frequently and drilled +regularly. Leaving Harwood to operate in Baltimore with the others, I +dispatched Timothy Webster back to Perrymansville, and in twenty-four +hours thereafter he had enrolled himself as a member of the company, and +was recognized as a hail fellow among his rebel associates. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +_The Conspirators at Work.--Detectives on Their Trail.--Webster as a +Soldier._ + + +Every day reports would be brought to me from the numerous men I had +detailed along the line of the railroad, and regularly on alternate days +I would make the journey from Baltimore to Philadelphia for consultation +with the officers of the company. + +At every visit which I made to the suspected localities, I could not +fail to notice an increase in the excitement and the indications of a +disposition to open revolt became more evident. Everywhere the ruling +principle seemed to be opposition to the new administration and a +decided inclination to aid the Confederacy. As the daily papers, which +chronicled the events which occurred upon the journey of Mr. Lincoln +towards Washington, or the desperate movements of the Southern +ringleaders, were perused by the people, or were read aloud in tavern or +store, they would be greeted by alternate expressions of hate and +malignity for the abolitionist and wild cheers for the rebellion. + +This feeling, too, was largely increased by the visits which prominent +villagers would make to Baltimore, and who, upon their return, would +relate marvelous stories of what they had seen and heard of the courage, +the unity and the determination of the Southern people. Everything +calculated to inflame the popular mind was seized upon, and the +wonderful spirit of invention which these men evinced was simply +astonishing. As a consequence, the ignorant residents of these villages +and towns, having no authoritative information of their own, relied +implicitly upon the exaggerated statements and untruthful reports of +their leaders, and were kept in a condition of excitement that made them +ready tools of their unscrupulous and better-informed managers. As far +as could be learned, however, no definite plan of action had been +arranged, and no public outbreak had as yet occurred. + +Barnum's Hotel, in Baltimore, appeared to be the favorite resort of the +Southern element. The visitors from all portions of the South located at +this house, and in the evenings the corridors and parlors would be +thronged by the tall, lank forms of the long-haired gentlemen who +represented the aristocracy of the slave-holding interests. Their +conversations were loud and unrestrained, and any one bold enough or +sufficiently indiscreet to venture an opinion contrary to the +righteousness of their cause, would soon find himself in an unenviable +position and frequently the subject of violence. + +As this hotel was so largely patronized by the so-called "Fire-eaters," +I instructed Howard to go there in order to secure quarters and to +ingratiate himself with these extremists. It was not long after this, +that, joining a company of gentlemen who were loudly declaiming against +the ruling powers of the country, he entered into their discussion, and +by blatant expressions of the most rebellious nature, he was warmly +welcomed by the coterie and instantly made one of their number. + +Hailing as he did from New Orleans, his residence was a ready passport +to their favor and confidence, and his fine personal appearance, +gentlemanly address and the fervor of his utterances soon won the favor +of those with whom he associated. To a general inquiry he stated that +private affairs of a financial nature required his presence in +Baltimore, but as his acquaintance with the trustworthy emissaries of +rebeldom increased, he quietly insinuated that affairs of a national +character were far more dear to him than individual interests or private +concerns. + +By continued intercourse with these men, he greatly increased the circle +of his acquaintances, and soon became a welcome guest at the residences +of many of the first families of that refined and aristocratic city. +Here his accomplishments appeared to the best advantage. His romantic +disposition and the ease of his manner captivated many of the +susceptible hearts of the beautiful Baltimore belles, whose eyes grew +brighter in his presence, and who listened enraptured to the poetic +utterances which were whispered into their ears under the witching spell +of music and moonlit nature. + +He gradually neared the circle of which Marshal George P. Kane appeared +to be the leader, and in a short time he had succeeded in entirely +winning his confidence, and from this gentleman Howard acquired many +important items of information. The entire police force of the +city--officers and men--were in full sympathy with the rebellion, and it +became apparent to him that a strict watch was kept over every man who +expressed Northern opinions, or who was not identified with the cause +which they had espoused. + +To all of these arrangements Howard signified his hearty indorsement, +and by every means in his power he sought to convince the leaders of his +full sympathy with their efforts and his resolve to take a leading part +in the struggle that seemed to be impending. + +Accepting the invitation of Mr. Kane, he one evening accompanied that +gentleman to a meeting of one of the secret societies that then existed, +the first one he had succeeded in gaining entrance to. Arriving at the +place of assembly, he was surprised at the many familiar faces which +greeted him. Men whose aristocratic doors had opened to his entrance and +whose social positions were unquestioned; young men who traced their +lineage through several generations, and whose wealth and intelligence +gave them a social status of no ordinary character, were found in full +accord and upon perfect equality with tradesmen, artificers, and even +with those whose vocation was decidedly doubtful, and some of whom had +heard the key of a prison lock turned upon them for offenses committed +in days gone by. + +The leader and President of this society was a Captain Fernandina, who +was known as one of the most active of the conspirators. This individual +at one time occupied the exalted position of a barber at Barnum's Hotel, +but treason and conspiracy had elevated him to the station of a military +captain whose orders were to be obeyed, and a leader whose mandates +compelled respect. He was an Italian or of Italian descent, and having +lived in the South for a number of years he was thoroughly impressed +with the idea of Southern wrongs, and that the election of Mr. Lincoln +was an outrage which must not be tamely submitted to by the high-toned +and chivalrous people of the South. + +He was an enthusiast and fanatic, a dangerous man in any crisis, and +particularly so in the one now impending, which threatened a civil war +and all its direful consequences. Educated with Italian ideas and +possessed of the temperament of his people, he openly justified the use +of the stiletto, and fiercely advocated assassination as the means of +preventing the President-elect from taking his seat in the executive +chair. He was also the captain of a military company which drilled +regularly and whose members were believed to fully indorse the views of +their chief. + +At this meeting Fernandina delivered an address which, for its +treasonable nature and its violent opposition to all laws, human or +divine, has scarcely a parallel. He boldly advocated the doctrine of +State rights; he fiercely denounced the party who had succeeded in +obtaining power; he inveighed in violent language against the policy of +the so-called abolitionists, and his arraignment of Mr. Lincoln was most +vile and repulsive. As these words fell from his lips the excitement +became intense. Faces were eagerly turned towards him, eyes glistened +with the fires of hate, and hands were clenched as though each one +present was imbued with the same feelings which animated their +sanguinary leader. + +As he proceeded, overcome by the violence of his emotions, he drew from +his breast a long, glittering knife, and waving it aloft, exclaimed: + +"This hireling Lincoln shall never, never be President. My life is of no +consequence in a cause like this, and I am willing to give it for his. +As Orsini gave his life for Italy, I am ready to die for the rights of +the South and to crush out the abolitionist." + +As he stood before them, his black eyes flashing with excitement, his +sallow face pale and colorless and his long hair brushed fiercely back +from his low forehead, he seemed a fitting representative of so +desperate a cause, and his influence over the assemblage was wonderful +to behold. Loud cheers and wild clapping of hands greeted his +utterances, and all seemed in perfect accord with his declared +intentions. + +There could be no mistaking the fact, that the object of these men was +dangerous, and that they had fully determined to oppose and prevent the +inauguration of Mr. Lincoln, but the exact plan of operation had not as +yet been agreed upon. + +Upon these facts being conveyed to me by Howard on the following +morning, I resolved to interview this desperate leader of the conspiracy +myself, and endeavor to learn from him further particulars of their +movements and designs. + +In the immediate vicinity of Barnum's Hotel at that time there was a +famous restaurant, popularly known as "Guy's," and this place was much +frequented by the secessionists who were in the city. Fernandina spent +much of his time there, either in drinking or in consultation with his +numerous political friends, who all seemed to regard him as an important +personage, and one who was eventually to perform giant service in the +cause. + +[Illustration: "_He must die, and if necessary we will die together!_" +P. 65] + +Howard having effecting an introduction to Fernandina, and convinced him +of his devotion to the interests of the South, I experienced no +difficulty in obtaining the desired interview. About three o'clock on +the following afternoon Howard and myself carelessly entered the saloon, +and were gratified to perceive that Fernandina was also there, +accompanied by several members of the military company which he +commanded. Walking directly up to these gentlemen, Howard introduced me +as a resident of Georgia, who was an earnest worker in the cause of +secession, and whose sympathy and discretion could be implicitly relied +upon. + +Fernandina cordially grasped my hand, and we all retired to a private +saloon, where, after ordering the necessary drinks and cigars, the +conversation became general, and to me, absorbingly interesting. + +The question of assassinating the President was freely discussed, and +Captain Fernandina expressed himself vehemently in its favor. + +Some one in the party remarked: + +"Are there no other means of saving the South except by assassination?" + +"No," replied Fernandina; "as well might you attempt to move the +Washington Monument yonder with your breath, as to change our purpose. +He must die--and die he shall. And," he continued, turning to Captain +Trichot, a fellow-conspirator who stood near, "if necessary, we will die +together." + +"There seems to be no other way," interposed Howard, "and while +bloodshed is to be regretted, it will be done in a noble cause." + +Fernandina gazed approvingly at Howard, and then added: + +"Yes, the cause is a noble one, and on that day every captain will prove +himself a hero. With the first shot the chief traitor, Lincoln, will +die, then all Maryland will be with us, and the South will be forever +free." + +"But," said I, "have all the plans been matured, and are there no fears +of failure? A misstep in so important a direction would be fatal to the +South and ought to be well considered." + +"Our plans are fully arranged," answered the Captain, "and they cannot +fail; and," he added, with a wicked gleam in his eyes--"if I alone must +strike the blow, I shall not hesitate or shrink from the task. Lincoln +shall certainly not depart from this city alive." + +"Yes," added Captain Trichot, "it is determined that this G--d d--d +Lincoln shall never pass through here alive, and no d--d abolitionist +shall ever set foot upon Southern soil except to find a grave." + +"But about the authorities"--I asked--"is there no danger to be +apprehended from them?" + +"Oh, no," said the Captain, assuringly, "they are all with us. I have +seen Col. Kane, the Chief Marshal of Police, and he is all right. In a +week from to-day the North shall want another President, for Lincoln +will be a corpse." + +All the company gave approving responses to these threats, with but one +exception, and he remained silent, with a doubtful, troubled expression +upon his face. This young man was one of the fast "bloods" of the city, +who proudly wore upon his breast a gold Palmetto badge, and who was a +Lieutenant in the Palmetto Guards, a secret military organization of +Baltimore, and I determined to select this man for the purpose of +obtaining the information I so much desired; and as the company shortly +afterwards broke up, Howard and myself accompanied Lieutenant Hill from +the saloon. + +Hill soon proved a pliant tool in our hands. Being of a weak nature and +having been reared in the lap of luxury, he had entered into this +movement more from a temporary burst of enthusiasm and because it was +fashionable, than from any other cause. Now that matters began to assume +such a warlike attitude, he was inclined to hesitate before the affair +had gone too far, but still he seemed to be enamored with the glory of +the undertaking. + +By my directions Howard, the ardent secessionist from Louisiana, and +Hill, of the Palmetto Guards, became bosom friends and inseparable +companions. They drank together, and visited theaters and places of +amusement in each other's company. + +By reason of his high social position Hill was enabled to introduce his +friend to the leading families and into the most aristocratic clubs and +societies of which the city boasted, and Howard made many valuable +acquaintances through the influence of this rebellious scion of +Baltimore aristocracy. + +Finally the young man was induced to open to his companion the secrets +of the plot to assassinate the President. It was evident, however, that +Hill was playing his part in the conspiracy with great reluctance, and +one day he said to Howard: + +"What a pity it is that this glorious Union must be destroyed all on +account of that monster Lincoln." From Hill it was learned that the +plans of the conspirators were first to excite and exasperate the +popular feeling against Mr. Lincoln to the utmost, and thus far this had +been successfully accompanied. From the published programme Mr. Lincoln +was to reach Baltimore from Harrisburg by the Northern Central Railroad +on the twenty-third day of February, now but a few days distant. He +would, therefore, reach the city about the middle of the day. A vast +crowd would meet him at the Calvert street depot, at which point it was +expected that he would enter an open carriage and ride nearly half a +mile to the Washington depot. Here it was arranged that but a small +force of policemen should be stationed, and as the President arrived a +disturbance would be created which would attract the attention of these +guardians of the peace, and this accomplished, it would be an easy task +for a determined man to shoot the President, and, aided by his +companions, succeed in making his escape. + +Agents of the conspirators had been dispatched to all the principal +Northern cities, to watch the movements of the presidential party, and +ready to telegraph to Baltimore any change of route or delay in arrival. +A cipher had been agreed upon between them, so that the conspirators +could communicate with each other without the possibility of detection, +and everything seemed to be satisfactorily arranged except to depute one +of their number to commit the fatal deed. This was to be determined by +ballot, and as yet no one knew upon whom might devolve the bloody task. + +Meanwhile, the idea of assassination was preying heavily upon the mind +of the Lieutenant of the Palmetto Guards; he grew sad and melancholy, +and plunged still deeper into dissipation. Howard had now become a +necessity to him and they were scarcely ever separated. Under the +influence of the master spirit, the disposition of Hill underwent +wonderful changes. At times, he would be thoughtful and morose, and then +would suddenly break out into enthusiastic rhapsodies. His sleep became +tormented with dreams in which he saw himself the martyr to a glorious +cause and the savior of his country. + +At such times he would address himself to Howard, in the most +extravagant language. + +"I am destined to die," said he one day, "shrouded with glory. I shall +immortalize myself by plunging a knife into Lincoln's heart." + +Howard endeavored to calm his transports, but without avail. Raising +himself to his full height, he exclaimed: "Rome had her Brutus, why +should not we? I swear to you, Howard, if it falls to me I will kill +Lincoln before he reaches the Washington depot, not that I love Lincoln +less, but my country more." + +As the day drew nearer for the arrival of the President, he became more +nervous and excited, and would more frequently indulge in extravagant +expressions, which would have been regarded as absurd, but for the fact +that he was but one of a large number of fanatics, who seriously +entertained the same ideas of murder, and his expressions but the reflex +of others, more determined. + +Timothy Webster was still at Perrymansville, and by this time had fully +identified himself with the rebel cause, and the company of cavalry of +which he was a member. On several occasions he had given undoubted +indications of his loyalty and devotion to the South, and was generally +looked upon as a man who could be trusted. He became quite intimate with +the officers of the company, and succeeded in gaining their entire +confidence. As yet, however, he had learned but little of the important +movement which we believed was in contemplation, as all conversations +upon that subject appeared to be between the officers of the company, at +their secret meetings, to which he had not been able as yet to gain an +entrance. + +At length one morning, after the usual daily drill, and when the +company had been dismissed, the Captain addressed Webster and requested +him to be present at his house that evening, as he desired to consult +with him upon important affairs, at the same time cautioning him to say +nothing to any one concerning the matter. + +Promptly at the time appointed Webster presented himself at the +residence of the Captain, and was ushered into a room upon the upper +floor, where there were several men already assembled. The curtains had +been drawn close, and heavy quilts had been hung over the windows, which +effectually prevented any one from the outside from discovering a light +in the room. On his entrance he was introduced to the gentlemen present, +three of whom were unknown to him, who were members of the secret league +from Baltimore, and who were evidently impressed with the solemnity and +importance of their undertaking. They greeted Webster cordially, +however, and made room for him at the table around which they were +sitting. + +A few minutes satisfied Webster as to the nature of the meeting, and +that it was a conclave of the conspirators, who had met to discuss a +plan of action. Intensely eager as he was to acquire all possible +information, he was obliged to restrain his impetuosity and to listen +calmly to the developments that were made. From what transpired that +evening there could be no doubt of the desperation of the men engaged +in the conspiracy, or of the widespread interest which was taken in +their movements. + +The plans for the assassination of the President had been fully matured, +and only needed the selection of the person to perform the deed, in +order to carry them into effect. In the meantime, however, other +important measures required attention and consideration. If the affair +stopped simply with the assassination of the President, but little, if +any, good would be accomplished. The North would rise as one man to +avenge the death of their leader, and they would only hasten a disaster +they were anxious to avoid. It was necessary, therefore, that the work +should be thoroughly done, and the plan suggested was as follows: + +As soon as the deed had been accomplished in Baltimore, the news was to +be telegraphed along the line of the road, and immediately upon the +reception of this intelligence the telegraph wires were to be cut, the +railroad bridges destroyed and the tracks torn up, in order to prevent +for some time any information being conveyed to the cities of the North, +or the passage of any Northern men towards the capital. + +Wild as the scheme was, it found instant favor with the reckless men +assembled together, and all signified their hearty assent to the +propositions and offered their aid in successfully carrying them out. +Among the most earnest in their protestations was Timothy Webster, and +as he announced his intention to perform his duty in the affair he was +warmly congratulated. + +Matters were evidently getting warm, and but little time was left for +action. + +[Illustration: "WARMING UP."] + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +_The Conspirators in Council.--My Operative Joins the Conspiracy._ + + +I had already written to Mr. Norman B. Judd as the party reached +Cincinnati, informing him that I had reason to believe that there was a +plot on foot to murder the President on his passage through Baltimore, +and promising to advise him further as the party progressed eastward. + +This information Mr. Judd did not divulge to any one, fearing to +occasion undue anxiety or unnecessary alarm, and knowing that I was upon +the ground and could be depended upon to act at the proper time. + +When the party reached Buffalo another note from me awaited Mr. Judd, +informing him of the accumulation of evidence, but conveying no +particulars. The party were now journeying towards New York city, and I +determined to learn all that there was to learn before many hours. + +Previous to this, in addition to the men engaged in Baltimore, I had +sent for Mrs. Kate Warne, the lady superintendent of my agency. This +lady had arrived several days before, and had already made remarkable +progress in cultivating the acquaintance of the wives and daughters of +the conspirators. + +Mrs. Warne was eminently fitted for this task. Of rather a commanding +person, with clear-cut, expressive features, and with an ease of manner +that was quite captivating at times, she was calculated to make a +favorable impression at once. She was of Northern birth, but in order to +vouch for her Southern opinions, she represented herself as from +Montgomery, Alabama, a locality with which she was perfectly familiar, +from her connection with the detection of the robbery of the Adams +Express Company, at that place. Her experience in that case, which is +fully detailed in "The Expressman and the Detective," fully qualified +her for the task of representing herself as a resident of the South. + +She was a brilliant conversationalist when so disposed, and could be +quite vivacious, but she also understood that rarer quality in +womankind, the art of being silent. + +The information she received was invaluable, but as yet the meetings of +the chief conspirators had not been entered. Mrs. Warne displayed upon +her breast, as did many of the ladies of Baltimore, the black and white +cockade, which had been temporarily adopted as the emblem of secession, +and many hints were dropped in her presence which found their way to my +ears, and were of great benefit to me. + +As I have said, the Presidential party were in Buffalo, and I had +resolved upon prompt and decisive measures to discover the inward +workings of the conspirators. Accordingly I obtained an interview with +Howard, and gave him such instructions as I deemed necessary under the +circumstances. He was to insist upon Hill taking him to the meeting at +which the ballots were to be drawn, and where he, too, would have an +opportunity to immortalize himself, and then, that being accomplished, +the rest would be easy and all further danger would be over. + +Accordingly, that day Howard broached the matter to Hill in a manner +which convinced him of his earnestness, and the young Lieutenant +promised his utmost efforts to secure his admission. At five o'clock in +the afternoon they again met, and Hill joyfully informed his companion +that his request had been granted, and that, upon his vouching for the +fidelity of his friend, he had succeeded in obtaining permission for him +to enter their society. + +That evening Howard accompanied his friend Hill to the rendezvous of the +league, and as they entered the darkened chamber, they found many of the +conspirators already assembled. The members were strangely silent, and +an ominous awe seemed to pervade the entire assembly. About twenty men +comprised the number, but many entered afterward. After a few +preliminary movements, Howard was conducted to the station of the +President of the assembly and duly sworn, the members gathering around +him in a circle as this was being done. + +[Illustration: "_Howard was conducted to the station of the President, +and duly sworn._" P. 76.] + +Having passed through the required formula, Howard was warmly taken by +the hand by his associates, many of whom he had met in the polite +circles of society. After quiet had been restored, the President, who +was none other than Captain Fernandina, arose, and in a dramatic manner +detailed the particulars of the plot. + +It had been fully determined that the assassination should take place at +the Calvert street depot. A vast crowd of secessionists were to assemble +at that place to await the arrival of the train with Mr. Lincoln. They +would appear early and fill the narrow streets and passages immediately +surrounding it. No attempt at secrecy was made of the fact that the +Marshal of Police was conversant with their plans, and that he would +detail but a small force of policemen to attend the arrival, and +nominally clear and protect a passage for Mr. Lincoln and his suite. Nor +was the fact disguised that these policemen were in active sympathy with +the movement. George P. Kane's animus was fully shown when he was +subsequently arrested by General Banks, and afterwards became an officer +in the rebel army. + +When the train entered the depot, and Mr. Lincoln attempted to pass +through the narrow passage leading to the streets, a party already +delegated were to engage in a conflict on the outside, and then the +policemen were to rush away to quell the disturbance. At this +moment--the police being entirely withdrawn--Mr. Lincoln would find +himself surrounded by a dense, excited and hostile crowd, all hustling +and jamming against him, and then the fatal blow was to be struck. + +A swift steamer was to be stationed in Chesapeake Bay, with a boat +awaiting upon the shore, ready to take the assassin on board as soon as +the deed was done, and convey him to a Southern port, where he would be +received with acclamations of joy and honored as a hero. + +The question to be decided this evening was: "Who should do the deed?" +"Who should assume the task of liberating the nation of the foul +presence of the abolitionist leader?" For this purpose the meeting had +been called to-night, and to-night the important decision was to be +reached. + +It was finally determined that ballots should be prepared and placed in +a box arranged for that purpose, and that the person who drew a _red_ +ballot should perform the duty of assassination. + +In order that none should know who drew the fatal ballot, except he who +did so, the room was rendered still darker, and every one was pledged to +secrecy as to the color of the ballot he drew. The leaders, however, had +determined that their plans should not fail, and doubting the courage of +some of their number, instead of placing but _one red ballot_ in the +box, they placed _eight_ of the designated color, and these eight +ballots were drawn--each man who drew them believing that upon him, his +courage, strength and devotion, depended the cause of the South--each +supposing that he alone was charged with the execution of the deed. + +After the ballots had been drawn the President again addressed the +assembly. He violently assailed the enemies of the South, and in glowing +words pointed out the glory that awaited the man who would prove himself +the hero upon this great occasion, and finally, amid much restrained +enthusiasm, the meeting adjourned, and their duties had thus far been +accomplished. + +My time for action had now arrived; my plans had been perfected and I +resolved to act at once. Taking Mrs. Warne with me I reached New York +city on the same day that the presidential party arrived there, and +leaving Mrs. Warne to perfect arrangements, I proceeded at once to +Philadelphia. That evening Mrs. Warne repaired to the Astor House and +requested an interview with Mr. Judd. Her request being granted, Mrs. +Warne informed that gentleman, that, fearing to trust the mail in so +important a matter, she had been delegated by me to arrange for a +personal interview, at which all the proofs relating to the conspiracy +could be submitted to him. It was suggested that immediately after the +arrival of the party in Philadelphia, I should inform Mr. Judd of my +plans for an interview, and that he would be governed accordingly. + +While they were conversing, Col. E. S. Sandford, President of the +American Telegraph Company, called, and was introduced by Mrs. Warne to +Mr. Judd. This gentleman had been made fully acquainted with what I had +learned, and had promised all the assistance within his power, and he +accordingly tendered to Mr. Judd his own personal service and the +unlimited use of the telegraph lines under his control, for any +communications he might desire to make. + +On arriving at Philadelphia, I proceeded directly to the office of Mr. +Felton, and acquainted him with all the information I had received, of +the designs of the conspirators with regard to Mr. Lincoln, and of their +intention to destroy the railroad should their plot be successful. The +situation was truly alarming, and cautious measures were absolutely +necessary. It was therefore resolved to obtain an interview with Mr. +Lincoln, submit the facts to him, and be governed by his suggestions, +whatever they might be. + +This interview took place on the 20th day of February, and Mr. Lincoln +was expected to arrive on the following day. Great preparations had been +made for his reception, and the military, of which Philadelphia was +justly proud, were to escort the President-elect from the depot to the +Continental Hotel, where quarters had been engaged for him, and where he +would receive the congratulations of the people. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +_The Presidential Party arrives in Philadelphia.--Independence +Hall.--The Departure from Harrisburg.--Telegraph wires Cut.--Through the +Lines of Treason and Safe Arrival at Washington._ + + +The twenty-first dawned bright and sunny, and the streets were alive +with the eager populace, all anxious to do honor to the new President, +and to witness the scenes attendant upon his reception. In due time the +train containing the party arrived, and after an informal welcome they +took carriages, and, escorted by the troops, the procession took up the +line of march for the hotel. Vast crowds lined the sidewalks and the +enthusiasm of the people was unbounded. The President graciously +acknowledged their courtesies as he passed along. On each side of the +carriage in which Mr. Lincoln was seated, accompanied by Mr. Judd, was a +file of policemen, whose duty it was to prevent the mass of people from +pressing too closely to the vehicle. As the procession reached the +corner of Broad and Chestnut streets, a young man approached the file of +policemen and endeavored to attract the attention of the occupants of +the carriage. Finding this impossible, he boldly plunged through the +ranks of the officers, and coming to the side of the carriage, he handed +to Mr. Judd a slip of paper, on which was written: + + "_St. Louis Hotel, ask for J. H. Hutchinson._" + +This young man was Mr. George H. Burns, an attaché of the American +Telegraph Company and confidential agent of E. S. Sandford, Esq., who +acted as my messenger, and who afterwards distinguished himself for his +courage and daring in the rebellion. It is needless to add that J. H. +Hutchinson was the name I had assumed in registering at the hotel, in +order to avoid any suspicion or curiosity in case any emissary of the +conspirators should ascertain my real name and thus be warned of the +discovery of their scheme. + +Shortly after the arrival of Mr. Lincoln at the Continental, Mr. Judd +was announced at the St. Louis Hotel as desiring to see me. Mr. Felton +was with me at the time, and in a few minutes Mr. Judd made his +appearance. More than an hour was occupied in going over the proofs +which I produced of the existence of the conspiracy, at the end of which +time Mr. Judd expressed himself fully convinced that the plot was a +reality, and that prompt measures were required to secure the safety of +the President. + +"My advice is," said I, after I had succeeded in convincing Mr. Judd +that my information was reliable, "that Mr. Lincoln shall proceed to +Washington this evening by the eleven o'clock train, and then once safe +at the capital, General Scott and his soldiery will afford him ample +protection." + +"I fear very much that Mr. Lincoln will not accede to this," replied Mr. +Judd; "but as the President is an old acquaintance and friend of yours +and has had occasion before this to test your reliability and prudence, +suppose you accompany me to the Continental Hotel, and we can then lay +this information before him in person and abide by his decision." + +This idea was at once adopted and we proceeded to the hotel. Here we +found the entrances blocked up by a surging multitude which effectually +prevented our admission, and we were obliged to enter by the rear of the +building through a door used by the servants. + +On reaching the room occupied by Mr. Judd that gentleman summoned Mr. +Nicolay, the President's private secretary, and dispatched him with a +note requesting the presence of Mr. Lincoln upon a matter of urgent +importance. + +The President at that time was in one of the large parlors surrounded by +a number of ladies and gentlemen, all eager to extend to him the +hospitalities of the city and to express their good wishes for the +success of his administration. Upon receiving the message, however, he +at once excused himself, and forcing his way through the crowd came +directly to us. + +Up to this time Mr. Lincoln had been kept in entire ignorance of any +threatened danger, and as he listened to the facts that were now +presented to him, a shade of sadness fell upon his face. He seemed loth +to credit the statement, and could scarce believe it possible that such +a conspiracy could exist. Slowly he went over the points presented, +questioning me minutely the while, but at length finding it impossible +to discredit the truthfulness of what I stated to him, he yielded a +reluctant credence to the facts. + +After he had been fully made acquainted with the startling disclosures, +Mr. Judd submitted to him the plan proposed by me, that he should leave +Philadelphia for Washington that evening. + +"But," added Mr. Judd, "the proofs that have just been laid before you +cannot be published, as it will involve the lives of several devoted men +now on Mr. Pinkerton's force, especially that of Timothy Webster, who is +now serving in a rebel cavalry company under drill at Perrymansville in +Maryland." + +Mr. Lincoln at once acknowledged the correctness of this view, but +appeared at a loss as to what course to pursue. + +"You will therefore perceive"--continued Mr. Judd--"that if you follow +the course suggested--that of proceeding to Washington to-night--you +will necessarily be subjected to the scoffs and sneers of your enemies, +and the disapproval of your friends who cannot be made to believe in +the existence of so desperate a plot." + +"I fully appreciate these suggestions," replied Mr. Lincoln, "and I can +stand anything that is necessary, but," he added rising to his feet, "I +cannot go to-night. I have promised to raise the flag over Independence +Hall to-morrow morning, and to visit the legislature at Harrisburg in +the afternoon--beyond that I have no engagements. Any plan that may be +adopted that will enable me to fulfill these promises I will accede to, +and you can inform me what is concluded upon to-morrow." + +Saying which Mr. Lincoln left the room and joined the people in the +parlor. During the entire interview, he had not evinced the slightest +evidence of agitation or fear. Calm and self-possessed, his only +sentiments appeared to be those of profound regret, that the Southern +sympathizers could be so far led away by the excitement of the hour, as +to consider his death a necessity for the furtherance of their cause. + +From his manner, it was deemed useless to attempt to induce him to alter +his mind, and after a few minutes' further conversation, which was +participated in by Mr. Sandford, who had entered the room, I left for +the purpose of finding Thomas A. Scott, Esq., the Vice-President of the +Pennsylvania Central Railroad, in order to make arrangements for the +carrying out of a plan which had occurred to me, and which would enable +Mr. Lincoln to fulfill his engagements. + +I was unable, however, to find Mr. Scott, but succeeded in reaching Mr. +G. C. Franciscus, the general manager of the road, and at twelve o'clock +that night, in company with that gentleman and Mr. Sandford, we called +again upon Mr. Judd. + +At this meeting a full discussion of the entire matter was had between +us, and after all possible contingencies had been considered, the +following programme was agreed upon. + +After the formal reception at Harrisburg had taken place, a special +train, consisting of a baggage-car and one passenger-coach, should leave +there at six o'clock P. M. to carry Mr. Lincoln and one companion back +to Philadelphia; this train was to be under the immediate control of Mr. +Franciscus and Mr. Enoch Lewis, the general superintendent. In order to +avoid the possibility of accident, the track was to be cleared of +everything between Harrisburg and Philadelphia from half-past five +o'clock until after the passage of the special train. Mr. Felton was to +detain the eleven o'clock P. M. Baltimore train until the arrival of the +special train from Harrisburg, Mrs. Warne in the meantime engaging +berths in the sleeping-car bound for Baltimore. + +[Illustration: "_Mr. Lincoln raising the flag on Independence Hall._" P. +87] + +I was to remain in Philadelphia in order that no accident might occur in +conveying the President from one depot to another, and Mr. Judd was to +manage the affair at Harrisburg. Everything that could be suggested in +relation to this matter was fully considered, and having at length +perfected our plans, the party separated at half-past four o'clock in +the morning, fully prepared to carry out the programme agreed upon. + +At six o'clock on the morning of the 22d, a vast concourse of people +assembled in front of Independence Hall on Chestnut street, and at +precisely the hour appointed, Mr. Lincoln made his appearance. With his +own hands he drew to the top of the staff surmounting the edifice a +beautiful new American flag, and as its Stripes and Stars floated out +gracefully to the breeze, the air was rent with the shouts of the +multitude and the music of the band. + +Mr. Lincoln's speech upon this occasion was the most impressive and +characteristic of any which he had delivered upon his journey to the +capital, while a tinge of sadness pervaded his remarks, never noticed +before, and which were occasioned no doubt by the revelations of the +preceding night. He gave a most eloquent expression to the emotions and +associations which were suggested by the day and by the historic old +hall where he then stood. He declared that all his political sentiments +were drawn from the inspired utterances of those who had sat within the +walls of that ancient edifice. He alluded most feelingly to the dangers +and toils and sufferings of those who had adopted and made good the +Declaration of Independence--a declaration which gave promise that "in +due time the weight would be lifted from the shoulders of all men." +Conscious of the dangers that threatened his country, and feeling also +that those dangers originated in opposition to the principles enunciated +in the Declaration of Independence, knowing that his own life was even +then threatened because of his devotion to liberty, and that his way to +the national capital was beset by assassins, he did not hesitate to +declare boldly and fearlessly "that he would rather be assassinated on +the spot than surrender those principles" so dear to him. + +After these proceedings, Mr. Lincoln was driven back to the Continental +Hotel, and sending for Mr. Judd, he introduced him to Mr. Frederick H. +Seward, a son of the late William H. Seward, who was in the room with +the President. Mr. Lincoln then informed Mr. Judd that Mr. Seward had +been sent from Washington by his father and General Scott to warn him of +the danger of passing through Baltimore, and to urge him to come direct +to Washington. + +From whom this information was originally obtained did not appear, but +the facts were deemed of sufficient moment to be brought to the ears of +the President, and hence Mr. Seward's visit to Philadelphia. Mr. Lincoln +evinced no further hesitancy in the matter, and signified his readiness +to do whatever was required of him. Mr. Judd then directed Mr. Seward to +inform his father that all had been arranged, and that, so far as human +foresight could predict, Mr. Lincoln would be in Washington before the +evening of the following day, and cautioned him to preserve the utmost +secrecy in regard to the matter. No particulars were given and none were +asked. + +At the time appointed Mr. Lincoln started for Harrisburg, and I busied +myself with the preparations that were necessary to successfully carry +our plans into operation. From reports which I received from Baltimore, +the excitement in that city had grown more intense, and the arrival of +the President was awaited with the most feverish impatience. The common +and accepted belief was that Mr. Lincoln would journey from Harrisburg +to Baltimore over the Northern Central Railroad, and the plans of the +conspirators were arranged accordingly. + +It became a matter of the utmost importance, therefore, that no +intimation of our movements should reach that city. I had no doubt but +that trusty agents of the conspirators were following the presidential +party, and after the absence of Mr. Lincoln had been discovered, the +telegraph would be put into active operation to apprise the movers of +this scheme of the change that had been made. To effectually prevent +this I determined that the telegraph wires which connected Harrisburg +with her neighboring cities should be so "fixed" as to render +communication impossible. + +To arrange this matter Capt. Burns was sent to the office of the +American Telegraph Company, and obtaining from Mr. H. E. Thayer, the +manager of the company, a competent and trustworthy man for the purpose, +departed for Harrisburg, in order to carry out the proposed measures. +Mr. Thayer, in the meantime, was to remain in the office during the +night, in order to intercept any dispatches that might be sent over the +wires from any point between Harrisburg and Baltimore, and to +immediately deliver any messages that might be sent to me. + +Mr. W. P. Westervelt, the superintendent, and Mr. Andrew Wynne, the +line-man of the telegraph company, were delegated to Harrisburg to "fix" +the wires leading from that place in such a manner as to prevent any +communication from passing over them, and to report to Capt. Burns upon +their arrival. + +After the train containing Mr. Lincoln and his party had left +Philadelphia, Mr. Judd sought the first favorable opportunity of +conversing with Mr. Lincoln alone, and fully detailed to him the plan +that had been agreed upon, all of which met with the hearty approval of +the President, who signified a cheerful willingness to adapt himself to +the novel circumstances. + +It was evident, from the manner of several of the gentlemen of the +party, that they suspected something was transpiring of which they had +not been advised, but they all very judiciously refrained from asking +any questions. Mr. Judd, however, who felt the responsibility of his +position, finally suggested to Mr. Lincoln the propriety and +advisability of informing them of what had taken place, and of +consulting with them upon the proper carrying out of the contemplated +journey. To this Mr. Lincoln yielded a ready assent, adding, with an +amused smile: + +"I suppose they will laugh at us, Judd, but I think you had better get +them together." + +It was therefore arranged that after the reception at the State House +had taken place, and before they sat down to dinner, the matter should +be fully laid before the following gentlemen of the party: Judge David +Davis, Col. Sumner, Major David Hunter, Capt. John Pope and Ward H. +Lamon, Esq. + +Mr. Lincoln arrived at Harrisburg at noon, and was introduced to the +people from the balcony of the Jones House, where an address was +delivered by Gov. Andrew G. Curtin, whose fame became widespread during +the dark days of the rebellion that followed, as the "War Governor of +Pennsylvania." From the hotel the party proceeded to the House of +Representatives, where he was welcomed by the Speaker, to which he +replied in a few well-chosen words. + +After a short time spent in congratulations and hand-shaking they +returned to the hotel, and the gentlemen who have been previously named +were invited (in company with the Governor) to confer with the +President in the parlor. At this meeting the information of the +discovery of the plot to assassinate the President was laid before them, +and also the details of the proposed journey to Washington. After the +matter had been fully explained, a great diversity of opinion manifested +itself among the gentlemen present, and some warm discussion was +indulged in. Finally, Judge Davis, who had expressed no opinion upon the +subject as yet, addressed the President, saying: + +"Well, Mr. Lincoln, what is your own judgment upon this matter?" + +"I have thought over this matter considerably since I went over the +ground with Mr. Pinkerton last night," answered Mr. Lincoln, "and the +appearance of Mr. Frederick Seward, with warning from another source, +confirms my belief in Mr. Pinkerton's statement; therefore, unless there +are some other reasons than a fear of ridicule, I am disposed to carry +out Mr. Judd's plan." + +Judge Davis turned to the others, and said: + +"That settles the matter, gentlemen." + +"So be it," exclaimed Col. Sumner. "It is against my judgment, but I +have undertaken to go to Washington with Mr. Lincoln, and I shall do +it." + +Mr. Judd endeavored in vain to convince the gallant old soldier that +every additional person only added to the risk, but the fiery spirit of +the veteran was aroused and debate was useless. + +Having arranged the matter thus satisfactorily the party, at about four +o'clock in the afternoon, repaired to the dining-room for dinner. + +All the preliminaries had now been successfully arranged. The special +train, ostensibly to take the officers of the railroad company back to +Philadelphia, was waiting upon a side track just outside of the town. +The telegraph operators had performed their work admirably. Walking out +of the city nearly two miles, Mr. Wynne climbed the poles and placing +fine copper ground wires upon the regular lines, the city was soon +entirely isolated from her neighbors. No message could possibly be sent +from Harrisburg, and the capital of Pennsylvania was cut off temporarily +from the rest of the world. + +The preparations in Philadelphia had also been fully made. Mrs. Warne +had succeeded in engaging the rear half of a sleeping-car for the +accommodation of her invalid brother, and that portion of the car was to +be entirely separated from the rest by a curtain, so arranged that no +one in the forward part of the car would be aware of the occupants of +the same coach. + +In order to detain the Baltimore train until the arrival of Mr. Lincoln, +the conductor was directed not to start his train until he received +personal instructions to that effect from Mr. H. F. Kinney, the +superintendent, who would hand him an important parcel, which President +Felton desired should be delivered early on the following morning to Mr. +E. J. Allen at Willard's Hotel, in Washington. (E. J. Allen was the +nom-de-plume I generally used when on detective operations.) + +At a quarter to six o'clock everything was in readiness. A carriage was +in waiting at the side entrance of the hotel, and the entire party were +still at the table. A message was delivered to the President by Mr. +Nicolay, and upon receiving it, he immediately arose, and, accompanied +by Mr. Curtin, Mr. Lamon and Mr. Judd, he left the dining-room. Mr. +Lincoln exchanged his dinner dress for a traveling suit, and soon +returned with a shawl upon his arm and a soft felt hat protruding from +his coat pocket. + +The halls, stairways and pavement were filled with a mass of people, +who, seeing the President in company with the Governor, at once imagined +that they were going to the executive mansion, where a reception was to +be held in the evening. + +Mr. Judd whispered to Mr. Lamon to proceed in advance, adding: + +"As soon as Mr. Lincoln is in the carriage, drive off." + +As the party, consisting of Mr. Lincoln, Governor Curtin, and Mr. Lamon, +entered the carriage, Col. Sumner attempted to follow them, but Mr. Judd +gently put his hand upon the old gentleman's shoulder, and as he turned +quickly around to inquire what was wanted, the carriage was driven +rapidly away. + +[Illustration: "_The party, consisting of Mr. Lincoln, Governor Curtin +and Mr. Lamon, entered the carriage._" P. 94.] + +Thus far everything had passed off admirably, and in a short time Mr. +Lincoln was upon the special train, accompanied only by Mr. Lamon and +the railroad officials, and speeding along toward Philadelphia. + +Without accident the party arrived at the Quaker City shortly after ten +o'clock, where I was waiting with a carriage, in company with Mr. +Kinney. Without a word Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Lamon and myself entered the +vehicle, while Mr. Kinney seated himself alongside of the driver, and we +proceeded directly to the depot of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and +Baltimore Railroad. + +Driving up to the sidewalk on Carpenter street, and in the shadow of a +tall fence, the carriage was stopped and the party alighted. As we +approached the train, Mrs. Warne came forward, and, familiarly greeting +the President as her brother, we entered the sleeping-car by the rear +door without unnecessary delay, and without any one being aware of the +distinguished passenger who had arrived. + +A carefully inclosed package, which resembled a formidable official +document, but which contained only some neatly folded daily papers, was +placed in the hands of the unsuspecting conductor--the whistle sounded, +and soon the train was in motion, whirling on towards the capital of the +nation. + +So carefully had all our movements been conducted, that no one in +Philadelphia saw Mr. Lincoln enter the car, and no one on the train, +except his own immediate party--not even the conductor, knew of his +presence, and the President, feeling fatigued from the labors and the +journeys of the day, at once retired to his berth. + +In order to prevent the possibility of accident, I had arranged with my +men a series of signals along the road. It was barely possible that the +work of destroying the railroad might be attempted by some reckless +individuals, or that a suspicion of our movements might be entertained +by the conspirators, and therefore, the utmost caution must be observed. + +As the train approached Havre de Grace, I went to the rear platform of +the car, and as the train passed on a bright light flashed suddenly upon +my gaze and was as quickly extinguished, and then I knew that thus far +all was well. + +From this point all the way to Baltimore, at every bridge-crossing these +lights flashed, and their rays carried the comforting assurance "All's +Well!" + +We reached Baltimore at about half-past three o'clock in the morning, +and as the train rumbled into the depot an officer of the road entered +the car and whispered in my ear the welcome words "All's Well!" + +The city was in profound repose as we passed through. Darkness and +silence reigned over all. Perhaps, at this moment, however, the reckless +conspirators were astir perfecting their plans for a tragedy as infamous +as any which has ever disgraced a free country--perhaps even now the +holders of the _red_ ballots were nerving themselves for their part in +the dreadful work, or were tossing restlessly upon sleepless couches. + +Be that as it may, our presence in Baltimore was entirely unsuspected, +and as the sleeping-car in which we were, was drawn by horses through +the streets from the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore depot, until +we reached the Washington station, no sign of life was apparent in the +great slumbering city. At the depot, however, a number of people were +gathered, awaiting the arrival and departure of the various trains, and +here the usual bustle and activity were manifested. + +We were compelled to remain here fully two hours, owing to the detention +of the train from the West, and during that time, Mr. Lincoln remained +quietly in his berth, joking with rare good humor with those around him. + +Ever and anon some snatches of rebel harmony would reach our ears, as +they were rather discordantly sung by the waiting passengers in and +around the depot. "My Maryland" and "Dixie" appeared to be the +favorites, and once, after an intoxicated individual had roared through +one stanza of the latter song, Mr. Lincoln turned quietly and rather +sadly to me and said: + +"No doubt there will be a great time in Dixie by and by." + +How prophetic his words were, the succeeding years too fully proved. + +At length the train arrived and we proceeded on our way, arriving in +Washington about six o'clock in the morning. Mr. Lincoln wrapped his +traveling shawl about his shoulders, and in company with Mr. Lamon, +started to leave the car. I followed close behind, and on the platform +found two of my men awaiting our arrival. A great many people were +gathered about the depot, but Mr. Lincoln entirely escaped recognition, +until as we were about leaving the depot, Mr. Washburne, of Illinois, +came up and cordially shook him by the hand. + +The surprise of this gentleman was unbounded, and many of those standing +around, observing his movements, and the tall form of Mr. Lincoln +exciting curiosity, I feared that danger might result in case he was +recognized at this time. I accordingly went up to them hurriedly, and +pressing between them whispered rather loudly: + +"No talking here!" + +Mr. Washburne gazed inquiringly at me, and was about to resent my +interference, when Mr. Lincoln interposed: + +"That is Mr. Pinkerton, and everything is all right." + +Thus satisfied, Mr. Washburne quickly led the way to a carriage in +waiting outside, where we met Mr. Seward, who warmly greeted the +President, and then the party were rapidly driven down Pennsylvania +Avenue to Willard's Hotel--I following closely behind them with my men, +in another vehicle. + +[Illustration: "_The safe arrival at Washington._" P. 98.] + +On his arrival at the hotel Mr. Lincoln was warmly greeted by his +friends, who were rejoiced at his safe arrival, and leaving him in the +hands of those whose fealty was undoubted, I withdrew, and engaged +temporary quarters at another hotel. + +During the forenoon I received a note from Mr. Lincoln requesting an +interview, and received his warm expressions of thankfulness for the +part I had performed in securing his safety, after which, finding that +my object had been fully accomplished, I took the train and returned to +Baltimore. + +Here I found the utmost excitement prevailing. The news of the safe +arrival of Mr. Lincoln had already reached there, and a general +sentiment of rage and disappointment pervaded the entire circle of +conspirators and secessionists. I lost no time in securing an interview +with Howard, and learned from him the particulars attendant upon the +discovery that Mr. Lincoln had outwitted his enemies and was now safely +quartered in Washington. Finding that their plans had been discovered, +and fearing that the vengeance of the government would overtake them, +the leading conspirators had suddenly disappeared. All their courage and +bravado was gone, and now, like the miserable cowards that they were, +they had sought safety in flight. + +A curious episode occurred at Harrisburg immediately after the +departure of Mr. Lincoln from that city. Two newspaper correspondents +connected with prominent New York journals had accompanied the party +from Springfield, and had faithfully noted the incidents which had +occurred upon the journey. As soon as the train which carried Mr. +Lincoln away from Harrisburg was on its way, a gentlemanly individual, +_well-known to me_, went to the room occupied by these journalists, and +found them engaged in preparations to witness the further proceedings of +the presidential party. + +The visitor quickly informed the gentlemen that Mr. Lincoln had left the +city and was now flying over the road in the direction of Washington, +which he would no doubt reach in the morning. This was the signal for +renewed activity, and both gentlemen hastily arose, and, grasping their +hats, started for the door. Their visitor however, was too quick for +them, and standing before the door with a revolver in each hand, he +addressed them: "You cannot leave this room, gentlemen, without my +permission!" + +"What does this mean?" inquired one of the surprised gentlemen, blinking +through his spectacles. + +"It means that you cannot leave this room until the safety of Mr. +Lincoln justifies it," calmly replied the other. + +"I want to telegraph to the _Herald_," said the second +correspondent--"what is the use of obtaining news if we cannot utilize +it?" + +"You cannot utilize anything at present, gentlemen. The telegraph will +not be of any service to you, for the wires are all down, and Harrisburg +will be separated from the rest of the world for some hours yet." + +"When do you propose to let us out?" humbly asked one. + +"Well, I'll tell you, gentlemen. If you will sit down calmly, and bide +your time and mine, I will make matters interesting for you, by +informing you all about this flank movement on the Baltimoreans." + +Their indignation and fright subsided at once, and they quietly sat +down. Refreshments were sent for, and soon the nimble pencils of the +reporters were rapidly jotting down as much of the information as was +deemed advisable to be made public at that time. After they had heard +all, they prepared their dispatches for New York, both correspondents +writing long and interesting accounts of the affair. + +When daylight dawned, and the gladsome tidings had been received that +Mr. Lincoln was safe, these knights of the quill were liberated, and, +rushing to the telegraph offices, which were now in running order again, +the news was transmitted to New York and in less than an hour the types +were being set which would convey to the public the startling news of +the discovered conspiracy, and the manner in which the conspirators had +been outwitted. + +As the later train arrived at Baltimore, I went to the depot and found +the remaining members of the President's party, who also brought Mrs. +Lincoln with them. + +Mr. Judd was jubilant at the success of the adventure, but Col. Sumner +had not yet recovered his good humor. I have no doubt, however, that Mr. +Lincoln succeeded in placating his irascible friend, and I know that in +the bloody scenes which followed Col. Sumner bore an honorable and +courageous part. + +Thus ends the narration of this important episode in one of the most +interesting epochs of the country's history, and a truthful record has +been given. Exaggerated stories and unauthorized statements have been +freely made with regard to this journey of Mr. Lincoln. The caricaturist +has attempted to throw ridicule upon the great man who now sleeps in a +martyr's grave. A silly story of his being disguised in a Scotch cap and +plaid obtained a temporary currency, but the fact remains that Mr. +Lincoln, as a gentleman, and in the company of gentlemen, successfully +passed through the camp of the conspirators and reached in safety the +capital of the country. + +Now the war is ended. Peace reigns throughout the borders of the great +Republic. And when, during the last dying throes of the rebellion, this +great man was stricken down by the hand of an assassin, North and South +alike united in lamenting his death, and in execrating the damnable +deed and its reckless perpetrators. + +I had informed Mr. Lincoln in Philadelphia that I would answer with my +life for his safe arrival in Washington, and I had redeemed my pledge. + +[Illustration: A CAMP SONG.] + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +_My Connection with the Rebellion.--Timothy Webster Accepts a Mission._ + + +My connection with the "Great Rebellion" of 1861 began almost from the +inception of that gigantic struggle. During the days that intervened +between the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln and the memorable 12th day +of April, 1861, treason was busy in the South, and secession resolved +itself into an accomplished fact. Scarcely had the reverberating tones +of the guns upon the batteries in Charleston Harbor died away upon the +air, than I was called into the service of the military branch of the +government. At that time I was engaged in the energetic practice of my +profession as a detective, which, large as it was, and constantly +increasing, required a personal supervision, which absorbed my undivided +attention. When, however, it became evident that a conflict was +unavoidable, I soon found my services were needed, and putting aside all +considerations of a private or business nature, I yielded a ready and +cheerful response to the call, and during my connection with what was +afterwards known as the secret service of the government, I rendered +every assistance that lay in my power to further the cause of union, and +to serve the country of my adoption. + +The month of April, 1861, was an important one in the history of the +country. Whatever fears and apprehensions had filled the minds of the +Northern people as to the solution of the great political questions then +pending, a resort to arms had, until that time, been regarded as not +likely to occur. A people who had been reared amid the blessings of a +long and undisturbed peace, and whose lives, under this benign +influence, had been prosperous and happy, they were almost entirely +unprepared for a serious contest or a warlike struggle. Many times +before the political horizon had grown dark and threatening, but the +storm had subsided almost instantly, under that wise yielding of +obedience to law and to the will of majorities, which it was hoped would +now exercise its power for the preservation and continuance of amity. + +When, therefore, on the 12th of April, the attack upon Fort Sumter in +Charleston Harbor was made, the Northern people were almost startled by +surprise. Though entirely unprepared for such an event, it was clearly +demonstrated to all that war could now no longer be honorably avoided. +It was now too late to inquire into original causes of the contest; it +remained only for the loyal heart to resent the insult to a nation's +flag, and to sustain the government in upholding its constitution and +in enforcing its laws. This act fired the patriotic heart and solidified +the patriotic ranks, and, with the crumbling of the walls upon Fort +Sumter, were shattered all the hopes previously entertained of a +peaceful solution of the problems which were then before the country. I +have very little doubt that the assault upon Fort Sumter was ordered by +the rebel government, under the fallacious hope and groundless belief +that it would not provoke immediate or widespread civil war. The +Southern leaders were well aware of the fact that the frontier could not +be entirely stripped of regulars, and assuming, or pretending to, that +the existing laws contained no provision authorizing a call of the +militia, they inferred that it would be difficult for the new +administration to obtain at once legislation of a coercive character. +Then, too, they relied, in a great measure, upon a friendly feeling +toward the South from their late political associates in the North; but +in this their reckoning was at fault, and the roar of Beauregard's guns +in Charleston Harbor cleared up the political horizon as if by magic. + +There could no longer be any doubt as to the position and intentions of +the Confederates. Seven disloyal States, with all their machinery of a +separate government, stood behind those batteries, and the cool +deliberation of the assault gave evidence of plan, of purpose and of +confidence. What had been believed to be a mere conspiracy for the +gaining of certain political ends, now gave way to a revolution, which +menaced the perpetuity of the government and which required the armed +force of the government to combat and subdue. + +The news of the assault upon Sumter reached Washington on Saturday, the +13th day of April, and on the following day, Sunday though it was, +President Lincoln assembled his Cabinet to discuss the duty of the hour, +and on Monday morning a proclamation was issued, calling forth an army +of seventy-five thousand men, for objects entirely lawful and +constitutional. + +The effect of this proclamation upon the people of the North was almost +electrical, and the heart of the whole nation throbbed with its +patriotic emotions as that of a single individual. The general sentiment +appeared to be in entire accord with the utterance of Stephen A. +Douglas, a live-long Democrat, that "every man must be for the United +States, or against it; there can be no neutrals in this war--only +patriots and traitors." More than double the number of men that were +required tendered their services, and before the lapse of forty-eight +hours armed companies and regiments of volunteers were in motion toward +the expected border of conflict. Nor was there exhibited that division +of Northern sentiment that had been so boastfully predicted by the +Southern leaders, and all men, of every belief, Democrats and +Republicans, Conservatives and Radicals, natives and foreigners, from +Maine to Oregon, responded to the call, and came to the defense of the +constitution, the government and the Union. + +At this time the position of Maryland was rather a precarious one. There +could be no doubt that the Unionists were greatly in the majority, but +it was also true that there was a large and influential minority of her +people in favor of secession. Here, as elsewhere, conspiracy had been at +work for months, and many of the prominent political leaders were in +full accord with the rebel government. The legislature was believed to +be unreliable, and treason had obtained so firm a foothold in the +populous city of Baltimore, that a secret recruiting office was sending +enlisted men to Charleston. The venomous germ of treason, once planted, +grew in magnitude and virulence, until it finally culminated in the +infamous riot of April 19th, when the blood of the citizen soldiery of +Massachusetts was first shed in defense of the Union. A spirit of +opposition to the passage of Northern troops through the city, on their +way to the seat of government, had been engendered among the "rough" +element of Baltimore, and the excitement reached its climax upon the +arrival of the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment, which was the first to +answer the call for troops. When their presence became known the +traitorous element could no longer be restrained, and while the men were +passing quietly through the city, on their way from one railroad +station to another, they were murderously attacked by a reckless, +howling mob, which resulted in bloodshed and carnage, and some of the +most fiendish outrages were perpetrated that ever blackened a page of +American history. + +The crowning act of disloyalty, and one which threatened the most +serious consequences to the government, was committed about midnight of +the same day. A secret order was issued by the mayor and police officers +to burn the nearest bridges on the railroads leading into Baltimore from +the free States, and parties, under the command of the police +authorities were dispatched to execute the order. + +Before daylight the following morning, the bridges at Melvale, Relay +House and Cockeysville, on the Harrisburg road and over the Bush and +Gunpowder rivers and Harris Creek, were completely destroyed by fire, +thus effectually severing railroad communication with the North. The +telegraph wires leading to and from the capital were also cut, +completely shutting off Washington, and the government from the loyal +Northern States. These acts, committed by the orders of the very men who +that morning had risked their lives in defending the soldiers of the +Union, are sufficient to show the rapid and overmastering influence of +revolutionary madness. + +Of course, the news of these outrages spread far and wide over the +country, and while they aroused universal indignation, they +nevertheless were the occasion of grave fears for the safety of the +capital. + +It was on the 21st of April, two days after the occurrence of these +events that my services were required. Several gentlemen of prominence +in Chicago, intimate friends of President Lincoln, and men of influence +and intelligence in the State, desired to communicate with the President +upon questions connected with the existing condition of affairs, and +applied to me for the purpose of having letters and dispatches conveyed +directly to Washington by the hands of a trusty messenger. + +I at once accepted the duty, and selected a man for its performance. +Experience proved that I was not mistaken in my selection, and as the +messenger chosen for this duty is to bear an important part in the +event, which I am about to relate, a description of him will at once +acquaint the reader with his personal appearance. + +He was a tall, broad-shouldered, good-looking man of about forty years +of age. In height he was about five feet ten inches; his brown hair, +which was brushed carelessly back from a broad, high forehead, +surmounted a face of a character to at once attract attention. + +There was such a decided mixture of sternness and amiability, of innate +force and gentle feelings, of frankness and resolution stamped upon his +features, that he instinctively impressed the beholder at a glance. + +The deep gray eyes could twinkle and sparkle with good humor, or they +would grow dark and menacing, and seem to flash under the influence of +anger. The mouth, almost concealed by the heavy brown mustaches which he +wore, and the square, firm chin evinced a firmness that was +unmistakable. His nose, large and well-formed, and the prominent cheek +bones all seemed in perfect harmony with the bold spirit which leaped +from the eyes, and the strong will that lurked about the set lips. In +figure, he was rather stout, but his shoulders were so broad, his feet +and hands so shapely, and the lithe limbs so well formed, that he did +not appear of as full habit as he really was. A casual observer on +meeting this man would almost immediately and insensibly be impressed +with the conviction that he was a man who could be trusted; that any +duty devolving upon him would be sacredly kept; and as he stood before +me on this sunny afternoon in April, I felt that I could implicitly rely +upon him in any emergency in which he might be placed, and to perform +any service for which he might be selected. + +This man was Timothy Webster, a faithful officer, a true friend, and an +ardent patriot. + +I had known this man for years. He had been in my employ for a long +time, and had been engaged upon operations of a varied and diverse +nature, consequently I knew precisely what his capabilities were, and +how entirely he could be trusted. Though not a man of great +enlightenment, he was gifted with a large amount of natural shrewdness, +which enabled him to successfully meet any emergency which might arise. +From his association with people in the various walks of life, he had +acquired that habit of easy adaptation which made him appear, and feel, +perfectly at home in almost any society, whether in the drawing-room or +the tavern, in the marts of trade, or laboring at the plow. + +From my knowledge of Timothy Webster, and my confidence in his wisdom +and reliability, I had chosen him to be the bearer of the dispatches to +Mr. Lincoln. I therefore called him into my office and explained to him +the nature of the duties he was to perform, the possible dangers he +would encounter, and the importance of the trust that was to be reposed +in him, and when I had concluded, I asked: + +"Timothy, knowing what you do of the task before you, will you undertake +its performance?" + +"I understand all perfectly," he replied, drawing himself up to his full +height, while his eyes flashed with a patriotic fire, "I know that my +country demands my services, and that, if it shall cost me my life, I am +ready to perform my full duty." + +The preparations for his departure did not occupy a very long time; the +services of Miss Kate Warne, my female superintendent, were requested, +and in a few minutes the important dispatches, some twelve in number, +were securely sewed between the linings of his coat collar, and in the +body of his waistcoat, and Timothy Webster was on his way to the capital +of the country. + +[Illustration: A COLORED CONTRABAND] + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +_Webster on his Way to the Capital.--Wrecked Trains and Broken +Bridges.--An Adventure with a Cavalryman.--Rebel Emissary.--President +Lincoln and Timothy Webster._ + + +Everywhere along the route the greatest excitement prevailed, and the +people were in a state of wildest commotion. A rumor had spread +throughout the country that the government, indignant at the riotous +conduct of the Baltimoreans, had ordered the guns of Fort McHenry to +fire upon the city, that the bombardment was now going on, and that half +the town was reduced to ashes. This rumor was false, as Webster learned +on arriving in Philadelphia, although even in the staid old Quaker City +there was manifest a degree of excitement scarcely to be expected in a +community so sedate and easy-going as Philadelphians usually are. + +Leaving the train at Philadelphia, Webster made his way through the +crowded streets to the center of the city. He deemed it best to take +counsel with some of the railroad and express officials, with whom he +was very well acquainted, by reason of his connection with the discovery +of the conspiracy to assassinate President Lincoln in Baltimore in the +month of February immediately preceding. + +At that time Webster had been enrolled as a member of a volunteer +company of cavalry at Perrymansville, in Maryland, and, gaining the +confidence of his officers, had assisted in discovering the plans of the +conspirators, and partly through his efforts, I had been successful in +frustrating their murderous designs. This operation had brought him in +close association with several gentlemen who were connected with the +railroad and express companies, whose travel lay between Philadelphia +and the now riotous and isolated city of Baltimore. As he was walking +leisurely down Chestnut street he was accosted by Mr. Dunn, a gentleman +who was connected with a leading express company in the city, and who +was now upon his return from a visit to the Philadelphia, Wilmington and +Baltimore depot. After an interchange of salutations, Webster inquired +of Mr. Dunn the condition of affairs in and around Baltimore. + +"Very bad, indeed," replied that gentleman; "the bridges are all down, +and the tracks have been torn up all along the road from Perrysville to +Baltimore. The telegraph-wires have been cut, and no communications have +been received from Baltimore or Washington except through couriers. The +roads are guarded with soldiery, whose sympathies are with the +rebellion, and it is almost impossible for any one who cannot identify +himself as a Southern man to pass the guards who are stationed along +the highways." + +"It does not look very favorable for my reaching Washington to-morrow, +then?" said Webster, inquiringly. + +"No, sir. I am afraid that you will find it difficult, if not dangerous, +to attempt such a journey, particularly by the way of Baltimore; and +perhaps you had better delay your departure until it can be more safely +accomplished," said Mr. Dunn. + +"It may be as you say," replied Webster, "but I left Chicago for +Washington, and my line of travel was laid out through Baltimore. I will +obey my orders to the letter, and I will arrive in Washington to-morrow +night, or lose my life in attempting it!" + +"I see that you are determined to go," said Mr. Dunn, "and further +argument would be of no avail; but I assure you, that you cannot travel +further by rail than Perrysville; you may succeed in getting across the +river to Havre de Grace, but after that you will have to rely entirely +upon yourself." + +"Never fear for me," replied Webster, with a smile, "I will get through +all right, I feel confident. I will have but little time now to catch +the train, Mr. Dunn, and if you will be kind enough to telegraph to Mr. +Pinkerton according to my directions, I will esteem it a great favor." + +"Certainly, Webster; anything I can do for you, or Mr. Pinkerton, will +be done cheerfully." + +Writing out a message, informing me of his arrival in Philadelphia and +of his intentions, he requested Mr. Dunn to forward the same, and then, +bidding that gentleman good-bye, he made his way to the Baltimore depot, +and was soon on the road to that city. + +As the train went speeding along upon its journey, Webster had ample +time for the consideration of his plans. He was pretty well acquainted +with the country between Havre de Grace and Baltimore, and had no fear +of losing his way, even if the journey must be made by foot. He was +impressed, however, with the necessity of using the utmost caution. +While he did not fear for his own personal safety--for fear was an +element entirely unknown to him--he realized the importance of his +mission too well to rashly imperil its success by any useless exposure, +or unnecessary risk. To reach Washington, however, he was determined, +and to accomplish that object no danger would be too great, no hardship +too severe. He nevertheless felt that he must rely solely upon himself, +that he would have no one to advise him, and his own discretion and +wisdom would have to be depended upon under all circumstances. Arriving +at the Perrysville station, he found that the train could go no further, +and that, to reach Havre de Grace, upon the opposite side of the +Susquehanna River, the passengers would be required to take small boats +and be rowed over, after which each man must make his way as best he +could. + +As the boat touched the land Webster sprang ashore, and, going directly +to the hotel, inquired for the landlord. He found that gentleman engaged +in earnest conversation with an individual who at once instinctively +awakened the suspicions of my operative. This gentleman was a tall, +fine-looking man, with the erect carriage and self-reliant air of the +soldier, but there was something in the nervousness of his manner, and +in the furtive glances of his eyes, which convinced Webster that he was +concealing something and would bear watching. + +Approaching the spot where the two men were conversing, Webster at once +addressed the landlord in a hearty manner. "Landlord, I must get to +Baltimore to-day. How am I going to do it?" + +"I do not know," replied the hotel-keeper, "this gentleman is anxious to +do the same thing, but I am afraid I cannot help either of you." + +The gentleman thus referred to turned to Webster, saying: + +"Yes, I am very anxious to get through. I am a bearer of dispatches to +the British Consul at Washington, and it is of the utmost importance +that they should be delivered at once." + +While he was speaking a man drove up to the front of the hotel with a +fine, strong team of horses attached to a covered road wagon, and +throwing the reins across the back of his horses, leaped lightly to the +ground. + +"Here is a man who can help you," said the landlord, as the new-comer +entered the room; and then he called out: + +"Harris, come here!" + +The driver of the team came over to where the three men were standing, +and the landlord at once made known to him the wishes of Webster and the +messenger of the British Consul. + +"Harris, these gentlemen want to get to Baltimore to-day. Do you think +you can manage it for them?" + +The man addressed as Harris gazed at Webster and his companion in a +scrutinizing manner, and finally, apparently satisfied with his +investigation, signified his willingness to make the attempt, provided +the price he demanded, which was fifty dollars, was agreed to. + +Both men assented to the payment of the sum named, and after dinner had +been partaken of, the two men took their seats in the vehicle, the +driver cracked his whip, and they were upon their way. + +"I cannot promise to take you through to Baltimore," remarked the +driver, after they had started; "I was stopped twice on the road +yesterday, and I may not be able to pass the guards to-day." + +"Do the best you can," said Webster, good-naturedly, "and we will take +the risk of a safe arrival." + +Webster then turned to his companion, who had remained silent and +watchful ever since they had set out, and endeavored to engage him in +conversation. The bearer of dispatches, however, was very little +inclined to be sociable, and Webster had great difficulty in breaking +through the reserve which he resolved to maintain. + +The further they journeyed, the more Webster became convinced that this +man was not what he assumed to be, but he vailed his suspicions +carefully, and appeared as frank and cordial in his manner as though +they were brothers. + +Nothing worthy of note transpired upon the route until the party arrived +at the outskirts of Perrymansville, which had been the scene of +Webster's first experience in military service, and where, a few months +before, he had been a member of a company of cavalry. They were trotting +along quietly, and as the day was balmy and bright the ride was quite an +enjoyable one, and for a moment the detective forgot the grave duties +which he had undertaken and the dangers that might surround him, and +gave himself up to the full enjoyment of the scenes around him. His +pleasant reflections were short-lived, however, for just as they were +entering the town they saw a mounted cavalryman approaching, who, as he +reached the carriage, commanded them to halt. + +The driver suddenly pulled up his horses, and then the soldier, in a +tone of authority: "Who are you, and where are you going?" + +"We are residents of Baltimore," answered Webster, not at all dismayed +by the stern appearance and manner of his soldierly interlocutor, "and +we are endeavoring to get home." + +"You will have to go with me," replied the soldier, decisively, "you +can't go any further without permission." + +Here was a detention as unwelcome as it was unexpected, but Webster had +recognized the uniform worn by the soldier as that of the very company +of cavalry he had previously been a member of, and a duplicate of one in +which he had previously arrayed himself. The man who had accosted him, +however, was unknown to him, and he could, therefore, do nothing but +submit quietly to his orders and await a favorable operation of +circumstances. + +As Webster glanced casually at his companion, the British messenger, he +was surprised at the change which was apparent in the expression of his +features. Instead of the calm, dignified air of watchful repose which he +had observed before, his face had grown pale, and there was such an +unmistakable evidence of fear about the man, that Webster's suspicions +were confirmed, and come what might he resolved to ascertain the nature +of his business before they parted company. + +They had traveled but a short distance under the escort of their guard +when they met another man dressed in a similar uniform, and evidently a +member of the same company, and as Webster gazed at the new-comer he +experienced a sensation of relief and joy, for in him he recognized an +old companion in arms. + +As this man approached nearer, Webster called out from the carriage, in +a cheery voice: + +"Hello, Taylor! how are you?" + +Thus suddenly accosted, the soldier rode up to the vehicle, and after a +momentary glance at the features of the detective, he reached forth his +hand and cordially saluted him. + +"Why, Webster, how do you do? The boys said you would not come back, now +that the war had commenced, but I knew better, and I am glad to see +you." + +The face of the reputed Englishman cleared in an instant, as he found +that his companion was among friends, and this effect was not lost upon +Webster, who had been furtively observing him. He turned his attention, +however, to the soldier who had addressed him. + +"Oh, yes," he replied, "I have come back; and my friend here and I are +anxious to get to Baltimore as soon as possible." + +"That will be all right," said the soldier; and then, turning to his +comrade, he said: "These men are all right, you will permit them to +pass." + +After a few minutes spent in a pleasant conversation, the soldier handed +to Webster a pass which would prevent further interruption to their +journey, and with a mutual pull at a flask with which Webster had +provided himself before starting, the parties separated, and they +proceeded on their way. + +This little incident produced a marked change in the demeanor of +Webster's companion, and on being informed that the soldiers were +Southerners, and not Federals, he seemed quite relieved. + +By the time they were approaching the suburbs of Baltimore the stranger +had grown exceedingly communicative, and upon Webster hinting to him +that he also was engaged in the cause of the South, he without +hesitation informed my operative that he was similarly employed, and +that he was at present carrying dispatches to prominent Southern +sympathizers then residing in Washington. + +As he communicated this important item of information Webster grasped +him warmly by the hand, and greeted him as a fellow-patriot, after +which, with rare good humor, they cemented their acquaintance and +confidence with a friendly draught from the spirit bottle. + +Several times on their journey they were halted by the guards along the +roads, but the talismanic pass obtained at Perrymansville avoided all +questioning, and gained for the travelers a safe passage to their +destination. Arriving safely at the outskirts of Baltimore, the two men +left the carriage, and walking a short distance, they entered a street +car, and were driven to a retired hotel, where Webster had frequently +stopped when in the city on former occasions. Here they engaged quarters +for the night, and Webster's companion had by this time formed such an +attachment for his fellow-traveler that communicating rooms were +engaged, and after partaking of a hearty repast, the two men lighted +their cigars and strolled out through the city. + +There were still many evidences of the riotous affrays which had but +lately taken place. The people were in a feverish state of excitement, +the drinking saloons and the corridors of the hotels were filled with +crowds of excited men, each of whom seemed to vie with the other in +giving loud expressions of their opinions, and of denouncing the attempt +of the government to transport armed troops through the streets of a +peaceful city. Ever mindful of the important duty devolving upon him, +Webster wisely forebore to engage in any conversation with those whom he +met, and among the number of the most outspoken of the Southern +sympathizers were many whom he had previously met, and to whom he was +known as an adherent of the South. At an early hour he and his newly +found companion returned to their hotel, and shortly afterward retired +for the night. + +Arising early on the following morning, they found the same difficulty +was to be encountered that had been successfully overcome at the +commencement of their journey. The railroads between Baltimore and +Washington had also been torn up, so as to render the running of the +trains an impossibility. This fact necessitated the procuring of a team +that would convey them to the capital; but this time Webster's +acquaintance with the proprietors of the hotel, and several of the +permanent guests of the house, enabled them without difficulty or delay +to secure a pair of horses and a road wagon, with a trusty driver, who +guaranteed to carry them to Washington for the same amount which had +been paid upon the other portion of their journey, and at an early hour +they were upon the road to the seat of government. + +Meantime Webster had been seriously considering his course of action +with regard to his fellow-passenger. That he was an agent of the +Confederacy he had already admitted, and that he was the bearer of +dispatches to prominent sympathizers with the South who were now living +in Washington, was also well known to the detective. How, therefore, to +arrange his plans, so that these papers would be intercepted and the +ambassador detained without arousing his suspicion? It must be +accomplished so that no delay should result to his own journey, as he +had resolved that his dispatches must be delivered that day. Just before +starting out an idea occurred to him, and requesting the driver to wait +a few minutes, as he had forgotten something in his room, he re-entered +the hotel, and going to the room they had occupied the evening before, +he hurriedly wrote a note which he folded up and placed in his pocket. +The note was as follows: + + + "TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: + + "My companion is an emissary of the Confederacy, carrying + dispatches to Southern sympathizers in Washington. Apprehend + him, but do so discreetly and without compromising me. + + T. W." + + + +He then descended the stairs, and entering the wagon, they were driven +away towards Washington. The day was exceedingly warm, and the horses, +unused to long journeys, early began to show signs of weakness, but they +kept on without incident, save an occasional question from a passer-by +as to their destination, and about noon arrived at a hotel known as the +"Twelve-Mile House," so called from its being located at that distance +from Washington. + +Here the party halted for dinner, and while engaged at their repast +Webster noticed at an opposite table a friend of years ago, who wore the +uniform of a Lieutenant of infantry. Fortunately, however, the officer +did not appear to recognize him, and during the progress of the dinner +Webster kept his face hidden as much as possible from his new-found +friend. As the Lieutenant ceased eating and arose from the table, +Webster, who also had about completed the bill of fare, arose, and +excusing himself to the driver and his companion, passed out into the +hallway and met the officer face to face. Cordial greetings were +interchanged, and in a few minutes Webster had detailed to his friend +the circumstances attending his meeting with the so-called British +messenger, and his suspicions concerning them. It was not long before a +plan had been arranged for the carrying out of the project of arresting +the pseudo Englishman without occasioning the slightest suspicion to +fall upon Timothy Webster, and shortly afterwards the Lieutenant mounted +his horse and rode off in the direction of Washington. + +After smoking their after-dinner cigars, Webster and his companion again +resumed their journey. By this time they had become thoroughly +acquainted, and they enlivened their drive with many a pleasing anecdote +of experience or of invention, until they came in sight of Washington +city. Here a difficulty awaited them, apparently unexpected by both +travelers. A Lieutenant at the head of eight men emerged from a house by +the wayside, and in a voice of authority directed the driver to stop his +horses, after which he advanced to the vehicle and saluted the occupants +with the utmost courtesy, saying: + +"Gentlemen, I am sorry to discommode you, but I have orders to intercept +all persons entering the city, and hold them until they can +satisfactorily account for themselves. You will be kind enough to +consider yourselves under arrest and follow me." + +Blank astonishment was depicted on the countenances of both Webster and +his companion, but realizing that to parley would be useless, the two +men dismounted and followed the lieutenant and his men into the +building, which proved to be a military guard-house. + +Here they were separated and conducted to different apartments, where +they were securely locked in, Webster's companion standing outside of +the door of the room in which Webster was placed, and after witnessing +the operation which confined Webster a prisoner, he was conducted to the +room assigned to him, and the key was turned upon him. + +In a few minutes afterwards Webster was quietly released by the +Lieutenant who had effected his arrest, and who was none other than the +friend to whom he had given the information. In less than half an hour +thereafter my detective was ascending the steps of the White House, +inquiring for his Excellency, the President of the United States. + +Having also been provided with a letter to the President's private +secretary, Mr. Nicolay, Webster was soon ushered into the presence of +Mr. Lincoln, to whom he made known the nature of his business, and +taking off his coat and vest, he removed the dispatches and letters, and +handed them to the President, who had been silently watching his +movements with a great deal of amused interest. + +"You have brought quite a mail with you, Mr. Webster," said the +President, "more, perhaps, than it would be quite safe to attempt to +carry another time." + +"Yes, sir," replied Webster. "I don't think I would like to carry so +much through Baltimore another time." + +The President carefully looked over the papers he had just received, and +finding that they required more consideration than could be given to +them at that time, he turned to Webster and said: + +"Mr. Webster, I have a Cabinet conference this evening, and I will not +be able to give these matters my attention until to-morrow. Come to me +at ten o'clock and I will see you at that time." + +Again thanking the detective for the service he had so successfully +rendered, he bade him good evening, and Webster sought his hotel, +thoroughly exhausted with his journey, and soon after he was sound +asleep. + +The next morning, on repairing to the White House, he was at once +admitted, and the President greeted him with marked evidences of +cordiality. + +"Mr. Webster, you have rendered the country an invaluable service. The +bearer of dispatches who was arrested last evening by your efforts, +proved, as you suspected, to be an emissary of the South, and the +letters found upon him disclose a state of affairs here in Washington +quite alarming. Several prominent families here are discovered to be in +regular communication with the Southern leaders, and are furnishing +them with every item of information. Until this time we had only a +suspicion of this, but suspicion has now resolved itself into a +certainty. You have performed your duty well, and before many days there +will be an account demanded of some of these people which they are far +from expecting." + +"I am glad to be of any service," replied Webster; "and I have done +nothing more than my duty. If you have any further commands for me, Mr. +President, I am ready to obey them." + +"Very well," said the President; "take these telegrams, and when you +have reached a point where communication is possible, send them to +General McClellan, at Columbus, Ohio; they are important and must be +sent without delay. Also telegraph to Mr. Pinkerton to come to +Washington at once; his services are, I think, greatly needed by the +government at this time." + +Rolling up the papers which he received, Webster placed them in the +center of a hollow cane, which he carried; then, replacing the handle, +and promising to attend faithfully to the duties assigned him, he left +the executive mansion. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +_Timothy Webster in Washington.--The Return to Philadelphia.--I go to +the Capital.--An Important Letter._ + + +After leaving the White House, Timothy Webster went immediately in quest +of a conveyance that would enable him to reach Baltimore without +unnecessary delay. He expected to encounter greater difficulties in +obtaining what he desired here in Washington than he had met with in +Baltimore, for the reason that in the capital he was a comparative +stranger, while in the latter city he had numerous friends, who believed +him to be in sympathy with the Confederacy, and whose assistance he +could rely upon on that account. His only hope, therefore, lay in his +being able to find some friendly Baltimorean, upon whose influence he +could depend to procure him a mode of conveyance for his return. Having +arrived late on the preceding evening and being terribly fatigued by the +journey he had made, Webster had retired almost immediately after he +reached his hotel, and consequently he was surprised at the busy scenes +which greeted him now. The capital was swarming with soldiers and +civilians. Regiments continually arriving and were being assigned to +quarters and positions around the city, and the streets were filled with +eager and excited multitudes. The position which Maryland had assumed +was vehemently discussed everywhere, and the riotous conduct of the +Baltimoreans was loudly denounced by Northern men, and secretly +applauded by those whose sympathies were with the cause of the South. +The prompt action of General Butler, with his regiment of Massachusetts +soldiers, who followed quickly after the sixth, in going by boat +directly to Annapolis, in order to reach Washington without hindrance or +delay, and his patriotic and determined response to those in authority, +who sought to induce him to change his plans for reaching the capital, +were everywhere warmly commended. There could be no doubt that the North +was thoroughly aroused, and were dreadfully in earnest in their +determination to suppress a rebellion which they believed to be +causeless, unlawful and threatening the future of a great country. + +As Webster walked along Pennsylvania Avenue, carefully scanning the +faces of every one he met in the hope of discovering some one whom he +knew and who might be of service to him, he recognized the driver who +had brought him from Baltimore on the day before, and who started in +astonishment at finding the man whom he had last seen a prisoner in the +hands of United States troops now walking the streets free and +unattended. This man was accompanied by three others, with two of whom +Webster was slightly acquainted, and he at once advanced toward them and +greeted them cordially. + +"Why, Webster, is that you?" inquired the foremost of the party, a +well-known "sympathizer" of the name of John Maull. "We heard you had +been taken prisoner--how did you get out so soon?" + +"That is easily accounted for," said Webster, with a laugh; "I was +simply arrested on suspicion, and when they could find nothing about me +that was at all suspicious, they were compelled to let me go." + +"This country is coming upon strange times," remarked a sallow-faced +Baltimorean who boasted of having been one of the most prominent of the +rioters a few days before, "when a man can be arrested in this way and +have no means of redress." + +"That is very true," replied Webster, "but we will have a decided change +before long, or I am very much mistaken. 'Uncle Jeff' means business, +and there will be long faces in Washington before many days." + +"Give me your hand, old boy," exclaimed Maull heartily, "you are of the +right stripe; but don't talk so loud; let us go around the corner to a +quiet little place where we can talk without danger." + +The party repaired to a drinking saloon, in a retired neighborhood, and +on entering it they were greeted warmly by several parties who were +standing before the bar. Webster was immediately introduced to these +gentlemen, and it was not long before he had firmly established himself +in their good opinions as a devoted friend of the South. + +The conversation soon became general, and the most extravagant ideas +were expressed with regard to the wonderful achievements that were +expected of the Southern soldiers, and no doubt was entertained that the +Yankees, as they called the Northern men, would be quickly vanquished by +the chivalrous armies of the "Sunny South." + +To all of these suggestions Webster yielded a ready assent, and not one +among the number was more pronounced in his belief in the needs of the +Southern cause than was my trusty operative, who, in the cane he +flourished so conspicuously, carried important dispatches from the +President of the United States to a General in command of Northern +soldiers. + +All the time, however, he was growing very restive under the enforced +delay in his journey, and seeking a favorable opportunity during a lull +in the conversation, he turned to the driver of the wagon and inquired +of him when he was going to return to Baltimore. + +"Not for a day or two, at least," replied the man. + +"That is very bad," said Webster. "I must get there this evening; it is +of the utmost importance that I should do so." + +At this one of the party approached Webster and informed him that he +was going back that day and had engaged a conveyance for that purpose, +and as there was room enough for two, he would be most happy to have his +company. Webster at once accepted the invitation, and having thus +relieved his anxiety upon the point of reaching Baltimore, he joined +heartily in the conversation that was going on around him. No one, to +have heard him, would doubt for a moment his loyalty to the South, or +his firm belief in the eventual triumph of her armies. + +After remaining in the saloon for some time, Webster noticed that the +men were becoming intoxicated, and fearing that they would become noisy +and probably get into trouble, he suggested to the gentleman with whom +he was to drive to Baltimore the propriety of leaving the rest to their +enjoyment while they arranged matters for their departure. His advice +was at once accepted, and the two men bade their associates farewell and +repaired to the hotel, where they had their dinner, and about two +o'clock they were upon their journey. Webster's fears were proven to be +well-founded, for as they were passing the locality where they had spent +the morning, they saw their former companions between a file of +soldiers, and there was little doubt that they had allowed their +libations to overcome their judgments, and that they would be allowed to +recover their reason in a guard-house. + +The journey was made without event, the carriage and driver being +apparently very well known along the route, and Webster arrived in +Baltimore late that evening. He was desirous of pushing on without +delay, as it was important that the dispatches which he carried should +be forwarded at once, and he therefore went immediately to the hotel he +had occupied when he first arrived in the city. Requesting the landlord +to use his best efforts to procure him a conveyance to Havre de Grace, +he sat down to his supper, and did ample justice to a plenteous repast. +When he had finished the landlord entered the room and informed him that +he had succeeded in providing a team for his service, but that grave +doubts were entertained whether he would succeed in reaching his +destination. Expressing his willingness to assume any responsibility of +that kind, Webster bade his entertainer good-bye, and entering the +wagon, he started upon his midnight journey to Havre de Grace. + +Again fortune favored him, and although repeatedly halted, he was able +to give such a straightforward account of himself that they were allowed +to proceed, and he arrived in Havre de Grace in time for breakfast. +Crossing the river, he went directly to the headquarters of Colonel +Dare, who was in charge of the Union troops at Perrysville, and +requested that officer to forward the telegram to General McClellan at +once. This the Colonel promised to do, and in a few minutes the +important message was flying over the wires to its destination at +Columbus, Ohio, and the President's request for my appearance at +Washington followed soon after, and was received by me in due time. + +Recognizing the importance of the call, I lost no time in answering the +dispatch of Mr. Lincoln, and started at once on my journey to +Washington, accompanied only by a trusty member of my force. Before +leaving I left orders that should I fail to meet with Webster upon the +way he should be directed to await my return in the city of Pittsburg. + +On my arrival at Perrysville I found that a mode of communication had +been hurriedly established with Washington, by means of a boat which +sailed down the Chesapeake Bay and landed their passengers at Annapolis, +from which point the railroad travel to Washington was uninterrupted. + +Arriving at the capital I found a condition of affairs at once peculiar +and embarrassing, and the city contained a strange admixture of +humanity, both patriotic and dangerous. Here were gathered the rulers of +the nation and those who were seeking its destruction. The streets were +filled with soldiers, armed and eager for the fray; officers and +orderlies were seen galloping from place to place; the tramp of armed +men was heard on every side, and strains of martial music filled the +air. Here, too, lurked the secret enemy, who was conveying beyond the +lines the coveted information of every movement made or contemplated. +Men who formerly occupied places of dignity, power and trust were now +regarded as objects of suspicion, whose loyalty was impeached and whose +actions it was necessary to watch. Aristocratic ladies, who had +previously opened the doors of their luxurious residences to those high +in office and who had hospitably entertained the dignitaries of the +land, were now believed to be in sympathy with the attempt to overthrow +the country, and engaged in clandestine correspondence with Southern +leaders. The criminal classes poured in from all quarters, and almost +every avenue of society was penetrated by these lawless and unscrupulous +hordes. An adequate idea can be formed of the transformation which had +been effected within a few short weeks in this city of national +government. + +On the day following my arrival I wended my way to the White House and +sought an interview with the President. Around the executive mansion +everything was in a state of activity and bustle. Messengers were +running frantically hither and thither; officers in uniform were +gathered in clusters, engaged in animated discussions of contemplated +military operations; department clerks were bustling about, and added to +these was a crowd of visitors, all anxious, like myself, to obtain an +interview with the Chief Executive. + +I was not required to wait an unusual length of time, and I was soon +ushered into the presence of Mr. Lincoln, who greeted me cordially and +introduced me to the several members of the Cabinet who were engaged +with him. I was at once informed that the object in sending for me was +that the authorities had for some time entertained the idea of +organizing a secret-service department of the government, with the view +of ascertaining the social, political and patriotic status of the +numerous suspected persons in and around the city. As yet, no definite +plans had been adopted, and I was requested to detail my views upon the +subject, in order that the matter might be intelligently considered, and +such action taken as would lead to definite and satisfactory results. I +accordingly stated to them the ideas which I entertained upon the +subject, as fully and concisely as I was able to do at the time, and, +after I had concluded, I took my departure, with the understanding that +I would receive further communications from them in a few days. + +It was very evident to me, however, that in the confusion and excitement +which were necessarily incident to the novel and perplexing condition of +affairs then existing, that anything approaching to a systematized +organization or operation would be for a time impossible. The necessity +for war had come so suddenly upon a peaceful community that there had +been as yet but little time for thorough preparation or system. The +raising of a large army, with all the various contingencies of +uniforming, arming and drilling; the furnishing of supplies, and the +assigning of quarters, were occupying the attention of the rulers of the +government, and I felt confident that I would be required to wait a +longer time than I could then conveniently spare from my business, ere I +would be favored with any definite instructions from those in authority. +This opinion was fully confirmed, after several unsuccessful attempts to +obtain satisfying particulars from the heads of several of the +departments, and leaving my address with the secretary of the President, +I returned to Philadelphia. + +I had directed, prior to leaving Chicago, that all important +communications addressed to me should be forwarded to that city, and on +my arrival there I found a number of letters which required immediate +attention. + +Among the number was the following, which had been somewhat delayed in +its transmission. + + + "COLUMBUS, OHIO, + April 24, 1861. + "ALLAN PINKERTON, Esq., + "Dear Sir:-- + + "I wish to see you with the least possible delay, to make + arrangements with you of an important nature. I will be + either here or in Cincinnati for the next few days--here + to-morrow--Cincinnati next day. In this city you will find + me at the Capitol, at Cincinnati at my residence. + + "If you telegraph me, better use your first name alone. Let + no one know that you come to see me, and keep as quiet as + possible. + + "Very truly yours, + + "GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, + + "Maj. Gen'l Comd'g Ohio Vols. + + + +This letter at once decided me. Anxious as I was to serve the country in +this, the hour of her need, I sought the first opportunity for active +duty that presented itself, and I left Philadelphia at once, in order to +comply with the instructions contained in this message of Gen. +McClellan. + +[Illustration: STORMING A FORT.] + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +_An Adventure in Pittsburg.--A Mob at Bay.--An +Explanation.--Good-feeling Restored._ + + +Several influences operated in my mind to induce me to respond at once +to this letter, and some of them of a directly personal nature. I had +been acquainted with General McClellan for a long time before this, and +had been intimately associated with him while engaged upon various +important operations connected with the Illinois Central and the Ohio +and Mississippi Railroads, of the latter of which he was then president. +From the friendship and esteem I entertained for him growing out of my +relations with him in those matters, both as an individual and as an +executive officer, I felt the more anxious to enter into his service, +now that he had assumed the command of a military department, and was +about to take an active part in the impending struggle. + +At Philadelphia I ascertained that Timothy Webster had already departed +for Pittsburg, according to previous instructions, and hastily +telegraphing to the General that I would instantly respond to his letter +in person, I took the first train leading westward and was soon upon my +way. + +Timothy Webster, meanwhile, had proceeded on his journey from +Perrysville, and arrived without accident or adventure in Philadelphia. +He immediately repaired to the office of Mr. Dunn, who informed him that +he had just received a dispatch for him from Chicago. Webster hastily +opened the message and found my directions for him to await my return at +the city of Pittsburg. Remaining in the Quaker City until the following +day, he took the western train and in due time arrived at his +destination. On inquiring at the telegraph office in Pittsburg he +received another message to the same effect as the first one, and he +therefore engaged quarters at a hotel, patiently awaiting my coming. On +the second day after his arrival in the Smoky City, which was Sunday, he +again went to the telegraph office, where he received information that I +would probably arrive there in the course of that day. + +Returning to the hotel, Webster entered the bar-room, and while he was +being attended to two men came in, apparently engaged in excited +conversation. They advanced to the bar and requested drinks. The +excitement in the city, attendant upon the news from Baltimore, had not +abated in the least since Webster had passed through several days +before, and these two men were discussing the action of the government +in regard to this matter. One of them, an excitable, empty-headed +fellow, was cursing the President and General Scott, in very loud tones +and in unmeasured terms, for not burning the city of Baltimore to +ashes, and thus teaching the rebels a lesson they would be apt to +remember. The remonstrances of his friend seemed only to excite him +still more, and Webster, feeling desirous of avoiding any controversy at +that time, started to leave the saloon, when the angry disputant turned +to him, and arrogantly demanded his opinion of the matter. + +"I think," said Webster, "that the President and General Scott +understand their duties much better than I can inform them, and I +suppose they do not wish to destroy the property of many who are true to +the government." + +"That is all nonsense," replied the other, sharply, "there is not a +single Union man in the whole city." + +"I think you are mistaken," said Webster, coolly. "I am sure there are +thousands of them there." + +This answer seemed to infuriate the man, and striding up to Webster, he +asked, with an air of impertinence: + +"Are you a Southern man?" + +"No, sir, I was born in New York," was the reply. + +"What is your name?" impudently demanded the fellow. + +"You will find my name upon the register of the hotel, if you desire it, +and as I do not wish to have any further controversy with you, I bid you +good morning," replied Webster, still remaining cool and unruffled. + +By this time a crowd of about twenty men had gathered about them, and +as Webster turned to leave the room, one of them demanded to know the +contents of the telegram he had just received. + +This demand, added to the previous suggestion that Webster was a +Southern man, was sufficient to excite the entire crowd, who had been +living upon excitement for more than a week, and they began to press +around him in a threatening manner, one of them calling out: + +"I believe he is a d--d spy; let us see what he has got!" + +Webster broke loose from those nearest to him, and retreating backwards +toward the door, exclaimed, in a determined voice: + +"Gentlemen, I am no spy, and if any of you attempt to trouble me +further, some of you will assuredly get hurt!" + +At this the crowd grew boisterous and violent, and several called out, +"Hang him!" "Hang the spy!" while some of them made a rush toward where +he stood. + +Drawing his revolver, Webster faced his angry assailants, who drew back +involuntarily when they saw that he was both well armed and undismayed. + +"Gentlemen, we have had enough of this nonsense. You can talk about +hanging me, and perhaps there are enough of you to do it, but, by God, +the first one that attempts to put his hands upon me is a dead man!" + +Matters began to look serious. It seemed evident that these excited +people were determined to resort to violence, and that there would be +bloodshed in consequence. Webster, whose relations with the government +were of so intensely loyal a character, was filled with regret at having +allowed himself to become a party to a conversation which would lead to +such serious consequences. He was resolved, however, to maintain his +position. To show signs of weakness, therefore, would be dangerous, if +not fatal, to him, and he stood bravely in front of the angry mob, who +had drawn back at the sight of the revolver which was leveled so +menacingly at them. + +Only for a moment, however, did the crowd stand awed and irresolute--one +moment of silence, in which every man appeared to be deciding for +himself his course of action. Then one tall, stalwart man stepped from +their midst, and waving his hand toward his companions, he cried out: + +"Come on, he is only one against twenty, and we will take him dead, or +alive!" + +The crowd took a few steps in advance, and Webster had braced himself to +receive their attack, when suddenly, close beside him stood a form, and +a loud voice called out: + +"Stop, gentlemen, where you are! This man is no traitor, and I will +defend him with my life!" and the muzzles of two revolvers ranged +themselves beside that presented by the suspected, but undismayed +detective. + +[Illustration: "_Stop, Gentlemen, where you are._" P. 146.] + +Involuntarily the crowd stood still at this unexpected arrival of +reinforcements, and Webster, who had recognized the voice, looked up in +surprise and relief at this unlooked-for, though timely, assistance. + +I had arrived just in the nick of time, and I was resolved to defend my +undaunted operative to the last. + +At this moment the proprietor of the hotel entered the saloon, and in a +calm voice and quiet manner attempted to subdue the angry feelings of +the bystanders. + +"Gentlemen," said he, "there need be no trouble about this matter; Mr. +Webster can fully explain his position, and I think the best plan would +be for you all to repair to the office of the mayor, where any +explanation can be given." + +"I am perfectly willing to do that," said I; "I know this man, and will +answer for him under any circumstances; we will accompany you to the +office of the mayor at once, and I think I can convince him that he is +no spy." + +This proposition was eagerly accepted by some, and reluctantly by +others, and finally the entire party marched out of the hotel on their +way to the office of the chief magistrate of the city; Webster and +myself walking together. + +The crowd increased as we went on, and frequent calls were still made to +"hang the traitor," but no further attempts were made to molest us, and +we reached the office without any event of a troublesome nature +occurring. + +The noise of the crowd attracted the attention of the chief of police, +who, during the temporary absence of the mayor, was in charge of affairs +of this nature, and he came to the door to ascertain the occasion of the +tumult. + +As the crowd, with Webster and myself in the van, reached the steps +which led up to the municipal office, I at once recognized the chief of +police, having been connected with him some time before in the detection +of some burglars from the city of Pittsburg, and that officer was not +slow to identify me as the detective, who had frequently enabled him to +secure the desperate criminals whom the law had at various times +pursued. + +As we reached the platform where the officer was standing, I stretched +forth my hand, which the chief cordially grasped. + +"Why, Mr. Pinkerton, what are you doing here?" inquired the chief, with +some surprise. + +"I have come to defend one of my men, whom these people insist upon +hanging as a rebel spy, but who is loyal to the core," I answered, +laughingly. + +"I will take care of that," replied the chief, "and your word is +sufficient for me," at the same time extending his disengaged hand and +warmly greeting Webster, who stood beside me. + +As the crowd noticed the evident acquaintance and good-feeling that +existed between the reputed spy and their chief of police, they drew +back instinctively, while some of them looked as if they were not +insensible to a feeling of shame. The chief realized the state of +affairs at once, and turning to the now crestfallen and subdued +gathering, he addressed them: + +"Gentlemen, I will be responsible for the loyalty and integrity of these +gentlemen, and you will instantly disperse." + +The leaders of this assault on Webster looked terribly ashamed of +themselves when they found how ridiculously they had been acting, and as +the door of the chief's office closed on our retreating figures, they +slowly and silently retired. + +In an hour afterwards, when Webster and I returned to the hotel, we +found the gentlemen who a short time before were anxious to hang him, +awaiting our arrival, and we received from them their heartfelt +apologies for their hasty and inconsiderate conduct, all of which were +received with a spirit of good nature that won the regards of all +present, and when the time of our departure arrived, they accompanied us +to the depot in a body, and cheered us lustily as the train slowly moved +away. + +Thus an adventure, which promised to be very serious in its results, +terminated in a manner satisfactory to all, and Webster and myself, +instead of being lynched by a Pittsburg mob, departed in safety on our +journey, and arrived in Cincinnati upon the following day, prepared to +receive from General McClellan such instructions as were deemed +necessary by him for the furtherance of the cause in which he was +engaged. + +[Illustration: BETRAYED BY HIS BOOTS.] + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +_General McClellan in Command of Ohio.--I am Engaged for the War.--The +Secret Service.--A Consultation.--Webster starts for Rebeldom._ + + +At the outbreak of the rebellion many difficulties were encountered +which the people and their leaders were ill-prepared to surmount, and +many expedients were resorted to in order to equip and officer the +troops as they arrived. The State of Ohio, the militia of which General +McClellan had been called upon to command by Governor Dennison, was no +exception to this rule; but that gentleman realized the importance of +calling some one to the command of the volunteers, upon whose knowledge, +judgment and experience he could place implicit reliance. He therefore +turned to Captain McClellan, who was a graduate of West Point, and had +been a captain in the regular army, but who had for some years past been +devoting himself to the management of a prominent railroad enterprise in +the State. + +The Governor at once sent a communication to the general government, +requesting that McClellan should be restored to his old rank in the +army, and that the duty of organizing the Ohio volunteers should be +assigned to him. To this request no answer was received, and it was +afterwards learned that the Governor's letter, owing to the interruption +of communications with Washington from all points, had not reached its +destination. Failing, therefore, to receive any reply from the general +government, and being thus forced to rely upon his own resources, +Governor Dennison at once summoned McClellan to Columbus, where the +latter applied himself earnestly to the work of organizing the numerous +volunteer regiments which offered their services to the country. The +State laws were changed in such a manner as to allow the Governor to +select commanding officers for these volunteers outside of the members +of the State militia, and very soon afterward the Ohio troops were +commanded by thoroughly competent men, who had made military movements +the subject of scientific study. + +On the third day of May a "Department of the Ohio" was formed, +consisting of the combined forces of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and +this department, by order of General Scott, was placed under the command +of General McClellan. + +The Ohio troops, as they arrived, were mainly located at Camp Dennison, +which was situated in a valley about sixteen miles northwesterly from +the city of Cincinnati. This was the largest and the chief camp in the +State, and here the volunteers received that thorough instruction and +training so essential in preparing for the rigors of war. + +As I have stated, my personal acquaintance with George B. McClellan had, +from its earliest incipiency, been of the most agreeable and amicable +nature, and when I called at his house in Ludlow street, as I did +immediately upon my arrival in Cincinnati, I was received with genuine +cordiality. After we were closeted together I explained fully to him the +character of the business that had called me to Washington, and how the +complication of affairs at the seat of government necessitated so much +delay that I had found it imperative upon me to leave without arriving +at any definite understanding with the President. + +The General had already been advised of his elevation in rank, and among +other things desired to consult with me in relation to his affairs at +the War Department. + +I need not stop to give the details of that interview. His object in +sending for me was to secure my aid and co-operation in the organization +of a secret service for his department, and finding me more than willing +to do all in my power to help along the cause of the Union, he +immediately laid before me all his plans. + +Our business was settled. It arranged that I should assume full +management and control of this new branch of the service, and that I +should at once enter upon the discharge of the multifarious duties +attending so responsible a position. The General then informed me that +he would write to General Scott for permission to organize this +department under his own personal supervision; and he also agreed to +submit the project to Governor Dennison, of Ohio, with a request to that +gentleman to solicit the co-operation of the Governors of Illinois, +Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin, in sustaining the organization. + +To this arrangement I gave a ready assent, and we then entered upon the +discussion of affairs requiring immediate attention. Several measures, +more or less important, had suggested themselves to my mind while the +General was talking, and in the course of the conversation which +followed, I presented them for his consideration. It was a relief to me +to find that at the outset there was no clash of opinion between us, and +I felt confident that there was not likely to be any in the future. + +For several days my time was principally taken up in private +consultations with General McClellan, in laying out a line of +operations, by which I was to assist in making arrangements for bringing +my own force into active duty at the earliest possible hour. I rented a +suite of rooms and fitted up an office in Cincinnati, where I called +about me some of the most capable and trustworthy detectives in my +employ, and impressed upon them the great importance of the tasks that +were about to be imposed upon them. + +The general informed me that he would like observations made within the +rebel lines, and I resolved to at once send some scouts into the +disaffected region lying south of us, for the purpose of obtaining +information concerning the numbers, equipments, movements and intentions +of the enemy, as well as to ascertain the general feeling of the +Southern people in regard to the war. I fully realized the delicacy of +this business, and the necessity of conducting it with the greatest +care, caution and secrecy. None but good, true, reliable men could be +detailed for such service, and knowing this, I made my selections +accordingly; my thoughts reverting first of all to Timothy Webster. + +Within six hours after the commander had expressed his wishes to me, +Timothy Webster was on his way to Louisville, with instructions to +proceed southward from that city to Memphis, stopping at Bowling Green +and Clarkesville on the way. + +In Webster's case it was not necessary to devote much time to +instructions, except as to his line of travel, for he was a man who +understood the whole meaning of a mission like this, and one who would +perform his duty with that faithfulness and ability by which he had +fairly earned the confidence I now reposed in him. + +Within a few days I also sent out other scouts, singly and in pairs, on +the different routes that had been carefully prepared for them, and in a +short time quite a number of my best operatives were engaged upon more +or less difficult and dangerous tasks, all tending to the same end. + +In organizing and controlling this secret service, I endeavored to +conceal my own individual identity so far as my friends and the public +were concerned. The new field of usefulness into which I had ventured +was designed to be a secret one in every respect, and for obvious +reasons I was induced to lay aside the name of Allan Pinkerton--a name +so well known that it had grown to be a sort of synonym for detective. I +accordingly adopted the less suggestive one of E. J. Allen; a _nom de +guerre_ which I retained during the entire period of my connection with +the war. This precautionary measure was first proposed by the General +himself, and in assenting to it I carried out his views as well as my +own. This ruse to conceal my identity was a successful one. My true name +was known only to General McClellan, and those of my force who were in +my employ before the breaking out of the rebellion, and by them it was +sacredly kept. Indeed, I doubt if McClellan has ever divulged it to this +day, if I may judge by the frequent occurrence of such incidents as the +following: + +A short time since, while on a visit to my New York agency, I chanced to +meet one of my old army friends, General Fitz-John Porter. He recognized +me, gave me a hearty greeting, and proceeded to address me as Major +Allen, after the custom of by-gone days. I permitted the conversation +to go on for some time, and then said: + +"Are you not aware, General, that the name of E. J. Allen, which I used +during the war, was a fictitious one?" + +He looked at me, as if to satisfy himself that I was not jesting, and +then exclaimed: + +"Fictitious! You are not in earnest, Major?" + +I assured him that I was never more so. + +"Why, I never suspected such a thing. What, then, is your true name?" + +"Allan Pinkerton," I replied. + +"Allan Pinkerton!" he ejaculated. + +His astonishment knew no bounds, and he declared it was the first +intimation he had ever had that Allan Pinkerton and Major Allen were one +and the same person. + +It was on the thirteenth of May that Timothy Webster left Cincinnati on +his trip southward. He arrived at Louisville, Ky., late in the night, +and remained there until the following day, when he pursued his course +into the heart of that self-satisfied State which only desired to be +"let alone." + +It is not my purpose to give in detail all the events of Webster's +journey, as there was much that would only prove tedious at this late +day, though at that time regarded as of the utmost importance to the +country. Shrewd, wide-awake, and keen as a blood-hound on the scent, he +allowed nothing to escape him, but quietly jotted down every item of +intelligence that could possibly be of advantage to the Union army, and +picked up many important points, which would have escaped the notice of +a man of less detective experience and ability. + +He stopped a day or two at Bowling Green, Ky., and then proceeded on to +Clarkesville, Tenn. He made friends of all he met, and cleverly +ingratiated himself into the good graces of those whom he believed might +be of service to him. He was a "Hail, fellow! well met," "A prince of +good fellows," a genial, jovial, convivial spirit, with an inexhaustible +fund of anecdote and amusing reminiscences, and a wonderful faculty for +making everybody like him. He partook of soldiers' fare in the rebel +camp, shook hands warmly with raw recruits, joked and laughed with petty +officers, became familiar with colonels and captains, and talked +profoundly with brigadier-generals. He was apparently an enthusiastic +and determined rebel, and in a few cunningly-worded sentences he would +rouse the stagnant blood of his hearers till it fairly boiled with +virtuous indignation against Yankees in general, and "Abe Linkin" in +particular. + +Webster's talent in sustaining a _role_ of this kind amounted to +positive genius, and it was this that forced me to admire the man as +sincerely as I prized his services. Naturally, he was of a quiet, +reserved disposition, seldom speaking unless spoken to, and never +betraying emotion or excitement under any pressure of circumstances. +His face always wore that calm, imperturbable expression denoting a +well-balanced mind and a thorough self-control, while the immobile +countenance and close-set lips showed that he was naturally as +inscrutable as the Sphinx. Many of his associates were of the opinion +that he was cold and unfeeling, but _I_ knew there could be no greater +mistake than this; _I_ knew that a manlier, nobler heart never existed +than that which beat within the broad breast of Timothy Webster; and I +knew that, reserved and modest as he was, he was never wanting in +courtesy, never derelict in his duty, never behind his fellows in acts +of kindness and mercy. + +It was when he was detailed for such operations as the one in question +that his disposition underwent a complete metamorphosis. Then his +reserve vanished, and he became the chatty, entertaining boon companion, +the hero of the card-table, the story-teller of the bar-room, or the +lion of the social gathering, as the exigencies of the case might +require. He could go into a strange place and in one day surround +himself with warm friends, who would end by telling him all he desired +to know. In a life-time of varied detective experience, I have never met +one who could more readily and agreeably adapt himself to circumstances. + +Webster represented himself as a resident of Baltimore, and gave graphic +accounts of the recent troubles in that city; of the unpleasant position +in which the "friends of the cause" were placed by the proximity and +oppression of Northern troops, and of the outraged feelings of the +populace when the "Lincoln hirelings" marched through the streets of the +Monumental City. His eyes seemed to flash with indignation during the +recital, and it would have been difficult indeed to induce his audience +to believe that he was acting a part, or that his heart was not with the +South. + +On the morning of his departure from Clarkesville quite a number of +soldiers and citizens, who had become attached to him during his brief +sojourn with them, accompanied him to the depot, shook him warmly by the +hand at parting, and earnestly wished him God-speed. He told them all +that he hoped to see them again soon, and waved them a smiling adieu +from the platform of the car, as the train whirled him away toward +Memphis. + +As the train stopped on the east bank of the Tennessee river, and the +passengers swarmed out of the cars, Webster noticed a man take the +conductor aside and engage in earnest conversation with him for a few +moments. This man was a dark-complexioned, sharp-visaged, long-haired +individual, clad in civilian's garb, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat. +There was an air of mystery about him which attracted more than a +passing glance from the scout, and caused the latter to keep an eye on +him thereafter. + +The passengers were obliged to cross the river in a ferry-boat. The +train going south was in waiting on the other side, and its conductor +stood on the bank alone, making entries in his memorandum-book. As soon +as the boat touched the land the man with the long hair and +broad-brimmed hat sprang ashore and approached the conductor, to whom he +began to talk in the same hurried, nervous manner that he had done to +the one on the other side. As the time for starting approached, the +mysterious stranger and the conductor walked toward the train together, +conversing excitedly as they went. + +"There's something up," thought Webster, as he boarded the train. +"Perhaps that fellow is on the look-out for new-comers like myself; but +we'll see whether he is sharp enough to catch a weasel asleep." + +For the first twenty miles after leaving the Tennessee river, the road +lay through an uncultivated region of swamps and heavy timber. At every +station along the route uniformed men, heavy guns, car-loads of muskets +and ammunition were seen, indicating general and active preparations for +war, while the secession flag was flying in the breeze, and the music of +fife and drum was frequently borne to the ear. At Humboldt, where the +train arrived at four o'clock in the afternoon, they were delayed for +some time, and Webster improved the opportunity to look around him and +to procure his dinner. The man with the broad-brimmed hat seated himself +almost opposite Webster at table, who noticed that his restless, +inquisitive eyes were kept busy scrutinizing every face that came within +range of his vision. He did not address himself to any one during the +progress of the repast, and after hurriedly satisfying his own appetite, +he walked out upon the platform of the depot, where he stood intently +watching the other passengers as they returned to the train. + +Webster, as he crossed the platform, instinctively felt that those +searching eyes were riveted upon him as if they would pierce him +through, but he did not evince the slightest degree of trepidation or +uneasiness under the ordeal. Assuming an air of quiet unconsciousness, +he sauntered past the man without seeming to notice him, and entered the +smoking-car, coolly lighted a cigar, drew a Nashville newspaper from his +pocket, and settled himself to his reading. He saw no more of the +mysterious stranger during the remainder of the journey, but on +alighting from the train at the Memphis depot, the first object that met +his gaze was the wearer of the broad-brimmed hat. + +Arriving in Memphis at nine o'clock in the evening, Webster went +directly to the Worsham House, where he intended to stay while in the +city. While registering his name he observed a military officer in full +uniform standing at his elbow, watching him closely as he wrote. Several +other new arrivals placed their signatures after Webster, and he then +noticed that the officer was engaged in making a copy of names and +addresses on a piece of paper. + +While watching this proceeding, his attention was distracted by some one +hastily entering the hotel office. It was his mysterious +fellow-traveler, who, stepping into the center of the room, glanced +quickly around, apparently looking for some particular face. The search +was evidently successful, for, walking up to one of the men who had just +arrived on the train from the North, he tapped him on the shoulder and +beckoned him. + +After a few moments' conversation, during which the new-comer appeared +to be both surprised and frightened, the two left the hotel together and +walked up the street arm in arm. + +Two citizens who were lounging near the door had been interested +spectators of this incident, and Webster heard one of them inquire: + +"What does that mean?" + +"It means that the stranger is under arrest," replied his companion. + +"Under arrest? And who is the man who arrested him?" + +"Oh, he is a member of the safety committee." + +"But what crime has the stranger committed, that he should thus be taken +into custody?" + +"Nothing, perhaps; but the fact that he is a stranger from the North, is +sufficient to mark him as an object of suspicion." + +"Isn't that a little severe?" + +"Severe? It's a necessity in these times. For my part, I am in for +hanging every Northern man who comes here, unless he can give the most +satisfactory proof that he is not a spy." + +The rest of the conversation did not reach Webster's ear, and, being +much fatigued by his day's journey, he soon retired, to seek that much +needed rest which slumber only could afford. + +He rose at an early hour in the morning, feeling much refreshed. On +entering the dining-room he found it crowded with guests, the majority +of whom wore the uniform and shoulder-straps of Confederate officers. +The conversation around the table was upon the all-absorbing theme which +at that time was uppermost in every mind, and the scout was both amused +and edified by what he heard. He did not long remain a silent listener, +but taking his cue at the proper moment he entered easily and naturally +into the conversation himself, and his pleasing address and intelligent +observations commanded at once the respectful attention of those around +him. + +After breakfast Webster determined to ascertain whether or not he was +under the surveillance of the vigilance committee, and he accordingly +left the hotel, and wended his way toward the post-office. + +He had not proceeded far when he noticed a man who appeared to be +following him on the opposite side of the street. Desiring to satisfy +himself upon this point he walked on for several blocks, and then +dropped into a saloon. Remaining there a sufficient length of time for +the man to pass from view, in case he did not stop in his onward course, +he emerged from the saloon and retraced his steps toward the hotel. As +he did so he noticed the stranger on the other side of the street, +dogging him as before. This left no doubt in his mind that he was being +shadowed, and he resolved to be guarded in his movements, to refrain +from writing any reports or making any notes that could possibly betray +him. He returned to the office and bar-room of the Worsham Hotel, and +spent an hour or two reading and smoking. While thus occupied, three +military officers entered and stood near the bar engaged in animated +conversation. Webster sauntered toward them, and heard one of the +trio--a man whom the others addressed as "Doctor"--remark emphatically: + +"Yes, gentlemen, that is a true principle. It will not do to let a man +set foot on Kentucky soil until the Northern troops disregard the +neutrality of that State." + +Catching the drift of the conversation, Webster stepped forward and +said: + +"I beg pardon, sir; will you permit me to ask one question?" + +The three officers turned toward him, with expressions of mild surprise +in their faces, and the Doctor replied: + +"Certainly, sir; certainly." + +"Do you suppose," added Webster, "that Kentucky will allow the Northern +army to march through the State without showing fight?" + +"Not by a jug-full," was the prompt response. "The moment the Northern +army crosses the Ohio river, Kentucky will rise in arms and take sides +with the South." + +"If she doesn't," said Webster, with much apparent warmth, "she will +prove herself unworthy of the respect of any true Southern men!" + +The Doctor's face brightened up, and he laid his hand approvingly on the +scout's shoulder. + +"May I ask where you are from?" + +"I was born in Kentucky and reared in Maryland," was the quiet reply, +"and I am now direct from Baltimore." + +"Baltimore!" ejaculated the whole trio in chorus; and the next moment +were all shaking hands in the most vigorous fashion. + +"Baltimore!" repeated the Doctor, his face red with his recent exertion. +"My friend, we are always glad to meet a Baltimorean, for we know there +is many a true man in that city who would help us if he could. May I ask +your name, sir?" + +"Webster--Timothy Webster." + +"A devilish good name. Mine is Burton. My friends all call me Doctor +Burton. Allow me to introduce you to Colonel Dalgetty and to Captain +Stanley of the Arkansas Rifles." + +The introduction was cordially acknowledged on both sides, and Webster +then said: + +"Gentlemen, I was about to call for a drink when I heard you speak of +Kentucky. I am happy to know that there is still hopes for that State. +Will you drink her health with me?" + +And in the clinking of the glasses, and the quaffing of their favorite +beverages, the new link of friendship was forged. + +[Illustration: RUN DOWN BY CAVALRY.] + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +_Webster Fraternizes with the Rebel Officers.--A Secession Hat.--A Visit +to a Rebel Camp.--"The Committee of Safety."--A Friendly Stranger.--A +Warning.--The Escape._ + + +Webster's new friends were men whom he believed he could use to good +advantage, and he determined to improve the chance that had thrown him +in contact with them. He found them not only very well informed, but +disposed to be communicative, and he therefore applied the "pumping" +process with all the skill at his command. He experienced no difficulty +in making this mode of operation effectual, for these officers were +exceedingly willing to air their knowledge for the benefit of their +Baltimore friend, and enjoyed his frequent expressions of agreeable +surprise at the extent of the preparations made by the people of the +South to defend their rights. + +Dr. Burton was the most conspicuous one of the group, from his very +pompousness. He wore a superfluity of gorgeous gold lace on his uniform, +and assumed the dignity of a major-general. He was a flabby-faced, +bulbous-eyed individual, with a wonderful stomach for harboring liquor, +and that unceasing flow of spirits arising from a magnified sense of +his own importance. It was evident, even upon a short acquaintance, that +the doctor found his chief entertainment in listening to himself talk, a +species of recreation in which he indulged with great regularity, +sharing the pleasure with as many others as would grant him a hearing. + +In Webster he found an attentive auditor, which so flattered his vanity +that he at once formed a strong attachment for my operative, and placed +himself on familiar and confidential terms with him. + +"Webster, we've got to do some hard fighting in these parts, and that +before we are many days older," said the Doctor, with a wise shake of +the head. + +"I think you are right," conceded the scout. "We must fight it out. From +what you have told me, however, I am sure the Lincoln troops will find +you fully prepared to give them a warm reception here." + +"That they will, sir; that they will!" was the emphatic rejoinder. "We +have one full regiment and four or five companies besides, at Camp +Rector, and General Pillow has thirty-seven hundred men at the camp in +the rear of Fort Harris, which is a little above us on this side of the +river. We expect to move with him, and if there is an attack made upon +us every man in the town will instantly become a soldier." + +"Have you arms enough for all of them?" + +"Arms? Let the Yankees count on our not having arms, and they will meet +with a surprise party. In two hours' notice we can have from eight to +ten thousand men ready to march." + +"No doubt of it, Doctor; but how do you expect to get two hours' +notice?" + +"Lord bless you, Webster, we have men watching the movements of the +Yankees at Cairo, and the minute they make a move we are notified. Then +our signal gun is fired, and every man is mustered." + +"A good arrangement, truly," said the detective quietly. + +"You look as if you could do some hard fighting yourself, Mr. Webster," +remarked Colonel Dalgetty. + +The detective smiled. + +"I have been fighting against great odds for the past two months in +Baltimore. The last battle I fought was to get away from there with my +life." + +"Yes, and we are confounded glad to receive you here," exclaimed the +enthusiastic Doctor, shaking Webster by the hand for the twentieth time. +"Come, gentlemen, we must have another drink. Step up and nominate your +'pizen.'" + +The glasses were filled, and some one proposed the toast: "Death to the +Yankees!" Under his breath, however, the detective muttered, "Confusion +to the rebels!" and drained his glass. The toast was no sooner drank +than Lieutenant Stanley, who was evidently beginning to feel the +influence of the liquor he had drank, took off his uniform hat and put +it on Webster's head. + +[Illustration: "_Now, my dear fellow, you can consider yourself +perfectly at home!_" P. 171.] + +"Excuse me, Mr. Webster," he said, "I merely wish to see how you look in +one of our hats." Then stepping back, he added: "By the gods, nothing +could be more becoming! My dear fellow, you must have one by all means, +if you stay among us." + +Webster endeavored laughingly to object, but they all refused to accept +"no" for an answer. So, finding it impossible to resist, he went with +them to a neighboring hat store. + +"Fit a hat to Mr. Webster's head--a hat just like mine," said Dr. +Burton, to the proprietor; then turning to the scout, he added: "We will +have you a cord and tassel of blue, as that will show that you are true +to the cause, although you do not belong to the military." + +The hatter produced a secession chapeau of the kind and size required, +and Webster at once put it on, much to the delight of the Doctor, who +slapped Webster familiarly on the shoulder, with the exclamation: + +"Now, my dear fellow, you can consider yourself at home!" + +"Perfectly at home," echoed Colonel Dalgetty. + +"Henceforward you are one of us," put in the Lieutenant. + +Webster thanked them cordially for their kindness, and promised to wear +it in preference to any other. As they stepped outside of the store, +however, all thoughts of the new hat were temporarily driven from his +mind, for, standing on the sidewalk, within a few yards of the store +door, and looking directly at him, was the identical individual whom he +had noticed on the train, who had arrested the Northern stranger the +night before. + +The gaze which this vigilant agent of the safety committee now bent upon +Webster was full of dark suspicion, but after one swift glance at him +the detective turned away with an air of perfect composure and +unconcern, and walked off between his companions. To say that he felt +some uneasiness at this evidence that he was still being closely +followed, would be only to tell the truth. His first impulse was to +speak to his companions about it, but a second thought decided him not +to mention the matter to any one, nor to betray by word or act that he +had the slightest hint of a suspicion that he was being watched. + +The three officers introduced Webster to a large number of soldiers and +citizens, and before the day was over he had quite an extended circle of +acquaintance in Memphis. Dr. Burton, who had conceived a fancy for him, +as sudden as it was pronounced, assumed a sort of paternal control over +Webster, hovering about him with an air of protection and solicitude, +and drawing the scout's arm through his when they walked together. + +That afternoon, Webster, desiring to be alone for awhile, hired one of +the hackmen at the door of the hotel to drive him three or four miles +into the country. He went down the river road, and as it was a beautiful +day, he enjoyed himself admiring the picturesque scenery along the way. + +Just below the town, on the bank of the river, he found a small +encampment of soldiers with a battery, who were on the lookout for boats +coming up the river, and during his ride he saw several encampments of +the same nature. After spending several hours inspecting the +fortifications along the river, Webster returned to the hotel, which he +reached about dark. + +The next day Doctor Burton and several of his military friends sought +out the detective, and urged him to go with them to Camp Rector. + +"Gentlemen, I am at your service," said Webster, earnestly. "I think I +would enjoy a visit to your camp to-day above all things." + +They went to the levee, and at ten o'clock were on the boat, steaming up +the river toward Mound City, where Camp Rector was located. + +A distance of some six or seven miles, passing on their way up, various +objects of interest, among them Fort Harris, which was merely an +embankment thrown up, to answer the purpose. Arriving at Mound City, the +party disembarked and walked to the hotel. After dinner the party +visited the camp-ground, a distance of about one-fourth of a mile from +the hotel, and here Dr. Burton and the other officers took much pride +in showing Webster around. They talked volubly about the unexampled +bravery of the Confederate soldier; had much to say on the subject of +Southern chivalry as opposed to Northern braggadocio; told how well they +were prepared to meet the onslaught of the enemy; and found a special +delight in exhibiting to the visitor a portion of General Bragg's +artillery, which they had in the camp. + +After that they seated themselves around a table in one of the larger +tents, to rest and enjoy the grateful shade, as it was a warm and sunny +afternoon. While engaged in the most bombastic utterances of their +prowess, and of the wonderful exploits that might be expected of the +Southern army, their conversation was interrupted by a shadow falling +across the strip of sunlight that streamed in through the opening of the +tent. Every one around the table glanced up, and there at the entrance +stood the man with the broad-brimmed hat! The intruder did not tarry a +moment, but turned and walked away. Evidently he had stopped only to +look in; but in that single instant he had shot a keen, and apparently +satisfactory, glance at Timothy Webster, which was fortunately not +observed by any one save the detective himself. + +"That fellow is one of the safety committee," said Dr. Burton, filling +his glass. + +"He appears to be looking for some one," remarked Lieutenant Stanley. + +"Reckon he is," answered the Doctor. "He's always looking for some one. +And, by-the-bye, those chaps are doing a heap of good for the cause just +now. A Northern man stands no show for his life in these parts if the +safety committee spots him. They hang 'em on suspicion." + +"That's right," said Webster, coolly. "I believe in hanging every +Northern man that comes prowling around. They don't deserve a trial, for +they have no right here anyway." + +But cool and collected as Webster outwardly appeared, it must be +admitted that he was inwardly ill at ease. There was now no longer the +shadow of a doubt in his mind that this long-haired agent of the safety +committee was following him and watching his every movement, and that +any attempt on his part to return to the North would betray him and +cause his arrest. + +"The only reason I have not already been arrested," mused the scout, "is +because they are not sure whether I came from the North or not. They +merely _suspect_, and are watching me to see if I undertake to return +northward. Such an act would confirm their suspicions, and I would be +arrested and probably put to death as a spy. It stands me in hand to +give them the slip before I take the back track." + +After spending a very pleasant day at the camp, he returned to Memphis +on the latest boat that night, informing Dr. Burton that he was going to +Chattanooga to look up a brother whom he had not seen in twelve years. + +"You'll come back?" said the Doctor, as he wrung his hand. + +"Oh, certainly," was the cheerful response. "I'll be with you again +before long." + +Colonel Gaines, of the artillery, who heard this conversation, now +grasped the scout's hand. + +"Webster, you'd make a good soldier," he said, bluntly. "Hang me if I +wouldn't like to have you on my force." + +Webster smiled good-naturedly. + +"I have some family business to attend to before I could think of +entering the army. After that I may remind you of your remark." + +"All right," said the Colonel, "any time that you are ready, come; I +will make room for you." + +On his way down the river Webster found, to his relief, that the man +with the broad-brimmed hat was not aboard the boats. He now had a hope +of being able to give his shadow the slip by leaving Memphis on early +train in the morning. + +Arriving in sight of their destination, the passengers on the ferry-boat +were surprised to see that the levee was crowded with people. Shortly +after, they learned that this unusual gathering was caused by the +capture of the steamboat "Prince of Wales" by the rebels. + +Webster went to the Worsham Hotel, where he spent the night, and at +five o'clock in the morning, after making a few preparations, and +dispatching an early breakfast, he repaired to the depot. Arriving there +he looked carefully about on all sides, but saw no one who seemed to +take any interest in his movements. "So far, so good," he muttered, as +he boarded the train; and the next minute he was leaving the scene of +his most recent exploits with the speed of the wind. + +He was himself too shrewd and cunning to feel absolutely sure that he +was not followed. His own experience in the art of "shadowing" told him +he had not yet escaped the vigilant eyes of the safety committee, but he +resolved to elude them if it was possible to do so. + +Innumerable troops were being transported at this time, and the train +was crowded with soldiers. Webster amused himself by making the +acquaintance of the officers, and skillfully drawing on their fund of +information, until the train arrived at Grand Junction, where he decided +to change cars for Jackson, Tennessee. + +Accordingly, he abandoned the Chattanooga cars and boarded the +north-bound train, which was in waiting at the junction, and again he +was whirled away across the verdure-clad country, this time toward the +"land of the free." But no sooner was the train well under way than +something which came under Webster's observation removed from his mind +all doubt as to whether he would be permitted to pursue his journey +unmolested. He occupied a seat in the forward part of the car, and on +turning carelessly away from the window after gazing out upon the +landscape for awhile, he was somewhat surprised at seeing an individual +standing on the front platform of the car, looking in through the glass +door. + +It was a person whose face and figure had already become quite familiar +to him, being no other than the man who had so persistently followed him +for the past few days. + +"He seems determined not to let me get away," thought the scout; but +neither in his face nor manner did he betray any of the disappointment +he felt. + +He noticed that his pursuer was not alone this time, but was accompanied +by another person--an ill-looking man of herculean proportions--with +whom he conversed in an earnest, confidential way. + +When the train arrived at Jackson, Webster stepped out upon the platform +of the depot, and the two agents of the safety committee did the same. +The conductor stood near by, and Webster spoke to him in a tone which he +meant his shadows to hear, asking: + +"How soon will there be a train for Humboldt?" + +"In twenty minutes," replied the conductor. + +"Do you know anything about the hotels there?" inquired the scout. "I've +got to stop two or three days in the town, and it's a strange place to +me." + +The conductor recommended him to a good house convenient to the depot, +and thanking him for the information, Webster turned away. He had spoken +in a tone that he knew must have been distinctly heard by his enemies, +and he hoped this bit of stratagem would have the desired effect. + +He boarded the train for Humboldt, and the brace of shadows promptly +followed him, taking seats in the same car. + +While the train was speeding on its way, Webster was aroused from a +reverie by the voice of a woman saying: + +"Pardon me, sir; may I occupy a portion of this seat?" + +He looked up; a tall, very respectable looking lady was standing in the +aisle, and he saw in an instant that she was the person who had +addressed him. + +"Certainly, madam, certainly;" he replied; and quickly made room for +her. + +She sat down beside him, and then, to his great surprise, she began to +talk to him in a low, earnest tone, without once turning her face toward +him. + +"You are going to Humboldt?" she inquired. + +"I am," he answered, surprised at the question. + +"You are a Northern man?" + +"Madam!" A suspicion flashed, lightning-like, across his mind. + +"Believe me, I am not an enemy," the lady went on, "I have been sitting +in the rear part of this car I heard two men talking, and have reason to +believe they were speaking about you. They said they would stop at the +same hotel with you in Humboldt, and keep a close watch over you, and if +you attempt to go northward they will arrest you, take you back to +Memphis, and deal with you as they would with any Northern spy. I advise +you to be very careful, sir, for your life depends upon it." + +The train by this time was approaching Humboldt, and the lady arose and +disappeared before the astonished detective could tender his thanks for +the warning. She was destined to remain an utter stranger to him for all +time to come, for he never heard of her afterwards. As they entered the +depot, Webster passed out at the rear end of the car, and he noticed, +with a smile of satisfaction, that his attendant shadows were making +their way out at the front. As he stepped from the car he noticed a pile +of baggage near him, and quickly stepping behind this, he watched the +movements of the two men. Apparently fully satisfied that their game +would be safely bagged at the hotel, they left the depot and walked +rapidly away in the direction of the public-house. His ruse worked to a +charm. A violent shower happened to be passing over at this time, and it +was only natural for the two "safety" men to suppose that Webster had +stopped to seek shelter in the depot for a few minutes. + +The express train from Memphis was soon due, and as it came dashing in +"on time," Webster jumped aboard, and was on his way toward Louisville, +smiling in his sleeve as he thought of those two crafty foxes, whose +cunning had overreached themselves, patiently awaiting his arrival at +the hotel in Humboldt. + +Before crossing the Kentucky line, Webster put his rebel hat out of +sight, and once more donned the one he had worn from the North. + +The remainder of his journey was made without incident, and in due time +he arrived in Cincinnati, and reported to me. + +[Illustration: A HOT LUNCH.] + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +_I take a Trip to the South.--Danger in Memphis.--A Timely Warning.--A +Persistent Barber.--An Unfortunate Memory.--Return to Cincinnati._ + + +Timothy Webster had scarcely departed upon his trip to Memphis, when I +was summoned for consultation with General McClellan. Upon repairing to +his office, which I did immediately on receiving his message, I found +him awaiting my arrival, and in a few minutes I was informed of his +wishes. He was desirous of ascertaining, as definitely as possible, the +general feeling of the people residing South of the Ohio river, in +Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana, and requested that +measures be at once taken to carry out his purposes. + +It was essentially necessary at the outset to become acquainted with all +the facts that might be of importance hereafter, and no time offered +such opportunities for investigations of this nature as the present, +while the war movement was in its incipiency, and before the lines +between the opposing forces had been so closely drawn as to render +traveling in the disaffected district unsafe, if not utterly impossible. + +As this mission was of a character that required coolness and tact, as +well as courage, and as most of my men had been detailed for duties in +other sections of the rebellious country, I concluded to make the +journey myself, and at once stated my intention to the General, who +received it with every evidence of satisfaction and approval. + +"The very thing I should have proposed, Major," said he; "and if you +will undertake this matter, I have no fears of a failure, and every +confidence in obtaining important developments." + +My action had been prompted by two impelling reasons. The first was the +absence of the men whom I had thus far engaged, and who, as I have +before stated, had been detailed upon missions of investigations in +various parts of the South and West, and the other was a desire to see +for myself the actual condition of affairs as they existed at that time. +I have invariably found that a personal knowledge is far more +satisfactory than that gleamed from others, and whenever it was +possible, I have endeavored to acquire my information by such means. +Another advantage to be derived from a personal observation was that I +would be necessarily forced to rely in many matters to which it would be +impossible for me to devote my personal attention. + +Having arranged everything to my satisfaction, in order that my absence +would occasion no disarrangement in the proper conduct of the +investigations already commenced, I left my office in the charge of Mr. +George H. Bangs, my general superintendent, and started upon my journey, +intending to be as rapid in my movements as circumstances would permit, +and to return at as early a date as I could, consistently with the +proper performance of the duties intrusted to me. + +My first objective point was the city of Louisville, in Kentucky. The +position of this State at the present time was a peculiar one. Her +Governor, if not a Southern conspirator, was, if his own language was to +be relied upon, both in opinion and expectation, a disunionist. He had +at first remonstrated against the action of the Cotton States, but after +that action had been taken, he was unqualifiedly opposed to coercing +them back to obedience, and in addition to this, he had endeavored to +excite his own people to a resistance to the principles and policy of +the party in power. + +The people, however, did not sustain his views, and while the popular +sentiment was deeply pro-slavery, and while her commerce bound her +strongly to the South, the patriotic example and teachings of Henry Clay +had impressed upon them a reverence and love for Union higher and purer +than any mere pressing interests or selfish advantage. + +At Louisville, therefore, I found a degree of excitement prevailing that +was naturally to be expected from the unsettled condition of public +affairs. The Governor had refused to comply with the President's call +for troops, and the State had been in a state of hopeless bewilderment +and conflict of opinion in consequence. A strong minority, arrogating to +themselves an undue importance, were endeavoring, by self-assertion and +misapplied zeal, to carry the State into the secession fold, but thus +far they had made no substantial progress against an overwhelming +undercurrent of Union sentiment. Failing in this, their energies were +now devoted to an effort to place the State in a neutral attitude, which +would prevent her from taking a decided stand upon the question of +supporting the Union. Thus far they had been temporarily successful, and +on the 16th day of May the house of representatives passed resolutions +declaring that Kentucky "should during the contest occupy the position +of strict neutrality." + +This was the existing condition of affairs when I arrived in Louisville, +and which I found prevalent throughout all the sections of the State I +passed. + +Representing myself as a Southern man, a resident of Georgia, I had no +difficulty in engaging in conversation with the prominent men of both +elements, and I decided then, from my own observations, that Kentucky +would not cast her fortunes with the South, but that, after the bubble +of unnatural excitement had burst and expended itself, the loyal heart +would be touched, and "Old Kaintuck" would eventually keep step to the +music of the Union. Results proved that I was not mistaken, and not many +weeks elapsed before Union camps were established within her domain, +and the broad-shouldered Kentuckians were swearing allegiance to the old +flag, and, shouldering their muskets, entered into the contest with a +determination to support the government. + +Passing on undisturbed, but everywhere on the alert, and making copious +notes of everything that transpired, that I considered at all material +to the furtherance of the loyal cause, I reached Bowling Green. + +At this place I found a very decided Union sentiment, the Stars and +Stripes were floating from the various buildings, and the Union men were +largely in the majority. There was one great cause for disquietude, +however, which was very manifest even to a casual observer. Many +residents of Bowling Green and the vicinity were slave owners, and the +impression had become general throughout the negro communities that the +opening of the war naturally and inevitably involved their freedom, an +opinion, however, without sure foundation, at that time, but which was +eventually to be justified by subsequent events. The slaves had heard +their masters discussing the various questions which naturally grew out +of a conflict of this chance character, and in which it was generally +admitted, that emancipation must follow the commencement and continuance +of hostilities between the two sections. It was not surprising +therefore, that this opinion should spread among the entire colored +element, or that it should be greedily accepted by these down-trodden +blacks as the harbinger of a freedom for which they had been praying. In +conversation with one of the leading men of Bowling Green, I was +thoroughly impressed with the importance of this phase of circumstances. + +"Mr. Allen," said he, "you have no idea of the danger we are +apprehending from the blacks. We know that the moment that Lincoln sends +his abolition soldiers among our niggers, they will break out and murder +all before them. Why, sir," continued he, "we cannot sleep sound at +nights for fear of the niggers. They think Lincoln is going to set them +free." + +"Why," I interrupted, "what can they know about Lincoln?" + +"They know too much about him," he replied; "there has been so much talk +about this matter all through the State, that the niggers know as much +about it as we do." + +"You should not talk before your niggers; it is not safe, and I never do +it." As I never owned a negro this was perfectly true. + +"I know we should not, but it is too late now; they know as much as we +do, and too much for our safety or peace of mind. Why, sir, we are +compelled to mount guard at nights ourselves for mutual protection, and +though there has been no outbreak as yet, and I believe that this is the +only thing that keeps them in check." + +"It would be a good plan," said I, anxious to preserve my reputation as +a Southern pro-slavery man, "to take all the men and boys over fifteen +years of age and sell them South." + +"That's the devil of it," he replied, "we cannot do that; it was tried +only last week, and a nigger that I was offered $1,500 for last year, I +could not sell at any price." + +Already, it seemed, the fruits of the slavery agitation were being made +apparent. The very institution for which these misguided men were +periling their lives, and sacrificing their fortunes, was threatened +with demolition; and the slaves who had so long and so often felt the +lash of their masters, were now becoming a source of fear to the very +men who had heretofore held them in such utter subjection. + +This state of affairs I found to be prevalent all over the country which +I visited. Bright visions of freedom danced before the eyes of the +slaves, and they awaited anxiously the dawning of the day, when the +coming of the soldiers of the North would strike from their limbs the +shackles they had worn so long. In the after years of this bloody +struggle, many deeds of self-sacrifice were performed by these slaves, +when, resisting the dazzling opportunities to obtain their coveted +liberty, they cast their lot with the families of their old masters, +whose male members were fighting to continue their bondage. Many cases +could be cited where, but for the faithful labors and devotion of the +despised slave, the families of many of the proud aristocrats would have +starved. But the faithful heart of the negro ever beat warmly for those +whom he had served so long, and disregarding the tempting allurements of +freedom, he devoted himself to the service and to the maintenance of +those who had regarded him as so much merchandise, or simply as a beast +of burden. + +At Bowling Green I purchased a splendid bay horse, whose swiftness and +powers of endurance I felt assured could be relied upon, intending to +make the rest of my journey on horseback. By this means I would be the +better able to control my movements than if I were compelled to depend +upon the railroads for transportation. I would also be enabled to stop +at any place where I might find the necessity, or a favorable +opportunity for observation. I had no cause to regret the purchase I had +made, for right nobly did the spirited animal which I had selected +perform the arduous duties that were imposed upon him. Day after day he +would be urged forward, and under his flying feet the distance sped away +almost imperceptibly, and each morning found my charger rested and +refreshed, and ready for the day's journey, be the weather fair or foul, +or the roads easy or rugged. + +I reached Nashville, Tennessee, in due season, and resolved to devote +several days to my investigations. Here the disunion element was more +united and outspoken, but even here, I detected evidences of a Union +sentiment which was none the less profound, because of the danger which +its utterances would have incurred. There could be no doubt that this +State had resolved to cast her fortunes with the confederacy, and the +rebel General Pillow had been for some time engaged in fortifying the +city of Memphis. At Nashville I met a number of officers of the rebel +army, all of whom were full of enthusiasm, and whose bombastic +utterances in view of the eventual results, seem at this time almost too +absurd to be repeated. Here also I came in contact with an army surgeon, +whose head was full of wild _Quixotic_ schemes for destroying the +Northern armies by other processes than that of legitimate warfare. One +of his plans I remember was to fill a commissary wagon with whisky, in +which had been previously mixed a generous quantity of strychnine. The +wagon was then to be broken and abandoned and left upon the road so as +to fall into the hands of the Union soldiers. Of course, the liquor +would be consumed by the finders, and the valiant Doctor, with evident +satisfaction to himself, but to the equally evident disgust of his +companions, loudly vaunted his death-dealing and barbarous scheme. This +brave warrior, however, I learned afterward, had fled in terror at the +first fire, and was afterwards dishonorably dismissed from the service +he was so well calculated to disgrace. So far as I was afterward able to +learn, this grand project for wholesale slaughter, of the valorous +Doctor, received no sympathy or support from his more honorable +associates, and the soldiers were enabled to drink their whiskey +untainted with any other poisonous influences than is naturally a part +of its composition. + +Leaving Nashville, I spurred on in the direction of Memphis, and in due +time reached the city, which now presented a far different aspect than +when I visited it only a few years before. Then the country was at +peace. The war cloud had not burst with all its fury over a happy land, +and the people were quietly pursuing their avocations. I was engaged in +a detective operation which required my presence in the city, and had +been in consultation with some of the express company's officials, for +whom I was attempting to discover the perpetrators of a robbery of one +of their safes. Turning a corner I came upon a scene that stirred my +feelings to the utmost. + +It was the market square, and the merchandise disposed of were human +beings. There was the auction-block and the slave-pen. Men, women and +children were being knocked down to the highest bidder. Wives were sold +away from their husbands, and children from their parents. Old and young +were submitted to the vulgar speculators in flesh and blood, and their +value was approximated by their apparent age, strength and +healthfulness. My blood boiled in my veins as I witnessed, for the first +time, the heart-rendering scenes which I had only heard or read of +before. The cold cruelty of the buyers and abject misery of the sold, +filled me with a spirit of opposition to this vile traffic that gave me +renewed strength to fulfill my duty as an active abolitionist, and to +labor earnestly in the cause of emancipation. I shall never forget the +events of that day, and I can recall the feeling of intense satisfaction +which I experienced on my second visit, when even then, I could see the +dawning of that liberty for which I had labored, and I knew that the day +of emancipation could not be far distant. Then the fair fame of +independent America would no longer be blackened by the pressure of the +slave or the master, but all men under the protection of the starry +banner would be free and equal under the law. + +Now the streets were filled with soldiers, some of them fully armed and +equipped, and others provided with but ordinary clothing, and furnished +with such inefficient arms as they had brought with them from their +homes. A most motley gathering they were, and their awkward and +irregular evolutions at this time gave but little promise of the +splendid army of which they were destined in the near future to form so +important a part. The work of fortifying the city had been progressing +in earnest; earthworks had been thrown up all along the banks of the +Mississippi, and batteries were already in position, whose guns frowned +threateningly upon the river. + +Here to be known or suspected as a Union man was to merit certain death, +and to advocate any theory of compromise between the two sections was to +be exiled from the city. Here rebeldom was rampant and defiant, and I +had some difficulty in evading the suspicions of the watchful and alert +Southron, who regarded all strange civilians with doubtful scrutiny, and +whose "committee of safety" were ever on the _qui vive_ to detect those +whose actions savored in the least of a leaning towards the North. +Fearlessly, however, I mingled with these men, and as I lost no +opportunity in pronouncing my views upon the righteousness of the cause +of secession, and of my belief in its certain triumph, I obtained a +ready passport to the favor and confidence of the most prominent of +their leaders. I talked unreservedly with the private soldier and the +general officer, with the merchant and the citizen, and by all was +regarded as a stanch Southern man, whose interests and sympathies were +wedded to rebellion. + +General Pillow was in command at this point, and almost every citizen +was enrolled as a soldier, whose services would be cheerfully and +promptly rendered whenever the call should be made upon them. + +Even this redoubtable chieftain was not proof against my blandishments, +and he little dreamed when on one occasion he quietly sipped his brandy +and water with me, that he was giving valuable information to his sworn +foe, and one to whom every idea gained was an advantage to the +government he was attempting to destroy. + +It is needless to relate the valuable items of information which I was +enabled to glean upon this journey--information which in later days was +of vast importance to the Union commanders, but which at this time would +only burden a narrative of the events which they so ably assisted to +successful results. + +Here, as in many other places, I found that my best source of +information was the colored men, who were employed in various capacities +of a military nature which entailed hard labor. The slaves, without +reserve, were sent by their masters to perform the manual labor of +building earthworks and fortifications, in driving the teams and in +transporting cannon and ammunition, and, led by my natural and +deep-seated regard for these sable bondsmen, I mingled freely with them, +and found them ever ready to answer questions and to furnish me with +every fact which I desired to possess. + +Here and there I found an unassuming white man whose heart was still +with the cause of the Union, but whose active sympathy could not at this +time be of service to the country, as he dared not utter a voice in +defense of his opinions. From all these sources, however, I was +successful in posting myself fully in regard to the movements and +intentions of the rebel authorities and officers, and, as I believed, +had also succeeded in concealing my identity. + +[Illustration: "_Fo' God, Massa Allen, ye'll be a dead man in de +mo'nin'!_" P. 195.] + +On the third evening of my sojourn in Memphis, however, my dreams of +fancied security were suddenly dispelled, and I was brought face to face +with the reality of danger. + +I had retired early to my room, according to my general custom, and had +scarcely been seated when I was disturbed by a faint but quick and +distinct knocking at my door. I arose hastily, as it was something +unusual for me to receive visitors after I had retired, and throwing +open the door, I was somewhat surprised to see, standing before me, in a +state of unmistakable excitement, the colored porter of the hotel. + +Before I had time to question him, he sprang into the room and closed +the door behind him. His countenance evinced a degree of terror that +immediately filled me with alarm. His eyes were fixed wildly upon me, +his lips were quivering, and his knees trembled under him, as though +unable to sustain the weight of his body. Indeed, so frightened was he, +that he appeared to be struggling forcibly to do so. + +"What is the matter, Jem?" I inquired, in as calm a tone as I could +assume, and with a view of reassuring him. "What has happened to +frighten you so?" + +"'Fore God, Massa Allen," ejaculated the black, succeeding by a great +effort in finding his voice, "you done can't sleep in this housn +to-night, ef ye do, ye'll be a dead man before morning." + +As may be imagined, this information was not of a very agreeable nature, +indefinite as it was; I felt assured that my informant could be relied +on that something had occurred to endanger my safety, and I became +impatient to learn what he knew. + +"Out with it, Jem," said I, "and let me know what it is all about." I +spoke cheerfully and confidently, and the coolness of my manner had the +effect of restoring the equilibrium of my sable friend, and, recovering +himself with an effort, he began to explain: + +"I tell you what it is, Massa Allen, and I'se gwan to tell it mighty +quick. Ye see, de General hab got a lot of spies up de river at Cairo, a +watching of the Linkum sogers, and one o' dem fellows jes came in as you +were going up stairs. De berry minit dat he seed you he said to de man +what was wid him, 'Dat man is 'spicious; I seed him in Cincinnati two +weeks ago, and he ain't down here for no good,' and he started right off +for de General, to tell him all about it. I kem right up heah, massa, +and you must git away as fast as ye can." + +This was too important to be ignored. I had no desire to be captured at +that time, and I had no doubt of the correctness of the porter's story. +I resolved to act at once upon the suggestion, and to make good my +escape before it was too late. My admonitory friend was fearfully in +earnest about getting me away, and he quickly volunteered to procure my +horse, which I had quartered in close proximity to the hotel, and to +furnish me with a guide who would see me safely through the lines and +outside of the city. Bidding Jem make all possible haste in his +movements, I gathered together my few belongings, and in a few minutes I +descended the stairs and made my exit through the rear of the house. +Through the faithfulness of Jem, and the careful guidance of the +watchful negro he had provided me with, I was soon riding away from +threatened danger and ere morning broke I had proceeded far upon my way. +How much service these faithful blacks had been to me, I did not fully +learn until some time afterwards, when I was informed by Timothy +Webster, who arrived in Memphis following my departure, and who thus +learned the full particulars of the exhausting pursuit of one of +Lincoln's spies, who had mysteriously disappeared from the chief hotel, +while a guard was being detailed to effect his arrest. + +I met the faithful Jem several years later, when he had worked his way +as a refugee from his native State and entered the Union lines in +Virginia, and he was soon afterwards attached to my force, where he +proved his devotion in a manner that was quite convincing. My faithful +steed, who had become thoroughly rested after his long journey, bore me +safely through this danger, and in due time I entered the State of +Mississippi. Here rebellion and disunion were the order of the day, and +a widespread determination existed to fight the cause of the South to +the bitter end. Stopping one night at Grenada, I pushed on my way to +Jackson, and here I resolved to remain a day or two, in order to make a +thorough investigation of the place and its surroundings. + +Putting up my horse, I engaged quarters for myself at the principal +hotel in the city, and feeling very much fatigued with my long journey, +I retired early to my room and passed a long night in refreshing sleep. + +In the morning I arose about five o'clock, as is my general custom. I +was feeling in excellent health and spirits; my journey had thus far +been fully as successful as I could have desired; and safely concealed +about my person I had items of value that would amply repay me for the +fatigues I had undergone and the dangers I had passed. I had plans of +the roads, a description of the country, a pretty correct estimate of +the troops and their various locations and conditions, and altogether I +felt very well satisfied with myself and with the results of my mission. + +As I descended the stairs, I noticed a fine soldierly officer standing +in the doorway, and after bidding him a hearty good-morning, I invited +him to accompany me to the saloon of the hotel, where we mutually +indulged in a decoction as is the universal custom in Southern cities. +After I had obtained my breakfast, it occurred to me that, before +attempting any active measures for the day, I owed it to myself to +procure the services of a barber for a much-needed shave. I had been +traveling for a number of days, and my face had been a stranger to a +razor for a long time, and I concluded I would be more presentable if I +consulted a tonsorial artist. + +This was an unfortunate idea, and I soon had occasion to regret having +entertained it for a moment. I would have been far more contented if I +had bestowed no thoughts upon my grizzled beard, and allowed nature to +take its course with my hirsute appendage. + +Entirely unconscious, however, of what was in store for me, I entered +the well-fitted saloon of the hotel, and patiently waited my turn to +submit myself to the deft fingers of the knight of the razor. + +In response to the universal and well-understood call of "next!" I took +my seat in the luxuriously upholstered chair, and in a few minutes my +face was covered with the foamy lather applied by the dapper little +German into whose hands I had fallen. + +I noticed when I sat down that the man wore a puzzled and speculative +look, as though he was struggling with some vexing lapse of memory, and +as he drew the keen edge of the razor across my face, his eyes were +fixed intensely upon my features. His manner annoyed me considerably, +and I was at a loss to account for his strange demeanor. Whatever ideas +I may have entertained with regard to this singular action were, +however, soon set at rest, only to give place to a feeling of unrestful +anger. + +He had just cleared one side of my face of its stubby growth of hair, +when a smile irradiated his face, and with a look of self-satisfied +recognition and pride, he addressed me: + +"Vy, how do you do, Mr. Bingerdon?" + +Had a thunderbolt fallen at my feet I could not have been more perfectly +amazed, and for a moment I could scarcely tell whether I was afoot or on +horseback. I devoutly wished that I was anywhere than with this Dutch +barber, whose memory was so uncomfortably retentive. + +I had been too accustomed to sudden surprises, however, to lose my +self-control, and I replied to him, with an unmoved face and as stern a +voice as I could command: + +"I am not Mr. Bingerdon, and I don't know the man." + +"Oh yes, your name is Bingerdon, and you leev in Geecago." + +The face of the German was so good-natured, and he appeared quite +delighted at recognizing me, but for myself I was feeling very +uncomfortable indeed. I did not know the man, nor what he knew of me. I +knew, however, that he was perfectly right about my identity, and I knew +also that it would be very dangerous for his knowledge to become +general. + +"I tell you I don't know the man you are speaking of," said I, sternly. + +[Illustration: "_If you say another word to me, I'll whip you on the +spot._" P. 201.] + +"Oy, Mr. Bingerdon," he replied, in a grieved tone, "I know you well. +Don't you mind me shaving you in the Sherman House in Geecago, you was a +customer of mine." + +The pertinacity of the man was simply exasperating, and fearing that his +memory would be likely to get me into trouble, as several people were +listening to our conversation, I resolved to end the difficulty at once. +Jerking the towel from around my neck and wiping the lather from the +unshaved portion of my face, I leapt from the chair, exclaiming angrily: + +"I tell you I know nothing of you Mr. Bingerdon, or any other d----d +Yankee abolitionist, and if you say another word to me upon this +subject, I'll whip you on the spot!" + +The barber presented a most ridiculous appearance; he was utterly +frightened at my manner, and yet so convinced was he that I was the man +he took me for, that he appeared more amazed at my denial, than at my +threats of violence. + +Meanwhile, the occupants of the saloon began to crowd around us, and +several came in from the adjoining rooms. Turning to them with +well-simulated anger, I told them the story I had invented; I lived near +Augusta, Georgia; never was in Chicago, did not know Mr. Pinkerton or +any of his gang. Then I denounced the discomfited barber in round terms, +and finished by inviting the entire crowd to take a drink with me. + +This they all did with alacrity, and by the time they had drained their +glasses, every one of the party were strong adherents of mine. We then +returned to the barber-shop, and so thoroughly was the crowd convinced +of my truthfulness, that they were eager to punish the innocent occasion +of my anger. One impetuous individual wanted to hang him on sight, and +his proposition was received with general favor; but finding I had +succeeded in evading detection for myself, I interfered in the poor +fellow's behalf and he was finally let off. + +After another drink all round I managed to get away from the party, and +it was not long before I was upon my horse, and traveling away from the +possibility of a recurrence of such an accidental discovery. I procured +a razor and shaving materials, and performed that operation for myself, +as I did not care to excite curiosity by exhibiting my half-shaved face +to any more inquisitive barbers. + +A few miles outside of the town I sold my horse, and concluding that I +had obtained as much information as was desirable at that time, and as I +had already been absent from headquarters longer than I had intended, I +made my way back to Cincinnati by a circuitous route, and reached there +in safety, well pleased with my work, and quite rejoiced to find that +General McClellan was fully satisfied with what I had learned. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +_East and West Virginia.--Seceding from Secession.--My Scouts in +Virginia.--A Rebel Captain Entertains "My Lord."--An old Justice Dines +with Royalty.--A Lucky Adventure.--A Runaway Horse.--A Rescue._ + + +At this time the condition of affairs in the State of Virginia--the "Old +Dominion," as it was generally denominated--presented a most perplexing +and vexatious problem. The antagonistic position of the two sections of +that state demanded early consideration and prompt action on the part of +the Federal Government, both in protecting the loyal people in the +Western section, and of preserving their territory to the Union cause. +Within the borders of this commonwealth there existed two elements, +directly opposed to each other, and both equally pronounced in the +declaration of their political opinions. The lines of demarkation +between these diverse communities were the Allegheny Mountains, which +extended through the very middle of the state, from north-east to +south-west, and divided her territory into two divisions, slightly +unequal in size, but evidently different in topographical features and +personal characteristics. + +From the nature of its earlier settlement, and by reason of climate, +soil and situation, Eastern Virginia remained the region of large +plantations, with a heavy slave population, and of profitable +agriculture, especially in the production of tobacco. West Virginia, on +the contrary, having been first settled by hunters, pioneers, lumbermen +and miners, possessed little in common with her more wealthy and +aristocratic neighbors beyond the mountains. They made their homes in +the wilds of the woods, and among the rocky formations, under which was +hidden the wealth they were seeking to develop, and in time this western +country became the seat of a busy manufacturing industry, with a +diversified agriculture for local consumption, while the east was +largely given up to the production of great staples for export. As a +natural result, the population and wealth of the eastern portion, which +was thus made to stand in the relation of a mere tributary province to +her grasping neighbor, who selfishly absorbed the general taxes for +local advantage. + +The slave interest also entered largely into the creation and +continuance of this antagonistic feeling. According to a census, which +had been recently taken, it was ascertained that Eastern Virginia held +but a few thousands. It was not a matter of surprise, therefore that +secessionism should be rampant in the east, and that a Union sentiment +should almost universally prevail in the west. As the institution of +slavery was more or less the cause of the war, here, as in other parts +of the South, secession reared its most formidable front where the slave +interest predominated, and treason was more alert in the centers of +accumulated wealth and family pride, whose foundations were laid by the +suffering and the toil of the African bondsmen. The war had been waged +to defend the "Divine institution," and it was scarcely to be expected +that such a cause would be valiantly championed by men whose +self-reliance and personal independence had endeared to them the rights +of free and honorable manhood. + +When the Convention of Virginia met to consider the question of +secession, the slave-holding dignitaries were somewhat startled by the +logical, but novel, declaration of one of the western members, that "the +right of revolution can be exercised as well by a portion of the +citizens of a State against their State government, as it can be +exercised by the whole people of a State against their Federal +Government." This was followed by another, more pointed and +revolutionary, "that any change in the relation Virginia now sustains to +the Federal Government, against the wishes of even a respectable +minority of her people, would be sufficient to justify them in changing +their relation to the State government by separating themselves from +that section of the State that had thus wantonly disregarded their +interests and defied their will." + +The convention, however, denying the pertinency of this logic, passed +its secret ordinance of secession on the 17th day of April, and within a +week popular movements were on foot in the various towns and counties of +Western Virginia, to effect a division of the State. The people united +in a unanimous protest against the efforts of the slave-holding +aristocrats to carry them into a cotton confederacy, and a determination +to "secede from secession," was manifested everywhere. The loyal +determination was rapidly followed by popular organization, an appeal +for assistance was made to the government at Washington, who promised +them countenance and support, and on the 13th day of May, delegates from +twenty-five counties of West Virginia met at Wheeling, to devise such +action as would enable them to fully and finally repudiate the +treasonable revolt of East Virginia. + +Many circumstances favored their position. The state of Ohio, +immediately adjoining, was organizing her military force of volunteers, +and Western Virginia was, not long after, attached to the department of +the Ohio under command of General McClellan. The blockade of Washington, +and other events, had operated to keep the Western troops on the Ohio +line, and the Unionists of West Virginia found a protecting military +force at once in their immediate vicinity, with a commanding officer who +was instructed to give them every encouragement and support. + +Meanwhile, Governor Letcher, of Virginia, ignoring the attitude assumed +by the people of the West, had issued his proclamation calling for the +organization of the state militia, and including Western Virginia in the +call. Prompted by a spirit of arrogance or over-confidence, he at an +early day dispatched officers to that locality to collect and organize +the militia of Western Virginia. Owing to the sparsity of the +population, and the hilly and mountainous situation of the country, +there were but two principal localities or lines of travel, where a +concentration of forces could be best effected--one of these being the +line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and the other the valley of the +Great Kanawha river. In these districts Governor Letcher sent his +recruiting agents, but they soon returned reports of a very discouraging +character. The rebel emissaries found the feeling very bitter: that +Union organizations existed in most of the counties, and that while +fragments of rebel companies were here and there springing up, it was +very evident that no local force sufficient to hold the country, would +respond to the Confederate appeal, while the close proximity of Union +forces at several points along the Ohio, pointed to a short tenure of +Confederate authority. + +This information was not at all cheering to the rebel Governor of the +State, and he determined to maintain his authority in the disaffected +districts with armed forces from the eastern portion of the State. To +accomplish this, he detailed a few available companies from Staunton to +march toward Beverly, from which point they could menace and overawe the +town of Grafton, the junction of the main stem of the Baltimore and Ohio +Railroad, with its branches extending to Parkersburg and Wheeling. The +inhabitants showed more alacrity, however, to take up arms for the +government than for Governor Letcher or General Lee. A Union Western +Virginia regiment, under the command of Colonel Kelley, began to gather +recruits rapidly at Wheeling, while the rebel camps between Beverly and +Grafton were comparatively deserted, and Colonel Porterfield, who had +been sent under orders of Governor Letcher, found his efforts at +recruiting decidedly unsuccessful. + +On the 23rd day of May the State voted upon the ordinance of secession, +and East Virginia, under complete military domination, accepted the +ordinance, while West Virginia, comparatively free, voted to reject the +idea of secession. + +Immediately after the result was ascertained, the rebel troops became +aggressive, and Colonel Porterfield dispatched several of his companies +to burn the bridge on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. + +The appearance of these troops was quickly brought to the notice of the +Federal authorities at Washington. On the 24th day of May the Secretary +of War and General Scott telegraphed this information to General +McClellan, and inquired "whether its influence could not be +counteracted." General McClellan at once replied in the affirmative, +and this was the sole order he received from Washington regarding a +campaign in Virginia. + +On the 26th, the General ordered two regiments to cross the river at +Wheeling, and two others at Parkersburg. They were to move forward +simultaneously by the branch railroads from each of these points to +their junction at Grafton. The burnt bridges were restored in their +passage, and after a most brilliant strategic movement, Porterfield was +completely surprised, and the rebels were forced to disperse, in utter +rout and confusion. + +This complete success of the first dash at the enemy had the most +inspiriting effect upon the Union troops, and also encouraged and +fortified the Western Virginia unionists, in their determination to +break away from the East and to form a new State. This movement was +successfully accomplished, and early in July they elected two United +States senators, who were admitted to, and took part in the national +legislature. + +Governor Pierpont, who was head of this provisional State government, +organized at Wheeling, made a formal application to the United States +for aid to suppress the rebellion and protect the people against +domestic violence. General McClellan, in furtherance of this object, +ordered additional forces into the State from his department. + +In order to act intelligently in the matter, it was necessary that some +definite information should be derived respecting the country which was +now to be protected, and from which it was necessary the invading rebels +should be driven. For this purpose the General desired that I should +dispatch several of my men, who, by assuming various and unsuspicious +characters, would be able to travel over the country, obtain a correct +idea of its topography, ascertain the exact position and designs of the +secessionists. + +For this duty I selected a man named Price Lewis, who had just returned +from a trip to the South, and whom I had reason to be satisfied was +equal to the task. I resolved, therefore, that he should be one of the +party to make this journey, together with several others who were +delegated for the same purpose. In order to afford variety to the +professions of my operatives, and because of his fitness for the +character, I decided that Price Lewis should represent himself as an +Englishman traveling for pleasure, believing that he would thus escape a +close scrutiny or a rigid examination, should he, by any accident, fall +into the hands of the rebels. + +Procuring a comfortable-looking road-wagon and a pair of strong gray +horses, which were both substantial-looking and good roadsters, I +stocked the vehicle with such articles of necessity and luxury as would +enable them to subsist themselves if necessary, and at the same time +give the appearance of truth to such professions as the sight-seeing +Englishman might feel authorized to make. I provided him also with a +number of English certificates of various kinds, and I also supplied him +with English money which could be readily exchanged for such currency +that would best suit his purposes in the several localities which he +would be required to visit. + +Lewis wore a full beard, and this was trimmed in the most approved +English fashion, and when fully equipped for his journey he presented +the appearance of a thorough well-to-do Englishman, who might even be +suspected of having "blue blood" in his veins. In order that he might +the more fully sustain the new character he was about to assume, and to +give an added dignity to his position, I concluded to send with him a +member of my force who would act in the capacity of coachman, groom and +body servant, as occasion should demand. The man whom I selected for +this role was a jolly, good-natured, and fearless Yankee named Samuel +Bridgeman, a quick, sharp-witted young man, who had been in my +employment some time, and who had on several occasions proved himself +worthy of trust and confidence in matters that required tact as well as +boldness, and good sense as well as keen wit. + +Calling Sam into my office, I explained to him fully the nature of the +duties he would be required to perform, and when I had concluded I saw +by the merry twinkle in his eyes, and from the readiness with which he +caught at my suggestions, that he thoroughly understood and had decided +to carry out his part of the programme to the very letter. + +In addition to these, I arranged a route for two other men of my force. +They were to travel through the valley of the Great Kanawha river, and +to observe carefully everything that came under their notice, which +might be of importance in perfecting a military campaign, in case the +rebels should attempt hostile measures, or that General McClellan might +find it necessary to promptly clear that portion of Virginia from the +presence of secession troops. These two men were to travel ostensibly as +farm laborers, and their verdant appearance was made to fully conform to +such avocations. + +Everything being in readiness, the two parties were started, and we will +follow their movements separately, as they were to travel by different +routes. + +Price Lewis, the pseudo Englishman, and Sam Bridgeman, who made quite a +smart-looking valet in his new costume, transferred their horses, wagon +and stores on board the trim little steamer "Cricket," at Cincinnati, +intending to travel along the Ohio River, and effect a landing at +Guyandotte, in Western Virginia, at which point they were to disembark +and pursue their journey overland through the country. + +I accompanied Lewis to the wharf, and after everything had been +satisfactorily arranged, I bade him good-bye, and the little steamer +sailed away up the river. + +There were the usual number of miscellaneous passengers upon the boat, +and added to these were a number of Union officers, who had been +dispatched upon various missions throughout that portion of the State of +Ohio. These men left the steamer as their points of destination were +reached, and after they had departed, several of the passengers who had +hitherto remained silent, became very talkative. They began in a +cautious manner to express their opinions, with a view of eliciting some +knowledge of the sympathies of their fellow-travelers in the important +struggle that was now impending. Lewis had maintained a quiet, dignified +reserve, which, while it did not forbid any friendly approaches from his +fellow-passengers, at the same time rendered them more respectful, and +prevented undue familiarity. Sam Bridgeman contributed materially to +this result; his deference to "my lord" was very natural, and the +respect with which he received his commands convinced the passengers at +once that the English-looking gentleman was a man of some importance. + +The passengers all appeared to be Union men, and while they expressed +their regrets that the war had commenced, they regarded their separation +from Eastern Virginia, with undisguised satisfaction. + +At midnight, on the second evening, the boat landed at Guyandotte, and +Samuel, with a great deal of importance, attended to the transfer of his +master and the equipage from the boat to the wharf. Here they found a +number of men in uniform, who were ascertained to be representatives of +the "Home Guard," and in a few minutes Bridgeman had secured the +services of two of them, to assist him in safely landing their effects. +This being satisfactorily accomplished, he, apparently in a sly manner, +treated them to a drop of good whisky, which formed part of the stores +they had been provided with. Stopping at the hotel over night, they +continued their journey on the following morning. They drove leisurely +along, and at about ten o'clock they stopped at a farm-house to rest +their horses. They remained here until nearly three o'clock in the +afternoon, conversing with the old farmer, who seemed to be much pained +at the condition of affairs, but who had two sons who had joined the +rebel army. They renewed their journey in the afternoon, and in about +two hours reached the little village of Colemouth, where there was a +rebel encampment. On passing this they were halted by the guard, who +inquired their business and destination. Lewis told him he was an +Englishman, accompanied only by his servant, and that he was traveling +through the country for pleasure. The guard informed them that he could +not let them pass, and asked Lewis to go with him to the Captain's +headquarters, which was located in a large stone house, a few hundred +yards distant. My operative willingly consented, and leaving Sam in +charge of his carriage, he accompanied the soldier to the officer's +quarters. He was ushered into a large and well-furnished apartment on +the second floor, and in a few minutes the Captain came in. + +[Illustration: _An English Lord and a Rebel Captain._ P. 215.] + +He greeted my operative pleasantly, and informed him that he regretted +the necessity of detaining him, but orders had to be obeyed. Lewis +related in substance what he had already stated to the guard, which +statement the Captain unhesitatingly received, and after a pleasant +conversation, he invited the detective to accept the hospitality of the +camp. + +An English gentleman traveling for pleasure was not to be treated with +discourtesy, and upon Lewis' accepting of his invitation, a soldier was +dispatched to bring the horses and carriage and their impatient driver +into camp. + +Supper was ordered, and in a short time the Captain and his guest were +discussing a repast which was far more appetizing than soldiers' fare +usually is. During the meal Sam stood behind the chair of Lewis, and +awaited upon him in the most approved fashion, replying invariably with +a deferential, + +"Yes, my lord." + +After full justice had been done to the repast, Price directed Bridgeman +to bring in from the carriage a couple of bottles of champagne, and by +the time the hour of retiring had arrived the detective had succeeded in +impressing his entertainer with a very exalted opinion of his rank and +standing when at home. + +Lewis, being an Englishman by birth, was very well posted about English +affairs, and he entertained his host with several very well invented +anecdotes of the Crimea, in which he was supposed to have taken an +active part, and his intimacy with Lord Raglan, the commander of the +British army, gained for him the unbounded admiration and respect of the +doughty Captain. + +From this officer Lewis learned that there were a number of troops in +Charleston, but a few miles distant, and that General Wise, who was then +in command, had arrived there that day. + +After a refreshing sleep and a bounteous breakfast, Lewis informed the +Captain that he would continue his journey toward Charleston, and +endeavor to obtain an interview with General Wise. The Captain cordially +recommended him to do so, and furnished him with passports which would +carry him without question or delay upon the road. As they were about +taking their leave the Captain put into Lewis' hands an unsealed letter, +at the same time remarking with great earnestness: + +"My lord, I beg of you to accept the inclosed letter of introduction to +General Wise; as I am personally acquainted with him, this letter may be +of some service to you, and I should be only too happy if it will be +so." + +"Thank you," replied Lewis, "but you have been far too kind already, and +believe me I shall always recall my entertainment at your hands with +pleasure." + +The valiant Captain was not aware that he had been furnishing very +valuable information to his gentlemanly visitor, and that while he was +unsuspectingly answering his well-directed questions, his servant, the +quiet Sam Bridgeman, was unobservedly making notes of all that he heard +in relation to the situation of affairs and with regard to the probable +movements of the rebel troops. + +A rather ridiculous incident occurred to our two travelers after leaving +the camp. They had proceeded but a short distance upon their way, when +one of the horses they were driving cast a shoe, which made it necessary +for them to stop at a little village and secure the services of a +blacksmith. + +Driving up to the hotel, Lewis alighted from the wagon, while Bridgeman +drove to the blacksmith-shop in order to have his horse attended to. As +Lewis ascended the steps of the hotel he noticed a tall, rather +commanding-looking gentleman seated upon the porch, who was evidently +scrutinizing his appearance, very carefully. The stranger was a man +about sixty years of age, but remarkably well preserved, and the lines +on his face scarcely gave but little indication of his years. There was +an air of seeming importance about him which impressed Lewis with the +fact that he must be one of the dignitaries of the place, and as he +approached him he very politely raised his hat and saluted him. + +The old gentleman returned the salutation with an inquiring gaze, and +Lewis, in order to pave the way to his acquaintance, invited him to +partake of a drink, which was cordially accepted. In a few minutes, +under its influence, the two men were conversing with all the freedom of +old friends. + +Lewis ascertained that his companion was a justice of the peace, an +office of some importance in that locality, and that the old gentleman +was disposed to give to his judicial position all the dignity which a +personal appreciation of his standing demanded. In a quiet manner, Lewis +at once gave the justice to understand his appreciating the honor he had +received in meeting him, and by a few well-administered flatteries, +succeeded in completely winning the kind regards of the old gentleman. +Their pleasant conversation was progressing with very favorable success, +when Sam Bridgeman drove up with the team, having succeeded in finding a +smithy and in having the lost shoe replaced. + +With a deferential, semi-military salute, he addressed Lewis: + +"We are all ready, my lord." At the mention of the title the old fellow +jumped to his feet in blank amazement, and in the most obsequious +manner, and with an air of humility, that, compared with his bombastic +tone of a few moments before, was perfectly ridiculous. Jerking off his +hat and placing it under his left arm, he advanced, and said: + +"If my lord would do me the honor to accept my poor hospitality, I would +only be too happy to have the pleasure of his company for dinner; my +house is only a short distance off, on the road to Charleston, and will +detain you no longer than to rest and feed your horses, and partake of a +true Southern meal." + +Lewis hesitated a moment, and then remembering that he had represented +himself as traveling purely for pleasure, he did not see how he could +avoid accepting his kind invitation. + +"I have heard, sir, of the hospitable character of the Southern +gentlemen, and I assure you I shall be most happy to avail myself of +your kindness." + +The old Justice could not conceal his pleasure at the prospect of +entertaining a "live lord" in his own house, and with evident delight he +accepted a seat in Lewis' carriage. He directed the way to his dwelling, +which stood back from the road, surrounded by a grove of lofty pines, +and then invited his guest within; intrusting the care of the team to +the care of Sam and one of the servants, they entered the house, and +were soon engaged in discussing the situation of affairs, both North and +South. Lewis informed the old Justice that his name was Henry Tracy, of +Oxford, England, and that his object was to reach Charleston, but that +he was not aware that the country was so unsettled, or he would not +have ventured on this trip. He then related his adventure of the day +before, and commented favorably on the gentlemanly bearing of the +Captain, and the manner in which he had been treated. They indulged in +pleasant conversation, on various topics, until dinner was announced. + +When they had done justice to an excellent repast, they repaired to a +shaded porch in the rear of the house, and Lewis instructed Sam to bring +out a bottle of champagne and a bottle of brandy. These, as already +intimated, had been labeled with foreign wrappers, so that the deception +was complete. The brandy was a very ordinary article, and the wine of an +inferior quality, but the old gentlemen went into ecstasies over it, and +under its mellowing influence, he became familiar and confidential, and +gave to my shrewd operative much valuable information. Finally the +justice grew profusely demonstrative, and leaning across the table, he +said: + +"My lord, I have never tasted such brandy as you carry in all my life, I +have a couple of warm friends outside whom I have taken the liberty to +send for, and whom I know will be delighted to see you, and still more +pleased to taste this excellent liquor." + +"Certainly," replied Lewis, "bring them in; I shall be happy to meet +them." + +Lewis supposed, of course, that the two men whom he had referred were +planters and neighbors, but imagine his surprise when the justice +returned, accompanied by the blacksmith and cobbler of the village. + +After being introduced to "my Lord Tracy," Lewis invited them to take a +glass with them, and with evident pleasure, yet with visible +embarrassment, they accepted the invitation and seated themselves at the +table. + +It was now that the old gentleman grew loquacious; he was loud and +profuse in his praises of the brandy; he asserted again and again, that +it had never been his good fortune to taste such liquor, in which +encomiums the blacksmith and cobbler heartily joined. As the afternoon +wore away, and the present supply was exhausted, Sam was dispatched +after another bottle, and the social meeting continued until evening. +Lewis was careful as to the amount he drank, and intensely enjoyed the +whole affair. The idea of the blacksmith and cobbler hobnobbing with an +English lord, struck him as being so ridiculously funny, that he laughed +again and again at the absurdity of the situation. Often during the +evening he laughed immoderately, at what they supposed their own jokes +and wit, when he was really thinking of the ridiculous comedy in which +he was playing the leading part. When the hour for retiring arrived, the +old man begged as a special favor that he would be allowed to keep one +of the empty bottles, as a memento of the occasion of his lordship's +dining with him, and to remind him of the pleasure he had enjoyed of +drinking some rare old imported brandy (made in Cincinnati). The +blacksmith and cobbler also looked so longingly at the empty bottles +before them, that Lewis could scarcely refrain from laughing heartily, +as he graciously complied with their request for a souvenir of the +occasion. The evident satisfaction with which they appropriated a bottle +apiece, as they started for home, and their hearty thanks as they bid +him good-night, was heartily echoed by the old justice, who carefully +laid his bottle away as a sacred relic of a never-to-be-forgotten event. + +While the party were enjoying themselves on the porch, Sam Bridgeman had +been using his time well among the servants, and had gleaned much +valuable information from them. They remained over night with the old +gentleman, and on the following morning, after bidding him a kind +farewell, they started on their journey. Lewis did not forget, however, +before leaving, to take a parting glass with his host, who seemed very +reluctant to have them depart. They continued on their way towards +Charleston, traveling but slowly, as the roads were heavy from the +recent rains. About noon they arrived at a farm-house, to which they had +been recommended by their host of the night before. Here they stopped +for dinner, and after refreshing themselves, they again went on. The +afternoon was warm and pleasant, and their journey lay through a +beautiful stretch of country. Driving quietly along, they beguiled the +time admiring the beautiful scenery spread before them, and in pleasant +converse. Their enjoyment was, however, suddenly interrupted by the +sound of loud voices and the clattering of horses' hoofs immediately +behind him. Quickly turning around, the cause of this unusual excitement +was at once apparent. A fine black horse, covered with foam, was tearing +down the turnpike at break-neck speed, and evidently running away. Upon +his back was seated a young lady, who bravely held her seat, and who was +vainly attempting to restrain the unmanageable animal. Some distance +behind were a party of ladies and gentlemen on horseback, all spurring +their horses to the utmost, as if with the intention of overtaking the +flying steed in front of them. Intense fear was depicted upon the +countenances of those in the rear, and not without reason, for the +situation of the young lady was dangerous indeed. + +Quick as a flash, my operatives realized the situation of affairs, and +the necessity for prompt action. Without uttering a word, Sam Bridgeman +turned his horses directly across the road, intending by that means to +stop the mad course of the fiery charger approaching them. As he did so, +Lewis sprang from the wagon, and with the utmost coolness advanced to +meet the approaching horse. On came the frightened animal at a speed +that threatened every moment to hurl the brave girl from her seat, until +he approached nearly to the point at which my operatives had stationed +themselves, and then, evidently perceiving the obstructions in his path, +he momentarily slackened pace. In that instant Lewis sprang forward, and +grasping the bridle firmly with a strong hand, he forced the frightened +animal back upon his haunches. The danger was passed. The horse, feeling +the iron grip upon the bridle, and recognizing the voice of authority, +stood still and trembling in every joint, his reeking sides heaving, and +his eyes flashing fire. The young lady, with a sudden revulsion of +feeling, fell back in the saddle, and would have fallen but that Sam +Bridgeman, hastening to the relief of his companion, was fortunately in +time to catch the fainting figure in his arms. Extricating her quickly +from the saddle, he set her gently on the ground, and as he did so the +fair head fell forward on his shoulder, and she lost consciousness. + +By this time Lewis had succeeded in quieting the excited animal, and had +fastened him to a tree by the wayside, and as he turned to the +assistance of Bridgeman, the companions of the unconscious girl rode up. +Hastily dismounting, they rushed to her aid, and in a few minutes, under +their ministrations, the dark eyes were opened, and the girl gazed +wonderingly around. + +After being assisted to her feet, she gratefully expressed her +thankfulness to the men who had probably saved her life, in which she +was warmly joined by the remainder of the party. + +Sam Bridgeman received these grateful expressions with an air of modest +confusion, which was indeed laughable, and then said: + +"It ain't no use thanking me, Miss, it was my lord here, that stopped +the animal." + +At the words "my lord," a look of curiosity came over the faces of the +new-comers, and Lewis stepped gracefully forward and introduced himself. + +"I am glad, ladies and gentlemen, to have been of service to this young +lady, and permit me to introduce myself as Henry Tracy, of Oxford, +England, now traveling in America." + +The three gentlemen who were of the riding party grasped the hand of +their new-made English acquaintance, and in a few words introduced him +to the ladies who accompanied them, all of whom were seemingly delighted +to make the acquaintance of a gentleman who had been addressed by his +servant as "my lord." + +This adventure proved to be a most fortunate one for my two operatives. +The gentlemen, upon introducing themselves, were discovered to be +connected with the rebel army, and to be recruiting officers sent by +Governor Letcher to organize such rebel volunteers as were to be +gathered in Western Virginia. By them Lewis was cordially invited to +join their company to Charleston, which he as cordially accepted. +Suggesting that as the young lady, who had scarcely recovered from the +accident, might not feel able to ride her horse into town, he politely +offered her a seat in his carriage, which offer was gratefully accepted, +and attaching the runaway horse to the rear of the vehicle, the party +proceeded on their way to Charleston, at which point they arrived +without further event or accident. + +The young lady whom Lewis had so providentially rescued was the only +daughter of Judge Beveridge, one of the wealthiest and most influential +men in the State, and upon conducting her to her home, the detective was +received with the warmest emotions by the overjoyed father. Lewis was +pressed to make the house of the Judge his home during his stay, but +gratefully declining the invitation, he took up his quarters at the +hotel, where he could more readily extend his acquaintance, and where +his movements would be more free. + +The young officers whom he had met upon the road had their quarters at +the hotel at which Lewis had stopped, and under their friendly guidance +no one thought of questioning his truthfulness, or impeaching his +professions. + +By this means he was enabled to acquire a wonderful amount of +information, both of value and importance to the cause of the North, all +of which was duly reported to me at headquarters, and by me communicated +directly to General McClellan. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +_The Rebels Attempt to Occupy West Virginia.--General McClellan Ordered +to Drive them Out.--Early Battle.--The Federals Victorious.--West +Virginia Freed from Rebel Soldiers._ + + +Recognizing the importance of holding West Virginia, and of preventing +the Union forces from penetrating through the mountains in the direction +of Staunton, the rebel authorities had sent two new commanders into that +region. Ex-Governor Wise was dispatched to the Kanawha Valley, and +General Garnett, formerly a Major in the Federal army, was sent to +Beverly to attempt to gather up and reorganize the remnants of Colonel +Porterfield's scattered command, and to adopt immediate measures to +reinforce them. + +General Wise having been assigned to the Kanawha Valley, was expected to +arrive at Charleston on the day following the appearance of my +operatives, and the city was in a state of subdued excitement in +anticipation of his coming. + +In the evening, Lewis, in company with the officers whom he had met in +the morning, proceeded to the residence of Judge Beveridge, where he was +cordially received by that gentleman and his charming daughter, who had +now thoroughly recovered from the effects of her dangerous ride. With +rare grace she greeted my operative, and her expressions of thankfulness +were couched in such delicate language, that the pretended Englishman +felt a strange fluttering in his breast, which was as novel to him as it +was delicious. He passed a very delightful evening, and by his knowledge +of English affairs, and his unqualified approval of the cause of the +South, added to the fact that he was believed to be a gentleman of rank +and fortune, he succeeded in materially increasing the high opinion +which had previously been entertained regarding him. + +The next morning General Wise arrived, and his appearance was hailed +with delight by the disunion element of the city, while those whose +sympathies were with the North looked with apprehension and disfavor +upon the demonstrations that were being made in his honor. + +At the first opportune moment, Price Lewis, with the assistance of his +new-found friends, the rebel officers, succeeded in obtaining an +introduction to the ancient-looking individual whose career had been +marked by such exciting events, and who was so prominent a figure in the +tragedy that was now being enacted. He was a small, intelligent-looking +man, whose age appeared to be nearly seventy years, and whose emaciated +appearance gave every token that he had not long to live. His eyes shone +with the brilliancy of youth, and the fires of ambition seemed to be +burning brightly in his breast. Perhaps no other man in the South had +contributed in so great a degree to hasten the folly of secession, and +certainly none rejoiced more heartily at its final realization. + +By his eloquence, and the magnetic power of his presence, he had led the +ignorant classes of the State to firm belief in the justice of his +cause, and by his teachings he had imbued them with a firm conviction +that they were acting for their own best interests, and for the +furtherance of the Southern supremacy and success. + +Stern and determined, he allowed nothing to stand between him and the +accomplishment of his purposes. But a few months before, he had ordered +the execution of John Brown, who, with a mere handful of men, had +attempted to strike a blow in behalf of the slave. This ardent +abolitionist attacked and captured Harper's Ferry, a government arsenal, +by overpowering the men who were stationed at that place, but the +authorities had been called upon, and then, yielding to superior +numbers, he was compelled to surrender. In this encounter the majority +of his men were slain, and John Brown, with six of his associates, was +taken prisoner. This occurred on the 16th day of October, 1859, and on +the 22d day of December, after a hurried trial, the prisoners were +ordered by Governor Wise to be publicly hanged. The sentence was duly +carried into effect, and the action of John Brown was used by the +secession advocates to inflame the minds of the Southern people against +the North. Now that secession had become an established fact, it was a +matter of question whether the leaders of the Southern cause would not, +in the end, strike a far more forcible blow in favor of the emancipation +of the slave, than did the impetuous old man who gave up his life at the +behest of the Southern leaders. + +The General had been previously informed of the presence of Lewis in the +hotel, and of his adventure on the day previous, consequently, when he +was presented to the new commander, he was received with warm +cordiality. The General inquired particularly into his history, and his +present movements, all of which were replied to by Lewis in a dignified +and satisfactory manner. Under the influence of Lewis' good-nature the +General became social and familiar, and invited him to dine with him in +his apartments. + +Leaving no opportunity that offered, the detective took advantage of +every available suggestion, and the result was he became fully posted +upon everything that was of importance, and was enabled to render such +an account of his labors as was satisfactory in the extreme. Sam +Bridgeman, too, had not been idle, but mingling freely with the +soldiers, he had succeeded in learning much of the conditions of the +country that was of immense advantage in the after events of the +campaign in Western Virginia. + +They remained in Charleston about eight days, and then, taking leave of +the many friends they had made, they made their way safely back to +Cincinnati and reported. The other two men whom I had dispatched upon +the same mission traveled by rail across the State of Ohio and reached +the West Virginia line at Point Pleasant. Here they began their +investigations, and passing unquestioned they roamed through the +country, passing eastward as far as Lynchburg. Thence, they made a +detour to the South, and journeyed as far as Chattanooga and Nashville, +in Tennessee, and thence to Louisville, Ky. Throughout their entire +pilgrimage they were ever on the alert to acquire knowledge, and the +immense amount of information which they gathered would only prove +tedious to both myself and the reader. It is enough to say that they +performed their duty in a manner creditable to themselves and valuable +to the cause they represented, and I will simply summarize the +situation. + +General Garnett had posted himself in the pass at Laurel Hill, with an +additional force at Beverly, while another detachment, under Col. +Pegram, had established himself in the pass at Rich Mountain. Here he +had intended to fortify himself and to await a favorable opportunity for +breaking the railroad. He found affairs upon his arrival in a miserable +condition; the troops were disorganized and without discipline, arms or +ammunition, and General Lee immediately sent him re-enforcements. + +This was the condition of affairs, when, early in July, General +McClellan resolved to take the offensive and drive the rebels from West +Virginia. In this campaign he received material aid and assistance from +that brave officer General Rosecrans, who by superhuman exertions +penetrated the pathless forest cutting and climbing his way to the very +crest of Rich Mountain. + +This movement, difficult as it was, to the South of the rebels, was a +complete surprise to the enemy, who was expecting their arrival from the +North. + +They made a gallant resistance, however, but the Union forces had such +an advantage that the contest was quickly decided. The rebel forces were +driven from their breast-works and were compelled to take refuge in +thickets or the mountains. Their confusion was deplorable, and their +defeat unmistakable. + +This victory placed the enemy in a very precarious position. McClellan +was in his front and Rosecrans in secure possession of the road behind +him, and Pegram, realizing the danger that threatened him, returned to +his camp and, hastily spiking his guns, he abandoned all his stores and +equipments, and endeavored to escape by marching northward along the +mountain, intending, if possible, to join Garnett at Laurel Hill. + +For the time being, he was successful in eluding the Federal commanders, +and after a most laborious march of eighteen hours, found himself within +three miles of Leedsville. Here he was doomed to disappointment, for he +learned that Garnett had also retreated, and that a strong Union column +was in close pursuit. Thus he was again caught between two Union armies, +and despairing of effecting his escape, he sent a proposal to General +McClellan, offering a total surrender of his command. The Union General +accepted the proposition, and on the following day the half-famished +rebel fugitives laid down their arms and became prisoners of war, only +too glad to receive once more comfortable quarters and hunger-appeasing +rations. + +The fugitives who had escaped from the battle of Rich Mountain carried +the news of that disaster to Beverly, and to General Garnett, at Laurel +Hill, and an immediate retreat was ordered. But he was closely pressed +by the advancing Union armies, and when General Garnett reached +Leedsville, he heard that General McClellan was at Beverly, thus cutting +off effectually his further passage southward. He now resolved upon the +desperate attempt of turning to the North and reaching St. George and +West Union by a rough and difficult mountain road, during which his +troops naturally became very much scattered and disorganized. Although +he was nearly fifteen hours in advance of his pursuers, they gained +rapidly upon him, and notwithstanding every effort was made by the +rebels to impede his progress by felling trees in the narrow mountain +defiles, the Union advance overtook the rebel wagon-train at Carrick's +Ford, one of the crossings of Cheat River, about twenty-six miles +north-west of Laurel Hill. Here Garnett resolved to risk an encounter, +and facing about his troops, he took a position on a favorable and +precipitous elevation on the river bank, and planting his guns so as to +command the ford and the approaching road, he prepared to defend his +retreat. A brisk engagement at once ensued, and after a sharp contest +the rebel lines broke and fled, abandoning one of their guns. + +Retreat and pursuit were once more commenced, and at the next ford, a +quarter of a mile further on, during a desultory skirmish fire between +small parties of sharpshooters, General Garnett was killed. Here the +Federal pursuit was discontinued, and the rebels left in the hands of +the victors their entire baggage train, one gun, two stands of colors +and fifty prisoners. + +Estimated according to mere numbers, these battles of Rich Mountain and +Carrick's Ford appear somewhat insignificant in contrast with the great +battles of the rebellion, which occurred during the succeeding three +years. Hundreds of engagements of greater magnitude, and attended with +much more serious loss of life, followed these encounters, and decided +the mighty problem of Northern success, but this early skirmish with the +rebels on Rich Mountain, and this rout of Garnett's rear-guard at +Carrick's Ford, were speedily followed by great political and military +results, which exercised a powerful influence upon the after-conduct of +the war. They closed a campaign, dispersed a rebel army, which had for a +long time been harassing a State whose sympathies were with the Union, +and they permanently pushed back the military frontier to the borders of +rebellious territory. Now, is it too much to say that the brilliant +success which attended this first aggressive movement of General +McClellan had a marked effect upon the public mind? That they gave a +general impression of his military skill is not to be doubted, and he +was from that time the hero of the hour. Certain it is that a train of +circumstances started from these achievements which eventually led to +his being called to Washington after the reverses at Manassas and Bull +Run, and made him, on the first day of November following, the +General-in-Chief of all the armies of the United States. + +It is not necessary for me to follow the subsequent operations in West +Virginia, as my duties were connected with General McClellan and his +campaigns in that district ended with the death of General Garnett and +the dispersion of his army. About a week afterwards he was called to a +new field of duty at Washington city, and it is not my purpose to touch +upon events in which I took no part. It is enough to say that, with +somewhat fluctuating changes, the rebels were gradually forced back from +the Great Kanawha Valley, and the eventual result left West Virginia in +possession of the Federal troops, her own inherent loyalty having +contributed largely in producing this condition. The Union sentiment of +the people was everywhere made manifest, and the new State government +was consolidated and heartily sustained, ending in her ultimate +admission as a separate member of the Federal Union in June, 1863. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +_General McClellan is called to Washington and placed in Command of the +Armies, after the Battle of Bull Run.--The Secret Service +Department.--Its Duties and Responsibilities._ + + +As I am not attempting to write a history of the Civil War, but merely +relating, as best I can, the leading incidents connected with my labors +in the secret service, I shall not dwell upon the details of the +military movements of the war, except as they are necessarily connected +with my own movements. It is necessary, however, to make cursory mention +of that remarkable chain of circumstances which followed General +McClellan's campaign in West Virginia, resulting in entire and +unexpected change of circumstances to him, and a consequent enlargement +of my own field of operations. Therefore, without pausing to describe +the various movements and enterprises in West Virginia during the +remainder of the year 1861, or detailing the campaign of the three +months' volunteers under General Patterson, and their bloodless victory +at Harper's Ferry, I will pass on to other scenes and events which lead +directly to the turning-point in my story. + +Patriotism in the North was excited to such a pitch that the people were +impatient of delay, and eager to strike a decisive blow--a blow that +would at once annihilate treason and wipe out the insult to a nation's +flag, and maintain a nation's honor. The resounding echoes of the rebel +guns that had done their work of destruction on Sumter's walls, were +still vibrating in the air. + +The Confederate seat of government had been transferred from Montgomery +to Richmond, immediately after Virginia's indorsement of the secession +ordinance, and this enthronement of rebellion so close to the very +stronghold of freedom, caused patriotic resentment to blaze up with +fresh intensity. + +In the month of June a determined movement against Manassas was resolved +upon at Washington. + +As a preliminary step to the advancement upon the rebel capital, General +Scott gave Patterson orders to offer Johnston battle, or detain him in +the Shenandoah Valley by other demonstrations, in order that his army +might not unite with Beauregard's and defeat the movement. But Patterson +failed to perform the task assigned to him, and his failure lost to the +Union cause the first great battle of the war. + +General Beauregard was in possession of Manassas with six thousand men, +and this force was being very materially increased by the arrival of +reinforcements from time to time; but notwithstanding this fact, it was +believed that every chance of success would be provided for by the +strength of the Union army at the capital, if only Johnston could be +held in check for a few days. + +Delay in starting this expedition against the enemy's works was +unavoidable, and it was not until the afternoon of the 16th of July that +the march of McDowell's army commenced. Even then the progress was +painfully slow, owing to inexperience and lack of discipline on the part +of the troops. + +Manassas Junction was defended by about two thousand rebels, with +fourteen or fifteen heavy guns, while at Bull Run, some three miles east +of Manassas, was stationed Beauregard's main army, over twenty thousand +strong, posted at the various fords of the stream, in a line fully eight +miles long. McDowell, as a strategic movement to conceal his real +purpose, directed his march upon Centreville, at which place Tyler's +Division arrived on the morning of July 18th, to find that it had been +evacuated by the rebels, who were all behind Bull Run. From Centreville, +which is situated on a hill, Tyler and his men had a view of the whole +valley spread out before them, with Manassas on the high plateau beyond. +It has been hinted that Tyler was inspired with over confidence by the +utter absence of opposition to his advance, and was thus betrayed into +the indiscretion of a further advance and an experimental assault. This +provoked a skirmish, which speedly culminated in the battle of +Blackburn's Ford, the result of which was much loss and demoralization. + +Two more days elapsed before the great fight occurred. Those two days +were occupied by the engineers in efforts to find an unfortified ford +over Bull Run, which was accomplished in time to permit McDowell to call +his officers together on Saturday night, and announce to them his plan +of battle for the following day. This brought the main contest on +Sunday, July 21st, and before daylight on the morning of that eventful +day, both armies were up and astir, each intending to take the +initiative. There was much unnecessary confusion and delay, mingled with +undue excitement and impetuosity, showing that everything was raw and +awkward on both sides. Perhaps no troops ever engaged in warfare with as +little knowledge of the privations, hardships and dangers of +soldier-life, as did the Union and Confederate armies on this bloody +field. + +The day passed; the shades of evening fell, and the battle of Bull Run +had been fought and lost! Victory had perched itself on the rebel +banners, and the Union army was in full retreat towards Washington. The +engagement had been well contested, and fought with equal courage and +persistence by both sides, and the result was quite as unexpected to the +Confederates as to the Federals. + +But Johnston had not been kept out of the fray, as it was calculated he +would be. His army had been permitted to arrive on the battle-field in +the nick of time to take a decisive part in the famous conflict, and to +turn the fortunes of the day at a moment when the signs of victory were +all in favor of the Federal troops. Totally unconscious of the fact that +they had been fighting Johnston all day, the Union soldiers had not once +lost confidence in themselves, and fully believed that they must win; +but when a fresh assault from a new quarter convinced them that +Johnston's forces had arrived, the realization and acknowledgment of +coming defeat pervaded the whole army, and the quick instinct of retreat +was aroused. They believed that success had now become hopeless, and +nothing could change this belief, or check or control the impulse of +flight, once started. The day was lost; the evidence of a great disaster +became suddenly overwhelming to the non-combatants in the rear; the +retreating brigades, and the nearer approach of cannonade and musketry +soon confirmed the worst fears of a terrible defeat and a hot pursuit; +and then began that insane scramble and stampede for safety. + +The sights and scenes encountered on the way to Fairfax Court-House will +never be effaced from the memory of those who witnessed it. The story of +that memorable retreat has been told over and over again; of the mad +flight of civilians, in carriages and on horseback, lashing their steeds +to the top of their speed; of soldiers of all regiments mingled +confusedly together, some in complete uniform, others stripped of +everything but trousers, shirts and shoes, and all foot-sore, haggard +and half-starved; of arms, clothing and other valuables abandoned, that +the progress of the runaways might not be impeded by such incumbrances; +of vehicles, and even ambulances, bearing wounded men, left standing in +the road, while the frightened teamsters rode away like the wind, on +horses unhitched or cut out of their harness; of army wagons emptied of +their loads and filled with stragglers, thundering along the crowded +highway; of the dash and clatter of artillery carriages; of confusion, +panic, demoralization and headlong hurry everywhere along the route. + +By midnight, mounted officers and civilians began to arrive in +Washington; but not until the next day, when the rain was pouring down +in torrents--that dreadful, drenching rain that continued for thirty-six +hours, with but slight intermission--did the poor, hungry, fagged-out +soldiers commence straggling in. That they were promptly and properly +fed by the people, rich and poor, who threw open their doors and gave +what they could to alleviate the suffering of these brave but +unfortunate men, speaks volumes for the unselfish generosity of the +loyal families of the capital during that period. + +It was while this discouraging state of affairs existed that General +McClellan was called to Washington, to assume control of the lately +defeated troops, General Rosecrans having succeeded him in the command +of the Army of the West. Considering his recent success in West +Virginia, and the military skill and judgment there displayed by him, it +is but natural that McClellan should have been selected to re-create the +army, which was destined to defend the Capital for the next three years. + +His arrival in Washington, on the 27th of July, was hailed with genuine +delight by officers and citizens, for at that date he held the esteem +and confidence and admiration of all loyal people. It was an immense +responsibility which devolved upon him, but he accepted it cheerfully, +and took up his task with that energy, tact and perseverance which +precluded all possibility of failure. When first called to the command, +he found a mere collection of regiments, undisciplined, undrilled and +dispirited, cowering on the banks of the Potomac, and with only such +material to work upon, he soon organized, equipped, and trained with +rare skill, that grand body of troops, which he afterwards led in the +campaign of the Peninsula. + +The war was but just commenced, at a time when most people thought it +would be over. The "ninety days" theory was completely exploded. Those +who had flattered themselves that the conflict would be "sharp and +short"--that a single victorious and glorious campaign would crush the +rebellion--were now undeceived. My own hopes had controlled my judgment +on this subject, and made me visionary. I had hoped for myself to be +able speedily to return to congenial pursuits and my domestic circle, +and that a speedy collapse of their frenzy would save the Southern +people from the inevitable ruin which must result from a protracted war. +I had hoped for my country, that the spectacle she now presented to the +world--exciting the derision of her enemies, and the melancholy pity of +her friends--would soon be changed by the "returning good sense of the +people," as it was so easily and egotistically phrased by many +individuals at that time. Above all, I had hoped for the oppressed and +shackled race of the South, that the downfall of slavery would be early +accomplished, and their freedom permanently established. Being myself an +old line abolitionist, and by no means the least active or energetic of +those who had controlled and operated the famous "underground railroad," +I had the Anti-Slavery cause very much at heart, and would never have +been satisfied until that gigantic curse was effectually removed. + +Indeed, during the whole time that I labored for the cause of the Union, +the dearest object I had in view was the abolition of the most cruel +system of oppression that ever cursed any people--an oppression long ago +so justly characterized by John Wesley as "the sum of all villainy"--in +comparison with which Egyptian bondage appeared simply burdensome. All +these hopes were dissipated by the results of the late campaign. The war +had developed into a reality to estimate. "The Federal Union--it must +and shall be preserved!" was the sentiment that now prevailed, and all +realized that the time for doubt and hesitation had gone by. + +There was no mistaking the duty of every loyal heart--the Republic must +be saved at whatever cost. + +As I have previously stated, my connection with General McClellan was +not interrupted by this change in his position. By my own preference, as +well as at his request, I accompanied him to Washington, and cast my lot +with those who were rallying there to protect and defend the government +of the United States. + +Among the first things the General did, after being assigned to the +command of the troops around that city, was to organize a secret service +force, under my management and control. I was to have such strength of +force as I might require; my headquarters were for the time located in +Washington. It was arranged that whenever the army moved I was to go +forward with the General, so that I might always be in close +communication with him. My corps was to be continually occupied in +procuring, from all possible sources, information regarding the +strength, positions and movements of the enemy. All spies, +"contrabands," deserters, refugees and prisoners of war, coming into our +lines from the front, were to be carefully examined by me, and their +statements taken in writing. + +This was the first real organization of the secret service. How much +benefit was rendered to the country by this branch of the army will +probably never be known--the destruction of nearly all my papers in the +great fire of Chicago preventing their full publication--but that our +operations were of immense practical value to the Union commander is a +fact attested to by every one connected with the leading movements of +our forces. + +It was about this time that the city of Washington was placed under +martial law--a measure deemed necessary to correct the serious evils +which existed, and to restore order in the city. Colonel Andrew Porter, +of the Sixteenth United States Infantry, was appointed Provost-Marshal, +and under his command was placed all the available infantry, a battery, +and a squadron of cavalry. In addition to these, the assistance of a +detective police force was deemed indispensable, and in answering this +requirement I found work enough to keep myself and entire corps busy +during our stay in Washington. A better understanding of my position and +the nature of my duties at this time may be gained from the following +extracts from a letter which I addressed to General McClellan when the +organization of this department was yet in its incipiency. + + + "GENERAL: + + "In accordance with your expressed desire, I beg leave to + submit to you my views with regard to the duties of my + detective police force, should the services of the same be + required by the government. + + "In order to promote the efficiency of such a force, it is + highly necessary that its existence should be known to as + few persons as possible. It is an admitted and self-evident + fact that the movements of the various departments of the + government, civil and military, are closely watched, and it + is beyond a doubt that from some source the rebels have + received early, and to them, valuable notice of the intended + actions of the government. I am also led to believe that the + rebels have spies who are in the employment of this + government, or who possess facilities for acquiring + information from the civil and military authorities, or + bureaus, and that this information is imparted to others, + and transmitted, within a very short time, to the rebel + government. Many of the parties thus leagued with the enemy + are said to be persons of wealth and position. + + "In operating with my detective force, I shall endeavor to + test all suspected persons in various ways. I shall seek + access to their houses, clubs, and places of resort, + managing that among the members of my force shall be + ostensible representatives of every grade of society, from + the highest to the most menial. Some shall have the _entree_ + to the gilded salon of the suspected aristocratic traitors, + and be their honored guests, while others will act in the + capacity of valets, or domestics of various kinds, and try + the efficacy of such relations with the household to gain + evidence. Other suspected ones will be tracked by the + 'shadow' detective, who will follow their every foot-step, + and note their every action. + + "I also propose to employ a division of my force for the + discovery of any secret traitorous organization which may be + in existence; and if any such society is discovered, I will + have my operatives become members of the same, with a view + to ascertaining the means employed in transmitting messages + through the lines, and also for the purpose of learning, if + possible, the plans of the rebels. All strangers arriving in + the city, whose associations or acts may lay them open to + suspicion, will be subjected to a strict surveillance. + + * * * * * + + "Another and more dangerous feature of the service + contemplated to be rendered to the government by my + detectives, is that of entering the rebel lines, and + endeavoring to obtain accurate information of the nature of + their defences, the number of troops under their command at + various points, etc. + + "In order to give efficiency to this movement, operations + should be commenced in Baltimore as well as at Washington. + + * * * * * + + "Considering the amount of labor to be done and the + necessity of immediate action on my part, in case these + plans are to be carried out, I purpose concentrating my + entire detective force of _both sexes_ into this work. + + * * * * * + + "The amount of force necessary to carry out such an + undertaking as I have indicated, will necessarily be very + large, and the assumption of disguises and characters by my + operatives, will be a very important item in itself," etc., + etc., etc. + +My views were carried out just as they were set forth in this letter, +and I was soon hard at work in my efforts to "regulate" the District of +Columbia. It was too true that a great majority of the local police were +disloyal, and could not be depended upon to faithfully discharge their +duties to the government that employed them; therefore, in addition to +my other work, I exerted myself to the utmost in aiding the municipal +authorities to reorganize and discipline the police of the district. + +Many personal incidents worthy of note occurred during this period, but +there was one which I recall at this moment with a laugh at my own +expense--an incident in which I was reluctantly compelled to occupy the +wrong side of a guard-house over night, and instead of capturing a +prisoner became a prisoner myself. + +[Illustration: GUARD-HOUSE PRISONERS.] + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +_A Female Traitor.--Suspicious Correspondence.--A Close Watch under +Difficulties.--I am Arrested.--Exposure of the Treason of a Trusted +Officer.--A Disgraced Captain._ + + +During the earlier stages of the rebellion, a number of Southern +sympathizers were domiciled in the city of Washington, and among the +number were many ladies of refinement and wealth, from the South, who +had been leaders of fashion and of society in the brilliant days of +previous administrations. Many of these ladies were extremely +fascinating in their manners, and being gifted with great personal +beauty and with rare conversational qualities, they had gathered around +them a brilliant circle of acquaintances, to whom they dispensed regal +hospitalities and most delicate courtesies. + +When the war broke out, these ladies thoroughly identified themselves +with the cause of the South, and upon all occasions were unreserved in +the expression of opinions favorable to the rebels, and of fervent +hopefulness for the eventual success of the disunionists. But little +attention was paid to these _grand dames_ of the old regime, as it was +not deemed possible that any danger could result from the utterances of +non-combatant females, nor was it considered chivalrous that resolute +measures should be adopted toward those of the weaker sex. + +That this policy was a mistaken one was soon fully proved, and when it +was discovered that these fine ladies were secretly giving information +to the enemy, it was deemed of great importance that such means should +be adopted as would prevent their treasonable actions from being made +valuable to the opponents of the government, and who were seeking its +overthrow. + +From information received from reliable sources, it was shown that the +rebel authorities were as fully conversant with the plans of the Union +commanders as they were themselves. That they knew of the position of +every regiment and brigade, and the contemplated movements of the +commanders, and the time of proposed action, far in advance of any +publicity being given to them, and when the utmost secrecy was the only +true passport to victory. Indeed, it was openly boasted that the secret +information given to the rebel generals had been mainly the cause of the +defeat of our armies at Bull Run and Manassas. + +Upon these facts being fully proven, the government resolved to +effectually prevent a continuance of these practices, and that if they +were persisted in, the guilty parties should either be confined or +exiled to the more congenial climate of Dixie. + +My department was in its infancy when the event occurred which I am +about to relate. I had secured a house in Washington, and had gathered +around me a number of resolute, trustworthy men and discreet women, who +were devoted to the cause of their country, but were scarcely in such a +condition as to move properly or with any systematized regularity. I had +not been many days in the city when one afternoon I was called upon by +the Hon. Thomas A. Scott, of Pennsylvania, who was then acting as the +Assistant-Secretary of War, who desired my services in watching a lady +whose movements had excited suspicion, and who, it was believed, was +engaged in corresponding with the rebel authorities, and furnishing them +with much valuable information. + +This lady was Mrs. Rose Greenhow, a Southern woman of pronounced rebel +proclivities, and who had been unsparing in her denunciation of the +"Abolition North," and who had openly declared that "instead of loving +and worshiping the old flag of the Stars and Stripes," she saw "in it +only the symbol of murder, plunder, oppression and shame." Mrs. Greenhow +had occupied a prominent position in the social circles of the capital, +and was personally acquainted with all of the leading men of the +country, many of whom had partaken of her hospitality and had enjoyed a +social intercourse that was both pleasurable and fascinating. + +She had now become an avowed hater of the Union, and it was feared, +from her previous association with officers in the army, that she was +using her talents in procuring information from them which would be +immediately communicated to the rebel government at Richmond. + +The residence of Mrs. Greenhow was situated at the corner of Thirteenth +and I streets--quite a fashionable quarter of the city, and within a +short distance of the White House. The building, while not at all +imposing in appearance, was large, roomy, and was furnished with every +consideration for wealth and tasteful refinement. It was a two-story and +basement brick building, the parlors of which were elevated several feet +above the ground, and entrance was obtained by ascending a flight of +steps in the center of the edifice. This lady was a widow, her husband +having died some years before, and being possessed of considerable +means, and mingling with the highest circles of Washington society, her +home was the resort of most of the prominent people of the city. + +The instructions of the Secretary of War were, that a strict watch +should be kept upon this house, and that every person entering or +leaving the same should come under the close surveillance of my men, who +should endeavor to ascertain who they were, and if they attempted in any +manner to communicate with any suspicious persons. I was to report to +him daily, and to continue my espionage until I received definite and +official orders for its discontinuance. My further instructions were, +that in case any of the visitors of Mrs. Greenhow should attempt to pass +the lines of our troops, they should be arrested at once, and a rigorous +search of their persons instituted, in order that nothing should be +allowed to pass through without a thorough examination by the Secretary +of War or Mr. Scott. + +After the departure of the Secretary I took with me two of my men, and +proceeded to the vicinity of the residence of Mrs. Greenhow. I was then +quite a stranger in Washington, and localities were not as familiar to +me as they afterward became, and I therefore preferred to reconnoiter by +daylight, to depending upon a survey after nightfall. + +The entire day had been dark, gloomy and threatening; clouds had been +gathering in the heavens, and everything indicated the imminence of a +severe storm. As I left my headquarters, a slight shower of rain was +falling, which I knew was but the precursor of a storm more violent. On +arriving at the designated locality I found everything to be as they had +already been described to me. The inside shutters to the windows were +closed, and no sign was apparent that the house was occupied, and after +carefully noting the situation and the exposed condition of the +premises, I left the two men within a convenient distance of the place, +and returned for the additional aid which I thought might be needed. +Selecting three of my most discreet men, I again repaired to the scene +of operations. We had not proceeded far, when the storm burst upon us in +all its fury. The wind blew strong and chill, and the rain fell in +deluging torrents. Umbrellas were a useless commodity, and, unprotected, +we were compelled to breast the elements, which now were warring with +terrible violence. + +Arriving at Mrs. Greenhow's, under cover of the darkness I posted my men +in such positions as I thought would be most advantageous for our +purpose, and then calling in the two whom I had left there during the +afternoon, I approached to within a short distance of the house. The +darkness and storm, while decidedly uncomfortable, were of some benefit +to us, as but few people were abroad, and these paid no attention to +passing events, seeming to be only too anxious to reach their +destination and to escape the pitiless rain. + +The blinds at the windows were still closed, but a light was observed in +two rooms upon the parlor floor, and I knew that the house was occupied. +Of course I could see nothing within, as my view was entirely obstructed +by the closed blinds, and, at length, becoming impatient at this +unprofitable and unsatisfactory waiting, I determined to obtain a +glimpse, at least, of the interior, and to ascertain, if possible, some +knowledge of its occupants. + +The parlor windows, through which the lights were gleaming, were too +high from the ground to permit me to see within, and summoning the two +men who were awaiting instructions I made use of their strong, broad +shoulders in a manner quite novel to me, and quite ludicrous, no doubt, +to a passer-by who did not understand the situation. + +Ranging the two men side by side under the broad windows in front of the +house, I removed my boots and was soon standing upon their shoulders and +elevated sufficiently high to enable me to accomplish the object I had +in view. I was now on a level with the windows, and noiselessly raising +the sash and turning the slats of the blinds I obtained a full view of +the interior of the room. The furniture was rich and luxurious, valuable +pictures hung upon the walls, and several pieces of statuary and various +articles of artistic ornamentation were arranged about the apartment, +but to my disappointment, it was unoccupied. + +I was about to give expression to my chagrin at this discovery, when a +warning "Sh!" from one of my sturdy supporters induced me to be silent. +Some one was approaching the house, and hastily clambering down from my +perch, we hid ourselves under the stoop which led up to the front door. +Scarcely had we ensconced ourselves in this convenient shelter when we +heard the footsteps of the new-comer, and to our satisfaction, he +stopped in front of the house, and ascending the steps rang the bell and +in a short time was admitted. + +By this time we were drenched to the skin--the rain had fallen in +copious showers and during all the time we had been exposed to its +dampening influences--but paying but little heed to this, we again took +our position in front of the window, and I was soon remounted upon the +shoulders of my operatives, prepared to take notes of what transpired. + +As the visitor entered the parlor and seated himself awaiting the +appearance of the lady of the house, I immediately recognized him as an +officer of the regular army, whom I had met that day for the first time. +He was a Captain of infantry and was in command of one of the stations +of the Provost-Marshal, and not desiring to divulge the real name of the +gentleman, who has since died, I will call him Captain Ellison. + +He was a tall, handsome man of a commanding figure and about forty years +of age. He had removed his cloak, and as he sat there in his blue +uniform, and in the full glare of the gaslight, he looked a veritable +ideal soldier. As I watched him closely, however, I noticed that there +was a troubled, restless look upon his face; he appeared ill at ease and +shifted nervously upon his chair, as though impatient for the entrance +of his hostess. In a few moments Mrs. Greenhow entered and cordially +greeted her visitor, who acknowledged her salutations with a courtly +bow, while his face lighted up with pleasure as he gazed upon her. + +Just at this moment I again received a warning from my supporters, and +hastily jumping to the ground, we hid ourselves until the pedestrians +had passed out of sight and hearing. When I resumed my station the +Captain and Mrs. Greenhow were seated at a table in the rear part of the +room, and their conversation was carried on in such low tones that, in +consequence of the storm that was still raging, I could not catch but +fragmentary sentences. At last, however, accustoming myself to the +noise, I heard enough to convince me that this trusted officer was then +and there engaged in betraying his country, and furnishing to his +treasonably-inclined companion such information regarding the +disposition of our troops as he possessed. + +Presently, he took from an inner pocket of his coat a map which, as he +held it up before the light, I imagined that I could identify as a plan +of the fortifications in and around Washington, and which also +designated a contemplated plan of attack. + +My blood boiled with indignation as I witnessed this scene, and I longed +to rush into the room and strangle the miscreant where he sat, but I +dared not utter a word, and was compelled to stand by, with the rain +pouring down upon me, and silently witness this traitorous proceeding. + +After watching their movements for some time, during which they would +frequently refer to the map before them, as though pointing out +particular points or positions, I was again compelled to hide myself +under the shelter of the convenient stoop, and when I resumed my +position the room was empty. The delectable couple had disappeared. I +waited impatiently for more than an hour, taking occasional glimpses +into the room and watching for their re-appearance. At the end of that +time they re-entered the parlor arm in arm, and again took their seats. + +Again came the warning voice, and again I hastily descended, and as the +retreating figures disappeared in the distance, I could hear the front +door open and the step of the traitor Captain above me. + +With a whispered good-night, and something that sounded very much like a +kiss, he descended the steps, and then, without paying any attention to +the fact that I was without shoes, I started in pursuit of him, and +through the blinding mist and pelting storms kept him in view as he +rapidly walked away. It was then about half-past twelve o'clock, and the +storm evinced no sign of a discontinuance. + +I was not sufficiently acquainted with the city at that time to tell in +what direction he was going, but I determined to ascertain his +destination before I left him. I was compelled to keep pretty close to +him, owing to the darkness of the night, and several times I was afraid +that he would hear the footsteps of the man who accompanied me--mine I +was confident would not be detected as, in my drenched stockings, I +crept along as stealthily as a cat. Twice, I imagined that he turned +around as though suspecting he was followed, but as he did not stop I +reassured myself and plodded on. I could not, however, disabuse my mind +of the fear that I had been seen, I could not relax my vigilance, and I +resolved to take my chances of discovery. I knew who my man was, at all +events, and now I must ascertain where he was going. + +As we reached the corner of Pennsylvania avenue and Fifteenth street I +imagined that I saw a revolver glistening in his hand, but it was too +dark for me to determine that fact with any degree of certainty. At this +point he passed a guard on duty, and quickly passed into a building +immediately in advance of me. + +This movement was so unexpected, that I had no time to turn back, and I +was so close to him that it would have been very unwise to have done so, +but I was more surprised when, as I reached the building into which the +Captain had disappeared, I was suddenly confronted by four armed +soldiers, who rushed suddenly out upon me, with fixed bayonets pointed +at my breast. + +"Halt, or I fire!" called out the officer of the guard. + +[Illustration: "_Halt, or I fire!_" P. 260.] + +Realizing that an attempt at resistance or escape would be both foolish +and useless, I attempted to make an explanation. All to no purpose, +however. I informed them that I had been out late and had lost my way, +but they refused to listen, and ordered my companion and myself to march +at once into the guard-house. I endeavored to make the best of my +misfortune, and entering the building we seated ourselves and awaited +developments. + +After waiting for about half an hour, I was informed that my presence +was required by the Captain; and the guard conducted me up-stairs to his +room. As I entered, I found myself face to face with Captain Ellison, +who was pacing excitedly up and down the floor; stopping immediately in +front of me, he glared fiercely at me for some minutes without uttering +a word. + +I was a sorry figure to look at, and as I surveyed my weather-soaked and +mud-stained garments, and my bare feet, I could scarcely repress a +laugh, although I was deeply angered at the sudden and unexpected turn +affairs had taken. + +"What is your name?" imperatively inquired the Captain, after he had +fully recovered himself, and had taken his seat at a table which stood +in the room. + +"E. J. Allen," I replied. + +"What is your business?" + +"I have nothing further to say," I coolly replied, "and I decline to +answer any further questions." + +"Ah!" said the Captain, "so you are not going to speak. Very well, sir, +we will see what time will bring forth." + +He endeavored to impress me with his importance and played restlessly +with the handles of two revolvers that lay before him on the table, but +I saw too plainly through his bravado, and I knew that the scoundrel was +really alarmed. + +Finding that he could not compel me to answer his questions, he turned +to the sergeant and ordered: + +"Take this man to the guard-house, but allow no one whatever to converse +with him; we will attend further to his case in the morning." + +I made a profound bow to the discomfited officer as I departed, to which +he replied with an oath, and then I was conducted down-stairs and placed +among the other prisoners. + +I found myself in a mixed and incongruous assembly indeed. Most of my +fellow-prisoners were stupidly drunk, and lay about the floor like logs; +others were laughing and singing, while some were indulging in wild +threats against the men who arrested them. Here I found my companion, +who, representing himself as a Southern man had already become +acquainted with two secessionists, who were laughing and talking about +what they would have to tell when they obtained their release. He soon +ingratiated himself with these men, and before daylight had obtained +from them a revelation of certain matters that subsequently proved of +great value to us in our operations. + +As for myself, my feelings can better be imagined than described. +Inwardly chafing against the unfortunate and disagreeable position in +which I found myself, I was deeply concerned regarding the situation of +affairs at the residence of Mrs. Greenhow. I had given no definite +orders to my men, and they would be doubtful as to what course to pursue +until they heard from me, and here was I a prisoner in the hands of the +man against whom I had grave charges to prefer, and whom I had detected +in treasonable correspondence. Added to this, my wet garments and the +cold atmosphere of the room in which I was confined, affected me with a +degree of chilliness that was distressing in the utmost. I shook like an +aspen, and my teeth for a time chattered like castanets. It may be +imagined that the hilarity of my fellow-prisoners had but little charm +for me, until at length one of the guards very kindly brought me a +blanket and an overcoat, which I wrapped about me, and soon began to +feel more comfortable. + +Despite the aggravating circumstances under which I suffered, I could +not refrain from smiling at the ridiculous appearance I must have +presented as I stood before the irate Captain who had caused my arrest. +My hat was battered down over my face, and my clothing was spattered +with mud from head to foot, and were dripping with water as I stood +there. One might more readily imagine that I had been fished out of the +Potomac than that I was the chief of the secret service of the +government, in the performance of duty. + +By the Captain's orders I was prevented from conversing with my +fellow-prisoners, so I turned my attention to the guard. My chief desire +was to apprise Mr. Scott of my captivity, as early as possible, in order +that my release could be effected without unnecessary delay, and I +therefore applied myself to the entertainment of my jailer. + +The soldier who had charge of me I soon found to be a jolly, +kind-hearted fellow, and I amused him immensely by relating some +ridiculous anecdotes which I had heard, and before the time came for him +to be relieved I had entirely won his favor. + +Seizing a favorable opportunity I asked him if he would deliver a note +for me after his time for standing guard had expired, at the same time +offering to repay him for his trouble. To this he readily assented, and +by the dim light afforded us I managed to scribble a few hasty lines to +the Assistant Secretary of War, informing him of my imprisonment, and +requesting him to order my release as soon as possible, and in a manner +which would not excite the suspicion of Captain Ellison. + +At about six o'clock the guards were changed, and my messenger departed +upon his mission. He was fortunate enough to find the servants of Mr. +Scott astir, and informing them that his message was of extreme public +importance, he had it delivered to the Secretary in his chamber at once. +At seven o'clock the guard returned, and coming to the door, he +conversed a few minutes with the soldier who had succeeded him, when I +called out: + +"How is the weather outside?" + +"All right, sir!" replied the man, with a sly wink, and then I knew that +my note had been safely delivered, and my liberation simply a question +of time. + +At about half-past eight o'clock the sergeant of the guard came to the +door with a paper in his hand, and called out: + +"E. J. Allen and William Ascot!" + +Ascot was the name of my operative who had been arrested with me, and +with whom I had not exchanged a word since I had been imprisoned. We +responded to our names, and following the sergeant, were again taken to +the room occupied by Captain Ellison. + +"The Secretary of War has been informed of your arrest, and you will be +conducted to him at once, and then we shall see whether you will remain +silent any longer." + +The manner of the Captain was imperious and commanding, and I laughed to +myself as I thought of the possible result of our interview with the +Secretary. The Captain led the way, and in the company of four soldiers, +we left the place, arriving in a few minutes at the residence of Mr. +Scott. He was awaiting our arrival, and as we entered the room he +ordered the guard to release me, and directed me to accompany him to his +room. I followed him immediately, and as the door closed behind us, he +burst into a hearty laugh at my uncouth and unkempt appearance. I was a +sorry spectacle indeed, and as I surveyed myself in the mirror, I joined +in his merriment, for a more realistic picture of a "drowned rat" I +never beheld. + +I at once detailed what had transpired on the preceding night, and as I +related the interview which I had witnessed between Captain Ellison and +Mrs. Greenhow, his brow became clouded, and starting to his feet, he +paced the room rapidly and excitedly. + +"Mrs. Greenhow must be attended to. She is becoming a dangerous +character. You will therefore maintain your watch upon her, and should +she be detected in attempting to convey any information outside of the +lines, she must be arrested at once. And now we will attend to Captain +Ellison." + +Tapping a bell which stood upon his table, he ordered: + +"Request Captain Ellison to come here." + +As the Captain made his appearance, he seemed to be very ill at ease, +and gazed searchingly at Mr. Scott and myself, as though he suspected +something was wrong. + +"Captain," said Mr. Scott, addressing him, "will you give me the +particulars of the arrest of this man?" pointing to me. + +The Captain answered that he had gone to visit some friends, who resided +in the outskirts of the city, in the evening, and on returning at a +late hour, he had noticed that he was being followed, and supposing me +to be a foot-pad or a burglar, had ordered my arrest. + +"Did you see any one last evening who is inimical to the cause of the +government?" + +The Captain became flushed and nervous under this direct question. He +darted a quick glance at me, and after hesitating for some moments he +answered in a faltering voice: + +"No, sir; I have seen no person of that character." + +"Are you quite sure of that?" sternly inquired Mr. Scott. + +"I am, sir." + +"In that case, Captain, you will please consider yourself under arrest, +and you will at once surrender your sword to Captain Mehaffy." + +The Captain was completely unmanned as these words fell from the lips of +the Secretary, and sinking into a chair, he buried his face in his +hands, seemingly overcome by his emotions. + +But little remains to be told. Captain Ellison was arrested, and a +search among his effects discovered sufficient evidence to prove that he +was engaged in furnishing information to the enemy, and he was confined +for more than a year in Fort McHenry. He was finally released but broken +in spirit and in health, and fully realizing the disgrace he had +brought upon himself, he died shortly afterward. + +After leaving the residence of Mr. Scott, I took a carriage and went +directly to my headquarters, and dispatched new men to relieve those who +had been on duty all night, and who had been so anxious for my safety +that they had sent several times to make inquiries, and who were unable +to account for my absence. They had, I was rejoiced to learn, taken care +to recover my shoes, which I was afraid would be found by some one +connected with the house, and thus lead to the suspicion that the +premises were the object of espionage. + +We continued our watching of the premises, and during its continuance a +number of prominent gentlemen were received by the fascinating widow, +and among the number were several earnest and sincere Senators and +Representatives, whose loyalty was above question, and who were, +perhaps, in entire ignorance of the lady's true character. + +Almost every evening one particular individual was observed to call at +the house, and his visits invariably were of long duration. He was +therefore made the object of especial attention by me, and in a short +time I succeeded in learning his true character, and the nature of the +business which he followed. Ostensibly an attorney, I ascertained that +he was undoubtedly engaged in the vocation of a Southern spy, and that +he had a number of men and women under him by whom the information was +forwarded to the rebel authorities. This gentleman, therefore, found +himself, in a very few days, a prisoner of war. + +About eight days after this, orders were given for the arrest of Mrs. +Greenhow herself. She was confined in her own house, and all her papers +were seized and handed over to the custody of the Department of War. The +intention of the government was to treat her as humanely and +considerately as possible, but disdaining all offers of kindness or +courtesy, the lady was discovered on several occasions attempting to +send messages to her rebel friends, and finally her removal to the Old +Capitol prison was ordered, and she was conveyed there, where she was +imprisoned for several months. After this she was conveyed across the +lines, and reached in safety the rebel capital, where she was greeted by +the more congenial spirits of rebeldom. + +Mrs. Greenhow afterwards went to Europe, in some trustworthy capacity +for the Confederacy, and while there was noted for her bitter animosity +to the Union, and her vituperation of Northern men and measures, but +retribution may be said to have followed her, and some time subsequent +to this, having returned again to the South, she made her way to +Charleston, S. C., from thence she took passage upon a blockade-runner, +upon some secret mission for the Confederacy. Her person was loaded down +with gold, which was packed in a belt close to her body. After passing +Fort Sumter, a severe storm arose, and the little vessel began to pitch +and roll in the angry waters, which swept in huge waves over her deck. +Mrs. Greenhow was, I was since informed, washed over-board, and the +weight upon her person carried her down and she was lost. No trace of +her was ever afterwards discovered. + +[Illustration: A FEMALE SPY.] + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +_Timothy Webster in Baltimore.--An Encounter with a Fire-eater.--Webster +Defends Himself.--Treason Rampant in the Monumental City._ + + +The city of Baltimore at this time was also under military rule. It was +garrisoned by United States troops, commanded successively by Butler, +Banks and Dix, for the purpose of enforcing respect and obedience to the +laws, and of presenting any violations of order within its limits, by +the malignant and traitorous element of the people. Marshal Kane, the +Chief of Police, as well as the active members of the police +commissioners, were arrested and held in custody at Fort McHenry, +because of the alleged encouragement and protection which were given to +those unlawful combinations of men who were secretly aiding in numerous +ways the people at war with the government. General Banks appointed a +Provost-Marshal for the proper execution of the laws, in conjunction +with the subordinate officers of the police department. This condition +of things was of course a direct result of the great riot of the 19th of +April, and the intention was to curb those mutinous spirits, whose +passions otherwise would have led them into committing all sorts of +crimes and outrages against the government. Notwithstanding these +measures, however, the disturbing element was not by any means passive +and inert, although appearances may have warranted such a conclusion. +Secret bands of conspirators were still in existence, and were working +assiduously for the advancement of the Southern cause. + +By direction of General McClellan, I sent several of my best operatives +to Baltimore, chief among whom was Timothy Webster, with whom the others +were to co-operate whenever their assistance were required by him. The +principal object in this was to enable Webster to associate with the +secessionists of that city, and by becoming familiar and popular with +them, to pave his way for an early trip into the rebel lines. + +During his residence in Baltimore he was directed to represent himself +as a gentleman of means and leisure, and to enable him the better to +carry out this idea, I provided him with a span of fine horses and a +carriage, for his own pleasure. He made his home at Miller's Hotel, +lived in good style, and in his own irresistible way he set about +establishing himself in the good graces of a large number of people, of +that class whose confidence it was desirable to obtain. This task was +made comparatively easy by the fact that he already had numerous +acquaintances in the city, who introduced him about with great +enthusiasm, representing him to be--as they really believed he was--a +gentleman whose whole heart and soul was in the cause of the South. +Thus, by easy stages, he soon reached the distinction of being the +center and principal figure of an admiring crowd. Before a week had +elapsed he had become a quietly-recognized leader in the clique with +which he associated, and soon regarded as a man of superior judgment and +power in all matters relating to political and state affairs. + +During fair weather he would frequently drive out with one or more of +his friends, and his handsome equipage became well known on the streets, +and at the race-course. He was introduced into the houses of many warm +sympathizers with the South, and by his agreeable and fascinating +manners he became a favorite with the female members of the family. +Through all, he was apparently an earnest and consistent advocate of +Southern rights, never overdoing the matter by any exhibition of +strained excitement or loud avowals, but always conversing on the +subject with an air of calm conviction, using the strongest arguments he +could invent in support of his pretended views. In compliance with the +request of many of his Southern friends, he and John Scully, another of +my operatives, went to a photograph gallery one day and had their +pictures taken, holding a large Confederate flag between them, while +Webster wore the rebel hat which the doughty Dr. Burton had presented to +him in Memphis. + +During all this time Webster was gathering information from every +quarter concerning the secret plots and movements of the disloyal +citizens, and promptly conveying it to me, and for this purpose he made +frequent trips to Washington for verbal instructions, and to report in +person the success of his operations. Sometimes he would be accompanied +by one or more of his intimate associates, and these occasions were not +without profit, for when thus accompanied, although necessarily +prevented from reaching my office, he was enabled to increase his +acquaintance with the traitorous element of Washington, and finally was +enabled to unmask several guilty ones whose loyalty had never been +impeached or suspected. + +Once, on returning to Baltimore, after a longer absence than usual, his +friends greeted him warmly. + +"By Jove, Webster, we had begun to think you were in trouble," one of +them exclaimed. + +"No danger of that," was the laughing response. "I have no intention of +being trapped before I fulfill my mission. I have some valuable work to +do for the Southern Confederacy before the Yankees can get the upper +hand of me." + +They were in a saloon--a favorite rendezvous of these men--and Webster +was in the midst of his crowd. He was telling them about some imaginary +"points" which he had picked up in Washington, and assuring them he +would in some manner transmit the information he had received to the +rebel commanders before he was a week older. While thus entertaining his +hearers, his attention was attracted by a man who entered the saloon +with a swaggering gait, his hands in his pockets, and his hat tipped +over one side of his head. He knew this man as a ruffian and bully of +the worst stripe, Bill Zigler, and one of the ringleaders of the mob +that had attacked the Union troops on the 19th of April; consequently, +he entertained a wholesome contempt for the fellow, and avoided him as +much as possible. + +He was much surprised when the new-comer stopped in the middle of the +room, and exclaimed, gruffly: + +"Hello, Webster! You're _here_, are you? By G--d, I've been looking for +you!" + +Webster turned toward him a look of surprised inquiry. + +"Did you speak to me, sir?" he asked, quietly. + +"Yes, I spoke to you, sir!" mimicked Bill Zigler, in a bullying voice. +"I say I've been lookin' for you, and when I've spoke my piece I reckon +this town will be too hot to hold you many hours longer." + +"I don't understand you," protested Webster. + +"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the ruffian, a glitter of triumph and hatred in +his eyes. "You've been playin' it fine on the boys here for the last +three weeks, but d--n you, I'll spoil your little game!" + +"What do you mean?" demanded Webster, his anger beginning to rise. "You +speak in riddles." + +"I'll tell you what I mean!" blustered the bully. "Gentlemen," turning +toward the crowd, and pointing his finger toward the detective; "that +man is leagued with the Yankees, and comes among you as a spy." + +There was a general start of astonishment, and Webster himself was +dumfounded. + +"Oh, nonsense, Zigler," spoke up one of the men, after a death-like +silence of several moments. "You must be drunk to make such an assertion +as that. There is not a better Southern man in Baltimore than Mr. +Webster." + +"I am as sober as the soberest man here," declared Zigler; "and I reckon +I know what I am talking about. I saw that fellow in Washington +yesterday." + +"I can well believe that you saw me in Washington yesterday," said +Webster, quietly, "for I certainly was there. I have just been telling +these gentlemen what I saw and heard while there." + +"Maybe you have, but I'll bet ten dollars you didn't tell 'em that you +had a conversation with the _chief of the detective force_ while you +were there!" + +Webster, it must be admitted, was wholly unprepared for this, but he +realized in an instant that the bully's insinuation must be denied and +overcome. With an assumption of uncontrollable rage he cried out "You +are a liar and a scoundrel!" + +[Illustration: "_The man reeled half way across the room, and fell +prostrate between two tables._" P. 277.] + +"I am, eh?" hissed Zigler through his clenched teeth, and before any one +could make a movement to restrain him he sprang furiously toward +Webster. + +Quick as was this movement, however, Webster was prepared for him. Like +a flash of lightning his fist flew straight out from the shoulder, +striking the ruffian between the eyes, with a force that would have +felled an ox. The man reeled half-way across the room, and fell +prostrate between two tables. + +With a roar like that of a baffled beast, Zigler gathered himself up and +rushed at Webster, flourishing above his head a murderous-looking knife. +But, as if by magic, a revolver appeared in the detective's hand, the +muzzle of which covered his adversary's heart. + +"Stop!" cried Webster, in a tone of stern command. "Hold your distance, +you miserable cur, or your blood will be upon your own head!" + +Zigler involuntarily recoiled. The frowning muzzle of the pistol, the +unmistakable meaning of those words, and the deadly purpose expressed in +the cold, calm face before him, were too much even for his boasted +bravery. He turned pale and drew back, muttering and growling. + +"Coward!" exclaimed Webster, "if I served you right I would shoot you +down like a dog; and I am afraid I can't resist the temptation to do so +anyway, if you don't immediately leave the room. Go! and in future be +careful who you accuse of being in league with the accursed Yankees." + +By this time a number of the other men had recovered from their +astonishment, and they immediately joined their threats to those of +Webster, commanding Zigler to leave the saloon at once, if he desired to +"save his bacon." + +Zigler did not dare to disobey. Sullenly putting up his knife, and +muttering curses on the whole crowd, he slunk out, stopping at the door +long enough to glance back at Webster, with the exclamation: + +"I'll fix you yet, d--n you!" + +When he was gone, Webster said: + +"I cannot conceive what that fellow has against me, that he should try +to defame my character by such an accusation." + +Several of the men broke into a derisive laugh. + +"I'd as soon suspect Jeff Davis of being a Yankee spy," said one, with a +boisterous guffaw. + +"Lord, Webster," spoke up another, "you needn't calculate that anything +that fellow can say is going to injure you with the people here." + +"I reckon Zigler is mad because you won't clique in with him and his +gang," said a third. "Nobody takes any stock in him. It would have been +considered a good riddance if your pistol had gone off while it covered +his heart. Bah! he isn't worth a thought. Come, boys, let's licker." + +And the affair ended in a witty cross-fire of jokes, frequent explosions +of hearty laughter, and numerous bumpers of sparkling wine. + +So far from proving disastrous to Webster or his mission, this little +episode with Bill Zigler rather elevated him in the estimation of his +companions. The neat knock-down with which he had met the bully's +unprovoked assault; his air of virtuous indignation in resenting the +imputation of disloyalty to the South, and the manner in which he had +defeated and put to flight a man who was much feared among his fellows, +only won for him new laurels, and caused him to be regarded as brave as +he was loyal. His intimate acquaintances reposed such firm faith in him, +that not one of them entertained for a moment the thought that there +might possibly be a grain of justice in Zigler's accusation. + +One morning, not long after this little episode, Webster left his hotel +to walk down town, when he noticed that there was some unusual +excitement on the streets. On every corner on Baltimore street, from the +Exchange office, large numbers of men were standing in groups, evidently +absorbed in some particular topic of conversation. + +While wondering what all this meant, the detective was accosted by a man +named Sam Sloan, one of the most faithful of his adherents. + +"Webster, I was just going up to see you. Have you heard the news?" + +"I have heard nothing, Sam," was the reply. "Is there a new sensation +this morning?" + +"Another of Lincoln's outrages," said Sloan, with an indignant oath. +"Major Brown, Ross Winans, and several others were arrested last night, +and taken to Fort McHenry." + +"What for?" + +"For no other purpose, I suppose, than to break up the election, which +is to take place next month." + +"But how can that interfere with the election?" + +"By making us all afraid to go to the polls, or speak our minds." + +The two walked down the street together, and dropped into a drug store, +which was known as one of the resorts of the unterrified. There they +found a number of men conversing somewhat excitedly. The proprietor, a +Mr. Rogers, turned toward the new-comers and said: + +"Good morning, Mr. Webster; we were just talking over last night's +proceedings." + +"It beats anything I ever heard of," said Webster, warmly. "But what can +we do?" + +"Nothing just now," returned Rogers; "but I think there will soon be a +time when we will have a chance to do something. In the meantime, +gentlemen, we must make up our minds to say nothing. We have all been +too free with our tongues. Hereafter, we must keep mum, or we will all +get into Fort McHenry." + +"We must just lay low, and wait till Jeff crosses the Potomac," said one +of the loungers. + +"If we only had arms," said Webster, musingly. + +"Arms!" echoed Rogers; "why, sir, we have from five to six thousand +stand of arms right here in Baltimore." + +"That may be true," said Webster, "but nobody seems to know where they +are." + +"I am satisfied they will turn up at the right time," said Rogers. +"Marshal Kane, before he was arrested, put them in the hands of men who +will take good care of them until they are wanted." + +"And let us hope they will be wanted inside of two weeks," put in Sloan. +"We can afford to be quiet now, boys, but when the Southern army comes +this way, we'll rise ten thousand strong, and help take Washington." + +The opinion seemed to have fixed itself in the minds of nearly all the +Southern sympathizers in the city, that in a very brief space of time, +three or four weeks at the utmost limit, Baltimore would be occupied by +rebel soldiers, and Jeff Davis would be there in person. + +"One thing is certain," said Webster, firmly. "If this thing goes on +much longer, there will be a general uprising one of these days, and the +streets of Baltimore will run with blood a thousand times worse than +they did on the 19th of April." + +"You are right, there," said Rogers; "but for heaven's sake don't let +any one outside of your circle hear you use that expression, or you will +be the next one in limbo." + +"If they want me, now is their time," replied the detective, with a +smile, "for I have made up my mind to undertake a journey down into +southern Maryland and Virginia, at an early day." + +"The devil you have! You will find that a difficult and dangerous +undertaking." + +"Nevertheless, I shall attempt it. I find that if I can make the trip +successfully I may be of service to some of our people here, by carrying +letters and messages to their friends and relatives, with whom they are +unable to communicate in any other way." + +Webster made this intention known to all of his associates, and gave +them to understand that he desired to sell his horses and carriage +before leaving. The sale was accomplished in a manner that seemed +legitimate enough to all, though it was a mere pretense. One of my +operatives, whom I sent to Baltimore for that purpose, made a sham +purchase of the team and turned it over to me in Washington. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +_Webster Makes a Journey to the South.--A Secret Organization.--The +"Knights of Liberty."--Webster Becomes a Member.--A Sudden Intrusion of +the Military.--The Conspiracy Broken Up._ + + +In accordance with my instructions, Webster commenced his tour through +southern Maryland, on Thursday, September 26th. He was accompanied by +John Scully, who had been assisting him in his Baltimore operations, and +they followed a line of travel which I laid out for them. Taking passage +on the steamboat "Mary Washington," they baffled the officers who +stopped them by showing a pass issued by the Provost-Marshal of +Baltimore, and were soon steaming down the Chesapeake toward Fair Haven, +which was their pretended destination. Arriving at that point they went +ashore, and proceeded to the village of Friendship. From there they +worked their way south-west to Prince Frederick, then across the Big +Patuxent to Bendict, from which place they proceeded to Charlotte Hall, +and thence on foot to Leonardtown, a distance of twenty miles. At the +last-named place they found Wm. H. Scott, another of my operatives, +awaiting them, and were accompanied by him during the remainder of the +journey. + +A number of messages, written and verbal, which had been intrusted to +Webster by his Baltimore associates, were delivered at various points on +the route, thus enabling them to form the acquaintance of certain +secessionists who were men of prominence and influence in their +respective neighborhoods, and who in turn provided them with letters of +introduction to others of like ilk further on. Through this medium they +secured attention and hospitality wherever they stopped, and had the +advantage of valuable advice and assistance in the matter of pursuing +their journey safely. + +They represented themselves to be rebel sympathizers on their way to the +Potomac, for the purpose of finding a safe place where goods could be +shipped across the river into Virginia. They were frequently cautioned +to be very careful, as there were Union soldiers stationed all along the +river, and people whose hearts were with the South were not permitted to +express their sentiments with impunity. They penetrated as far as a +point called Allen's Fresh, and deciding that they had gained all the +information that could be picked up in that part of the country, they +returned to Washington and reported to me. + +When Webster re-appeared on the streets of Baltimore, after completing +this trip, he was more than ever lionized by his numerous friends who +were in the secret of his Southern journey, and its supposed object. By +endangering his life in the Southern cause, as it was believed he had +done, he had made himself a hero in the eyes of the traitors who were +attached to him. + +"Are you still keeping mum?" he asked, as he stood in the center of a +group at Dickinson's billiard hall, adjoining the Exchange. + +"Those who have any regard for their personal safety are doing so," +replied Rogers; "and I think the majority of the boys have learned that +lesson. Baltimore is comparatively quiet now. Only one man has been +arrested since you left, and we have hopes that he will be released." + +"Who is he?" + +"A man from Washington. He was fool enough to think he could talk as he +pleased in Baltimore." + +"By the way," remarked some one present, "Webster must join our----" + +"Sh," cautioned Dave Dickinson, the proprietor of the billiard room. +"Have you no more sense than to reveal yourself _here_? Remember that +your lips are sealed by an oath on that subject." + +There was a moment's silence; Webster looked from one to another, and +noticed that an air of mystery had settled upon every countenance +present. + +"What's this?" he demanded with a laugh. "Is it a conspiracy to betray +me into the hands of the enemy?" + +"Not exactly," replied Dickinson, whose laugh was echoed by the crowd. +"Sloan, you will give Mr. Webster his cue when a favorable opportunity +occurs. We want him with us, by all means." + +Webster's curiosity was satisfied an hour later, when he and Sam Sloan +walked toward Miller's Hotel together. + +"The fact is," said Sam, in a guarded tone, "since you went away we've +formed a secret organization." + +"A secret organization?" + +"Yes; and we have held several meetings." + +"Is it a success?" + +"A perfect success. Some of the best in town are among our members. We +may be forced to keep silent, but, by Heaven! they can't compel us to +remain idle. We are well organized, and we mean undying opposition to a +tyrannical government. I tell you, Webster, _we will not down_!" + +"Never!" responded Webster, copying the boastful tone and bearing of his +companion. "It does not lie in the power of these white-livered Yankees +to make slaves of Southern men! I should like to become a member of your +society, Sloan." + +"They all want you," said Sloan, eagerly. "They passed a resolution to +that effect at the last meeting. They want the benefit of your counsel +and influence." + +"What is your society called?" + +"The Knights of Liberty." + +"When will your next meeting be held?" + +"To-night." + +"So soon?" + +"And you are expected to attend. Have you any objections?" + +"None whatever. But how will I get there?" + +"I am delegated to be your escort," replied Sloan. + +"What is your hour of meeting?" + +"Twelve o'clock." + +"Ah, a midnight affair. All right, Sam; you'll find me waiting for you +at the hotel." + +Here they separated. Webster realized that quite an important period in +his Baltimore experience was opening up before him, and that all his +detective skill would probably be called into play to foil a band of +conspirators. How to thwart the schemes of these Knights of Liberty, +whose purpose, as he understood, was to assist in the overthrow of the +Government of the United States, was now the question to be solved. + +He did not, however, attempt to form any plans at this time, but waited +for such developments as he had no doubt would be made that night. He +resolved to learn the nature of the plots that were in existence, before +he commenced counterplotting. + +Promptly at eleven o'clock Sam Sloan put in an appearance at the hotel, +and he and Webster proceeded toward the place of meeting. The night was +dark and stormy, just the right sort of night, Webster thought, for the +concocting of hellish plots and the performance of evil deeds. + + "That night, a chiel might understand, + The Deil had business on his hand." + +The stars were hidden from view by masses of flying clouds; the wind +whistled shrilly through the trees and spires; while the deep, +threatening murmurs of distant thunder were accompanied by fitful +flashes of lightning, which illumined the scene with a weird, quivering +light. Few shops were open in the localities through which they passed. +Occasionally a light was seen struggling through the screened window of +a saloon, and the sound of midnight orgies within indicated that +business had not been suspended there; but elsewhere all was dark and +still. + +Sloan led the way to a remote quarter of the city, and into a street +which bore a particularly bad reputation. Here he stopped, and said: + +"I must blindfold you, Webster, before proceeding further. This is a +rule of the order which cannot, under any circumstances, be departed +from." + +Webster submitted quietly, while a thick bandage was placed over his +eyes and securely fastened. Then Sloan took him by the arm and led him +forward. + +Blindfolded as he was, he knew that they turned suddenly into an +alleyway, and he also knew when they passed through a gate, which Sloan +closed behind them. He rightly conjectured that they were now in a sort +of paved court, in the rear of a building. + +"Come this way and make no noise," whispered Sloan. + +The next moment the latter knocked on a door with a low, peculiar rap, +that was like a signal. Immediately a guarded voice on the inside was +heard: + +"Are you white?" + +"Down with the blacks!" responded Sloan. + +Nothing more was said. A chain clanked inside, a bolt shot back, and the +door creaked on its hinges as it swung open. + +Webster was led through, and he and his conductor began to ascend a +flight of stairs, so thickly carpeted that they emitted no sound from +the footsteps upon them. + +At the head of the stairs they were again accosted: + +"Halt! Who comes there?" + +"Long live Jeff Davis," muttered Sloan. + +Passing on through another door, they found themselves in a small, +square apartment, although, so far as Webster was concerned, there was +no ocular proof of this. There seemed to be several persons here, and a +voice, that was evidently meant to be tragical and impressive, +demanded: + +"Whom have we here?" + +"Most Noble Chief," said Sloan, humbly, "I have a friend in charge, who +wishes to become a worthy member of this league." + +"His name?" + +"Timothy Webster." + +"Have the objects of the league been fully explained to him?" + +"They have." + +The gruff-voiced speaker then said: + +"Mr. Webster, is it your desire to become a member of this knightly +band?" + +"It is," responded the detective, firmly. + +There was a sound as of a number of swords leaping from their scabbards, +and the clank and ring of the steel as the blades seemed to meet above +his head. Then the Grand Chief continued: + +"You will now kneel upon one knee, and place your right hand upon your +heart, while I administer to you the binding obligation of our +brotherhood." + +Webster did as he was directed, and in this attitude repeated the +following oath, as it was dictated to him: + +"I, Timothy Webster, citizen of Baltimore, having been informed of the +objects of this association, and being in full accord with the cause +which it seeks to advance, do solemnly declare and affirm, upon my +sacred honor, that I will keep forever secret all that I may see or +hear, in consequence of being a member of this league; that I will +implicitly obey all orders, and faithfully discharge all duties assigned +to me, no matter of what nature or character they may be; and that life +or death will be held subordinate to the success and advancement of the +cause of the Confederacy and the defeat of the bloody tyrants who are +striving to rule by oppression and terrorism. Should I fail in the +proper performance of any task imposed upon me, or should I prove +unfaithful to the obligations I have here assumed, may I suffer the +severest penalty for treason and cowardice, as well as the odium and +contempt of my brother knights." + +The swords clanked again as they were returned to their scabbards, and +the new-made member, having taken the oath, was commanded to rise. He +did so in silence, and the bandage was removed from his eyes. + +At first the light of the room almost blinded him, but his eyes soon +became accustomed to the change, and he looked about him with some +curiosity. He found that he was in the presence of seven stalwart men, +besides Sloan, all of whom wore swords at their sides, dark cloaks +drooping from their shoulders, and black masks upon their faces. The +masks, however, were now removed, and Webster discovered, to his relief, +that they were all familiar to him. + +"Mr. Webster," said the Chief, dropping his tragic tone of voice, +"without further ceremony, I pronounce you a Knight of Liberty. I greet +you heartily;" and then, extending his hand--"Come with me." + +As they emerged into the main council-chamber, Webster quietly examined +his surroundings. It was a spacious apartment, very plain in its +appointments, with a low ceiling and bare walls, and furnished with +chairs arranged in rows around the room. At the head of the hall was a +low platform on which were tables and chairs. Behind these, on the wall, +were suspended two Confederate flags, artistically draped, above which +were the initials "K. of L." Some forty men were already assembled, and +others were quietly dropping in at intervals. Webster noticed that all +these men were from the better class of citizen secessionists, and that +the low, rowdy element was not represented. They were mostly men who had +not thus far been suspected of disloyalty to the Union cause. + +The Grand Chief and other officers now took their positions on the +platform, and Webster was assigned to a seat where he could observe all +that was said or done. + +Presently a clock in the room struck twelve. Instantly all the doors +opening into the chamber were securely locked, and the secret conclave +was in session. The Grand Chief rose and opened the meeting in regular +form; and again, after the secretary had read the journal, made an +address of some length. At the conclusion of his remarks, some one arose +and said: + +"Most Worthy Chief, I believe we can now claim Mr. Webster as a member +of this body. I understand that he has just returned from an interesting +and somewhat dangerous mission, and I now move that he be invited to +address this meeting relative to his experiences during the journey he +has just completed." + +Webster, taken by surprise, undertook to combat the proposition, but the +motion was unanimously concurred in, and no excuses were accepted. He +therefore yielded good-naturedly, and mounting the platform, he +proceeded to relate some of the particulars of his trip to the Potomac. +He made the recital as entertaining and agreeable as possible, and +although his statements did not always possess the merit of being +strictly true, they were such as could not fail to meet the approval of +his hearers, and were therefore received with great favor. Concluding +with a well-timed panegyric on the "faithful" of Baltimore, he resumed +his seat amid the congratulations of his many admiring friends. + +After this, the regular business of the meeting was taken up, in which +Webster took no other part than that of a close listener and observer. +Motions were made, resolutions were adopted, and various duties assigned +to volunteer committees. The proceedings grew more and more interesting +to the detective as they progressed, and it was not long before he began +to feel considerable surprise, if not alarm, at the unexpected +revelations which were made. It became evident to him that these +conspirators had by some means succeeded in placing themselves in direct +communication with the Confederate leaders, and that a gigantic plot was +now in preparation to make a united and irresistible movement against +Washington. Nearly ten thousand Baltimoreans, it was alleged, were +prepared to rise in arms at a moment's notice, and join the rebel army, +whenever such a movement might seem feasible. It appeared, also, that +the Baltimoreans were not alone in this plot against the government, but +that branches of their organization existed in a number of the outlying +towns, and that the secessionists of the entire State were working +harmoniously together for the accomplishment of one great purpose. There +was no lack of arms, for these had already been secured, but their place +of concealment was known only to a few and they were not to be brought +to light until they should be needed. + +The main portion of the plot seemed to be well matured, and was most +perfect in its details. The arrival of the rebel army in Maryland was +expected in a very short time, as they had the promises of the Southern +commanders themselves that they would soon cross the Potomac. Their +coming was to be the signal for a simultaneous uprising of all the +secessionists in the Western and Southern portions of the State, who +were to unite in a movement that could scarcely fail to carry +everything before it. There were also deep-laid schemes by which the +Federals were to be kept in ignorance of the real designs of the +Confederates, until too late to avert the blow. + +The extent of the conspiracy rather startled Webster, although some of +the projects sounded rather visionary, and he made up his mind to +consult with me at once. Accordingly, the very next day, he proceeded to +Washington, and was closeted with me for several hours. As soon as he +had explained the situation, I devised a plan of procedure, and gave him +full instructions as to the manner in which he should proceed. The great +object, of course, was to break up the organization, and defeat the +conspiracy in a manner that would not compromise Webster; but it was not +deemed prudent to go about this with any inordinate haste. + +I advised Webster to continue attending the meetings, in the character +of an active conspirator; to learn all he could, and report to me as +often as possible. In the meantime, I would send him two other +operatives, and he was to secure their admission into the secret +society, as members thereof. In a week or two the final act in the +little drama would be introduced by first making a confidant of Mr. +McPhail, the deputy Provost-Marshal of Baltimore, and then confronting +the conspirators with a company of armed soldiers. + +Webster returned to Baltimore with a clear understanding of the course +he was to pursue, and he followed that course with the untiring zeal +with which he performed every duty assigned to him. He attended the +midnight meetings regularly, and gained much information concerning the +plans and movements of the Southern commanders, which proved of +incalculable value to the government. The two operatives soon contrived +to join the society, not through Webster's recommendation, as that was +to be avoided, if possible, but by making the acquaintances of men whom +he pointed out to them, and representing themselves as secessionists who +were capable of keeping their own counsel. + +This done, the rest was comparatively easy. By the rules of the society, +no one could enter the secret chamber of the conspirators without +passing two guards, and giving sundry pass-words. These guards were +appointed by the Chief from those who volunteered for the positions. At +stated periods, new pass-words were arranged, by which every man was +required to answer the questions of the guards, and any one who failed +to commit these to memory sufficiently to satisfy these sentinels that +he was a member of the society, found himself barred out of the meeting. + +Our plan worked to perfection. There came a night when my two operatives +were on duty, as guards, they having volunteered their services at the +last preceding meeting. This was the night set apart for the surprise. +It had been announced that Webster would speak that night, and it had +been arranged with the guards, that a certain part in his speech should +be taken as the signal for the grand finale that had been decided upon. + +The hour of midnight approached. The old building in which the secret +conclaves were held was shrouded in silence and darkness. At intervals +one or more dark figures might have been seen to enter the covered +archway leading thereto, and pass through the gate into the narrow +court. Then, one at a time, they approached a certain door, and after a +signal rap, and a low, muttered conversation with the guards, they +passed in and ascended the dimly-lighted stairs. Another brief dialogue +with the inside guard, and they entered the council-chamber, where they +dropped their mysterious manner, and were ready to answer to their names +at the calling of the roll. + +The clock struck twelve. The sound rang through the apartment in solemn, +measured tones, and as the twelfth stroke was still vibrating in the +air, all the doors, even those communicating with the ante-rooms, were +promptly locked, no one being admitted after that hour. + +The meeting was opened after the regular form, and the business disposed +of without interruption. When the time which was set apart for addresses +arrived, Webster was called upon for his speech. He ascended the +platform with a serious expression on his face, and after thanking his +fellow-knights for the honor conferred upon him, he launched forth into +a stirring address, the treasonable nature of which was calculated to +fire the Southern blood of his hearers, and to add much to his own +popularity. As the speaker appeared to warm up with his subject he +lifted his voice and exclaimed: + +"The dissolution of the Union is one of the inevitable necessities of +Lincoln's election, and it will be our mission to strike directly at the +heart of the abolition party, and bury its foul carcass beneath the +smoking ruins of Washington city!" + +This was the signal. The words had no sooner passed the lips of the +speaker, than a startling noise, like that of a battering-ram being +applied to one of the ante-room doors, cut short the speech, and caused +every man present to spring to his feet in astonishment and alarm. Bang! +bang! bang! sounded the heavy blows. The door burst open with a crash, +and a stream of blue-coated soldiers, all fully armed, came pouring into +the council-chamber, and quickly deployed around three sides of the +room, effectually cutting off the retreat of the inmates before they +could make a movement. + +[Illustration: "_The door burst open and a stream of blue coated +soldiers came pouring in._" P 298] + +The sudden and unexpected appearance of these intruders had a paralyzing +effect upon the conspirators. Had so many ghosts confronted them they +could not have been more surprised. Horrified consternation was depicted +on every blanched face; startled eyes looked wildly around for some +avenue of escape, and exclamations of terror or baffled rage broke from +many white lips. Some of the most desperate seemed for a moment to +entertain thoughts of breaking through the line of soldiers and reaching +the door, but no such mad attempt was made. McPhail stepped forward with +a revolver in each hand, and in a low, thrilling voice, said: + +"Gentlemen, you are our prisoners. I advise you to give in gracefully. +We are too many for you." + +His advice did not go unheeded. They surrendered as gracefully as +possible under the circumstances, and resigned themselves to the custody +of their armed foes. The chamber in which they had maliciously plotted +the overthrow of the government became the scene of their own downfall, +and it was with dejected countenances that they submitted to the +inevitable, and permitted themselves to be marched in a body before the +Provost-Marshal. It was not observed, however, until they were being +removed, that Timothy Webster had somehow contrived to make good his +escape. + +The leading spirits of this conspiracy--those who did the actual +plotting, and who were known to be the arch traitors and prime movers in +the secret enterprise--were taken to Fort McHenry. The rest, after +taking the oath of allegiance, were released. + +My two operatives disappeared from Baltimore immediately after this +occurrence, as well they might, for of course the suspicion of the +defeated conspirators fastened upon them at once. As they did not show +themselves in that city again, however, they never were made the victims +of the terrible vengeance which some of their late associates swore to +bring down upon their luckless heads at the first opportunity. As for +Webster, instead of being suspected of any complicity in the betrayal, +he was congratulated upon his fortunate and remarkable escape from the +fate which befell his unfortunate brother knights. + +With the defeat of the "Knights of Liberty" in Baltimore, ended the +existence of the branch lodges all over the State. The organization, +which had so carefully planned the destruction of the Union at a single +blow, was completely broken up. The conspirators, taking warning by the +fate of their leaders, became mute and inactive, and although skilled +detectives were sent to all outlying towns, no new signs of an uprising +were discovered. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +_Suspicions in Washington.--"Uncle Gallus."--Property Searched.--A Rebel +Family sent South.--Webster starts for Richmond._ + + +Aside from the operations of Timothy Webster and his assistants in +Baltimore, there was work enough to do in Washington to keep myself and +all the members of my large force constantly employed. Innumerable +persons, suspected of treasonable designs, were closely shadowed; whole +families became objects of distrust, and fell under the watchful eye of +my department; while the ungracious task of searching the homes of +people who stood upon the highest round of the social ladder became of +frequent occurrence. + +Among the latter class were the wife and family of ex-Governor Morton, +of Florida, who at this time were sojourning in Washington. Mrs. Morton +was known to be in sympathy with the South, and the unceasing vigilance +of my men soon developed the fact that she was in secret communication +with certain officials of the rebel government, to whom she was giving +information concerning affairs at the North. She was a lady of eminent +respectability and refinement, and much esteemed by all who knew her, +but this did not render it less advisable, under the circumstances, to +have all her movements watched, and her house constantly shadowed by +detectives. Her pleasant residence at No. 288 "I" street, was therefore +placed under strict surveillance, and its inmates followed whenever they +went out for a walk or drive, while all visitors at the house were +invariably shadowed when they went away. + +There was an old negro servant, known as Uncle Gallus, who went to and +from the house oftener than any one else, on errands for the family. +Finally one of my operatives drew the old fellow into conversation, and +found him so cheerful and communicative, and so firm in his loyalty to +the Northern cause, that when the fact was reported to me, I concluded +to talk with Uncle Gallus myself. Accordingly, I gave orders to have him +brought to my office, if it could be done without opposition on his +part. The friendship I bore for the colored race, and my long experience +as an underground railroad conductor, had given me such an insight into +the character of the negro, that I believed I could gain his confidence +and good-will if I should meet him. + +Uncle Gallus came to my office quite willingly. He was a +powerfully-built darky, though evidently well advanced in years, as +attested by the bleached appearance of his wool and eyebrows. His skin +was as black and shone as bright as polished ebony, and it took but +little provocation to set him on a broad grin, which displayed two +unbroken rows of glistening ivory. + +This interesting specimen appeared before me one afternoon, when Timothy +Webster was with me in my office. We had just finished a discussion +concerning some delicate point in Webster's Baltimore operations, and +had lapsed into a desultory conversation. My sable visitor stood bowing +and scraping, and turning his hat round and round in his hands, till I +bid him be seated. + +"Your name is Gallus?" I said. + +"Yes, sah," he replied, his mouth stretched from ear to ear. "Folks done +got so dey call me _uncle_ Gallus nowadays." + +"You have been a slave all your life, I understand?" + +"Yes, massa, eber sence I war knee-high to a hopper-grass. I'se done a +mighty sight o' wu'k, too, 'kase I wus allus as big an stout as a +sixty-dollah bull, an' I could stan' mo' hard-fisted labor dan any o' de +udder niggahs on de plantation. But sence I been wid Massa Morton I +ain't had nuffin' to do skursely, an' it seems as ef I'se gwine to git +pow'ful lazy fur de want o' wu'k. H'yah! H'yah!" + +"What is your native State, Uncle Gallus?" + +"Ole Virginny, sah." + +He held his head a little higher, and sat a trifle more erect as he said +this, showing that inordinate pride in his State which I had so often +noticed in other Virginia slaves, as well as in Virginia masters. + +I asked him if the Mortons had offered him his freedom since the +breaking out of the war. He shook his head and gravely replied: + +"Dey hain't been nuffin' said to dis pusson on dat 'ar subjick, but I +knows dey'd gimme my freedom in less'n twenty-fo' hours ef I done ax 'em +fur it." + +"Then you don't want to be free?" + +"Oh, yes, I does, massa; yes, I does, fur sho'. But Massa Linkum an' de +Yankee boys am gwine ter fetch dat aroun' all right by'm-bye. Bress your +soul an' body, I can't b'ar fur to run away from missus an' ole massa, +'kase dey's been so good an' kyind to me; an' I'se done tuk an oath dat +I won't leave 'em till dey gimme leaf. When missus goes back down Souf +I'se gwine ter go wid her, ef she don't tole me to stay heah. It won't +be long, nohow, 'kase de time am soon comin' when de darkies will all be +free." + +"Your mistress intends to return to the South, then?" + +"Yes, sah; we'll soon be off now, ef de good Lo'd will let us. Massa, +he's in Richmond, an' he hab done sent fur de family." + +"Is Mrs. Morton in communication with her husband?" + +"Spec' she is, sah. She writes letters, an' _gits_ letters. She has ter +be sorter keerful like, for dese 'yah Yankees is got eyes like a cat, +an' kin see fru a stun wall in de dark." + +"Do you know whether your mistress writes to any one besides her +husband?" + +Uncle Gallus leaned back in his chair, and looked at me somewhat +suspiciously, the whites of his eyes shining like polished china. + +"'Deed, sah, I doesn't know whedder she dusdo, or whedder she doant," he +said, hesitatingly. "Please, massa, doant ax dis chile any mo' +questions. My missus is de bes' woman in de wu'ld, and nebber didn't do +nuffin' wrong in all her bawn days. Ole Gallus wouldn't say nuffin' to +bring trubble on her for fifteen cents," he added, earnestly. + +I quieted the fears of the faithful old man by assuring him that I meant +no harm to his mistress, and that I had no doubt she was the good lady +he represented her to be. Satisfied with the result of my +investigations, I permitted Uncle Gallus to depart, first charging him, +however, to say nothing to any one concerning my interview with him. He +promised secrecy, and bowed himself out with all his teeth visible, +saying, as he went: + +"Fo' de Lawd, gemmen, I'se hopin an' prayin' de No'thun folks will be de +top dog in dis wrastle, an' ef eber dis niggah hes a chance to gib +yu'uns a helpin' han', yu' kin bet a hoss agin' a coon-skin he'll do it; +but I hope an' trus' my missus not be boddered." + +Nevertheless, I had learned enough to bring me to the decision, that +Mrs. Morton's house must be searched, and under orders of the Secretary +of War, I sent three of my men to No. 288 "I" street, to perform this +unpleasant task. The operatives chosen to make the search were W. H. +Scott, John Scully, and Pryce Lewis. Mrs. Morton received them very +civilly, and told them they were at liberty to make a thorough search of +the premises, which they immediately proceeded to do. They had +instructions to read all letters that were found, but to keep only those +that were of a treasonable nature, and in no case to destroy any +property or leave anything in a disordered condition. These instructions +were obeyed to the letter. Boxes that were packed ready for shipment +were all carefully repacked and closed after they had been examined by +my men, and when the operatives departed, they left no traces of their +search behind them. Their polite and considerate conduct won for them +the good will, not only of Mrs. Morton herself, but also of her daughter +and two sons, who expressed themselves as being agreeably surprised, for +they had been informed that the men from the Provost-Marshal's office +were a set of ruffians, who did not scruple to break up boxes, and +litter the house with their contents, and that their conduct towards +ladies was insulting in the extreme. They even went so far as to assure +the operatives, that if any of them should ever be taken prisoner and +brought to Richmond, they would do all in their power to secure kind +treatment for them. + +Among the letters that were found, two of them were from ex-Governor +Morton, to his son and daughter, requesting them to come to him at +Richmond; but nothing of a criminating character was discovered, and the +family were not subjected to further annoyance. + +Some two weeks afterwards, when John Scully boarded a train for +Baltimore, whither I had sent him with a message to Webster, he chanced +to meet Mrs. Morton and family in the car which he entered. They were +departing from Washington, having been required to leave the North, by +the authorities, who furnished them a safe passport to Richmond, and +they were accompanied by the faithful Uncle Gallus. They recognized +Scully, and greeted him with cordial courtesy, the eldest son rising in +his seat to shake hands with him. They told him that on arriving at +Baltimore, they were to take a flag-of-truce boat to Fortress Monroe, +from which point they would continue their journey to Richmond. Scully +as a matter of policy, gave them distinctly to understand that he had +quitted the government service and was returning to his home in the +North. + +This little experience with the Morton family was trifling enough in +itself, and was only one of many similar episodes with which I and my +force were connected during those troublous times; but I have been thus +particular in detailing it because it has an important bearing upon +other events which afterwards occurred. + +It was about a month after the incident above mentioned, that Timothy +Webster completed his preparations for making his first trip into +Virginia and through the rebel lines. A large number of Baltimoreans had +intrusted him with letters to their friends and relatives in the South, +and he had assured them that their messages would be delivered safely +and answers brought back in due time. + +He left Baltimore on the 14th of October, and proceeded southward along +the "Eastern Shore" of Virginia, seeking a convenient place to cross +over to the mainland or "Western Shore." He arrived at Eastville, the +county seat of Northampton county, on Tuesday, October 22d, where he +found that he could effect a crossing with the assistance of a man named +Marshall, who made a business of smuggling passengers and mails through +the lines. He was compelled, however, to remain at Eastville several +days, waiting for Marshall and his boat to come over from the other +side, his trips being delayed on account of the bright moonlight nights, +as the boatman did not dare to run the gantlet of the Federal guns, +unless covered by darkness. + +Some two or three months before, this man, Marshall, had owned a sloop, +which he had used successfully in running the Federal blockade. One +night he was caught in a calm near the western shore, and was run-down +by a gunboat. His sloop was captured, and he narrowly escaped capture by +deserting his vessel and reaching the shore in a smaller boat. Since +that time Marshall had been pursuing his vocation with a sort of canoe, +or "dugout," thirty-one feet in length and five feet in width, carrying +three sails--main, fore and jib. His route was from Gloucester Point, +York river, to Eastville, and his business was to transfer from one side +of the bay to the other the Confederate mail and passengers, and +sometimes a small cargo of merchandise. Marshall being an expert pilot +and a thorough seaman, was frequently employed by the masters of sloops +and schooners to pilot them past certain points, they giving him the +privilege of putting his passengers and mail-bags aboard the vessel +without charge. It was his invariable custom to place a stone or other +heavy substance in his mail-bag before starting, for the purpose of +sinking it in case of being pressed by the gunboats. + +It was on a dark evening that Webster left Cherrystone Lighthouse in +Marshall's canoe, to make the voyage across the Chesapeake. There were +thirteen passengers, all told. Eight of these were Marylanders, mostly +from Baltimore, every one of whom announced his intention of enlisting +in the Confederate army or navy upon his arrival at Richmond. + +On starting, Marshall rowed off a short distance from the light-house, +and rested on his oars for some time, taking observations to ascertain +if the bay was clear of hostile craft. The night was scarcely dark +enough for safety; the clouds were thin and scattered, and the stars +were peeping through the dark, ragged curtain overhead. The wind was +blowing strongly from the east, and the water was exceedingly rough. + +Resolving, however, to make the effort, Marshall hoisted his sails, and +as they rapidly filled, the little vessel sprung forward like a thing of +life. It fairly skimmed over the waves, its sharp prow cutting the water +and dashing up clouds of spray that caused the men to turn up their +coat-collars and pull their hats down closer upon their heads. All +conversation was forbidden, lest their voices should betray them to the +enemy. With sealed lips and motionless forms, they might have been so +many dark phantoms speeding before the wind on some supernatural +mission. + +Webster, by his own wish, had been put upon the look-out by the captain +of the boat, and he keenly watched for signs of danger. When they had +traveled nearly half the distance across the bay, he spied a point of +light to leeward, and at once called Marshall's attention to it. + +"It is a gunboat with a light on her bows," said the latter. "Let her +come. She can't catch us, for with oar present headway we are not to be +overhauled by any boat on this water." + +The canoe was headed due west for about fourteen miles, then south-west +by west for ten or twelve miles, then due west again to Gloucester +Point. The entire run was made in three and a half hours, the sailing +distance being about thirty miles. + +On nearing Gloucester Point, they were hailed by a sentinel, with the +usual challenge: + +"Who comes there?" + +The blockade-runner sent back the answer: + +"Marshall--mail boat!" + +"Stand, Marshall, and give the countersign!" + +"No countersign," was the reply. + +The sentinel then called out: + +"Sergeant of the Guard, Post No. 1!" + +And another voice, further away, cried: + +"Who's there?" + +"Marshall, with mail boat and passengers." + +"Sentinel, let them pass." + +A few minutes later the passengers disembarked, and found themselves in +a rebel camp. + +Webster, with others, went to Marshall's shanty--a rude, wooden +structure, which that worthy had built on the Point for the +accommodation of his passengers--and there the remainder of the night +was spent in the refreshing companionship of Morpheus. + +On the following morning Webster was up and astir at an early hour. He +ascertained that the encampment at Gloucester Point consisted of two +regiments of infantry, two companies of cavalry, and one field battery +of six guns, all under the command of Col. Charles H. Crump. The +entrenchments comprised an area of about fifteen acres, and the main +breastwork on the beach consisted of a heavy earth-bank, walled on the +inside with split pine logs set up on end. About the center of this +breastwork was a sixty-four-pound gun, mounted on a high carriage, which +traversed in a circle commanding a sweep of the whole land side of the +entrenchments, where there was a clean field of about seven hundred +acres bounded by timber on the north and York river on the south. + +General Magruder had command of this division of the army, including the +forces at Gloucester Point, Yorktown and all the peninsula bounded by +the James and York rivers, extending down to Fortress Monroe. The +division embraced thirty-three regiments of infantry and cavalry. + +Webster called at Colonel Crump's headquarters and obtained from that +officer a pass to Richmond, not only for himself, but for several others +who had crossed the bay with him. At about the hour of noon on Saturday, +the 26th, the party were ferried across the river to Yorktown, in a +small boat. The landing at Yorktown was in front of a hill which rose +with a gentle slope some twenty-five feet above the beach, on the top of +which, in front of the town, was an earthwork mounting six or eight +guns. + +From this point the party proceeded in a south-westerly direction, +across the peninsula, to Grove Wharf, on James river. The distance was +about ten miles, and was accomplished without difficulty or delay. On +their arrival at Grove Wharf, however, they were disappointed to learn +that no boat was to leave there for Richmond until the following Monday. +There was no help for it, and with a rueful attempt at resignation, they +took quarters at a neighboring farm-house, where they waited and rested. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +_The Spy at Richmond.--Earthworks Around the Rebel Capital.--An +Unexpected Meeting.--Pistols for Two.--A Reconciliation.--Safe Return to +Washington._ + + +On Monday morning Webster left Grove Wharf, on the regular steam packet, +for Richmond, where he arrived on the evening of the same day. Here he +separated from his companions and made his way alone to the Spotswood +Hotel, where he registered, and proceeded to make himself at home. He +was now in the rebel capital, surrounded on all sides by the enemies of +his country, with no friends to whom he could apply in case of danger, +and burdened with a mission, upon the successful performance of which +his life depended. It was a mission, too, requiring such delicate and +skillful labor, that a man less iron-nerved would have trembled at the +very contemplation of it; but Webster, whose courage and self-command +never deserted him in the most trying moments of his life, coolly +reviewed the situation and laid his plans in a systematic manner for +future operations. + +The next day, he busied himself about the city, delivering his letters, +forming acquaintances, and paving the way for an interview with the +Secretary of War, his object being to obtain from that high official, if +possible, a pass to Manassas and Winchester. He was informed by General +Jones, Post-Adjutant to General Winder, the Provost-Marshal at Richmond, +and commander of the forces there, that no interview could be obtained +with the Secretary of War, except upon business especially connected +with the military department, as they were daily expecting an attack +from the Federal Army of the Potomac, and the Secretary was wholly +engaged with officers of the army. + +Among the acquaintances which Webster formed, was a young man by the +name of William Campbell, originally a Baltimorean, to whom he brought a +letter of introduction from the father of the young man. Campbell +treated my operative with the utmost friendliness and courtesy, and +invited him to a drive during the afternoon. The invitation was +accepted, and as the weather was all that could be desired, they enjoyed +a very pleasant afternoon. They visited the environs for the purpose of +viewing the defenses, and Webster noted the fact that there were +seventeen very superior earthwork batteries around the town, forming a +rude semicircle with either end resting on the James river. The +entrenchments around each of these batteries were from twelve to +fourteen feet wide at the top, and about ten feet deep. Some of the +batteries were designed for six guns and some for sixteen. They were +nearly all completed at this time, and the work upon them had been done +exclusively by negro slaves. In most cases they were mounted with their +full complement of guns, varying in caliber, from thirty-two to +sixty-four pounds. The land around Richmond consists of hills and +valleys, and the batteries were planted on the most elevated and +commanding points. The heaviest of these commanded the turnpikes and +railroads which formed the approaches from Manassas and Fredericksburg. + +After visiting the batteries, Webster went with Campbell to the ordnance +department, where he was introduced to several persons who had charge of +the ordnance stores, and from whom he elicited much valuable +information. Among other things, he was informed by the Colonel in +charge, that the "Bermuda," an English vessel which had recently run the +blockade, had brought over for the Confederate government twelve +thousand Enfield rifles, a large supply of cavalry swords and a number +of rifled cannon; and that, upon trial, the rifled cannon were found to +be more accurate than any of their brass pieces. + +On the following day Webster concluded to make another inspection of the +earthworks around the city. He went alone and on foot this time, as he +desired to make some notes and calculations, which he was unable to do +in the presence of others without running an unnecessary risk. It was a +fine, brisk morning, the air was slightly tinged with the coolness of +approaching winter, and the spy occupied the entire forenoon in +strolling leisurely from point to point, apparently with the single +object of idling away a few leisure hours. Now he passed some men +engaged in planting a cannon on one of the redoubts, and again he saw a +group of slaves busily at work with pickaxes and shovels, but no one +seemed to pay any attention to him. + +About noon he came upon a scene, which, though characteristic of the +time and place, was rather a novel sight to a Northern man, and he +stopped to view it with considerable interest. In a sunny spot near the +river bank about a dozen negro laborers were gathered, their +surroundings showing that they had just left off work for the enjoyment +of their allotted hour of rest, at noon. Having finished their mid-day +repast, they were now filling their time by indulging in a species of +amusement peculiar to their race. On a pine log sat a jolly-looking old +negro, whose hair was white as snow and whose face was black as ebony, +grinning, and rolling his head from side to side, while he patted "Juba" +with great energy and skill, on his knees, chest and head. The other +darkies were dancing to the "music," and apparently enjoying the sport +to an unlimited degree. + +The detective was amused at the spectacle, but this feeling gave way to +one of surprise and curiosity, as he looked more intently at the +white-haired old man who was acting as _musician_. There was something +strikingly familiar in those black, smiling features. Surely this was +not the first time he had seen that face, or witnessed that tremendous +grin. Where had he met this darky before? + +Suddenly his recollection was quickened. The person in question was none +other than Uncle Gallus, the servant of ex-Governor Morton, whom he had +seen in my office at Washington, on the day that I had questioned him +about his mistress. This fact was clear enough to Webster, but somewhat +surprising, withal. He remembered that Uncle Gallus had, on that +occasion, represented the Mortons as very indulgent slave-owners, who +never permitted him to perform any hard labor; yet here he was, in the +role of a common workman, employed upon the fortifications around +Richmond. + +Whatever had caused this change, however, it did not appear to weigh +heavily upon the old darky, for at this moment he was in the very +ecstasy of delight, as he patted inspiration into the nimble feet of his +companions. The other darkies danced until their faces shone with +perspiration, and the manner in which their loose-jointed limbs swung +and wriggled, suggested the idea that those members were hung on pivots. +They leaped and vaulted, and flung their heels in the airs, as if they +were so many jumping-jacks and Uncle Gallus was pulling the string. + +The latter hummed snatches of plantation melodies as he warmed up to +his work, and finally he sung a series of characteristic verses, of +which the following are a sample: + + "Did you ebber see a woodchuck lookin' at a coon-fight? + Linkum am a-comin' by'm-bye; + Did you ebber see a niggah gal dancin' in de moonlight? + Glory, glory, glory hallelujerum! + + "Possum up a gum-stump, chawin' slippery-ellum, + Linkum am a-comin' by'm-bye; + Nigga's in de market an' massa tryin' to sell 'em-- + Glory, glory, glory hallelujerum! + + "Secesh in Richmon'--de Yankee boys has treed 'em-- + Linkum am a-comin' by'm-bye; + All de little pickaninnies gwine to git dar freedom-- + Glory, glory, glory hallelujerum!" + +Suddenly the merriment of the blacks was interrupted in a most +unexpected manner. + +Some tall bushes that covered the top of a slight elevation near by were +suddenly parted, and a man, wearing the uniform of a Lieutenant in the +Confederate army, leaped down among the astonished revelers. In a +towering rage, he turned upon Uncle Gallus and shouted: + +"Shut your head, you d----d old villain, or I'll fill your black hide +with lead!" and he flourished a cocked revolver in the face of the +terrified negro. + +"Afo' God, Massa, we didn't mean no harm, we's jes passin' away de +time," said Uncle Gallus, in a frightened voice. + +"Well, then," said the officer, with an oath, "be a little more careful +in the future about the kind of songs you sing, or I'll have every +d----d one of you bucked and gagged, and whipped within an inch of your +lives." + +Replacing his weapon, and turning on his heel, he was striding angrily +away when he came face to face with Webster. + +The recognition was mutual and instantaneous between the two men. As +quick as a flash Webster had his revolver cocked and pointed at the head +of the blustering Confederate. + +"Bill Zigler, what are you doing here? You move at your peril." + +"I'd kill you, curse you, but you've got the drop on me now, as you had +once before. But my time will come, you d----d Yankee spy!" + +"Look here, Bill!" said Webster, anxious, if possible, to disarm at once +and forever the suspicions of his enemy, "what is the use of our being +continually at daggers' points? You were foolish enough to insult me in +Baltimore by impeaching my loyalty to the South, and I resented it, as +any man would. If you repeat the vile slander, I'll do the same thing. +If, however, you have anything personal against me, and must fight, I'll +put up my weapon and meet you hand to hand." + +Zigler looked at the speaker a moment, and then advancing and extending +his hand, said: + +"Webster, put up your pistol; I guess I've made a d----d fool of myself. +I did think you were a spy, but I knock under; I don't want to be an +enemy to such a friend to the cause as I now believe you to be." + +Lowering his revolver, Webster good-naturedly received the friendly +overtures of his former foe. + +"I thought you would come to your senses at last; but when did you come +down here?" + +"Oh, I've been here several weeks. I enlisted in Baltimore and came down +as a lieutenant," answered Zigler. "But where are you from?" he +continued, "and what is the news from the Monumental City?" + +"I am just from that city," replied Webster, "and have brought a number +of letters for parties here and at Manassas. I expect to go to the +Junction to-morrow, if I succeed in getting a pass." + +"Who do you want to see there?" + +"Well, I want to see John Bowen," replied Webster, naming a particular +friend of Zigler's, whom he knew was at Manassas. "I understand he is +down with typhoid fever, and will no doubt be glad to hear from home." + +This straightforward story completely disarmed the suspicions of the +bully as to Webster's true character, and finding that he had time to +spare he invited the scout to his quarters. + +Thus the quarrel was settled between these two men, and the superior +tact and coolness of Webster had succeeded in making a friend of a man +who might have seriously interfered with his operations, and probably +have jeopardized his life. + +As they were leaving the place, Webster cast a look at the group of +negroes, whose mirth had been so suddenly interrupted, and he noticed +that they were regarding the Lieutenant with looks of sullen anger. He +was, however, considerably relieved to find that Uncle Gallus had not +recognized him, and that as far as the aged negro was concerned, he had +nothing to fear. He accompanied Zigler to his quarters, where they +chatted pleasantly for an hour, after which Webster returned to his +hotel, a much wiser man than when he first started out upon his walk. + +As he sauntered quietly back to the city, he felt quite elated at the +success of his management of Zigler, whom he had made a fast friend. +After supper, in company with Mr. Campbell, he strolled about the city +for a short time, when his companion excused himself, and Webster +pursued his way alone. He was walking along Utah street, apparently +deeply absorbed in his own meditations, when he heard a voice behind +him. + +"Hole on dar, Massa!" + +Turning around, he was surprised to see Uncle Gallus, approaching him as +rapidly as his stiffened limbs would permit. + +"Well, uncle," said Webster, as the old man caught up to him--"did you +speak to me?" + +"You'se de man dat I 'dressed, sah--done you know me?" said the old +fellow, peering anxiously in the face of the detective. + +"No, I don't remember you," said Webster, determined to ascertain +whether the old darky did know him; "where have you ever seen me?" + +"In Washington, sah," replied Uncle Gallus; "don' you remember you saw +me at Majah Allen's, when I was dah libin wid Missus Morton?" + +Webster looked at the negro a moment, and then, feeling assured of the +friendliness of his interlocutor, he said: + +"Your face does seem familiar to me; what is your name?" + +"Dey calls me Uncle Gallus, sah," answered the old fellow. + +"Oh, yes," said Webster, "now I remember you." + +"Golly, massa," grinned Uncle Gallus, "wen I seed you gib it to Bill +Zigler dis mo'nin', I dun knowed you right away, but I wouldn't say +nuffin' for de world, fo' I knowed you was a pullin' de wool ober his +eyes." + +Knowing full well that he had nothing to fear from Uncle Gallus, he +talked with him good-naturedly on various topics, and in the course of +the conversation he learned that he was no longer with Mrs. Morton, +having been disposed of by her, some time before, and that he was now +being used by the Confederate government to work upon the +fortifications. Not deeming it advisable to remain long in conversation +with the old darky on the streets, he told him that he would see him in +a day or two, and placing a coin in the old man's hand, he bade him +good-night. + +The next morning Mr. Campbell and Webster visited General Jones, and +obtained the sought-for passes to Manassas, for which place he left +early in the forenoon. On his arrival there, he learned that John Bowen, +for whom he had a letter, had been taken to Richmond, but having several +other messages to deliver to parties of prominence there, he busied +himself during the day in forming acquaintances, and in acquiring +knowledge. From Manassas he went to Centreville, where he remained a few +days, and from thence to Warrington, and finally back again to Richmond, +where he delivered his remaining letters. Here he formed the +acquaintance of a man by the name of Price, who was engaged in running +the blockade, and who was making arrangements to return to Baltimore, to +purchase a fresh supply of goods. Together they went to the office of +the Provost-Marshal, where they obtained the necessary passes to insure +their safe journey through the rebel lines. + +Leaving Richmond, they went to Fredericksburg, where he stayed long +enough to visit all the places of interest around that city, and in +company with Mr. Price they went on to Brooks Station, the headquarters +of General Holmes, with whom Price was intimately acquainted. After +remaining several days, he left his companion, making his way to +Yorktown and Gloucester Point, and from thence to Washington, where he +reported to me. + +This first visit of Timothy Webster to Richmond was highly successful. +Not only had he made many friends in that city, who would be of service +to him on subsequent trips, but the information he derived was +exceedingly valuable. He was able to report very correctly the number +and strength of the fortifications around the rebel capital, to estimate +the number of troops and their sources of supplies, and also the forts +between that city and Manassas Junction. His notes of the topography of +the country were of the greatest value, and he received the warmest +thanks of the commanding general, for what he had thus far been able to +accomplish. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +_Again in Baltimore.--A Warning.--The Spy is Arrested, and Escapes._ + + +After the return of Timothy Webster from Richmond and Manassas, I deemed +it best that he should again visit Baltimore and mingle once more with +his rebel friends in that city. Since the summary collapse of the +Knights of Liberty the majority of them had been remarkably quiet, and +no indications were apparent that they contemplated any further +proceedings of a treasonable nature. It will be remembered that on the +night that the secret meeting was disturbed, Webster managed in some +unaccountable manner to escape, and that he had disappeared almost +immediately afterwards. As no suspicion existed as yet of his having +been concerned in the affair, and as his prolonged absence might give +rise to doubts of his loyalty, I concluded that it was best for him to +again show himself among his old associates, and account for his escape +in a manner that would appear truthful and straightforward. + +He accordingly took the train, and after arriving in Baltimore, he went +directly to Miller's Hotel. Here he found several of his friends, and +their greetings were most cordial and hearty. In a few moments others +of the party had been notified, and came thronging in to welcome him and +to congratulate him upon his escape and present safety. Eager inquiries +were made as to the manner in which he had so successfully eluded the +soldiers, and how he had spent the time since the occurrence of that +event. In reply Webster gave a satisfactory and highly interesting +account of his movements, all of which was heartily enjoyed by his +listening friends. Gratified beyond expression at the pleasant condition +of affairs, he became quite jolly, and the balance of the evening was +spent in convivial and social enjoyment. + +On the following morning he started out in search of his old friend Sam +Sloan, for whom he had a letter from his brother, who was in the rebel +army, and stationed at Centreville. Having also a number of letters for +other Baltimoreans, he desired to secure Sloan's services in their +proper and safe delivery. + +Sam looked in astonishment as Webster blandly approached him, and after +an effusive greeting he remarked earnestly: + +"Webster, you'll have to be mighty careful now, or you will be arrested +yet. We are watched night and day--the least suspicious move we make is +reported at once--and if repeated, the first thing the offender knows he +finds himself in the guard-house." + +"Well," replied Webster, laughingly, "I'll have to take my chances with +the rest of you." + +"I know your grit, Webster," said Sloan, "but by all means be careful. I +was arrested myself since you went away." + +"The deuce you were!" ejaculated Webster. "How did that occur?" + +"Well, I went over to Washington to transact a little business, and +while there I met some of the boys, and we had a little 'time.' I don't +know what I did, but when I started to come home, the Provost-Marshal +arrested me, and I had to take the oath of allegiance before I could get +away." + +"You don't tell me that you took the oath, Sam?" + +"Yes, I did," laughed Sam. "I would take twenty oaths before I would be +locked up;" and then he added: "I tell you, we are all spotted here in +this city, and who is doing it we can't find out." + +"What makes you think that?" inquired Webster, doubtfully. + +"Many things. Why, only the other day I was taken before Lieutenant +Watts, who has charge of the station-house, and the questions he put to +me about the gang, convinced me that he knew a great deal more than was +good for us." + +"Did he ask anything about me?" queried Webster. + +"No," replied Sam, "and if he had I wouldn't have told him anything, you +may be sure." + +"I can readily believe that," said the detective, "but if it is so +dangerous here, how am I going to deliver these letters?" + +"I can help you there," said Sloan, after a moment's consideration; +"John Earl, Richardson and I will see that they are delivered, and that +will keep you from incurring suspicion." + +"That will do," said Webster, "and you can tell the people you see to +write their answers at once, and inclose them in two envelopes, one +directed to their friend, and the other to John Hart, at Miller's +Hotel." + +"I understand; but who is this John Hart you mention--can we trust him?" + +"I think so," replied the detective, laughing heartily; "his other name +is Timothy Webster." + +"By Jove, Webster, you're a good one; I begin to think myself that there +isn't so much danger of your getting caught after all." + +This being satisfactorily arranged, the two men started in search of +John Earl and Richardson, who both agreed to assist in the delivery of +the letters which Webster had brought with him from the South. They all +went to the room occupied by the detective at the hotel, and after a +friendly drink, the letters were properly assorted, and each man was +given his particular portion. They were instructed to request answers +from those only in whose friendship they could implicitly rely, and to +take in person any that were prepared at the time. + +In the afternoon, Webster called on Mr. Campbell, the father of the +young man who had accompanied him on his trip from Richmond to Manassas +Junction. The old gentleman was rejoiced to hear from his son, and after +a few minutes' conversation Webster discovered that he was quite as +bitter a secessionist as any one he had met, although he was quite aged +and not very active. He informed the detective that he had once made a +very handsome horse-bit for General McClellan, and that he was now +making one for General Johnston, which he would like Webster to take +with him when he next went to Richmond, and deliver it to the General in +person. + +"Have everything ready," said the detective, "and I will see that it +reaches its destination in safety." + +Returning to the hotel, he went in to supper, and after a hearty repast +seated himself in the reading-room to await the return of his +mail-carriers. While carelessly glancing over the columns of a daily +paper, he was approached by a gentleman, who stepped in front of him, +exclaiming heartily: "Why, Mr. Webster, how do you do? I am glad to see +you; when did you get back to Baltimore?" + +Looking up hastily from his paper, Webster recognized the speaker as Mr. +Price, the blockade runner whom he had met in Richmond, and with whom he +had traveled some distance through the rebel country. + +Their greeting was most cordial, and the return of John Earl and Sam +Sloan found the two men engaged in animated conversation. From Price, +Webster learned that a large amount of goods had been purchased by +several wealthy gentlemen of Baltimore, who had adopted a very novel +manner of transporting them into rebeldom, without danger from Federal +pickets or gunboats. Their plan was to ship the goods upon a vessel +bound for Europe and ostensibly the goods were intended for the same +destination. In addition to this a small boat was purchased, which was +to be taken in tow by the steamer. By an arrangement with the captain +the vessel was to stand in as close as possible to the mouth of York +river, when the small boat was to be brought alongside, then the goods +were to be transferred to it, and the owners were to pull up the river +to Yorktown, effect a safe landing, and the rest would be an easy task. + +Webster complimented his companion on the shrewdness displayed in this +suggestion, and that evening he wrote to me, conveying full particulars +of the proposed blockade-running. + +It is needless to say that this little plan, shrewd as it was, failed of +execution. Men were at once placed upon the track of these merchants, +and a more surprised coterie never existed than were these gentlemen, +when their goods, carefully labeled for a foreign port, were seized by +the government, and their conveyance to the South effectually stopped. +An examination of the goods fully confirmed the correctness of Webster's +information, and this venture, at least, was a losing speculation to +those who had engaged in it. + +After Mr. Price had taken his departure, John Earl called Webster aside, +and informed him that a gentleman desired to send a draft for a large +amount of money to Richmond, and that he had insisted on placing it in +the hands of John Hart himself. + +"Do you know this man, and that he is all right?" asked Webster. + +"No," replied Earl, "I know nothing about him except that he is vouched +for by three parties who are true, and they say he is all right." + +"I don't like this idea," said Webster, doubtfully; "I guess you had +better tell this man that you will deliver it safely for him, and then +you can hand it to me." + +"I did suggest that, but he said his orders were to intrust it to no one +but John Hart himself." + +After considering for some time, Webster finally concluded to see the +individual in person. He was satisfied that no harm could come to him if +the man was a Federal detective, as, by application to the authorities +or to me he could readily extricate himself from any difficulty, and if +he was a rebel, he would incur no risk whatever. + +"Very well," he said, after he had fully deliberated the question, "you +can bring him to my room and then we will see what is to be done. +Meanwhile I will take a short walk and smoke a cigar." + +On his return he found John Earl awaiting him. + +"The gentleman is up-stairs in my room," said Earl; "will you go up now +and see him?" + +Webster signified his willingness, and the two men ascended the stairs. +As they entered the room the stranger arose to greet them, and Webster +scrutinized him carefully. The result of his scrutiny was decidedly +unsatisfactory. The new-comer was a tall, well-formed man, of about +forty years of age. His hair was dark, and he wore long side-whiskers of +the same color. In appearance he was what would be ordinarily considered +a handsome man, but there was a look of quiet curiosity about the eyes, +and a peculiar curl about the mouth, which struck Webster very +unpleasantly, and caused him to instinctively regret having accorded him +the interview which he desired. + +"Mr. Hart," said the stranger, pleasantly, after they had been formally +introduced to each other, "I have a letter here, inclosing a draft, +which I am desirous of having safely delivered to my sister-in-law in +Richmond. You will find the address upon the envelope inside. Can you +attend to this?" + +"I guess so," replied Webster. "I can try, at all events." + +Webster could not overcome a feeling of unrest and suspicion, as he +conversed with the man, and he felt considerably relieved when, after +expressing his thanks, he took his departure. + +The next morning Webster was astir early, and after partaking of a +hearty breakfast, he thought he would pay another visit to Mr. Bowen. +Leaving the hotel, he walked rapidly down the street in the direction of +the old man's residence. He had not proceeded far when, on turning +around, he noticed that his friend of the night before was walking upon +the opposite side of the street, and but a short distance behind him. +Finding that he was observed, the man crossed the street, and after +bidding Webster a very cordial good-morning, said: + +"Mr. Hart, as we are walking in the same direction, if you have no +objection, we will walk together." + +Webster assented, and for a short distance they journeyed along, +indulging in a very constrained conversation. Webster felt assured that +the man had been following him, and that his apparent friendliness was +assumed. Desiring to rid himself of his unwelcome and uncomfortable +companion, he was upon the point of expressing himself very forcibly, +when he was startled by the stranger grasping him firmly by the arm, and +ejaculating: + +"John Hart, you are my prisoner!" + +Had a thunderbolt fallen at his feet he could not have been more +surprised, but recovering himself quickly, he wrenched himself from the +grasp of the man. + +"What do you mean, sir?" he asked. + +[Illustration: "_John Hart, you are my prisoner._" P. 334.] + +"Just what I have said," replied the other, coolly; "there is no +occasion for any controversy upon the question, and as you are directly +in front of the station-house, resistance would be worse than useless." + +The cool manner in which these words were spoken exasperated Webster +beyond control, but he saw that there were two soldiers standing guard +in the doorway, and he realized at once that any attempt at escape would +be foolhardy in the extreme. He therefore submitted quietly, and +suffered himself to be led into the building, where an officer was +seated at a table, examining the reports of the previous day. + +The recognition between the Lieutenant and Webster's captor appeared to +be mutual, and, indeed, the presence of my operative did not seem to be +an unlooked-for event. + +"Lieutenant, this is Mr. Hart," said the stranger. + +"All right," replied that officer, "we will take good care of him." + +After a short consultation, held in a tone too low for Webster to hear, +the stranger took his leave, and the officer turned to the detective: + +"Come with me, sir; your case will be attended to in the course of the +day." + +"Lieutenant, I would like to speak to you a moment, now that we are +alone," said Webster, desirous of ending the matter, and of enabling the +Lieutenant to ascertain his true character. + +"I have no time to talk with rebels," said the officer, shortly, and +then calling to the turnkey, he directed him to place Webster in a cell. + +Deeply resenting the treatment of the officer, but feeling that +opposition would only aggravate his annoyance, Webster followed the man, +internally vowing vengeance against the fellow who had instigated his +arrest. He was anxious to express himself forcibly to the officer in +charge, but he considered that he would probably do the same thing under +the same circumstances. The Lieutenant believed him to be a rebel, and +as such his treatment was harsh and impolite, and after debating the +matter in his mind he came to the conclusion that he was not much to +blame after all. He was desirous, however, of communicating with some +one who could intercede for him, and by that means secure his release, +and he resolved to make friends with his jailer as the best possible way +of obtaining what he wanted. + +Shortly after he had been incarcerated, he heard the voices of Sam Sloan +and John Earl, who had been informed of his arrest and had come to see +him. Their request was denied, however, and they expressed themselves in +very loud tones against the injustice they were compelled to submit to. +All to no avail, however, and they reluctantly took their leave. The +turnkey coming along the corridor at this time, Webster called to him, +and requested his attention for a few moments. The man was about sixty +years of age, and had a very benignant countenance, which Webster argued +was a good omen for the work of propitiation which he had in hand. + +"Will you tell the Lieutenant that I would like to speak with him," +asked Webster. + +"It's no use," said the old man, with a shake of the head; "the +Lieutenant says he won't have anything to say to you, until your case is +reported to headquarters this evening." + +"Well, then," smiled Webster, "I suppose I will have to wait his +pleasure; but can't a fellow get a little whisky and cigar? I'll make it +worth your while if you can help me in that particular." + +The old man laughed, and said he would see what could be done, as +Webster slipped a bill into his hand. He disappeared, and after about a +half hour, he returned and slipped a small bundle through the grated +door, admonishing Webster to be careful about exposing himself to the +other prisoners within view. + +"All right," said Webster, "you keep the change, old man, for your +trouble." + +In the afternoon another officer, accompanied by four men, came to his +cell, and requested his appearance at the office. Here he was carefully +searched, and upon his person were found some letters addressed to +himself; a pass from Col. Cramp, and about seventy dollars in money. +They were about to take these from him, when Webster inquired: + +"Who was the man who arrested me this morning?" + +"His name is McPhail, and he belongs to the secret service," was the +reply. + +At the mention of the name, Webster started in surprise. He had heard of +him as connected with my force, and knew that everything would soon be +all right. + +"Well," said Webster, "will you be kind enough to send for Mr. McPhail, +and ask him to telegraph to Major Allen, and inquire if Tim is all +right?" + +"What Major Allen is that?" asked the officer. + +"Of the secret service," replied Webster. "McPhail will know all about +him; and you will learn that I am no rebel, in a very short time." + +"We will do what you request," said the officer, "and if you are all +right, we will be glad to find it out." + +Thanking the officer for his kindness, Webster was conducted back to his +cell to await developments. + +About ten o'clock that night, the officer again made his appearance. + +"John Hart, come here." + +Webster presented himself before the iron grating of his cell. + +"Is your name John Hart?" + +"No, sir, my name is Timothy Webster." + +"Well, my orders are for a man named Hart, who is to be taken to Fort +McHenry." + +[Illustration: "_Webster leaped from the wagon while it was in motion._" +P. 339.] + +Something in the tone of the man's voice, and in the twinkle of his eye, +told Webster that everything was understood, so he answered at once: + +"Very well, I am the man!" + +"Come with me, then." + +They conducted him to the street, where he saw a covered wagon in +waiting. They all got in and then in a loud voice the officer gave the +order: + +"Drive direct to Fort McHenry pier!" + +After they had started, the officer explained to Webster that it had +been arranged, in order to prevent suspicion, that he should be allowed +to jump from the wagon as it was driven along, and after a pretended +pursuit, he would make his escape to his rebel friends with whom he +should remain quietly for a few days, and then return to Washington and +report to me. + +These directions he implicitly followed; and seizing a favorable +opportunity, he leaped from the wagon and rapidly made his way in the +direction of the city. Going directly to Sam Sloan's, he knocked loudly +at the door. After a few minutes a window was raised and a voice +inquired angrily: + +"Who are you, and what do you want?" + +"It is I--Webster--Sam, come down and open the door." + +The window was shut, with an oath of joyful surprise, and in a +twinkling, the door was opened, and Sloan pulled Webster into the room, +closing and locking the door behind him. + +"Great G--d, Webster, how did you manage to get away from the Yanks?" + +"Let me get warm, and I'll tell you," replied Webster, with a laugh. + +"Come up stairs," said Sloan heartily, "and we'll have something to +drink." + +After refreshing themselves, Webster related the manner of his escape, +carefully concealing the action of the officer, and the fact that he had +been peaceably permitted to leave the vehicle--and when he had +concluded, Sloan's admiration was unbounded. Promising to secrete him +until he could safely get away, they all went to bed, and slept soundly. + +Early the next morning Sloan left the house, and after an absence of an +hour or two returned, bringing with him several of Webster's trusty +friends, among whom was John Earl, who was decidedly crestfallen at the +thought of having been instrumental in leading Webster into such danger +by introducing the strange man to him, without learning more about his +character for loyalty to the cause. They were all overjoyed at his +escape, and spent the afternoon in a jollification over his safe return. +The newspapers contained full particulars of the affair, and when they +were brought before him Webster could not restrain his laughter at their +contents, as he read: + + + "ESCAPE OF A STATE PRISONER.[A] + + "It was rumored yesterday that the man Webster, who was + arrested, stopping at the hotel of Messrs. McGee, upon the + charge of being concerned in the regular transportation of + letters between Baltimore and the seceded States, had + succeeded in making his escape. It is learned upon the best + authority that during a late hour of the night he was + removed from the western police station and placed in a + carriage under the charge of a special detective officer. + The wagon was driven towards Fort McHenry, he having been + previously ordered to that post, but while the vehicle was + in motion, and when within a short distance of their + destination, he gave a sudden bound from his seat, and + before the officer could seize him, he was beyond his grasp. + It is not known which direction he took, but he will + scarcely be able to escape from the city. He is a citizen of + Kentucky, but left there in the early part of April, and + since that time has been residing in Baltimore." + +In another paper he read: + + [B]"We have learned from an entirely reliable source that + Mr. Webster was arrested in endeavoring to procure replies + to a number of letters which he had delivered from + Marylanders now residing in Virginia to friends at home. A + fact which, in view of the hazards of such an attempt, + should content the unfortunate exiles from Maryland with the + gratification of communication with their friends there and + without the reciprocal joy of hearing from the latter in + return. We have reason to believe that Webster is beyond the + reach of the Yankees." + +Remaining with his friends until after midnight on the second day, he +made his way to the train, and at 4.30 in the morning started for +Washington, where he arrived about seven o'clock, and reported at my +headquarters. + +It may seem strange that Webster was arrested by one of my men, and that +my intervention was necessary to effect his release, but a few words +will serve as an explanation. McPhail, the operative who had caused +Webster's arrest, had never seen that gentleman, and was entirely +ignorant of his true character. Under such circumstances he very +naturally was led to suspect him as a rebel spy, and to lay the trap for +his capture. The delicate and important duties which had been assigned +to Webster were such, that I deemed it advisable to inform but very few +of my men of his immediate connection with me, hence the arrest, as far +as McPhail was concerned, was a _bona fide_ revelation of what he +believed to be a dangerous crime. As it was, the arrest did no harm, but +rather enabled Webster to cement more closely the bonds of friendship +which existed between himself and those with whom he had previously +associated. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[A] The above is from the _Baltimore American_ of November 22, 1861. + +[B] The above is taken from the _Gazette_ of November 22, 1861. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +_Webster and Scobell.--A Negro as a Spy.--A Traitor Deserts from the +Army.--He Carries Dispatches to the Rebels, which Fail of their +Destination.--An Attack in the Woods.--"The Loyal League."--Slaves as +Patriots._ + + +On the first day of November, 1861, General McClellan was made the +Commander-in-Chief of all the armies of the United States. Immediately +on assuming this important position, the General turned his attention to +the entire field of operations, regarding the Army of the Potomac as a +branch, though the most important one, of the armies under his command. + +Reliable information regarding the location and strength of the enemy +was the most desirable thing to be obtained at present, and although +Webster had been performing giant labor in this direction, his +operations comprised but a minor portion of the work that devolved upon +me. Numerous men of various callings and abilities were traveling +through the South, gathering items of news wherever possible, and +reporting the same as accurately and as rapidly as they were enabled to +do so. So numerous were the methods which I employed in promoting the +successful operations of the secret service, that it is possible within +the limits of the present volume to enumerate but very few of the many +events which occurred. Among the many men thus employed, was a negro by +the name of John Scobell, and the manner in which his duties were +performed, was always a source of satisfaction to me and apparently of +gratification to himself. From the commencement of the war, I had found +the negroes of invaluable assistance, and I never hesitated to employ +them when, after investigation, I found them to be intelligent and +trustworthy. + +As I have previously stated, all refugees, deserters and contrabands +coming through our lines were turned over to me for a thorough +examination and for such future disposition as I should recommend. John +Scobell came to me in this manner. One morning I was seated in my +quarters, preparing for the business of the day, when the officer of the +guard announced the appearance of a number of contrabands. Ordering them +to be brought in, the pumping process was commenced, and before noon +many stray pieces of information had been gathered, which, by +accumulation of evidence, were highly valuable. Among the number I had +especially noticed the young man who had given his name as John Scobell. +He had a manly and intelligent bearing, and his straightforward answers +to the many questions propounded to him, at once impressed me very +favorably. He informed me that he had formerly been a slave in the +State of Mississippi, but had journeyed to Virginia with his master, +whose name he bore. His master was a Scotchman, and but a few weeks +before had given him and his wife their freedom. The young woman had +obtained employment in Richmond, while he had made his way to the Union +lines, where, encountering the Federal pickets, he had been brought to +headquarters, and thence to me. He gave an intelligent account of his +travels through the country, and appeared to be well informed as to the +localities through which he passed, and of the roads and streams round +about. + +I immediately decided to attach him to my headquarters, with the view of +eventually using him in the capacity of a scout, should he prove equal +to the task. For two weeks I employed him in various capacities of minor +importance, but those in which secrecy and loyalty were essential +qualifications, and his performance of these duties was all that could +be desired. At the end of that time I resolved to send him into the +South, and test his ability for active duty. Calling him into my +quarters, I gave him the necessary directions, and dispatched him, in +company with Timothy Webster, on a trip to Virginia. Their line of +travel was laid out through Centreville, Manassas, Dumfries, and the +Upper and Lower Accoquan. + +John Scobell I found was a remarkably gifted man for one of his race. He +could read and write, and was as full of music as the feathered +songsters that warbled in the tropical groves of his own sunny home. In +addition to what seemed an almost inexhaustible stock of negro +plantation melodies he had also a charming variety of Scotch ballads, +which he sang with a voice of remarkable power and sweetness. During the +evenings his singing was the chief feature of the impromptu +entertainments that were resorted to in order to while away the tedious +hours before retiring, and he soon became a universal favorite. +Possessing the talents which he did, I felt sure, that he had only to +assume the character of the light-hearted, happy darky and no one would +suspect the cool-headed, vigilant detective, in the rollicking negro +whose only aim in life appeared to be to get enough to eat, and a +comfortable place to toast his shins. + +It was arranged that the two men should travel together until they +arrived at Leonardstown, when they were to separate, Webster proceeding +on to Richmond by way of Fredericksburg, while Scobell was to make his +way to the rebel camp at Dumfries, and then up as far as Centreville. + +Proceeding by stage to Leonardstown they parted company, each one +depending upon his own exertions to get across the river. Although they +had traveled in the same coach, they paid no attention to each other, +nor gave any indication of a previous acquaintance. At Leonardstown +Webster went to a hotel, kept by a Mr. Miller, who was a bitter +secessionist, and had known my operative for some time. His greeting +was cordial, and his enthusiasm over his escape from the officers at +Baltimore, an account of which he had read in the paper, was quite +overpowering. + +While they were conversing together a tall, dark-whiskered man came into +the room, and after a quick, nervous glance at Webster, requested to see +the land lord in another room. As they departed, Webster bestowed a +searching look upon the new-comer and was at once impressed with the +familiarity of his features. He recollected that while he was coming +down on the stage, this man came riding rapidly behind them, seated in a +buggy and driven by a young negro. They made several ineffectual +attempts to pass the stage, and finally succeeded in doing so, and +disappearing from view. Webster had forgotten all about him, until his +sudden appearance at the hotel and his suspicious actions attracted his +attention. After the lapse of a few minutes the two men again entered, +and the stranger immediately took his departure. + +Filled with curiosity as to the identity of the man, Webster carelessly +observed to the landlord: + +"That fellow seemed a little nervous, doesn't he?" + +"Yes," replied the landlord, "and he has cause to be; he is a deserter +from the Yanks." + +"Was he an officer?" + +"He says he was a surgeon, and had served in the regular army on the +Pacific coast for a number of years. His family are Southerners, and he +says he concluded to throw up his commission and join our side." + +"Which way is he going?" + +"He wants to get to Richmond as soon as he can. He will be back shortly +and I'll introduce you to him; perhaps you can give him a helping hand." + +"I'll do what I can," replied Webster, with a mental reservation. "What +is his name?" + +"He gave me his name as Doctor Gurley: he brought a letter from a friend +of mine in Washington, and I believe he is carrying some messages to Mr. +Benjamin, the Secretary of War, which he is very anxious to deliver as +early as possible." + +"Well, we may be fellow-travelers if he turns up in time to go over with +me," said Webster, who was already attempting to devise some plan for +intercepting the delivery of the dispatches which the titled deserter +was carrying. + +"I have made all arrangements," replied the landlord, "and will send you +both down to-morrow in time to get the boat." + +"All right," said Webster; "and now, as I have a little time before +dinner, I will take a short walk to give me an appetite." + +Webster was intent upon finding John Scobell, if possible. He had formed +a plan for getting possession of the dispatches, and he required the +services of his colored companion in order to perfect it. Keeping a +sharp look-out about him, he strode on in the direction of the negro +quarters, where he felt reasonably sure of meeting with the man he was +in search of. As chance would have it, when within a short distance of +the locality, he saw, to his intense delight, Scobell approaching him +from the opposite direction. In a few words, he developed his plan to +the intelligent darky, and from the broad grin which overspread his +countenance, it was evident that he not only fully understood, but +highly relished, the propositions that had been made. It was arranged, +that Scobell should be in the neighborhood of the hotel during the +afternoon, and that Webster should endeavor to point out to him the +deserting surgeon, after which Scobell was to perform the duty which +Webster had delegated to him. + +That afternoon, the Doctor, who was stopping with some friends, a short +distance out of town, made his appearance at the hotel, and Mr. Miller, +having first assured him of my operative's loyalty, introduced the two +men to each other. By reason of Webster's familiarity with the country, +and his evident and hearty desire to serve his new-found friend, he soon +won the kindly regards of the Doctor, who prolonged his visit until +nearly dark. At length, promising to meet Webster on the morrow, and +with a parting beverage, the Doctor started to go. Webster accompanied +him to the door, and with apparent good-feeling, bade him good-evening. +As Webster re-entered the hotel, he noticed with satisfaction that +Scobell was on hand, and had posted himself in a secluded position, +where, unobserved himself, he could watch the hotel, and notice what +transpired. + +"There is going to be a shower, and the Doctor will have to walk fast to +escape it," said Webster, as he entered the bar-room. + +He had been engaged in friendly conversation with Mr. Miller for about +an hour, when they heard the hurried stamping of feet outside; in a few +moments, the door was thrown suddenly open, and the deserting Doctor +stood before them. The appearance of the Doctor was most rueful. He was +without his hat; his clothing was disarranged, and torn and soiled; his +face was of a death-like paleness, while his lips trembled as if with +fear. + +Webster and the landlord sprang to their feet, and rushed toward the +man, who was very near falling from exhaustion. + +"What has happened!" inquired Webster, in a tone of solicitude. + +"I've been attacked and robbed!" ejaculated the Doctor, weakly. + +The landlord poured out a glass of spirits, which he gave to the +demoralized Doctor, and after swallowing it, he seemed to regain his +strength. After he had been sufficiently restored, he related his story. +After leaving the hotel, he had started to walk toward the house where +he was stopping. It becoming quite cloudy, and fearing a storm, he had +hastened his pace in order to avoid the rain. Suddenly, as he was +passing through a small patch of woods, he was stealthily approached +from behind, by some one, who struck him a fearful blow on the back of +the head. He was completely stunned and fell to the ground. When he +recovered consciousness, he found that he had been thoroughly searched, +and that his dispatches to the Secretary of War had been taken. Nothing +else about his person was disturbed, and the attack had evidently been +made by somebody who was aware of the fact that he had them in his +possession. The Doctor's anxiety about his loss was pitiable in the +extreme, but Webster could scarcely repress a smile of satisfaction, at +the success which Scobell had achieved in capturing the precious +documents. + +"Never mind," said Webster, soothingly. "The loss of the papers won't +amount to much; when we arrive in Richmond you can communicate verbally +the nature of the papers you have lost." + +"That's the devil of it," blurted out the Doctor. "I don't know their +contents; they were intrusted to me by men who are working in the +interest of the South, and as they were sealed, I have no more idea than +you have what they contained." + +This piece of information was an additional source of satisfaction to +Webster, who had thus effectually prevented their transmission to the +Rebel government. He sympathized with the Doctor, however, most +sincerely, and although that individual was decidedly crestfallen at the +turn of affairs, under Webster's ministrations he recovered some of his +spirits, and finding that he was not seriously injured, he again started +for his lodgings. He took the precaution, this time, to carry his +revolver in his hand, and to keep a sharp look-out as he journeyed +along. + +Miller, the landlord, was somewhat alarmed at this adventure, but +Webster endeavored to reassure him as best he could. He suggested that +the attack was probably made by some one who was in the interest of the +South, but who was fearful that, as the Doctor had deserted from the +Northern army, he might not be as true to the good cause as he should +be. However this may be, Miller's fears soon disappeared, and by nine +o'clock he had recovered his usual good-humor, and set about making his +arrangements for the morrow. Feeling anxious to learn from Scobell, +Webster lighted a cigar and strolled out into the street. He walked +slowly along, and after he had gone some distance from the hotel he +turned around, and saw following him, at some distance behind, a figure +which he instantly recognized as Scobell's. He therefore went on until +he came to the outskirts of the town, and then awaited the arrival of +his companion. + +Scobell came up with a broad grin on his countenance, and extending his +hand, said: + +"Here dey is, Mister Webster. Dey is all right, an' I reckon de Doctor +don't know what hurt him by dis time." + +Webster took the packet from the outstretched hand of the black man, and +complimented him warmly upon his success. Scobell seemed quite elated +over his exploit, and it was with some difficulty that Webster could +restrain him from breaking out into loud laughter. + +Scobell informed Webster that he had already made arrangements for +forwarding the documents to me, provided they met with the approval of +the scout. He suggested that they be intrusted to an intelligent and +loyal colored man, who was to start for Washington on the following +morning, and whose honor and truthfulness could be implicitly relied +upon. + +"I should like to see this man first," said Webster, when Scobell had +concluded. + +"Werry well; cum along of me," answered Scobell. "I'll show you sumfin +you neber seed afore, I reckon." + +"Go ahead, then," directed the scout. + +Proceeding together a short distance, when the black stopped before a +dilapidated building that had evidently not been used for some time. It +was a low, two-story structure, the windows of which were boarded up, +and no sign of life was visible from without. + +"Come this way," said Scobell, in a low voice, taking Webster by the +hand and through a low door, on which he rapped three times. + +Webster had scarcely time to give vent to his astonishment by a low +whistle, when the door was noiselessly opened. They entered without +challenge and found themselves in utter darkness, while Webster could +hear the bolts and bars being replaced upon the door. Listening +intently, he thought he could hear voices overhead, and a noise as of +the shuffling of feet. Presently he heard a shrill whistle from his +conductor, which was replied to from above with the query: + +"Who comes?" + +"Friends of Uncle Abe!" was the reply. + +"What do you desire?" + +"Light and Liberty!" came the response. + +Immediately a trap-door overhead was opened, revealing a dimly-lighted +room, and a rope-ladder was let down before them. + +"Mister Webster, you go up first," said Scobell, "and I will follow +you." + +Webster took hold of the ropes and, ascending easily, found himself in a +dimly lighted room and surrounded by a body of negroes, numbering about +forty. Some of them were young men who had barely attained their +majority, while others were middle-aged, with a goodly number whose +heads were as white as snow. The room in which they were assembled was +quite large and entirely destitute of furniture. An upturned barrel, +with an American flag draped over it, served as the desk of the +President, and his seat was made of a box, which had once been used in +packing merchandise for shipment. + +It was not long before Webster realized that he was in a lodge of "the +Loyal League," composed almost exclusively of colored men, and whose +branches extended over the entire South. The trap-door being closed +behind them, Webster was introduced to the assembly by John Scobell, who +had already identified himself with the institution. His welcome was +most cordial and hearty. Shortly after they had become quiet, the +President, a tall, well-formed negro, about thirty-five years of age, +took his position, and in a deep, full voice, addressed the meeting. He +detailed the operations of the various lodges which he had visited, and +gave an encouraging account of the good work that was being done by the +colored men throughout the country. He was listened to intently, and +when he had finished he was greeted with numerous remarks of approval +and indorsement. + +Scobell had meanwhile disclosed the nature and objects of the "Loyal +League." Although as yet prevented from taking up arms in defense of +their rights, these colored men had banded themselves together to +further the cause of freedom, to succor the escaping slave, and to +furnish information to loyal commanders of the movements of the rebels, +as far as they could be ascertained. + +The President of the League, Scobell said, was about undertaking a trip +to Washington, and he was the person who had been selected to carry the +packet to me. Webster conversed with him for some time after he had +spoken, and finding him reliable and willing to undertake the task about +to be imposed upon him, he signified his willingness to trust him with +the delivery of the dispatches. Writing a hasty description of the +manner in which they had been obtained, he safely sewed the package and +his letter in the lining of the messenger's coat, and fully instructed +him as to how the papers should be delivered. + +Webster was called upon before the meeting adjourned, and he replied in +a few words of encouragement and compliment, which elicited the most +sincere tokens of appreciation from his sable auditors. + +After thanking the colored men for their kindness to him, Webster and +Scobell descended from the improvised lodge-room, and Webster made his +way back to the hotel, feeling quite relieved as to the safety of the +dispatches, and fully confident that they would reach their destination +in safety. He shortly afterwards retired to rest, fully satisfied with +the day's work, and slept soundly until morning. + +The trusty messenger arrived in Washington in due time, and I received +from his hands the papers intrusted to him. They were of a highly +important nature, and conveyed information to the rebel authorities +which would have been very dangerous had they reached their legitimate +destination. As it was, through Webster's sagacity, Scobell's physical +power, and the exertions of the President of the "Loyal League," the +traitor surgeon was prevented from assisting the cause of treason and +rebellion, and as a bearer of dispatches, his first venture was far from +being successful. + +[Illustration: A HOT CHASE.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +_A Negro Spy.--Passage on a Steam Packet.--Lyrical Melodies.--Scobell +Deserts the Ship.--His Tramps Through Rebeldom._ + + +The next afternoon, Webster and Doctor Gurley started for their point of +debarkation. The medical deserter was exceedingly downcast about the +loss of valuable papers, although he had entirely recovered from the +physical effects of his attack. He indulged in curses, loud and deep, +upon the perpetrator of the theft, and speculated with grave seriousness +as to the effect of their loss. Webster, who felt that he could be +liberal in dealing out his sympathy, was profuse in his expressions of +regret and condolence, though I am afraid, that an observer who was +acquainted with the facts of the case, would have detected a sly twinkle +of merriment in his eyes, that belied his words. They were driven to a +farm-house, situated on a little creek that ran in from the bay, where +they were met by a man named James Gough, to whom Webster had a letter +of introduction from Mr. Miller at the hotel. After reading the letter, +Mr. Gough invited the travelers to enter, and informed them that the +boat would attempt to cross the bay that night, if the weather would +permit. After partaking of a bountiful supper, the party repaired to the +landing, and although there were indications of a storm, the captain, +who was in waiting, determined to make an effort to get across. A large +amount of merchandise had already been placed on board, and soon after +the arrival of Webster and the Doctor, who were to be the only +passengers, they put off. Their trip was made in safety, and by midnight +they reached the Virginia side. Here they went to the house of a Mr. +Woodward, who was a partner with Mr. Gough, in shipping goods into the +rebel country, and who took charge of the cargo that came over with our +travelers in the boat. + +Remaining at the house of Mr. Woodward during the night, on the +following morning they went to Tappahannock, where they boarded a packet +for Fredericksburg. Here they met a Colonel Prickett, who was an old +acquaintance of Doctor Gurley, and from the general conversation that +ensued, Webster obtained material information of the location of the +rebel forces. That evening they proceeded to Richmond, and Webster, +parting with his traveling companion, set about delivering some letters +which he had brought with him. Finding that several of his friends, from +whom he had hoped to receive information, were absent from the city, and +that it would be impossible to do much good service, he resolved to +return to Washington. He went to the office of the Secretary of War, +and, obtaining a pass to Norfolk, he returned by that route, taking +notes by the wayside, and arrived in Washington in due time. + +John Scobell remained in Leonardstown a few days after Webster's +departure, mingling with the colored people of that locality, and +posting himself upon several points that would be of benefit to him +further on. The desire for freedom, and the expectation that the result +of the war would determine that question, had now become universal among +the colored men of the South. Although as yet debarred from taking up +arms in defense of their rights, their efforts in behalf of the Northern +troops were freely given when opportunity offered, and consequently, +Scobell made hosts of friends among the black-skinned people, who +advised him cheerfully and were profuse in their offers of assistance. + +During the time that he remained in Leonardstown Scobell made his home +with an old negro who was an active member of the League, and who had +conceived a wonderful friendship for my bright and intelligent colored +operative. Uncle Turner, as he was called, was a genuine Virginia darky, +who, having been reared as a house servant, had been enabled to acquire +more than the average amount of intelligence, and obtaining his freedom, +had settled himself in Leonardstown, where he obtained a livelihood by +performing a variety of duties for the people in the town. Here, with +his aged wife, a fat, good-natured negress, he lived in comparative +comfort, and a more thorough abolitionist never existed than was Uncle +Turner. + +Through this old negro, Scobell had made arrangements with a young +colored man to set him across the river in a skiff, and after spending +the day among his new-found friends, and amply provided with a +substantial lunch from Aunt Judy, Scobell made his way to the river +bank, where he found his man waiting for him, carefully concealed among +some bushes that grew along the shore. + +After remunerating the boatman, and bidding him a hearty farewell, +Scobell started up the river. His first plan was to walk as far as +Dumfries, and from that point commence his operations among the rebel +camps, but after reflection, he concluded to make his way to the +Rappahannock, and endeavor to work his way on one of the river boats as +far as Fredericksburg, which would save him a walk of some fifty miles +and materially expedite his journey. He accordingly set out for the +river and, walking briskly, he found himself about noon at Leestown, a +small landing-place on the Rappahannock. Feeling somewhat fatigued by +his long tramp, he remained over night, and early on the following +morning repaired to the wharf, where he was in hopes of finding a boat +on which he could secure his passage. He had not long to wait, for +shortly after his arrival the packet boat "Virginia" steamed up to the +landing, and soon the men were engaged in putting on board a quantity +of miscellaneous freight, that was destined for Fredericksburg. Finding +that there was plenty of work to do, Scobell stepped quickly on board +and seeking the captain politely asked permission to work his passage. +The Captain, who was a kind and genial man at heart, although he +carefully veiled these characteristics under a rough exterior, and a +bluff and impetuous demeanor, listened to the request, and being in want +of some extra help, turned to Scobell and said: + +"You black rascal, what do you want at Fredericksburg? Come now, no +lies, or I'll throw you into the river!" + +"I done tell no lies, Massa Cap'n," replied Scobell, with a broad grin +overspreading his face, "but I've bin back in de kentry to see some ob +my folks dar, and I dun got no money fur ter git back." + +"So you want me to take you to Fredericksburg, do you?" ejaculated the +Captain, good-naturedly. "Well, go below and tell the cook to put you to +work!" + +Scobell was about to express his thanks, when the Captain blurted out: + +"Clear out, d--n you! I've no time for talk now." + +Scobell hurried below, and seeking out the cook was soon busily engaged +at work; before he had been very long employed he made a friend of his +sable instructor, and was as merry as a cricket. The run to +Fredericksburg was about twelve hours, but owing to shoal water they +were obliged to stop at Coulter's Wharf to wait for the rising of the +tide. In the evening the negro hands gathered on the deck around the +smoke-stack, and with the stars twinkling overhead, they made the shores +ring with their mirthful melodies. Among the party was an old negro, who +had spent almost his entire life upon the river, and who was an +excellent performer on the banjo, and he accompanied the singers with +his instrument. "Nelly Gray," "Bob Ridley," "Way down upon de Swanee +River," and a host of the most popular songs of the day were rendered in +a style that elicited the heartiest applause from the delighted +passengers. The climax of enjoyment was reached, however, when my +Scobell, in his splendid baritone, and accompanied by the old negro and +his banjo, sang that sweet old Scottish ballad: + + "Maxwelton's braes are bonny, + Where early fa's the dew." + +The applause which greeted him upon its conclusion was most hearty and +enthusiastic, and when he gave them + + "A man's a man for a' that," + +the passengers crowded around him and began to ply him with eager +questions as to his knowledge of the music of the beloved bard of +Scotia. The idea of a darky singing Scotch ballads, and with such true +emotional pathos and sweetness, was such a novelty to them that all were +anxious to learn where he had heard them. Scobell briefly and modestly +informed them that he had been raised by a gentleman who was a native of +Scotland, who was himself a good singer, and that his master had taught +him the music he loved so well. The Captain, who was also a Scotchman, +and who had listened to the melodies with the tears trickling over his +rubicund nose, now stepped forward and said heartily: + +"Look here, young fellow, I need an extra man on this boat, and I'll +give you forty dollars a month to work for me. The work is light--now +what do you say?" + +Here was a dilemma entirely unexpected. Scobell had not only sung +himself into the good graces of the passengers, but of the rough old +Captain also. It was plain that this offer came from the very heart of +the old salt, who was as deeply touched by the melodies as was any one +else, and he wanted to secure Scobell's services as much for the songs +he could sing as for the work he could do. + +Scobell bowed his thanks to the Captain, and said: + +"I'm werry much obliged to yer Cap'n; I'se bin lookin' fur a job ebber +since I left ole Mississippi, an' I'll do my best to please you, sure." + +"All right," replied the Captain. "It's time to turn in now, so go below +and tell the mate to take your time; your pay will commence from +to-day." + +[Illustration: "_The work isn't hard. Now, what do you say._" P. 364.] + +All hands went below, where Scobell duly reported to the mate, a bunk +was assigned to him and he was made one of the crew of the steam-packet +"Virginia." This was a rather different turn of affairs than he had +expected, but he had done the best he could under the circumstances, and +regretting that he was compelled to deceive the honest old Captain, he +turned in for the night and slept soundly. + +When he awoke the next morning, the boat was in motion, and he knew that +he was on his way to Fredericksburg. How to get away was the next +question to be decided, but he resolved to await the operation of events +and adopt any chance that afforded for getting away. In due time the +boat landed at her destination and soon all was bustle and confusion in +discharging the freight. Scobell assisted manfully in landing the cargo, +and earned the encomiums of the Captain for his diligent labor. Learning +that the boat would not start on her return trip until the next morning, +he requested permission to go on shore until they were prepared to +start. This was readily granted by the unsuspecting and really +good-natured Captain, who also gave him a small sum of money to defray +his expenses, and cautioned him to report on time or the boat would +start without him. Scobell promised to be punctual, and then took his +leave. + +It is not necessary to state that the "Virginia" on her down trip went +without the ballad-singing negro, for by the time she was ready to put +off, he was on his way to Dumfries and the Accoquan. + +Carefully noting everything that came in his way he traveled through +Dumfries, Accoquan, Manassas and Centreville, and after spending nearly +ten days in these localities he finally made his way to Leesburg, and +thence down the Potomac to Washington. His experiences on this trip were +quite numerous and varied, and only a lack of space prevents their +narration. Sometimes, as a vender of delicacies through the camps, a +laborer on the earthworks at Manassas, or a cook at Centreville, he made +his way uninterruptedly until he obtained the desired information and +successfully accomplished the object of his mission. + +His return to Washington was accomplished in safety and his full and +concise report fully justified me in the selection I had made of a good, +reliable and intelligent operative. + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +_A Perilous Ride.--A Suspicious Peddler.--Uncle Gallus Again.--Scobell +Investigating.--Doubts and Suspicions._ + + +It was on a beautiful morning in the early part of the month of April, +1862, when a lady, mounted upon a handsome and spirited black horse, and +accompanied by a young and intelligent-looking negro, also excellently +mounted, rode out of the city of Richmond, apparently for the purpose of +enjoying a morning ride. Provided with the necessary passports, they +experienced no difficulty in passing the guards, and after a short ride +found themselves in the open country beyond the city. + +The lady was young, handsome and apparently about twenty-five years of +age. Her complexion was fresh and rosy as the morning, her hair fell in +flowing tresses of gold, while her eyes, which were of a clear and deep +blue, were quick and searching in their glances. She appeared careless +and entirely at ease, but a close observer would have noticed a +compression of the small lips, and a fixedness in the sparkling eyes +that told of a purpose to be accomplished, and that her present journey +was not wholly one of pleasure. + +After leaving the city the colored attendant spurred to her side, and +then, putting spurs to their horses, they broke into a swift canter. +Their road lay along the river bank, which here led in a south-easterly +direction. Turning to the negro at her side, the lady remarked: + +"Now, John, we have a ride of ten miles before us, and we must be at +Glendale as early as possible." + +"All right, missus," rejoined her sable companion, "dese hosses will +take us through in good shape, I know." + +They followed the course of the stream, whose waters glistened in the +rays of the morning's sun like polished silver. On either side the road +was fringed with a growth of cottonwood trees, that cast a grateful +shade along their path, while the cool breezes of the rippling river +rendered their ride a most delightful one indeed. But as they sped along +the most casual observer would have noticed from the expression of their +faces that their ride was being undertaken for other purposes than +pleasure. + +The riders pressed on, scarcely slackening their speed until in the near +distance could be seen the tall spire of the single church in the +pleasant little village of Glendale. They now drew rein and brought +their smoking steeds to a slow walk, and riding leisurely onward, they +stopped before a neat little inn located on the outskirts of the town. + +An old, white-headed negro took their horses and led them away, while +the landlady, a neat and tidy-looking matron, wearing widow's weeds, met +the lady at the door, and cordially welcomed her into the house. + +"Here, Jennie," she called to her daughter, a trim little girl of twelve +years, "show this lady to her room." + +Following the little girl, the lady was conducted into a cool and +pleasant little parlor, with windows opening upon the garden, and +through which came the fragrant breath of roses in full bloom. + +Scobell accompanied the old man with the horses into the stable-yard, +where he assisted in caring for the heated animals. + +"I dun spose you's on de way to Yu'ktown?" queried the old darky, who +was rubbing vigorously away upon the limbs of the glossy black horse. +After waiting a short time, and hearing no response, he added: + +"What'd you say? dis yer hoss is fidgettin' aroun' so I didn't har you." + +"I didn't say anything," responded his companion good-naturedly, but in +a tone that plainly indicated his intention not to submit himself to the +pumping process at the hands of his garrulous friend. + +"I tought you hearn what I dun axed you," replied the old man, a little +taken aback by the cool demeanor of his new acquaintance. + +Scobell, however, industriously worked away at his own horse and said +nothing. + +"Well," said the old darky after another pause, and apparently communing +with himself--"it am a fac' dat now an den you meets people dat ain't +got de cibbleness to answer a question--nor de grit to tell a feller +'tain't nun o' his business; but dey jes let on like dey didn't har wat +you sed--wen all de time dey kin har jes as well as I kin." + +Still there was no satisfactory response, and at last the old man +blurted out again: + +"Now I dun spec' it am nun ob Uncle Gallus's bizness were dese folks am +a goin', but Jemima! I didn't tink it any harm to ax. Folks dat knows +Uncle Gallus aint afeared tu tell him nuffin, coz dey knows he dun got a +mitey close head when it am needcessary." + +The old man was none other than the veritable old Uncle Gallus, whose +experience in the South seemed to be very different from the easy life +he had led as the house servant of Mrs. Morton. How he came into this +position I am unable to say, but here he was, and the same smile of +good-nature irradiated his face, as when his way of life was pleasant, +and his duties lighter. Perhaps, it would be as well to state here, that +the two persons already mentioned were Mrs. Carrie Lawton, a female +operative on my force, and John Scobell, who has figured before in these +pages. These two persons had been for a time employed in Richmond, and +were now endeavoring to effect their journey North. + +After finishing the last remark, Uncle Gallus straightened himself up +and stood erect, with the air of a man who had been unjustly injured, +and who was disposed to vindicate himself now and there. + +"I tell you, uncle," finally replied Scobell, "there are times when one +must be careful what you say, and who you say it to." + +"Dat am a fac'!" ejaculated the old man. + +"Now, if I knowed you was all right," Scobell continued, "I might talk, +but 'tain't smart to tell your business to strangers." + +"Dat am a fac', young man," observed Uncle Gallus, shaking his head with +a knowing look; "but den I spose you's a friend to Uncle Abe, ain't you +now?" he queried. + +"And if I am," said Scobell, "what do you want?" + +"Light and Liberty," replied the old man impressively, "and fo' de L'ud +I b'lieve de day am nigh when it am a comin'." + +At these words, Scobell stepped forward and said in a low voice: + +"Do you belong to the League?" + +"I does," answered Uncle Gallus; "I dun jined it in dis berry place." + +"How often do you meet?" inquired Scobell. + +"We meets ebery two weeks, down at Uncle Dicky Bassett's--he libs on de +bluff ob de ribber 'bout a mile furder down de road to'rds Wilson's +Landin'." + +"How far is it to Wilson's landing?" asked Scobell, who, finding that +Uncle Gallus was a member of the League, was now no longer loth to talk +with him. + +"A little grain de rise ob twenty mile," replied the old man. + +"About sundown, then," said Scobell, "these horses must be saddled and +ready for the missus and me, for we must be at the landing before +midnight." + +"All right," rejoined Uncle Gallus, "dey'll be ready when yu want 'em." + +"See heah now, is yure name John?" suddenly asked the old man, as if an +idea had just occurred to him. + +"Yes, that's what they call me." + +"An' you cum frum Richmun' dis mo'nin?" + +Scobell nodded. + +"An' dat young leddy am gwine to meet somebody, mebbe her husband, at de +landin'?" + +"Yes," said Scobell; "but how do you know these things? Has anybody been +here to see you?" + +"Yah! Yah!" chuckled the old man. "I dun tole you dat folks as knowed +Uncle Gallus dun often come ter see him. I dun knowed you all de time, +when you fust come--in fac', I was 'spectin' you and de missus all de +mawnin'." + +"Was the landlady looking for us too?" inquired Scobell. + +"She knowed you was a comin'," replied Uncle Gallus; "dah was a gem'man +heah las' night, as talked about you to her, an' lef' a note fur de +lady." + +"Is the landlady all right?" asked Scobell. + +"True to de core," affirmed Uncle Gallus emphatically; "more'n one poor +feller as 'scaped from Richmun' hes foun' a good bed an' supper at de +'Glen House.'" + +"Well," said my operative, "you can finish your work here; I have an +errand or two for the missus, and I must go and attend to them before +dinner." + +So saying, he started for the house, leaving Uncle Gallus to water and +feed the horses, which had now sufficiently cooled, and were enjoying +their needed rest. + +Scobell's errand was simply to take a stroll about the village in order +to ascertain whether there was any indication of their having been +followed by anyone from Richmond. He strolled about the village, noting +carefully every one whom he met, and, feeling comparatively secure, +started to return to the hotel. + +Turning the corner of a street he came suddenly face to face with a +peddler, who addressed him in a rich Irish brogue and inquired the way +to the tavern. Scobell gave him the required information and stood +watching the fellow as he ambled off in the direction indicated. There +was something in the appearance of this man that attracted the attention +and excited the suspicions of my observant operative. He resolved to +keep an eye upon his movements and endeavor to discover, if possible, +whether the man was a genuine peddler, or a spy, who had adopted that +disguise to conceal his true character. + +In the few words that passed between them Scobell had noticed that while +the man's hair was a fiery red his eyebrows and lashes appeared of a +dark brown color, and his face was altogether of too florid a hue to be +natural. These observations were sufficient to put Scobell upon the +alert at once, and convinced him that the man was not what he appeared +to be. + +Following slowly he watched him until he reached the hotel and entered +the bar-room, where, laying aside his pack, he ordered his dinner. +Scobell entered the room immediately behind him, and passing through it, +he made his way to the kitchen, where the landlady was superintending +the preparations for a most savory dinner. Calling her aside, he +informed her of the peddler's arrival and of his suspicions regarding +him, cautioning her to convey the news to his missus before they met at +the table. + +In a few minutes dinner was announced, and the boarders, to the number +of fifteen, including Mrs. Lawton and the peddler, with the landlady at +the head, gathered around the long table in the low, old-fashioned +dining-room. The lively clatter of the knives and forks soon attested +the vigor with which they attacked the viands set before them. The +peddler ate his meal in silence, undisturbed by the general +conversation going on around him, and Mrs. Lawton noticed that he was +keenly watching her whenever an opportunity occurred to do so, as he +thought, unobserved. She, however, affected entire unconsciousness of +the scrutiny she was subjected to, and kept up an animated conversation +with the landlady upon various trivial topics until the meal was +finished. + +Scobell, who temporarily acted as an attendant at the table, lost no +opportunity to carefully watch the movements of the peddler, and his +searching glances, directed towards Mrs. Lawton, fully convinced him +that his previous suspicions were well founded. + +Mrs. Lawton returned to her room, not a little disturbed at the +peddler's strange behavior, and having no doubt that the stranger was a +spy, she determined to discover if she was the object of his visit, or +whether his appearance bore any relation to her presence at the hotel. +She accordingly sent for Scobell, and together they decided that he +should carefully watch the movements of the peddler, and if nothing of a +suspicious nature transpired, they would renew their journey after +nightfall. + +Scobell immediately left the room, and as he entered the bar-room he +noticed that the peddler was settling his score, preparatory to taking +his departure. He remarked to the landlady, with the same rich brogue +which Scobell had observed, that business was dull, and that he would +have to walk to Richmond. + +"All right, my fine fellow," muttered my operative, "we'll see whether +you are going to Richmond or not." + +The peddler lighted a short-stemmed clay pipe, and swinging his pack +over his shoulder, set off at a rapid pace on the road to Richmond. + +Scobell hastened to the stable and, procuring a pole and line that he +had observed there in the morning, started off in the direction which +the peddler had taken, but taking a shorter cut to the river, which +would enable him to reach the road about a mile below the village and in +advance of the peddler. Sauntering along until he had gained the shelter +of a belt of timber to his left, he then increased his pace until he was +almost abreast of the peddler, though entirely concealed from view. He +was now satisfied that with a little effort he could keep his man in +sight, and he concluded not to pass him, as he had at first intended, +but to follow him until he saw him on his way to the rebel capital. + +When they were about three miles from the village, the peddler suddenly +left the road and turned into the woods, leading directly to the banks +of the river, which at this point were remarkably high and steep. This +movement was entirely unexpected by my operative, and his only recourse +was to drop hastily behind a tree to prevent being seen. He was not +discovered, however, although the peddler, after entering the timber, +gazed carefully around him, as if to see whether he was being followed. +Apparently satisfied with his survey he resumed his walk, in happy +ignorance of the fact that a pair of gleaming eyes were not far distant, +noting his every movement. + +Waiting until he had gone a sufficient distance to render it safe, +Scobell rose slowly from the ground and stealthily followed his +footsteps until the peddler paused at the edge of the bluff, which ran +down into the river. Here he tightened the strap of his pack, and after +another hasty glance behind him, he began the descent of the bluff, with +the aid of the stout stick which he carried with him. The bank was +almost perpendicular, and was covered with a heavy undergrowth of young +timber and brush, which made the journey rather a hazardous undertaking. + +"Wonder if he's going to swim to Richmond with that pack on his +shoulders," said Scobell to himself, as he wonderingly watched these +strange movements of the peddler. + +Fully determined to see the end of this mysterious maneuver, but +recognizing the necessity of exercising the utmost caution in his +advance, Scobell slowly and noiselessly made his way to the spot where +the peddler had vanished as completely from his view as if he had sunk +into the bowels of the earth. Advancing to within a few feet of the +edge of the bluff, he threw himself upon his hands and knees, and drew +himself forward until he could overlook the steep descent. He could see +nothing of the peddler, however, for the dense growth of bushes +completely obstructed his view, but he could readily discern the marks +of footprints in the soft soil, which had been made by him in his +descent to the bottom. + +Here was a dilemma. He had lost his man, and he dared not follow +directly after him, as the peddler might be lying in ambush, and an +encounter might be fatal. After a few moments' consideration, he +concluded to walk along the bluff a short distance and endeavor to find +another path by which he might descend, and thus avoid the peddler, if +he was waiting to surprise him. About a hundred yards further on he came +upon a well-beaten path, and here he began his descent. Everything was +as quiet as the grave around him, and he reached the base of the cliff +in safety, but without seeing anything of the man he was after. Passing +up along the lane by the river a short distance, he discovered a narrow +path leading in the direction which the peddler had taken, and showing +the mark of recent footprints. Passing cautiously along this path a +short distance, he saw that the high bluffs were gradually giving to +more level banks, and that a little further on the stream made a sharp +detour to the right, and swept out into the open and level country. + +In the bend of the river, and on the same side, he noticed a small +cabin, half hidden by a clump of trees. Surmising that the peddler had +entered this cabin, he resolved to hide himself and watch for a few +minutes, hoping that the man would soon make his appearance. He had +scarcely taken a position where he could unobservedly note all that was +going on, when a man, whom he at once recognized as the peddler, made +his appearance at the door, and stood anxiously gazing around, as though +expecting some one. He still maintained his disguise, and appeared to be +alone. Returning into the cabin, and after a few minutes, to the +surprise of Scobell, another individual made his appearance. This +new-comer, while about the same size as the peddler, was a very +different-looking person indeed, for instead of the red hair and florid +complexion, he noticed that this man had a closely-cropped head of black +hair, while his complexion was dark and swarthy. + +"So there's a pair of you!" thought Scobell. + +The fellow, after apparently satisfying himself that the coast was +clear, proceeded to a small stable that stood in the rear of the cabin, +and almost on the edge of the river bank. Scobell thought he heard the +faint whinny of a horse, and shortly afterwards the man, mounted on a +dark iron-gray horse, appeared, and made his way over the hill and out +into the direction of the river road. + +It instantly flashed across Scobell's mind that this man was no other +than his peddler, and without hesitation he approached the cabin and +knocked loudly at the door. There was no response, and after a moment's +hesitation he lifted the latch and entered. As he had conjectured, the +cabin was empty. + +[Illustration: "GOOD-MORNING."] + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +_The Journey Resumed.--A Midnight Pursuit.--A Brave Woman.--A Deadly +Encounter.--Scobell Defends Himself.--Death of a Rebel Spy._ + + +While these events were occurring, General McClellan was advancing up +the Peninsula towards Richmond. Yorktown had surrendered, the battle of +Williamsburg had been fought, and the army was advancing to the +Chickahominy. + +Mrs. Lawton and John Scobell had been for some weeks in Richmond, during +which time they had obtained much important information, Mrs. Lawton +taking the role of a Southern lady from Corinth, Mississippi, and +Scobell acting as her servant. Having determined to leave Richmond, they +were on their way to join the Union forces, which, under General +McClellan, had their headquarters on the Chickahominy at a point about +ten miles from Wilson's Landing. Here, according to previous +arrangement, they were to meet Mr. Lawton, who was also one of my +operatives, and from that point were to proceed to the Union camp. + +The landlady of the Glen House was a staunch friend to the Federals, and +had on more than one occasion rendered valuable service to my +operatives, especially to Hugh Lawton. It was therefore at his +suggestion that his wife and Scobell adopted the plan they did to leave +Richmond and to reach our lines. As Uncle Gallus had stated, a man had +stopped at the tavern the night before and had informed Mrs. Braxton, +the landlady, that these parties would take that route from +Richmond--and had left a note to be delivered to Mrs. Lawton, which +contained instructions of her future line of travel. + +The trip from Glendale was one attended with great risk, as the country, +on that side of the river, was filled with the scouts of both armies, +and if captured by the rebel scouts or pickets, the chances were that +detection would be followed by serious consequences. Among my female +operatives, however, none were clearer-headed or more resolute than Mrs. +Lawton, who prior to this time had been a most efficient worker and had +been remarkably successful on her trips into the lines of the enemy. In +each case she had escaped with rare good fortune. + +When Scobell entered the structure which the stranger had left, he found +that it comprised but a single room, and immediately proceeded to make a +thorough examination of its interior. A small fire-place on one side, +which showed no signs of having been recently used, and a number of +benches, were scattered about. In the corner of the room he saw the pack +and several articles that had been worn by the peddler, which left no +further room for doubt in his mind as to the character of the +individual he had been watching for so long a time. + +He accordingly set out for Glendale, where he arrived just as the sun +was sinking behind the western horizon. He narrated the particulars of +his chase to Mrs. Lawton, who was convinced that the peddler was a rebel +spy; but the question was--Was he upon their track? Did he suspect them? +and if so, by what means had he discovered who they were and what their +destination was? + +Without attempting to settle these questions, however, they concluded to +set out at once for the landing. The horses were brought to the door by +Uncle Gallus, who was closely questioned as to whether a horseman +answering the description given by Scobell had passed through the +village that afternoon, did not remember having seen such a person. +Believing that possibly the man might really have gone on to Richmond +they concluded to start that night and hazard the consequences. + +Both of them were well armed and were therefore fully prepared to defend +themselves, unless attacked by numbers. They rode swiftly along at the +free and sweeping gallop for which the southern saddle-horses are so +famous, and feeling quite secure, they conversed pleasantly together on +their way. + +"I guess we will get through all right, notwithstanding our fears to the +contrary," said Mrs. Lawton. + +"I dunno about that," replied Scobell; "we're not through with our +journey yet, and there's plenty of time for trouble yet. Perhaps we had +better walk the horses a spell." + +"That is a good suggestion," assented Mrs. Lawton, "we will walk them a +mile or two, and then we will be enabled to go the faster." + +"I tell you, missus," said Scobell, "I wish we was at the landin'; +somehow I feel that there is yet danger ahead." + +"What makes you think so?" inquired Mrs. Lawton. + +"Well, I am afraid that confounded peddler will turn up before we get +through." + +"Why, I can manage him myself," laughed Mrs. Lawton, "and if that is all +you fear, we are perfectly safe." + +"Now you're pokin' fun at me, missus; but you'll find that I can fight +if I get the chance, and I was thinking more of you than of myself." + +"Well, there's an old saying, John, don't cross a bridge until you reach +it; so we won't borrow trouble until it comes." + +Their journey now lay through a richly cultivated district; on either +side were fine farms, whose growing crops had not yet been touched by +the ravages of war, and the country, under the soft light of the moon +presented a scene of rare beauty. Away to the left ran the river, now +bathed in a flood of silvery light, which, emerging from a belt of +woods, pursued its winding way until again lost to view in the woods +that were sharply outlined at a distance. To their right the country was +broken and hilly, and the landscape presented a rugged and picturesque +appearance in marked contrast to the evidences of cultivation upon the +other side. The night was soft and balmy, and the silence was only +broken by the sound of the horses' hoofs as they slowly trotted along. +It seemed difficult to believe that war was abroad in the land, and that +even now, while in the enjoyment of apparent safety, danger was lurking +on every hand. + +Their horses being now sufficiently rested, they again pressed forward +at a rapid pace until they were about five miles from the landing which +was their point of destination. There Mrs. Lawton's husband was to meet +her and the balance of the journey, to the Union camp would be free from +danger, as the Federal pickets were posted across the river. + +They were now approaching a patch of timber, through which they would be +compelled to pass, and an instinctive feeling of dread came over both of +them as they drew near to it. The trees grew close together, shutting +out the light of the moon, and rendering the road extremely dark and +gloomy. + +"Just the place for an ambuscade," said Mrs. Lawton shiveringly; "draw +your pistols, John, and be ready in case of attack." + +Scobell silently did as he was directed, and riding close together, +they entered the wood. The darkness was so great, that they could +distinguish objects but a short distance ahead of them. They passed +safely through the wood, however, and as they emerged from the darkness, +they congratulated themselves upon their good fortune, and began to +think that they were unduly alarming themselves. + +Their comforting reflections were of short duration, however, for +scarcely had they left the wood, than they perceived four horsemen +approaching them at a swift gallop. What to do now was a question to be +decided promptly. To turn and retreat would certainly insure their +capture, as the woods were just behind, and they were afraid to travel +through them on a run--so they resolved to bravely continue their way, +and trust to chance for their safe deliverance, should the new-comers +prove to be foes. + +A few hurried words were exchanged between them, as they arranged that +each should select a man and fire on the instant they were challenged, +and then they were to dash ahead, hoping by this bold and unexpected +move to disconcert their assailants by killing or disabling two of their +number, and thus effect their escape. + +As the advancing party came closer, they divided, two going on each side +of the road, leaving a space between them for our travelers to pass +through. They were now close enough for my operatives to discover that +two of them wore the uniform of Confederate gray, with heavy sabres at +their sides, while the others were apparently in citizens' clothes. + +Scobell, who had been intently regarding them, now exclaimed: + +"'Fore God, missus, that one on your side is the peddler!" + +He had scarcely uttered these words, when one of the men called out: + +"Halt, and throw up your hands!" + +They were now nearly face to face with each other, and in a flash two +sharp reports rang out on the still night air, and two of the men reeled +and fell from their saddles. + +"At 'em!" hissed Scobell, through his clenched teeth, as he plunged the +spurs into his steed. The two animals sprang forward, like arrows from +the string, and in a moment they had dashed past the others, who seemed +dazed at the suddenness of their actions, and before they recovered +themselves, my operatives were speeding like the wind some distance +away. + +"Lay low to your saddle!" cried Scobell to his companion, "and turn your +horse as far to the side of the road as you can," at the same time +turning his own animal close to the fence that ran along the roadside. + +His directions were immediately followed by Mrs. Lawton, who retained a +wonderful control over herself and the beast she rode. + +It was evident that their enemies had not been expecting such a result +to their demand, and they sat for a time like statues; then, as if +suddenly recollecting themselves, they wheeled their horses, and, +discharging their revolvers in rapid succession, started in swift +pursuit. + +"They'll never get us now," said Scobell, "unless their horses are made +of better stuff than I think they are." + +The race now became an exciting one; the pursuers having emptied their +weapons, without doing any harm to the escaping pair, did not take time +to reload, but urged their horses to their utmost speed. They soon +discovered that their horses were no match for those of the fugitives, +and their curses were loud enough to be heard by both Scobell and his +companion, as in spite of all their efforts they found themselves unable +to lessen the distance between them. + +Scobell several times ventured a look over his shoulder, to note the +progress of their pursuers, and on each occasion, finding them still +lagging behind, he uttered some encouraging remark to Mrs. Lawton, who +was straining every nerve in the attempt to escape. + +While indulging in one of these hasty observations, and forgetting for a +moment the management of his horse, the animal suddenly swerved from the +road, as if frightened at some object in advance of them, and, +stumbling, fell heavily to the ground, throwing Scobell over his head +and into the ditch. + +[Illustration: "_With a scream of anguish, the one nearest to him threw +up his hands and fell heavily to the ground._" P. 380.] + +Scrambling quickly to his feet, the negro shouted to his companion: + +"Go ahead, don't mind me; save yourself!" + +He then turned his attention to his horse, which had now recovered his +feet, and stood panting and trembling in every nerve both from fright +and excessive exertion. Listening intently, he could hear the clatter of +hoofs of the horse rode by Mrs. Lawton, in the distance, while coming +closer every instant was the noise of the approaching horsemen. They had +discovered his misfortune, and were now shouting and yelling with +triumph at the possibility of capturing at least one of the party. There +was no time for mounting, even if his horse was unhurt, and Scobell +determined to make a bold stand and sell his life dearly, while he would +assuredly prevent the capture of Mrs. Lawton. + +Leading his horse to the side of the road, he placed himself behind him, +and resting his trusty weapon across the saddle, he awaited the coming +of the approaching horsemen. He calmly waited until the two men were +within a few yards of him, and then, taking as good aim as the light of +the moon enabled him to do, he fired. The horseman nearest him uttered a +scream of anguish, and, throwing up both hands, toppled from the saddle +and fell upon the ground, while his frightened horse, with a snort of +terror, wheeled around and dashed off in the direction from whence he +had come. + +The remaining man stopped his horse with a jerk that drew him back upon +his haunches, and then, turning swiftly around, set off in the opposite +direction, while the bullets from Scobell's weapon whistled in +dangerously close proximity to his ears. + +Scobell, seeing that three of the pursuers were either dead or badly +wounded, proceeded to reload his weapon, and was preparing to remount +his horse and follow after Mrs. Lawton, when he heard the tramp of +horses' feet coming from the direction in which she had gone. From the +noise they made, he was convinced that the approaching party numbered at +least a score, and that they were riding at a sweeping gallop. A bend in +the road, however, hid them from his view, and he was unable to +determine whether they were friends or foes. In an instant later they +swept into full sight, and, to his intense relief, he discovered that +they were Union cavalrymen, and that Mrs. Lawton and her husband were at +their head. + +"Hello, John!" exclaimed Lawton, as they came up, "are you hurt?" + +"No," replied Scobell. + +"What has become of your assailants?" + +"Two of them we left a mile or two back, one is lying there in the road +and the other, so far as I know, is making tracks for Richmond," +answered Scobell. + +"You are a brave fellow, Scobell," said the Captain of the squad, coming +forward. "You were lucky in escaping their bullets, and still more so +that you didn't break your neck when your horse fell with you, at the +speed you were going." + +"He fell on his head, I reckon," ventured one of the soldiers, +waggishly, "which accounts for his not being hurt." + +"That's so," replied Scobell, in all seriousness, "I landed right square +on my head in that ditch." + +A roar of laughter followed this remark, and Scobell added, +good-naturedly: + +"It might have killed one of you fellows, but it didn't even give me the +headache. I am glad, though, it wasn't the missus' horse, or things +might have turned out different." + +The Captain now cut short the conversation by ordering four of the party +to pursue the flying rebel, and, if possible, effect his capture, while +the rest proceeded to hunt up those that had been injured. The man whom +Scobell had shot last was soon found; he was dead, the ball having +entered his skull. Riding back to the spot where the first encounter +took place, they discovered the dead body of the peddler, or spy, who +had met his doom from the bullet of Mrs. Lawton, while his companion, +with a shattered arm, was sitting up, and nearly faint from loss of +blood, and suffering intense pain. + +Having captured two of the horses ridden by the party, and bandaging the +shattered arm as well as they were able, the wounded man was placed on +one of the animals and under an escort they were conveyed to the Union +lines. + +Two shallow graves were hastily dug, and in them were placed the bodies +of the two dead men. The party sent after the escaped soldier soon +returned, reporting that he had obtained too much the start of them to +be overtaken, and they were compelled to give up the chase. + +The entire party then returned to the Landing, and in the morning my +operatives were put across the river, where they reported in due time at +headquarters, where they detailed fully the information which they had +gleaned in the rebel capital. + +It was subsequently learned that the peddler was a rebel spy, and for +some time past had been visiting the Union camps gathering information, +which he had no doubt conveyed to the rebels. On his person were found +papers which fully confirmed this, and that they failed to reach their +destination on account of his death, was a fortunate occurrence for the +Union cause. + +How he had discovered the character of my operatives is a mystery yet +unsolved, as his wounded companion, when examined the next day, stated +that he had met him that night for the first time, and had at his +request accompanied him in the trip which had ended so disastrously. He +further stated that his party belonged to a band of independent scouts, +which had but lately been attached to Lee's Army, and were assigned to +Gen. Stuart's Cavalry. Mr. and Mrs. Lawton and Scobell soon afterwards +returned to Washington, where they were allowed to rest themselves for a +time before being again called upon. + +[Illustration: A DEAD SHOT.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +_A Woman's Discoveries.--An Infernal Machine.--The Shipping in +Danger.--Discovery and Destruction of the Submarine Battery._ + + +The destiny of nations, history tells us, sometimes turns upon the most +trivial things. Rome was once saved by the gabbling of a flock of geese, +whose cries awoke a sentinel sleeping at his post, just in time to give +the alarm and enable the Roman soldiers to successfully repel the attack +of an invading foe. A certain exiled and fugitive king took courage from +watching a spider build its web, recovered his kingdom, and a crown that +had been wrested from him by the misfortune of war. Darius, made King of +Persia by the neighing of a horse--and in our own day historians agree, +that had it not been for the opportune appearance of the "Monitor" when +the rebel iron-clad "Merrimac" steamed out of Hampton Roads in March, +1862, the destruction of the Union might have been an accomplished fact. +For had not that formidable battery met her match in the "Yankee +cheese-box," as the "Monitor" was derisively called, she might have +cleared the water of Union sloops of war, raised the blockade, opened +the way by river to Washington, shelled the national capital and turned +the fortunes of war decidedly in favor of the South. + +This battle was an important epoch in the history of nations, and +demonstrated to the world the formidable character of iron-clad war +vessels, hitherto unknown; and placed the United States on record as +having produced the most invincible navy in the world. + +In addition to the "Merrimac," the South, early in 1862, had devised a +great many ingenious machines in the shape of torpedoes and submarine +batteries, that were designed for the purpose of blowing up the Union +vessels that blockaded the Southern ports. + +It was through the efforts of one of my operatives that the existence of +one of these submarine batteries was discovered, and that, too, just in +the nick of time to save the Federal blockading fleet at the mouth of +the James River from probable destruction. It was in the early part of +November, 1861, that I dispatched one of my lady operatives to Richmond +and the South, for the especial purpose of ascertaining as much +information as possible about these torpedoes and infernal machines, +which I had good reason to believe were constructed at the rebel +capital. The Tredegar Iron Works, the largest factory of the kind in the +South, were located at this place, and since the commencement of +hostilities had been manufacturing cannon and all kinds of shot and +shell for the Confederacy. + +The lady whom I selected for this task was Mrs. E. H. Baker; she had +been in my employ for years, and at one time had resided in Richmond, +although, prior to the war, she had removed to the North, where she had +since dwelt. + +This lady, fortunately enough, was well acquainted with a Captain +Atwater and his family, who resided in Richmond, and after undertaking +the mission, she wrote to them from Chicago, apparently, stating that +notwithstanding the conflict between the two sections of the country, +she designed to pay a visit to them and renew the acquaintance of years +ago. + +She accordingly started, and after a circuitous journey, arrived in +Richmond on the 24th day of the month. The Captain and his family +received her most hospitably, and requested her to make her home with +them during her stay in that city. + +Captain Atwater, although holding a commission in the rebel army, was at +heart a Union man, and secretly rejoiced at the news of a Federal +victory. He soon expressed his views to my operative so clearly and +forcibly, that she believed, if he could do so, without jeopardy, he +would join the Union troops, and fight for the cause that really had his +heartiest wishes for success. + +While Mrs. Baker did not reveal to him her connection with the secret +service of the United States, she took no pains to conceal from him her +real sentiments, and in their confidential conversations, was quite +free in expressing her desire for a speedy Union triumph. The Captain +was firm in his belief that the South was wrong, and that the masses had +been led into the war by designing and ambitious politicians, and that +she must eventually fail. Moreover, he said, that, while born in a +slave-holding State, he believed the institution to be wicked and cruel, +and that the South should have given up her slaves rather than have gone +out of the Union. + +Loyal as he was, the Captain understood the Southern people thoroughly, +and he felt sure that they would fight long and stubbornly, rather than +yield to the blacks the boon of freedom. Many days thus passed in quiet +enjoyment and in these stolen discussions upon the important topics of +the day. Mrs. Baker found herself very comfortably situated beneath the +Captain's hospitable roof, and nearly a week was passed in viewing +Richmond and the strange sights it then afforded. + +On every hand she saw preparations for war, and at every street she +turned, she was confronted with armed soldiers, whose measured tread +kept time to the music of fife and drum. In company with the Captain, +she also visited the earthworks and fortifications around Richmond, and +gained many valuable points of information in regard to their number and +extent. + +As yet, however, she had been unable to discover anything concerning the +special object of her mission, and feeling the necessity of +accomplishing something in that direction, she resolved to act. She had +now established herself so firmly in the estimation of those with whom +she associated, that she believed she could with safety turn her +inquiries in the direction that would lead to the knowledge she desired +to gain. Accordingly, one evening at the tea-table she remarked, +incidentally, that she desired very much to visit the Tredegar Iron +Works. + +"Why, certainly," replied the Captain; "I will be most happy to go with +you to-morrow." + +"That will be delightful," said Mrs. Baker, enthusiastically. + +"But stay a moment," said the Captain, musingly, "I am afraid I will not +be able to go to-morrow, as I have to go down the river to witness a +test of a submarine battery." + +"Why couldn't I go, too?" demurely asked my operative. "I am sure I +should enjoy it very much; that is, if there is no danger connected with +it." + +"Oh, there is no danger, whatever, and there will, doubtless, be a +number of ladies present, and you can go if you wish to." + +"I should most certainly wish to," laughingly answered Mrs. Baker. + +"Very well," said the Captain; "if you and Mrs. Atwater will be ready by +nine o'clock, we will have ample time to reach the place, which is some +few miles below the city." + +The ladies were both much pleased with this arrangement, and expressed +themselves in extravagant terms of thankfulness for a trip which, no +doubt, would be exceedingly pleasant. The Captain then proceeded to +explain to them the nature of the battery which was to be experimented +with on the morrow. He explained the object to be obtained by this +battery, which was to break up the blockading fleet at the mouth of the +James River, and thus give the South an outlet to the sea. + +The next day they started in a carriage for the scene of the exhibition, +which was located about ten miles below the city. Arriving at the +appointed spot, they found quite a large number of military men, many of +them accompanied by ladies, assembled to witness the testing of the +machine, from which so much was expected. + +A large scow had been towed into the middle of the river, and the +submarine vessel was to approach it and attach a magazine, containing +nearly half a bushel of powder, to which was attached several deadly +projectiles, and this was to be fired by a peculiarly constructed fuse, +connected by a long wire coiled on board the submarine vessel. + +At a given signal the boat was sunk into the river, about half a mile +below the scow, and shortly afterwards it began to make its way under +the water towards it. The only visible sign of its existence was a large +float that rested on the surface of the water, and which was connected +with the vessel below, designed to supply the men that operated it with +air. This float was painted a dark green, to imitate the color of the +water, and could only be noticed by the most careful observer. As my +operative listened to a full explanation of the machine and its +workings, she could scarcely control her emotions of fear for the safety +of the Federal boats, in the event of its successful operation, and +provided the government was not speedily warned of its existence. + +It was learned that this vessel was but a small working model of a much +larger one, that was now nearly completed, and would be finished in +about two weeks, and would then be taken to the mouth of the James +River, to operate on the war vessels guarding that port. + +They had obtained an excellent position, where they had a full view of +the river, and with the aid of a strong field-glass they could +distinctly watch the large "float," which indicated the approach of the +vessel. + +"How do the men who operate the machine manage to attach the magazine to +the vessel they design to destroy?" asked Mrs. Baker. + +"Two or three men, who operate the boat," replied the Captain, "are +provided with submarine diving armor, which enables them to work under +the water and attach the magazine to the ship intended to be blown up. +They then have only to quickly move away to a safe distance, fire their +fuse, and the work is done." + +The Captain also informed her, that the object was to break the blockade +and allow the steamers "Patrick Henry" and "Thomas Jefferson" out to +sea, these vessels being loaded with cotton and bound for England. + +While they were talking, my operative was closely watching, by the aid +of her glass, the movements of the boat, and she now noticed that having +approached to within a few rods of the scow, it stopped, and the water +"float" which indicated its position remained motionless. After +remaining in this position for a few minutes, it slowly began to recede +from the scow, in the direction from whence it came. + +It moved steadily away some hundreds of yards, and Mrs. Baker was +wondering at the seemingly long delay, when suddenly, and without any +previous warning whatever, there was a terrific explosion, and the scow +seemed lifted bodily out of the water and thrown high into the air. Her +destruction was complete, and there was no longer any doubt that the +submarine battery could be used with deadly and telling effect on the +ships constituting the Federal blockading squadron. + +Those who witnessed the experiment were, of course, much elated over the +efficient work of destruction which had been accomplished, and even +Captain Atwater, in his enthusiasm as a soldier, forgot temporarily his +real feelings, in his undisguised admiration of the ingenuity of the +invention and the effectiveness of its operation. + +Mrs. Baker, however, looked on with a heavy heart as she reflected upon +the terrible consequences of the workings of this machine, and at once +felt the urgent necessity of taking steps to inform me what she had +witnessed. Unless something was done in this direction, she felt +confident that the Federal ships would be destroyed, the blockade +forever ended, and untold disaster would attend the Union cause. + +After their return home that evening, she made copious notes of what she +had learned and witnessed, which she safely secreted about her person. +The next day, in company with the Captain, she visited the Tredegar Iron +Works, and inspected the boat that was being built. It was truly a +formidable-looking engine of destruction. + +The next day, being Sunday, she remained at the residence of the +Captain, and on Monday morning, having procured a pass, she bade +farewell to her host and his amiable spouse, and left Richmond for +Fredericksburg. From thence she made her way to Washington by the way of +Leonardstown, and lost no time in reporting to me the success of her +trip. She had made a hasty, though quite comprehensive, sketch of the +vessel, which sketch is still in my possession, and which showed the +position under the surface of the water, and explained its workings. + +I immediately laid my information before General McClellan and the +Secretary of the Navy, who at once transmitted the intelligence to the +commanders of the squadron, instructing them to keep a sharp lookout for +the "water-colored surface float," and to drag the water for the purpose +of securing possession of the air tubes connecting the float with the +vessel below. + +Nothing was heard from this for about three weeks, but about that time I +was informed that one of the vessels of the blockading fleet off the +mouth of the James River had discovered the float, and putting out her +drag-rope, had caught the air-tubes and thus effectually disabled the +vessel from doing any harm, and no doubt drowning all who were on board +of her. + +This incident, and the peculiarity of the machine, was duly discussed in +the newspapers at that time, who stated that "by a mere accident the +Federal fleet off James River had been saved from destruction"--but I +knew much better, and that the real credit of the discovery was due to a +lady of my own force. The efficient manner in which this work was +performed was of great service to the nation, and sustained the +reputation of the Secret Service Department, as being an important +adjunct in aiding the government in its efforts to suppress the +rebellion. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +_"Stuttering Dave."--His Tramp Through the Rebel Lines.--An Ammunition +Train.--"Dave's" Plan Succeeds in its Destruction.--A Man Who Stuttered +and "Had Fits."_ + + +One morning, while the army was on the advance up the Peninsula, I was +strolling about the camp, when I encountered a group of soldiers +gathered around one of their number, who appeared to be entertaining +them immensely with his droll anecdotes and dry witticisms. Approaching +closer, I became one of the crowd that surrounded the narrator, and +listened to an amusing incident admirably told, which had happened to +him a day or two before while out with a scouting party. + +He was a man about thirty years of age, of medium height, strongly and +compactly built, and with a good, firm, intelligent face, over which he +had the most perfect control. So perfect was his command over his facial +expression that he could make his hearers roar with laughter, while he, +to use a homely phrase, would "never crack a smile." I noticed on +joining the little crowd that had gathered around him, that the fellow +stuttered amazingly, which fact, together with his imperturbable +gravity, seemed to be the secret of his always having a good audience +about him to listen to his stories and to enjoy his droll humor. I was +struck with the man's appearance at first sight and at once concluded +that, unless I was much deceived in him, he was a man whom I could use +to good advantage, and I determined to ascertain who he was and where he +belonged. + +Turning to a soldier at my side, I inquired the man's name. Looking at +me as though surprised at my ignorance, he answered: + +"Why, that's 'Stuttering Dave,' the drollest, smartest man in this +regiment, and one of the best fellows you ever met." + +"What regiment does he belong to?" I asked. + +"To the Twenty-first New York," said the soldier, "but ever since I have +known him, he has been with a scouting party. He used to live in +Virginia before the war, and is well acquainted about here." + +That day I called upon the Colonel of the regiment to which the man +belonged, and informed him of my wishes, which, if agreeable to him, I +would ask him to send "Stuttering Dave" to my quarters. + +Shortly after sundown he came, and to my astonishment, I found that his +stuttering propensity had entirely disappeared, and that he conversed +with me with surprising ease and intelligence, and a quiet earnestness +that betokened a solid and well-informed man. The fact was that +stuttering with him was only a favorite amusement, and so naturally was +it simulated, that no one would suspect he was shamming or that he was +anything else but a confirmed stutterer of the most incorrigible type. +In the interview which followed he signified his willingness to enter +the secret service, and a day or two later he was detailed to my force. +Here he served with such ability and credit that he was shortly +discharged from his regiment altogether, and for the rest of the war was +one of my most faithful and valued operatives. + +A few days after this interview, David Graham, for that was his real +name, otherwise known as "Stuttering Dave," set out under my +instructions, on a trip within the rebel lines. As he was about leaving +my tent, he shook hands with me, and said in his dry manner: + +"G-g-go-good-by, M-m-m-major, I'm g-g-g-oin to have s-s-some fun before +I g-g-get home, if I d-d-don't I'm a g-g-goat, that's all." + +Cautioning him against allowing his propensity for "fun" to get him into +trouble, I accompanied him to the edge of the camp, and saw him set out +in the direction of the Confederate forces. + +Graham had adopted the disguise of a peddler of notions, and carried in +his pack a goodly supply of buttons, needles, thread, pins and such a +trifling articles as he knew would be in great demand by the soldiers. +Discarding his uniform, and dressed in a suit of butternut jean, with a +broad-brimmed hat, a stout stick, and a pack across his shoulder, he +appeared a veritable tramping peddler. No one, to have seen him, would +have imagined that he was an emissary of the secret service, and they +would little have suspected that the stuttering, harmless-looking fellow +who was hawking his wares, knew aught about military affairs, or the +plans and movements of an army. + +It was in the fast deepening twilight of a beautiful evening, and but a +few days after he had left the Union lines, that a party of rebel +soldiers, weary and hungry with the toilsome march of the day, were +resting around a camp-fire, engaged in the preparations of their evening +meal. + +While thus employed, they were approached by a strange-looking +individual, who walked right into their midst, and without ceremony, +flung down his pack and seated himself among them. + +"B-b-boys," said he, "I'm most d-d-darned hungry, w-w-w-what do you +s-s-say to givin' me a b-b-b-bite to eat; d-d-dang my buttons, I'm +willin' to p-p-pay for it in t-t-trade or cash." + +"How did you manage to get inside the camp?" inquired one, who seemed to +be the leader of the mess. + +"F-f-f-followed my legs, and they b-b-b-brought me right in," replied +Stuttering Dave, as he coolly produced a short-stemmed, dirty-looking +pipe, which he deliberately filled, and then lighted with a coal from +the glowing embers at his feet. + +"What have you got to sell?" asked a soldier at his side. + +"O, n-n-needles, p-p-pins, thread, b-b-buttons and n-n-notions." + +"Did you come from the Yanks?" now asked the man who had first addressed +him. + +"D-d-d-am the Yanks!" ejaculated Dave, "I d-d-don't know anything about +'em. Ain't them your s-s-sentiments?" he added, nudging the fellow who +sat nearest to him. + +His companion evidently did not relish this sly poke, for he growled: + +"I, for one, am gettin' most thunderin' tired of runnin' around the +country, and nothin' would suit me better than for us to stop long +enough to giv' 'em a good lickin'." + +"You l-licked 'em like the d-d-devil at Williamsburgh, d-d-d-didn't +you?" said Dave. + +The fellow looked at him in surprise, but failed to detect any evidence +of an intended sarcasm in the immovable gravity of his face, so mentally +concluding that the peddler was a fool and one of nature's own at that, +he dropped the conversation. + +By this time the meal was ready, and Dave, being invited to join them, +gladly assented, and fell to with an appetite that showed how thoroughly +he enjoyed the repast. Supper over, the party spent the evening in +chatting and telling yarns. The detective opened his pack, and +displaying his goods, soon disposed of quite a large quantity, in return +for which he demanded, and would take, nothing but silver or gold. When +"taps" were called, he turned in with the party, and placing his pack +under his head for a pillow, he soon slept soundly, until reveille in +the early morning aroused him from his slumbers. + +Having eaten his breakfast, he sauntered through the camp, taking keen +notice of the number of troops, and finding out all he could concerning +their intended plans and movements. During the day, he did a thriving +business with his small stock of notions, and was everywhere followed by +a crowd, who were attracted by his droll humor and witty sayings. + +On one of these occasions, and while he was driving some lively bargains +with the soldiers that were gathered around him, he was approached by an +officer, who slapped him familiarly on the shoulder and exclaimed: + +"Here, my good fellow, we can use men like you; hadn't you better enlist +with us? You can do your country a great deal more good than you are +doing, tramping around the country selling needles and pins." + +The detective turned around, and seeing who it was addressing him, +replied: + +"C-Captain, I d-d-don't think you would want me; I t-t-tried t-to enlist +s-s-s-sometime ago, b-b-b-but the d-d-doctor said, m-my f-f-fits and +stuttering b-b-being so b-b-bad, he c-c-couldn't p-p-pass me." + +"Are you subject to fits?" the officer now asked, as a sympathetic look +came over his face. + +"Had 'em ever s-s-since I was t-t-ten years old," replied Dave, "have +'em every f-f-full of the m-m-moon." + +"Where do you live?" interrupted the officer. + +"On t-t-the other s-s-side of the river," he answered. + +"What is your name?" + +"They c-c-call me St-st-stuttering Dave," replied the detective, with an +idiotic grin. + +The officer now turned and walked away, feeling no longer any interest +in the fellow, except to pity his condition; and thoroughly satisfied +that there was no harm in him, and that he was utterly unfit for a +soldier. + +Well pleased to have shaken off the curious officer as easily as he had, +Dave now turned again to the soldiers and resumed his occupation of +dickering with the crowd about him; having concluded his business here, +he ambled off to another part of the grounds where a large quantity of +ammunition was stored in the wagons. + +Instantly, an idea occurred to him which he resolved to carry out if +possible. It was to undertake the dangerous feat of firing the +ammunition, and depriving his enemies of that much destructive material +at all events. He lost all interest in disposing of his goods for a +time, and proceeded to make a careful examination of the grounds about +the wagons, and formed his plans for carrying out his project that very +night. + +He soon decided that by laying a train of powder from the wagons and +running it to a safe distance, he could readily set fire to it, and make +his escape in the confusion that would follow. At midnight, therefore, +he stole around to the wagons and quietly commenced his work. He had +taken the precaution that afternoon, to supply himself with a quantity +of powder fuses, by rolling the powder up loosely in long strips of +rags. + +Placing these in position to connect with the ammunition in the wagons, +and laying his train from one to another, the next thing was to lay a +long train, that would enable him after firing it to get out of harm's +way before the explosion occurred. Having completed his arrangements, he +now took himself off, to wait until the whole camp should be quietly +wrapped in slumber, before he started his "fireworks," as he called +them. + +About midnight, had the sentinel on guard at the wagons containing the +ammunition been awake, and looking sharply about him, instead of dozing +at his post, he might have observed a man stealthily steal up to the +stores, and silently and quickly disappear into the woods beyond. +Fortunately, however, for our friend, and the enterprise he had on hand, +he only snored quietly and peacefully against a neighboring tree, little +dreaming of the surprise that was in store for him. + +A few minutes later, a long, quick flash of light darted along the +ground, which was immediately followed by a loud, stunning report, and +the murky darkness was illumined with a brilliant, flaming light, and +great volumes of smoke. + +Instantly the entire camp was aroused, and the half-dressed and +fully-frightened soldiers came rushing to the scene, which was now only +a scattered pile of burning ruins. How it occurred, no one knew, or +could tell aught about it, and wild conjectures were freely indulged in +as to the probable cause of the disaster. In the meantime, the only man +in the world who could tell anything about the affair, was traveling as +fast as his legs could carry him in the direction of the Union camp. + +In a few days he made his appearance at my headquarters, and related the +success of his journey. I could not refrain from laughing heartily at +his peculiar and independent system of warfare, but advised him to be +more careful in the future as to how he tampered with the stores of the +enemy. + +I was not disappointed as to the ability of the man, however, and for +months he served me faithfully and well, needing but little instruction, +and always performing his work to the entire satisfaction of every one. +He at times adopted various disguises, but generally depended upon his +own natural shrewdness, and his natural adaptiveness for the role of an +itinerant peddler to carry him through successfully. + +He was always fortunate in his trips, and, so far as I knew, his +identity was never discovered, and in the peddler who stuttered and +"sometimes had fits," the rebels never recognized an emissary of the +Secret Service. + +[Illustration: SHOT BY A CANNON-BALL.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +_Another Trip to Richmond.--A Rebel General Taken In.--Curtis Makes +Valuable Acquaintances.--"The Subterranean Headquarters."_ + + +Early in 1862, it becoming necessary to obtain more fully the plans and +intentions of the enemy, and their numbers around Richmond, I in April +of that year dispatched one of my keenest and shrewdest operatives on +this important mission. + +The man selected for this delicate and dangerous work was George Curtis, +a young man about twenty-five years of age, tall, well-formed, with dark +complexion, clear gray eyes, and possessing handsome, intelligent +features. He was one of those men rarely met, who was by nature a +detective; cool-headed, brave and determined, with ready wit and +sagacious mind, he was especially qualified for efficient work in that +important branch, the secret service. + +He was a native of New York, and had at the opening of the war enlisted +in an infantry regiment from that State. + +Learning of his desire to enter the secret service, I had procured his +discharge from his regiment, and he was detailed on my force, where he +served until the close of the war. + +It was a beautiful April morning when, with his instructions carefully +treasured in memory, for he dared take no written ones, he left my +office on "I" street, in Washington, and set out on his perilous trip. + +I had previously made arrangements that he should accompany General +McClellan down the river on his boat, the "Commodore," and on which he +had established his headquarters, to Fortress Monroe, and landing there, +make his way to Richmond. + +The morning of the first, he left Washington, and the next day he +arrived at Old Point Comfort, and landed under the frowning walls of the +old fort. He remained here until the morning of the second day after his +arrival, where he was provided with a horse, and set across the river +and proceeded on his way towards the rebel capital. + +He had now a journey of near seventy miles before him, through a country +filled with enemies to the cause he espoused, and from whom, should his +true character and mission become known, he might expect anything but +kind treatment at their hands. His object in crossing the James at this +point was to place himself in less danger from suspicion as a spy, and +to better enable him to learn the sentiment of the people, as well as to +gain accurate knowledge of the condition of the country as to roads, +bridges, streams, etc., all of which information is of essential +importance for the General of an invading army to know. + +He, therefore, on horseback, and apparently as a man traveling for +pleasure and recreation, proceeded on his way up the valley of the river +and towards the objective point of his journey, the rebel capital. + +Nothing worthy of note occurred during the day; he stopped at noon at a +house by the wayside, and obtained dinner for himself and horse. In a +conversation with his host, who was a well-to-do old farmer, he +apparently in a careless manner betrayed the fact that he himself +followed the same occupation, that he lived on the river in the county +of Norfolk, below, and was on his way to visit among friends at +Petersburgh. + +It was towards evening that he neared the outskirts of the city, when he +suddenly encountered the rebel pickets, stationed outside the town, who +halted him and demanded to know his name and business. "My name is +Curtis," replied the operative, "and I am from Norfolk; my business I +will state to your commander when I am taken to him." + +Without further ceremony he was turned over to the officer of the guard, +who sent him under escort to General Hill, the general in command. + +"Whom have you here?" queried the General, as in the company of his +escort the detective was led into his presence. + +"A man who says he is from Norfolk," replied the guard, "but who refuses +to tell his business to any one but yourself." + +"You may retire," said the General, and the escort immediately left the +room. "Now," he exclaimed, turning to Curtis, "What is your business? +Please be as brief as possible, as I am very busy." + +"Well, to come to the point at once," replied the detective; "in the +first place, then, I spoke falsely to your pickets when I told them I +was from Norfolk. My name is Curtis, and I am from Washington. As to my +business, I deal in what the Yankees are pleased to term contraband +goods; yet I don't see how gun-caps, ammunition of all kinds, and +quinine should be considered contraband, for the simple reason that I, +as a dealer, find a better market South than North for my goods. My +desire," he continued, "is to get through to Richmond, where I hope to +be able to effect contracts, with Secretary Benjamin, to furnish my +goods to the Confederate government." + +"How did you get through the Union lines?" asked the General, still, +evidently, a little suspicious of the sincerity of the detective's +story. + +"I came down on the 'Commodore,' General McClellan's boat, three days +ago," he answered, "was set across the river there, procured a horse +from a friend, and here I am." + +"Do you know anything of McClellan's plans for an advance?" asked the +General. + +"I can tell you nothing about them," answered Curtis, "as everything is +kept secret from even his own staff, I am told." + +The General mused, thoughtfully, a moment, and then said: "I will give +you a pass to Richmond, and you can proceed on your way in the morning." + +"Thank you, General," exclaimed the detective, "I assure you the cause +shall suffer no loss by any efforts of mine. I shall, in all +probability, return by this way, in a few weeks at farthest, when, if I +can be of any service to you, you have only to command me." + +"By the way," said the General, "I have some letters to parties in +Richmond, which ought to go at once. If you will do me the favor to +deliver them I shall be obliged to you." + +"I shall be happy to serve you, General, and will take pleasure in +seeing that your letters reach their destination all right." + +"Very well, then; call at my quarters in the morning, before you start, +and I will have them ready for you, and will give you also your pass to +Richmond." + +Curtis thanked him again, and, bidding him good-night, repaired to the +hotel, and secured for himself and horse supper and lodging for the +night. + +After he had partaken of a hearty meal, and provided himself with an +excellent cigar, he sauntered out on to the veranda of the hotel, and, +taking a comfortable seat, prepared to enjoy his fragrant weed, and +amuse himself with listening to the conversation of those around him. + +He soon discovered that the war, and the prospects for a speedy victory +for the South, were the subjects under discussion, and he listened with +much interest to the ideas advanced, and the confidence that marked +their assertions of the superiority of the Southern troops over the +Northern mudsills, as they termed the Federalists. + +"You may depend on it, that General Johnson will not permit the Yanks to +approach any closer to Richmond than they now are, without contesting +every inch of the ground as they advance," remarked one gentleman of the +party near which he was sitting. + +"No," emphatically rejoined another, "when they take Richmond, it will +be when they have annihilated the Southern people, when not a thousand +able-bodied men are left on Southern soil to rally to its defense." + +"Well, I am satisfied," remarked another, "that right here is to be the +contest, that is to decide this matter one way or the other." + +"If the Yankees take Richmond, the South may as well surrender at once; +if however they fail, as they are extremely liable to do, _they_, on the +other hand, may as well withdraw their forces and acknowledge our +independence." + +"If I am not greatly mistaken," now ventured my operative, "in the +spirit of the Southern people, they will, to use a common phrase, 'fight +to the bitter end.' And yet," he continued, "to the thoughtful +observer, it is not pleasant to contemplate the spectacle of brother +arrayed against brother, as they are in this war. I tell you, +gentlemen," he added, "that while I am a Southern man, it grieves me to +see our land so rent with strife and bloodshed and that the North has +made it necessary for a resort to arms to settle a matter that should +have been amicably adjusted." + +At this juncture, the party was joined by a new-comer, who had evidently +just left the supper-room, as he carried an unlighted cigar in one hand, +while with the other he was picking his teeth, with the manner of a man +who had just eaten a hearty meal and who had enjoyed it. + +He was a man past the middle age, hair generously sprinkled with gray, +and with a face, that while bronzed by exposure to the weather, was +keenly intelligent, not unhandsome, and strongly expressive of force and +decision of character. He seated himself and soon joined in the +conversation, with that freedom and _nonchalance_ that characterizes the +experienced yet courteous traveler, who has seen the world and is +familiar with its ways. + +"We shall hear of some pretty hard fighting, shortly, I imagine," +finally observed the stranger; "McClellan has arrived at Fortress +Monroe, and will no doubt commence hostilities at once." + +"And we shall also hear of his army getting badly whipped," put in one +of the party. + +"Well," rejoined the stranger, "that may be true; but, after all, the +real contest will be before Richmond; the fighting that may occur now +will only be the strategic moves preceding the final struggle. Lee and +Johnson," he continued, "are not yet ready for McClellan to advance upon +Richmond, and they will see to it that it is put in the best possible +condition of defense before he succeeds in reaching it." + +At this, my operative, who had taken little part in the conversation, +except as an attentive listener, now arose and laughingly said: +"Gentlemen, I guess we are all of one mind on this subject, let's +adjourn down below and interview the bar-keeper; I don't profess to be a +judge of military matters, but when it comes to a good article of +whisky, I claim to be posted." + +The party, numbering near a dozen gentlemen about him, good-humoredly +took the interruption and laughingly followed the detective, who now led +the way to the bar-room. + +They filled glasses all around and Curtis proposed the rather ambiguous +toast, "May the right prevail, and death and confusion, attend its +enemies"--ambiguous in that it as much represented his real sentiments +as it also met the approval of his secession friends. + +After the party had drank, they separated, agreeing to meet later in the +evening; Curtis was himself starting for a stroll about the town, when +the stranger, who had last joined the party on the veranda approached +him and said: "I have just drank the toast you proposed, and judging +from it and your conversation up stairs, I take you to be, at least, a +friend to the South, if indeed you are not a Southern man. I should like +much to have your company for a short stroll about the city; my name," +he added, "is Leroy, and I hail from Baltimore." + +"I shall be glad to accompany you, Mr. Leroy," said my operative, +heartily: "I was just thinking of going for a walk alone, but I assure +you I shall be only too glad to have a companion. And since you have so +kindly told me your name, I may as well tell you, that mine is George +Curtis, and I am from Washington. But before we start," he added, "let +us have a fresh cigar." + +He then ordered the cigars and they started for their walk. + +They had not proceeded far, before his new companion revealed the fact, +that he also was in the contraband trade, and singularly enough, was on +his way to Richmond on precisely the same business my operative had +represented himself as engaged. Of course, Curtis reciprocated the +confidence of his new-found friend, and with such results, that he not +only returned from his walk much better posted on how to get goods +through to Richmond, but actually returned a partner in an enterprize to +furnish their goods in large quantities to the Confederate government, +provided they could succeed in making satisfactory arrangements with +Mr. Benjamin, the Secretary of War. They returned to the hotel, where +they had a long talk, completing their plans. It was arranged that my +operative should leave his horse at Petersburg, and in the morning, they +would proceed on their way to Richmond by rail. + +On the following morning he arose early, and after breakfast, proceeded +to call on General Hill at his quarters and obtained his pass, also the +letters he was to carry for him to parties in Richmond. They then took a +train for the rebel capital, and by noon found themselves in that city. + +The day following his arrival, in company with Leroy, he called on Mr. +Benjamin and succeeded in closing contracts to furnish large quantities +of their goods to his government, and at prices that were highly +satisfactory to Mr. Leroy, who jovially remarked, as they left the +Secretary's presence, that if they only had good luck, their fortunes +were made. Curtis, however, felt highly gratified over the result of the +interview, more from the reflection of the aid it would give him in +prosecuting the real object of his visit, than from any financial +benefit he expected to derive from it. He had received a pass from the +Secretary that would enable him to pass in and out of Richmond at his +pleasure, a most important privilege, and one that really removed all +practical hindrances, and left him free to more fully accomplish his +work. + +He had not been in the city a week before he discovered that through +some source, the rebels had almost daily news from the front, concerning +the movements and plans of the Union troops. This he now determined to +ferret out, and the next day, he in a careless manner, inquired of his +friend Leroy, how it was, they obtained news so promptly from the front. + +"Why," replied his friend, laughingly, "haven't you heard of the +subterranean headquarters?" + +"I confess I have not," replied the detective. + +"Then come along with me," said Leroy. "I ought to have told you about +this before, as it is intimately connected with our business." + +He then led the way to the very hotel at which they were stopping, and +conducted Curtis to a large and elegantly furnished room on the third +floor, and in which were seated a number of gentlemen--some reading, +while others were engaged in writing at little tables that were ranged +about the room. + +"Here," said he, laughing, "are the subterranean headquarters, although +they are above the top of the ground instead of beneath it. I need not +tell you," he added, "that the name is given as much to mislead as for +any other purpose." + +They then took seats at one end of the room where they were alone, and +he proceeded with his explanation: + +"First," he said, "you must know that this is a bureau of intelligence, +and is managed partly by the government and partly by wealthy merchants +here and at Baltimore; besides being used in getting information +concerning the movements of the Federal troops, it is also used by the +merchants in getting our goods through from Baltimore. We employ," he +continued, "nearly fifty persons, some of whom are constantly in the +field carrying dispatches, gaining and bringing in information from the +Yankee lines. These persons are all under the control of a chief at +their head, and are all known to that man yonder," pointing to a +gentleman seated at a desk at the opposite end of the room. + +"Strange as it may seem to you," he continued, "right here in this +hotel, we have the most exclusive privacy. You noticed that man standing +in the hall when we came in, the same one now sitting at the desk?" + +Curtis nodded, and he proceeded: "Well, he knew me, and consequently he +knew you were all right. Had you come alone, that door would have been +closed, and would not have opened, had you tried it. Now," he said, "I +will call him here and introduce you." + +Touching a small bell that stood on the table, the gentleman, to whom he +had alluded, instantly answered its summons and crossed the room to +where they were sitting. + +"Mr. Wallace," said Leroy, "this is my friend and partner, Mr. Curtis." +The two men bowed and shook hands, and Wallace seating himself proved +to be a pleasant and well-informed gentleman. + +In the course of the conversation, Leroy asked, "What is the latest news +from the front, Mr. Wallace?" + +"We have nothing as yet to-day," he answered, "but yesterday it was +reported that McClellan had laid siege to Yorktown; the chances are, +that we shall hear of a battle, in a few days at farthest." During the +interview, Curtis learned also, that the persons operating for this +bureau had confederates, both at Baltimore and at Washington; these, he +determined to discover, if possible, in addition to the information +already gained. + +To this end, he made himself very agreeable to Mr. Wallace, and in the +course of the conversation, expressed his willingness to do what he +could in aiding the force, and remarked that he should be passing back +and forth, between Washington and Richmond, and could doubtless be of +service. + +Mr. Wallace thanked him heartily, and gave him a small plain badge of +peculiar shape, that would at any time, if shown, admit him to the +headquarters, and then taking him about the room, he introduced him to +the gentlemen present, and after a short conversation with his new +friends, he in company with Leroy took his departure, and together they +went down to dinner. + +That evening, as he was sitting in the bar-room of the hotel, one of +the men he had met up-stairs in the forenoon, came to him and told him +that in a day or two, he was to start for Yorktown with important +dispatches for General Magruder, but that owing, to sickness in his +family, he did not want to leave home, unless it was impossible for him +to get some one he could trust to undertake the task for him. + +He then asked Curtis if he would object to making the trip for him. The +detective thought a moment, and told him he would give him an answer in +the morning. The two men then indulged in a friendly glass, after which +they separated. The man had no sooner gone, than Curtis made up his mind +to take the dispatches, not to General Magruder, but to me at +Washington. + +Accordingly, the next morning he informed his friend he would undertake +the task for him, as he intended returning to Baltimore at any rate. + +The next morning found him, with the dispatches carefully secreted about +his person, at the depot, ready to take the first train for Petersburgh. + +Here he arrived about noon, and proceeded to call on General Hill. After +procuring his dinner at the hotel, he ordered his horse and started on +his long ride for the Union camp, where he delivered his dispatches to +Mr. Bangs, the superintendent of my headquarters in the field, and +forwarded copies of the same to me at Washington, together with a full +account of his trip and information he had gained; not forgetting a +full statement of his discovery of the "Subterranean Headquarters," and +his enlistment as a member of its force of spies and agents, employed in +transmitting intelligence of the movements and plans of the Union +troops. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +_A Virginia Home.--Unwelcome Visitors.--Mr. Harcourt Arrested and +Released.--Dan McCowan Makes Forcible Love to Mary Harcourt.--The Girl +in Peril.--A Timely Rescue.--The Villain Punished._ + + +The important information brought to my notice by Operative Curtis, on +his return from Richmond, concerning the character and working of the +"Subterranean Headquarters," at once determined me on a plan of using +the same body of men, or rather the information they carried, for the +benefit of the Union forces, instead of allowing them to use it in the +interests of the Confederates. To accomplish this, I detailed several +members of my force, both at Washington and Baltimore, to co-operate +with Curtis, whom I intended now should become an active agent of the +rebels in carrying dispatches to and from Richmond. The plan was, in +short, that all dispatches entrusted to him should be accurately copied, +the copies to be delivered to his confederates, and the originals +forwarded to their destination. + +In war, as in a game of chess, if you know the moves of your adversary +in advance, it is then an easy matter to shape your own plans, and make +your moves accordingly, and, of course, always to your own decided +advantage. So in this case, I concluded that if the information intended +for the rebels could first be had by us, after that, they were welcome +to all the benefit they might derive from them. + +In a few days, then, having completed my arrangements, Curtis started to +Richmond, by the way of Wilson's Landing and Glendale, he having decided +that, provided as he was with his pass from the Secretary, it would be +perfectly safe, and at the same time a much shorter route than by the +way of Petersburgh. + +Leaving him for the present, then, to make his way to Richmond as best +he can, we will turn our attention to other persons and to other scenes. +The interior of a comfortable farm-house, the place, and early evening +the time. + +The family are gathered around the tea-table, and are discussing +earnestly the war, and the chances of the success of the Northern +troops. The family consisted of five persons: the husband and wife, both +traveling down the western slope of life, a young and beautiful +daughter, apparently about twenty years of age, and two younger +children, a boy and girl, aged, respectively, fourteen and twelve years. + +These latter are listening attentively to the conversation going on +about them, and anon interjecting some childish observation, or asking +some question commensurate with the quaint views and ideas of childish +years. + +"Well," finally observed the old gentleman, "it is hard that one dare +not speak their own sentiments in a country like this; my grandfather +fought in the revolution, my father in the war of 1812, and I, myself, +took a hand in the brush with Mexico; but I never dreamed of seeing the +day when a man dared not speak his honest convictions, for fear of +having his roof burnt from over his head, and, worse than all, endanger +even his own life, and those dearest to him." + +"I have always told you, William," replied his good wife, "that the day +would come when this fearful curse of slavery would have to be wiped out +in blood, and you all know now that I prophesied truly. And," she added, +"as for me, I have no fears for the result. _Our_ only mistake has been +in casting our lot and settling in the South, and in the very presence +of an evil we could not avert." + +"True, mother," rejoined her husband, "but you know I have ever been +outspoken against slavery, and its attendant curses. I also flatter +myself that I have had some influence in mitigating, at least, the +condition of not a few of the black race. You remember Colonel Singleton +liberated his slaves at the very outset of this war." + +"And was compelled to flee to the North to save his own life," answered +his wife; "and had we been wise, we would have gone to a country more +congenial to our views, and while we could have done so with safety. I +am afraid," she continued, "if it becomes known that our son has joined +the Union army, serious trouble may befall us at the hands of men who +have long desired an excuse for arresting you and confiscating your +property; if, indeed, they would be content with sparing your life." + +"If I were younger," said the old gentleman, "I would defy them to do +their worst; and, as it is, my only fears are for my family, not for +myself. Still," he added, "my neighbors are all friendly, and the +majority of them, though thinking differently from me on these +questions, are under obligations to me, so that I feel I have but little +to fear at their hands. As to our boy, who has gone to fight for the old +flag, I am proud of him; I fought for it, so did my fathers before me, +and I would disown the child who would refuse, if necessary, to lay down +his life in its defense." + +And here, fired with the sentiments he had just uttered, he arose from +the table in an agitated manner and began to pace the floor. + +"Ah," he continued, "I love that old flag, and old as I am, would fight +for it yet." + +Going to a case that stood in a corner of the room, he took from a shelf +a beautiful silken banner, and holding it aloft, he exclaimed, with +great earnestness, "There is the flag I fight under--the flag of the +Union and of the country our fathers fought to save." + +"Father," exclaimed his eldest daughter, "you forget yourself in your +enthusiasm; even now some one may be outside listening; you forget that +Dan McCowan and his desperate gang may be in the vicinity and give us a +call at any moment." + +Scarcely had the warning fell from her lips, when there came a loud +knocking at the door, followed by a few vigorous and well-directed blows +that threatened to take it from its hinges. + +The whole family started up in alarm, and while one snatched the flag +from the old gentleman and hastily deposited it in its hiding-place, +another answered the summons from without. + +The old man himself, while not frightened, was somewhat disconcerted by +the noise, and remained standing in the center of the room, when the +door was suddenly burst open, revealing a body of Confederate soldiers +headed by a villainous-looking fellow, their leader, who now entered the +room, and approaching him, said: + +"Mr. Harcourt, I have orders to place you under arrest, so you will +prepare to accompany us to Glendale at once!" + +"What crime have I committed?" demanded the old man, now perfectly calm, +"that you dare enter my house in this manner!" + +"You will know that soon enough," replied the officer; "so hustle on +your duds, as we must be going. Bill," he commanded, turning to a fellow +near him, "you will search the house and take possession of anything +contraband or treasonable that you can find." + +This order was exactly what his followers wanted, as it meant really an +order to plunder the house and appropriate to their own use whatever +articles of value they found and that pleased them to take. + +As none of the family had offered the slightest resistance, the +unwelcome intruders had conducted themselves, so far, very orderly. Mrs. +Harcourt, a kind and matronly-looking woman, with a firmness and +self-control, that under the circumstances was admirable, bustled about +the room, getting together a small bundle of clothing for her husband to +take with him on his enforced journey to Glendale; and anon, while doing +this, spoke soothing words of comfort and encouragement to the younger +children, who, white and speechless with terror, were crouching in the +darkest corner of the room. + +The eldest daughter, at a sign from her father, accompanied the two men +detailed to search the premises, and proceeded with them from room to +room, as they rummaged chests and drawers, appropriating various little +articles to their own use, in spite of the indignant protest of the +spirited girl at such barefaced robbery. + +Finally, with much reluctance, she was compelled to admit them to her +own room, and to witness their ruthless handling of the contents of a +small trunk, in which were various little articles, trinkets and +mementoes, worthless to any one else, but, of course, priceless to her. + +But what she most prized among them, and which caused her the most alarm +should they be discovered, was a small packet of letters from her +brother already mentioned as serving in the Union army, and a small +locket containing his miniature. Judge of her dismay were one of the men +picked up the letters, and with a laugh exclaimed: "These are from your +feller, I suppose;" and then, observing the locket, he opened it and +with a leer on his face, said: "And this is his picture, I reckon, eh?" + +"Yes," said the girl eagerly uttering, or rather echoing, the falsehood. +"Yes," she repeated, "please don't take them, as they are of no account +to any one but myself." + +"All right," said the fellow, good-naturedly, "I guess you can have +them;" as he handed them to her. She eagerly seized them, trembling at +the narrow escape they had had from falling into the possession of +those, who knowing their contents, would have given her poor old father +much trouble indeed. + +Having completed their search, and finding nothing that could be +considered of a treasonable character, they returned to the room below, +and reported to their Captain the result of their search. He then +ordered his men to retire to the outside, where he followed them, and +after consulting a short time, he returned to the house and brusquely +informed Mr. Harcourt that as he had found nothing to convict him of +treason against the Confederate government, he might go this time, but +to be d--d careful in the future, or he would get him yet. He then +slammed the door behind him, rejoined his companions who mounted their +horses and rode slowly away. + +Satisfied that they had left, the family ventured to express their +congratulations at the departure of their unwelcome visitors, and at +once set to work rearranging the disordered room. They, however, felt +that this was only the commencement of their prosecutions, and they well +knew that another time, the chances were that they would not escape so +easily; for should it become known that their son was in the Federal +army, they could no longer hope to live in peace and safety. The men who +had visited them on this occasion, were evidently strangers in the +neighborhood, and were, no doubt, a scouting or foraging party, who had +stopped more from a want of having anything else to do, than from a +desire to do them any injury. They, however, knew, that from those in +their own vicinity, there was much more to be feared; and of one person +in particular, they stood in especial dread. That person was Dan +McCowan, the man whose name was mentioned by Mary Harcourt, in her +warning to her father, only a moment before the soldiers, had entered +their dwelling. Dan McCowan was a man who for years had pursued the +detestable calling of a negro-hunter. + +He was about thirty-five years of age, tall, of an ungainly form, and +slightly stoop-shouldered; his hair and eyes were dark, and his +complexion as swarthy as an Indian. His features, naturally coarse and +repulsive, were rendered still more so, by being bronzed and hardened by +long-continued exposure to the weather. His only associates and his most +intimate friends appeared to be his blood-hounds, which he used in +hunting and bringing back to their masters, the poor negroes who were +seeking to escape from a life of continued toil and bondage. The +following unique hand-bill, which he used to post up in various places +over the country, will serve to show the nature of his business, and +also the vast amount of intelligence necessary to carry it on. + + NO TIS. + + The undersind taiks this methed of makkin it none that he + has got the best NIGGER HOUNDS in the state, and is always + redy to ketch runaway niggers at the best rates. + + My hounds is well trained, and I heve hed 15 yeres + experience. My rates is 10 dollurs per hed if ketched in the + beate where the master lives; 15 dollurs in the coonty, and + 50 dollurs out of the coonty. + + DAN MCCOWAN. + + N. B. + + Planters should taik panes to let me know, while the niggers + tracks is fresh, if they want quick work and a good job. + +It is scarcely necessary to say that his services were frequently +employed to catch and bring back the poor runaways, and more than once +had the Harcourt family been awakened in the night by his hounds, as +they made the woods echo with their baying. Often had they pictured to +themselves the terror of the poor wretches, over whose trail, with +unerring scent, swept the monsters, who would tear them limb from limb, +and whose only choice was death at their hands or the old life of labor +and the lash. + +Mr. Harcourt was a strong anti-slavery man. Holding these views, he had +ever spoken consistently against slavery. He was also a man of deeds, as +well as words, for many a poor fugitive had been assisted by him on his +long and perilous journey northward in search of friends and the freedom +he craved. + +Owing to these proclivities, and to the fact that he had never taken +pains to conceal his views, a mutual antipathy had long existed between +Mr. Harcourt and Dan McCowan, the nigger-hunter. While the latter had no +direct proofs, yet he had long suspected Mr. Harcourt of being a friend +to, and a sympathizer with the very runaways whom it was his business to +catch and return to the bondage they were endeavoring to escape from. +Notwithstanding his dislike for the father, however, the fellow had +conceived a violent attachment for Mary Harcourt, his daughter, and for +a year past had greatly annoyed not only the poor girl herself, but the +whole family, by his uncouth attentions. + +Finally, Mr. Harcourt told him plainly that his attentions to his +daughter were extremely distasteful to her, and added a polite, yet firm +request, that he cease his troublesome visits. + +Mary, who was a young lady of sweet and lovely disposition, possessing +both intelligence and refinement, shrank from the fellow as she should +from a viper in her path; while his odious attempts to lavish his +unsought affections upon her so disgusted and frightened her that she +always avoided his presence. + +Dan McCowan, however, was just the man, when thwarted in his plans, to +at once take steps for revenge. For some time he had kept a close +espionage of the house and the movements of its inmates. He had somehow +obtained possession of the knowledge that young Harcourt was in the +Union army, and he determined to use this in his well-laid plans to +persecute the poor girl, who had been so unfortunate as to have been the +object of his passion. + +On the day following the incidents just related, Mary, who had been +spending the afternoon with a neighbor's family, towards evening was +returning to her home, when she was suddenly and most unexpectedly +confronted by Dan McCowan. So startled was she by this unlooked-for +meeting, that she involuntarily gave a slight scream, as she recognized +who it was that stood before her. + +"I see as how I have skeered you right smart now," said the fellow, +grinning in her face with a wicked leer. "Your father told me as how he +would be much obliged to me if I would stop my visits to his house, +which, bein' a gentleman, I was bound to do, and as I had a little +something to say to you, I thought this would be the time to say it." + +The girl, who had now somewhat recovered her composure, yet fully +realizing the character of the man with whom she had to deal, stood +quietly looking him full in the face, and said, in a tone that betrayed +her contempt, "I suppose I must listen to you, sir, but be brief, as it +is getting late, and my folks will be uneasy at my long absence." + +"Well, Miss Harcourt," he replied, "I will come to the point at once. +You have a brother, who has been away from home fur some time. Do you +know where he is?" + +Mary was silent, and he muttered, half to himself, "I thought so; the +whole family are traitors. No more than is to be expected from these +d--d abolitionists. I can tell you where he is," he continued; "he is on +the other side, and fighting against the South." + +"And what if he is in the Federal army? He is fighting for the +government you and yours are seeking to destroy," answered the spirited +girl. + +"It don't matter much to me which side he fights on; but suppose I tell +it around, that he is fighting with the Yankees, do you think it would +matter to you then?" + +[Illustration: "_While she was struggling in his grasp, he was startled +by a violent clutch upon his collar from behind._" P. 441.] + +"My brother is his own man," replied Mary, "and he alone is responsible +for his acts; surely they would not harm my father and us for that; and +surely you would not tell what you know, to injure us?" + +"That depends on you, Miss Mary," the fellow replied, now approaching +closer, and attempting to take her hand. + +"What do you mean, you scoundrel?" demanded the girl, drawing back, +while the fire flashed from her eyes. "Don't offer to touch me, Dan +McCowan, or I'll----" + +"What would you do, now?" he exclaimed; and, before she was aware of his +intentions, he had sprang quickly forward, seized her about the waist, +and placed one hand over her mouth, but not until she had given one long +and piercing call for help. + +The fellow's base designs were evident, and that he would have been +successful there is no doubt; but help, fortunately, was at hand. While +he was yet struggling with the girl, he felt a violent clutch on his +collar, from behind, and before he could see from whence it came he was +thrown violently to the ground, and was writhing under the well-directed +kicks, which were most lavishly bestowed upon him by the new-comer, who +was no less a personage than my operative George Curtis. + +The girl had sank to the ground almost fainting from fright, but so +enraged was Curtis at the scene he had witnessed, that he continued to +shower his kicks on the miserable wretch, who roared and begged for +mercy, until the girl interposed, and begged him, for her sake, not to +kill him, but to desist, and let him go. + +At this my operative ceased, more, however, from mere lack of breath +than from a feeling that the fellow had been sufficiently punished, and +allowed him to regain his feet. "You contemptible, cowardly brute," he +exclaimed, as McCowan arose; "I have a mind to finish you, while I have +my hand in. Miss," he continued, turning to the girl, "I am happy to +have arrived in time to be of service to you. I do not know anything +about this difficulty, but from what I saw, I concluded that I had not +time to make any inquiries." + +"I am very grateful to you, sir, for what you have done in saving me +from that villain. Look out!" she exclaimed, "he has a pistol." + +Curtis turned his head in time to see the fellow in the act of drawing a +revolver. Quicker than a flash, his own weapon was in his hands, and +covering the man, he said, coolly: + +"Drop your hands, you hell-hound, or I will blow you to atoms in a +second." + +The fellow saw that he was foiled, and dropped his hands at his sides. + +Curtis advanced and disarmed him; then, stepping back a pace, he said: + +"Go now while I am in the humor to let you; another move like that, and +I will shoot you as I would a dog." + +McCowan reluctantly obeyed, and slunk away muttering threats of +vengeance. + +My operative, however, paid no attention to him now, but turned to the +young lady who proceeded to relate the circumstance of her meeting with +McCowan, from which his timely interference had saved her, and ended by +a cordial invitation, blushingly given, that he would accompany her +home, and spend the night under her father's roof. As he was anxious to +find a lodging-place for the night, at any rate, the detective +gratefully accepted the invitation, feeling such an interest in this +really beautiful girl that he could not resist the desire to cultivate +further the acquaintance, so strangely begun. He hastily brought his +horse from where he had left him by the roadside, and leading him by the +bridle, walked by the side of his companion until they reached the +house. As they strolled along, Mary frankly told him the secret of +McCowan's attack, and proceeded to explain the man's character, and the +detestable nature of the business in which he was engaged. + +By this time, they had reached her father's house, where they were met +at the gate by the old gentleman himself, who was alarmed and anxious at +his daughter's absence so far beyond her usual time for return. + +"Father," said the girl, "this is"--here she paused, visibly +embarrassed, and gazed timidly into the face of the detective. + +"Pardon me," said Curtis hastily, seeing the cause of her confusion; "my +name is George Curtis; we have been so busy talking that I had not +thought of names." + +She then introduced them, and briefly related to her father the cause of +her detention, and her adventure with McCowan, not forgetting to mention +the part my operative had played in her timely rescue from the villain's +hands. + +The old man thanked him again and again, and so profusely, that Curtis +begged that he would not mention it, as he had done nothing more than +any gentleman, under the same circumstances, would have done, gone to +the lady's rescue at her call for help. + +His horse was ordered to be taken to the barn, and he himself was soon +seated in the house, receiving the tearful thanks of good Mrs. Harcourt, +and the object of the admiring gaze of Mary's younger brother and +sister, who regarded him as a hero, and a person who had no small claim +on their affection and esteem. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +_Curtis Again on his Travels.--A Loving Episode.--Dan McCowan Again +Turns Up.--The Capture of Curtis.--A Fight For Life, and Escape.--A Bit +of Matrimony._ + + +The next day, my operative took his leave of the Harcourt family, and +continued on his way to Richmond. He, however, gave them his promise, +that he would visit them again before long, a promise he was in no wise +loath to keep, as Mary had joined her request to that of her father, +that he should not fail to give them a call, when he was in their +vicinity. + +The truth was my operative, who was a very excellent young man, and, +notwithstanding his calling, susceptible to the charms of the fair sex, +was not a little smitten by the fair Mary, whom he had met under +circumstances that would have caused even a less romantic person than +himself to have fallen in love with her at once. + +On the other hand, the girl's feelings of gratitude and admiration for +the young man, who had rescued her from McCowan's clutches, were those +almost akin to love; but with true maidenly modesty, she simply treated +him with that delicate courtesy that, while it showed plainly her high +regard for him, yet it in no way overstepped the bounds of strict +propriety. It was evident, however, that she regarded him as one who +certainly had strong claims upon her friendship and esteem. + +Bidding them good-bye, then, Curtis took leave of the family, whom he +had known but a single night, yet who, in that brief space, had grown to +be like old acquaintances; and his regret on leaving them, was very much +like that in parting from old and intimate friends. + +Taking the route by Glendale, he, towards evening, arrived at Richmond, +without any event worthy of notice, and put up at Miller's Hotel. + +A few weeks later found him on his return to the Army of the Potomac, +and in his possession important dispatches that he had obtained in the +rebel capital. As he left Richmond, the news reached that city of the +evacuation of Yorktown by the rebels, and their retreat up the peninsula +towards Williamsburgh. The effect of these tidings was anything but +encouraging to those who had hoped that a final and decisive battle +would have been fought at Yorktown, and the further advance of the Union +troops effectually checked. + +McClellan's vigorous preparations, however, for a protracted siege, had +decided the rebels that it would be useless to risk a battle here, and +they consequently determined to evacuate the place, which they did on +the fifth of May, and by noon of the same day McClellan's army had +broken camp and was in full pursuit. With such celerity did he make his +movements, and so closely did he press the Confederates, that on the +following day they were compelled to make a stand, and here was fought +the battle of Williamsburgh, in which the rebels were defeated, and +continued their retreat towards Richmond. + +The army of the Potomac now continued its advance, with all the rapidity +the terrible condition of the roads would permit, having for its base of +supplies the York River, until two weeks later it rested between the +Pamunkey and the Chickahominy. It was at this stage of affairs on the +Peninsula, that Curtis was on his return trip from Richmond. With his +passes in his pocket, his dispatches securely concealed about him, and +his trusty horse as his only companion, he set out for his long ride to +Wilson's Landing, and the headquarters of the Union army. + +It was his purpose to stop by the way long enough to at least inquire +after the health of the Harcourt family, and learn how they had fared +during his absence. So, pushing rapidly ahead, towards the close of what +had been a beautiful day in May, he, near nightfall, found himself at +Farmer Harcourt's door, where he was most cordially welcomed. + +His jaded horse was led to the barn to be watered and fed, while he was +soon resting his tired limbs in an easy chair, while waiting a tempting +supper that was almost ready for an appetite keenly whetted by his long +and hard day's ride. + +His object now, was to stop long enough to rest himself and horse, and +then push on by night and endeavor to reach the Federal lines by +daybreak. Mr. Harcourt informed him that they had not been molested by +McCowan since his former visit, and that it was reported that he had +formed a band of Guerrillas, and at their head was pillaging and robbing +the people in an adjoining county. + +"He is an unscrupulous villain," observed the old gentleman, "and I +confess I stand in no little dread that he may pay us a visit at any +time, in which case, if we escape with our lives, we may consider +ourselves fortunate. I have," he added, "fully made up my mind to take +my family, leave my home here, and, if possible, go North, where a man +of my way of thinking can live in security and peace. If I were younger, +I would enlist, myself, but my fighting days are past." + +"I trust you may soon be able to get away from here," said Curtis; "and +as the Union army is now advancing up the Peninsula, you can, I think, +with little danger, make your way into its lines." + +He then informed him of the evacuation of Yorktown, and of the retreat +of the Confederates, and advised him to hasten his arrangements to go +North, while this opportunity afforded him a way to do so with safety. + +After the evening meal was over the family seated themselves on a +pleasant little porch, that ran along one side of the old-fashioned +house, facing the west, and in the deepening twilight they sat and +talked over the trying times, and united in their wishes for a speedy +termination of the fratricidal conflict. + +Thus the evening passed until near ten o'clock, when my operative +informed his friends that he must take his departure, as he was +determined, if possible, to reach the Union lines by daybreak. + +The whole family urged him to pass the night with them; but finding him +bent on going, his horse was ordered to the door, and he prepared to +take his leave. + +He shook hands with the good farmer and his wife, and looked anxiously +around for Mary; surely she would bid him good-bye before he went away, +but she was nowhere to be seen. He even lingered a few moments, hoping +she would return; she did not, however, put in an appearance; so, +leaving his regards for her with her parents, he mounted his horse, and +with a heavy heart rode along down the long, narrow lane that led from +the house to the main road. + +He could not understand why the girl should have absented herself just +as he was taking his leave; could it be that he had in any way offended +her, that she should avoid him on purpose? Revolving the matter in his +mind, and feeling that hereafter he would take pains to avoid the +Harcourt mansion, he now approached the terminus of the lane, still +buried in thought, when his horse, becoming frightened, shied slightly +to one side; hastily raising his eyes, he saw, to his amazement, the +object of his thoughts standing by the roadside. + +He checked his horse, and, in a tone that betrayed his astonishment, +exclaimed, "You here, Miss Mary!" + +"Yes," she answered, evidently a little confused, "I wanted to see you a +little while alone. I trust you will pardon me for adopting the means I +have to secure a short talk with you." + +By this time Curtis had dismounted, and was standing at her side. + +"Well, what is it, Miss Harcourt? I am happy to be at your service in +any way in my power." + +"Thank you," she answered, hastily, "you have placed me under +obligations to you, but I venture to-night to ask one favor more." + +"It is granted already," said Curtis. + +Thanking him again, she proceeded: "You know my brother is in the Union +army, and I have not heard from him for several weeks; I wish you would +try to get this letter to him, and, if it is not asking too much," she +added, hesitatingly, "will you kindly bring me his reply, or at least +some word that I may know he is safe and well?" + +Curtis took the letter from her hands, and, depositing it safely in an +inside pocket of his coat, he said "I will do my best to deliver the +letter, and, should I not return soon with an answer, you may know +something unavoidable has detained me." + +As he stood there, gazing earnestly into the sweet face of his fair +companion, a sudden purpose to then and there declare his love for her +came into his mind. With him, to resolve was to act; extending his hand, +he took hers in a friendly clasp, and said: "Miss Harcourt, I am going +to bid you good-bye, with the hope of seeing you again very soon; but I +will not conceal from you the fact, that, in the fortunes of war, it is +possible that we may never meet again. Under these circumstances, then, +I make bold to tell you to-night something that, ordinarily, I would not +mention until your longer acquaintance with me would make it appear more +proper, at least so far as society rules are concerned. + +"Miss Harcourt," he continued, still holding the hand that now lay +passively in his, "in the short time I have known you I have learned to +love you, and I am confident time only will strengthen that love. I do +not ask your answer now; when we meet again, if we do, you can tell me +my fate. If your answer then should be nay, I will try to bear it like a +man, respecting you none the less even if I fail to win the love I would +so highly prize. Good-bye, darling!" and lightly pressing her hand to +his lips, he threw himself into his saddle, and giving his noble animal +the rein, dashed away, leaving Miss Harcourt standing in a half-dazed +manner, straining her eyes after his figure, that in the pale moonlight +was rapidly disappearing from her view. + +Curtis now set off for the headquarters of the Union army. Our friend +pushed on, and shortly after midnight arrived at the Landing, and from +here faced about to the east, and in the direction of Williamsburgh, +where the Union army, victorious in the battle just fought, were +encamped. + +He now slackened his speed somewhat, to rest his jaded steed, and, +dropping the reins, allowed him to take a moderate walk, while he +himself fell into a deep reverie over the events of his trip. + +On this occasion he had been very successful in his work in the rebel +capital, and had, so far, effectually escaped any suspicion as a spy. +Considering the watchful vigilance that at this time was maintained by +the rebels, Curtis had indeed done well; and it was with feelings of +thorough satisfaction that now, near the close of his arduous journey, +and when he felt reasonably secure from being molested, that he relaxed +somewhat his usual vigilance, and allowed himself and animal a much +needed rest. + +He was not, however, destined to get through so easily as he had +anticipated. As he entered a small clump of timber, and while he was +unsuspecting any danger at this nearness to the Union camp, two mounted +men suddenly made their appearance from the side of the road, and from +where they had been concealed in the bushes, and, holding their cocked +weapons at his head, commanded him to halt. + +At the same instant, men came pouring in from both sides of the woods, +that here skirted his path, and almost before he could realize his +situation, or who were his assailants, he was overpowered, taken from +his horse, and securely bound. + +He soon discovered his captors were a band of guerillas, who had been +quartered in the grove, and he had by the merest chance stumbled right +into their midst. While he was quickly debating in his mind his chances +for escape, and his probable fate at their hands, he was led into the +presence of the captain of the band, who, with a few of his followers, +had evidently been sleeping about a camp-fire that had now burned low, +leaving only a bed of glowing embers, that cast a faint light on the +swarthy faces of the rough-looking men that now grouped yawningly about +it awaiting his coming. + +"Who have you here," asked the Captain, as the party escorting Curtis +came up. + +"Don't know, Capten," laconically answered one of the men; "we jest now +found him and handed him in here without askin' him enny questions; but +here he is, you can talk to him yourself." + +Curtis was now unbound, and led forward, and stood facing the Captain. +As their eyes met, the recognition was mutual and instantaneous; in the +man that stood before him, my operative recognized no less a personage +than Dan McCowan, the man whom he had so unmercifully drubbed on a +former occasion, which has already been described. + +At the same moment, McCowan saw who it was that had so unexpectedly +fallen into his hands, and with a wicked laugh and a horrible oath, he +sprang forward, and clutching him by the throat, exclaimed: + +"By G--d, I have been looking for you for some time; it is my turn now." + +It was evident that the fellow in his rage meant murder; but Curtis, who +was both brave and cool, besides being strong and active, wrenched loose +from his grip, and springing hastily backward, he dealt him, with the +rapidity of lightning, a powerful blow between the eyes, that felled him +like an ox. Then, before the lookers-on could scarcely realize what had +taken place, he leaped over the form of the prostrate man, and +disappeared in the darkness of the wood. + +The Captain by this time regained his feet, and showering curses upon +his men for a pack of cowardly idiots, started off in pursuit, followed +by a half a score of his fellows, who now, in order to conciliate their +enraged leader, determined to retake the detective at all hazards. + +Fortunately for Curtis, he had been allowed to retain his weapons, and +being fleet of foot, he had but little to fear. + +He soon succeeded in eluding his pursuers, and, shortly after daylight, +found his way into the Union camp. + +He then reported to me with his dispatches from Richmond, and related +his adventures here recorded. + +I ought to state, however, that he did not, at that time, inform me of +his proposal to Miss Harcourt; but after remaining with me until the +close of the war, during which time he made many trips to and fro +between Richmond and the headquarters of the Federal army, after the +struggle was ended and we both had retired to the life of a citizen, he, +as a salesman in a business house in Chicago, I to my business as a +detective in the same city, then it was he related the story of his +courtship, and the manner in which he wooed and won the woman who was +then, and still is, his wife. As for the Harcourt family, they made +their way to the North, by the aid of my operative and young Harcourt, +and the courtship between Curtis and the daughter was kept up until the +close of the war, when they were married. + +I will also say, that they are still living happily together, surrounded +by an interesting family of children, who with childlike eagerness +clamber on their papa's knees to hear him tell them stories of the war, +and his adventures before they were even born, a period that to them +seems ages and ages ago. + +Dan McCowan was killed in an attack that his party, led by him, made on +a band of our scouts, shortly after the occurrence of the incidents +described in this chapter. + +I would fain have dwelt longer on the work of young Curtis, and noted +more minutely the importance of his labors in the secret service, but a +lack of space and time compel me here to drop him with the passing +comment, that he was an excellent operative, and that he so faithfully +and efficiently did his work, that the subterranean headquarters, with +its corps of operatives, never did the Union cause any practical harm, +but a great deal of good, in furnishing intelligence of the movements +and intentions of the rebel forces. + +[Illustration: NIGHT ON THE BATTLE-FIELD.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +_McClellan and his Enemies.--The Peninsula Campaign.--The Rebel Forces +Before Richmond.--The Union Forces Outnumbered by the Enemy, and their +Commander Hampered By Superiors.--An Honest Opinion._ + + +It is not my purpose to attempt to detail the various movements of the +army, to describe the battles which were fought, or to chronicle the +victories and defeats which were achieved and sustained by the brave +soldiers who fought under the flag of the Union. That duty belongs to +the historian; mine simply to relate the experiences of my own men in +the delicate, dangerous and laborious duties which devolved upon them. +Far less is it my desire to enter into a discussion upon the various +subjects that have, since that fratricidal conflict, engrossed the +attention of the student of history. + +I trust, however, that I may be pardoned, if, for a time, I depart from +the main narrative and devote a brief space to the consideration of that +much discussed subject, the campaign of the Peninsula. I make no +pretension whatever to being a military scholar, nor in any sense a +military man, but my connection with the government during the war, and +participation in the movements of the Army of the Potomac, together +with my long and intimate acquaintance with its commander, General +McClellan, may entitle me to a brief expression of my own views of that +campaign. I may be pardoned, also, if I attempt to ascribe to their +proper source, some of the causes which contributed largely to the +disasters that attended it. + +There can be no doubt of the fact, that the young commander-in-chief was +subjected to the persecutions of the most malignant political +intriguers, who feared that his growing popularity would result in +political exaltation. Taking advantage of the fact, therefore, that +General McClellan was an avowed Democrat, a scheming cabal was working +to weaken his influence with the people by vague insinuations against +his loyalty to the Union cause. To further that end, his plans, so +carefully and intelligently matured, for the speedy crushing of the +rebellion, were either totally disregarded by an unfriendly cabinet, or +were so frequently thwarted, that to successfully carry them out was an +utter impossibility. + +As I have always been a faithful adherent of the maxim, "speak the +truth, though the heavens fall," and believing it to be a doctrine, that +if practically carried, will right all wrongs, uphold the innocent, +administer censure where deserved, and praise where it is due, I have +invariably attempted to form my judgment of my fellow-men upon their own +intrinsic merits. + +Whatever may have been his faults as a man, his mistakes as a General, +he was throughout unflinchingly loyal to the cause of the North. With +him it was but one sentiment, and one ambition--to whip the rebels into +subjection--and manfully did he perform his duty toward the +accomplishment of that object. Much of the censure which has been heaped +upon him and his conduct as Commander of the Army of the Potomac, is due +to a hasty and inconsiderate judgment of the man and his motives, or the +result of direct prejudice and ill-will. In the eyes of his critics his +great fault lay in what they considered his inexcusable delay in moving +against the enemy in the Spring of 1862, after, as they supposed, he had +ample time to prepare his army for the field. + +From this point began the open and unfriendly criticisms which were +designed to excite an impatient people, who did not, and could not, +understand why active operations were not at once begun. This delay was +adroitly used by scheming politicians to cast the shadow of disloyalty +upon a man, who never for one moment entertained a disloyal thought, nor +performed a single action which he did not believe would redound to the +credit and honor of the Union troops, and of the Government which he +served. + +My acquaintance with General McClellan began before the war, and when he +was the Vice-President of the Illinois Central Railroad. That +corporation had, on frequent occasions, employed my services in various +operations affecting their interests, and in this way I first met and +became associated with the General. From this date began my warm regard +for the man, which, during the many years that have passed, has known no +diminution. + +I knew the man so well, and my confidence in his integrity and +patriotism was so thorough, that a doubt of his loyalty never entered my +mind. Many of my old-line abolition friends went so far as to reproach +me for my steadfast adherence to McClellan, and accused me of abandoning +my principles. I, however, knew my own ground, and held it. I knew that +the General was not an abolitionist, but that he was not a patriot I +could not believe for a moment. I have always thought, and my opinion +remains unchanged to this day, that had he been left free to carry out +his plans in the Peninsula campaign, the Army of the Potomac would have +escaped the disasters that befell it; Richmond would have been reduced, +and occupied by the Federal troops; and victory instead of defeat would +have crowned their heroic efforts from the river to the rebel seat of +government. + +"How do you account for General McClellan's 'masterly inactivity' during +all these months that his army lay at Washington?" is asked. Ah, there +is the mistake. It was anything but inactivity, and it is beginning to +be pretty generally understood now what he was doing at that time. + +More than one writer on the campaigns of the Civil War, has taken +occasion to say that the splendid achievements of the Army of the +Potomac at subsequent periods, and under other commanders, were mainly +due to the careful drilling and the rigid discipline inculcated under +McClellan. At the time he was called to the command of the army it was +nothing better than a band of disorganized men, who had not recovered +from the defeat of Bull Run, and whatever efficiency it attained, was +accomplished by the indefatigable efforts of General McClellan and the +officers under his command. + +The South, at the outbreak, was far better prepared for war than the +North. For months preceding the election of Mr. Lincoln the people of +the South were secretly preparing for a struggle. They had even then +determined, if beaten by the ballot, to resort to the bayonet, and to +decide upon the battle-field the questions which they failed to settle +by fair discussion and honest legislation in the National Congress. The +people of the North, on the contrary, being so long accustomed to submit +to the expressed will of the majority, apprehended no danger. While they +were keenly alive to the important nature of the issues presented in the +campaign, they did not dream that the new party, if successful, would +have a gigantic civil war on its hands as the result of its triumph in a +contest peaceably decided by the silent yet all-powerful ballot. Resting +in this fancied security from danger, the war was a surprise, for which +they were but illy prepared. + +I need not detail the situation of affairs when the news flashed over +the wires that Fort Sumter was fired upon. Suffice it do say, that the +South was up in arms, in full preparation almost, before the North could +realize that war was at hand. + +The first great battle of the war was fought, and the Union troops +suffered a most humiliating defeat, falling back in disordered crowds +upon Washington, and at this time General McClellan took command and +brought order out of chaos. + +The community did not seem to consider, or to understand, that it was +necessary to spend so much time in drilling the troops and making +elaborate preparations for the field. But the commanding officer was too +good a general to imitate the impetuous actions of his predecessors, and +to make an aggressive campaign with raw and undisciplined troops. It was +in consequence of this, that months were spent in the patient and +persistent task of properly organizing, drilling and equipping his men +for the field, and in the spring of 1862, when the army did move, in the +language of the General, it was one "from which much was to be +expected." + +Unfortunately, however, at the very outset, the General and the +President had each matured a plan for the conduct of the war, and, in +many respects, these were diametrically opposed to each other. At this +point the question might be asked, whose plan should have been followed? + +By the Constitution, the President is the Commander-in-Chief of all the +armies and the navy of the United States, and is, of course, +_ex-officio_, the highest military authority in the land. "But if a +President disclaims all knowledge of military affairs," as President +Lincoln did, "it then becomes a question how far he should defer the +conduct of a war to his appointed Commander-in-Chief, who is supposed to +be chosen on account of his skill and sagacity in military matters, and +upon his presumed fitness for the position." + +In President Lincoln's hesitation between the advice of his Generals in +the field, and the views urged by his Cabinet lay the foundation of many +of the blunders and mistakes of the war, the trouble being, as one +writer affirms, that "instead of one mind, there were many minds +influencing the management of military affairs." As the result of this +there was a lack of concert and action between the two heads of the +military department, and at the critical period of the campaign, +McDowell's forces were held at Washington when McClellan expected him to +re-enforce the army of the Potomac. + +Notwithstanding all that has been said and written upon this subject, I +have no hesitation in expressing the opinion, that had not the President +and his advisors, stood in such ungrounded fear for the safety of +Washington, and had not withheld McDowell's forces at a time when their +absence was a most serious blow to the plans of General McClellan, the +close of the year would have seen the Rebellion crushed, and the war +ended. + +At the commencement of the campaign I had an interview with General +McClellan, and he expressed the utmost confidence in his ability, +provided his plans were fully supported and carried out, to gain the +objective point of the war, and to accomplish the reduction of the rebel +capital. My force of operatives had been diligently at work in procuring +what information that was possible of attainment, of the numbers of the +enemy, and with such success that in March I was able to report the +approximate strength of the rebel army at 115,500 men, apportioned about +as follows: + + At Manassas, Centerville and vicinity, 80,000 + " Brooks' Station, Dumfries, &c., 18,000 + " Leesburg, 4,500 + In the Shenandoah Valley, 13,000 + ------- + Total, 115,500 + +In gaining this important information, Timothy Webster, Pryce Lewis, +John Scobell and a host of other efficient members of my force, some of +whom have already been mentioned in these pages, deserve especial credit +for their sleepless energy in prosecuting the work that had been +assigned to them. + +On the 4th of April the forward movement was made, and the siege of +Yorktown was begun. The result of this siege the student of history +already knows, a simple detention of the Army of the Potomac, until the +enemy could occupy and fortify Richmond. Here is where McClellan +suffered from the detention of McDowell at Washington--he had prepared a +plan with McDowell as one of its principal actors, and with that force +withdrawn, the General's intentions were not only radically interfered +with, but seriously deranged. + +During this time the rebel army was being daily reinforced and +strengthened, until, by June 26th, its numbers were swelled to nearly +200,000 effective men. McClellan, on the contrary, starting as he did, +with a smaller army than he thought was necessary to cope with the +enemy, found himself, when before their fortifications, after being +deprived of McDowell's division, with an army of less than 90,000 +effective troops. + +Another element in this campaign must not be lost sight of. The Navy, +whose co-operation and assistance had been promised and relied upon, was +unable to aid him at all. Can it be wondered at, therefore, that his +plans, however well laid, and whatever their merits, viewed from a +military stand-point, or the stand-point of common sense, failed in +their execution. + +One writer, in speaking of the treatment of General McClellan, has well +said: "A general of high spirit and sensitive soul might have found in +the government's action the occasion for sending in his resignation; but +General McClellan continued in command, accepted the situation, and +endeavored to make the best of it." + +And still another has said, although inclined to be partial and unfair, +in his account of the battles of Antietam and Fredericksburg: + +"His capacity and energy as an organizer are universally recognized. He +was an excellent strategist, and, in many respects, an excellent +soldier. He did not use his own troops with sufficient promptness and +vigor to achieve great and decisive results, but he was oftener +successful than unsuccessful with them; and he so conducted affairs that +they never suffered heavily without inflicting heavy loss upon their +adversaries. It may appear a strange statement to follow the other +matter which this volume contains, but it is none the less true, that +there are strong grounds for believing that he was the best commander +the Army of the Potomac ever had." Concluding a comparison, that +redounds much to the credit of General McClellan, both as a soldier and +a patriot, the same writer says: + +"A growing familiarity with his history as a soldier, increases the +disposition to regard him with respect and gratitude, and to believe, +while recognizing the limitations of his nature, that his failure to +accomplish more was partly his misfortune, and not altogether his +fault." + +General McClellan knew much better than some of his self-appointed +critics the numbers and strength of the enemy. He knew from the reports +of the secret service that the general estimate of the rebel army at, +and around Richmond, was far below their real numbers. + +My shrewd and daring operatives, men and women trained for the work, +moved in and out among the Rebel troops at all times and places. From +actual observation they gathered the location, character and strength of +their fortifications, and from actual count the estimates were made of +the numerical strength of the opposing army. + +Suffice it to say, that I knew of my own knowledge, and General +McClellan knew from the reports I laid before him, the fearful odds +against which he had to contend in the bravely fought but disastrous +campaign of the Peninsula.[C] + +FOOTNOTES: + +[C] See detailed statement in Appendix. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +_Webster's Expedition.--His Gallantry.--A Stormy Passage.--A Mysterious +Package.--Treason Discovered and Punished._ + + +It was Christmas morning, in Washington, and the bells were ringing +merrily throughout the city. The sun was just peeping over the hills, +and lighting up the winter landscape with a beauty and brilliancy that +would defy the skill of an artist. Washington was alive with soldiers. +Throughout the city the military was the predominating element, and for +miles around the country was dotted with the white tents that marked the +encampments of the country's defenders. Thousands of muskets gleamed in +the morning light, as with the rattle of the drum or the shrill blast of +the bugle, the _reveille_ awoke the hills and valleys from the +death-like silence and slumber of the night. + +The Union army was encamped around the capital, and General McClellan +was in command. For months the process of drilling and disciplining the +volunteer troops had been going on under his watchful eye and masterful +hand, and the "Army of the Potomac" was rapidly approaching a degree of +efficiency that was eminently calculated to make them formidable +adversaries to their reckless and determined enemies. + +This morning, at my headquarters on I street, Timothy Webster was +engaged in completing his arrangements for another extended journey into +Rebeldom. By this time he had succeeded in thoroughly ingratiating +himself into the favor of the rebel authorities, and at the War +Department in Richmond he was regarded as a trusted emissary of the +Confederate government. + +Upon the trips which he had previously made he had carried numerous +letters from Northern residents to their secessionist relatives in the +South, and then, upon returning, he had delivered communications from +Southern people to individuals north of the line. Of course these +letters and communications, before being delivered to the parties to +whom they were addressed, were first submitted to the inspection of +trusted employees of my office, and anything which tended to convey +information of the movements and intentions of the Southern leaders was +carefully noted, and the Federal authorities duly notified. By this +means a double purpose was served. Webster not only won the entire +confidence of the Southern authorities, but he was very frequently the +bearer of important dispatches, whose contents were often valuable to +the Northern leaders. + +After finishing his preparations, Webster came into my room, where Mr. +Bangs and I were seated, and announcing his readiness to start, inquired +if I had any further orders for him. + +"I am ready now, Major," said he, cheerily, "have you any further +commands?" + +"No, Webster," said I, "I believe everything has been carefully +arranged, and I have no commands to give except for you to take good +care of yourself." + +"I'll try to do that," he replied with a laugh, and then, tapping his +breast lightly, where his letters were sewed into the lining of his +waistcoat, "I will take care of my mail too." + +With a warm clasp of the hand, and a hearty good-bye, Webster went out +into the bright sunlight and frosty air of a winter's morning, and was +soon lost to view. + +Procuring a conveyance, Webster left Washington, passing the guards +without difficulty, and made his way toward Leonardstown, in Maryland. +This journey was accomplished without event or accident, and early on +the following morning, he drove up before the hotel, and was warmly +greeted by John Moore, the landlord of the hostelry at that place. + +This Moore was a strong secessionist at heart, although openly +professing to be a Union man, and regarding Webster as a Southern +emissary his greeting was always cordial, and his hospitality unstinted. +The air was cold and frosty, and riding all night in a stagecoach, which +was far from being weather-proof, Webster was chilled through when the +stage stopped before the comfortable inn of John Moore. Very soon, +however, a jug of steaming punch, and the genial warmth from a fire of +crackling logs in the large open fire-place, were instrumental in +loosening the stiffened joints of my tired operative, and contributing +materially to his comfort. + +"Well, John," said Webster at length, "what is the prospect for crossing +the river to-night?" + +"We can't cross here at all any more, Webster," replied Moore, with an +oath; "the damned Yankees are too sharp for us." + +"Is there no way of getting over about here at all?" asked Webster, +somewhat troubled at the unexpected information. + +"There's a way for some people," replied Moore with a laugh, and a +significant wink, "and I guess you are included in the number." + +"All right," said Webster, immeasurably relieved, "but how do we manage +it?" + +"Well," replied Moore, "you will have to go up to Cob Neck, and then I +will see that you are taken care of." + +Cob Neck is a point of land extending out from the main shore, about +fourteen miles distant from Leonardstown, and was very well adapted for +the purpose in view. On each side of the point, or neck, there was a +wide bay or inlet where a boat could put out, and the ground, which was +soft and marshy, was completely covered with a growth of pine thickets +and underbrush, which prevented the placing of vigilant pickets at this +point. Being perfectly acquainted with the locality named, Webster had +no fears of being able to get safely across the Potomac into Virginia, +and then continuing his way to the rebel capital. + +"By the way," said Moore, "I have a favor to ask of you, Webster." + +"Well," replied Webster, "anything I can do will be cheerfully done for +you, Moore." + +"I know that, Webster," said Moore, heartily, "and there is no one in +the world I would rather oblige than you. The fact is, I have got two +ladies here, who are wives of army officers, now stationed in Richmond, +they have been living North for some time, and are anxious to get to +their husbands; they have three children with them, and I want you to +take charge of the party, and see them safely on their way." + +"I'll do that with pleasure," replied Webster, "and I'll take good care +of them, too." + +That night, about nine o'clock, a close-covered carriage was driven away +from the hotel, in the direction of Cob Neck. John Moore and Timothy +Webster sat on the driver's seat, while within were the families of the +rebel officers, who had been placed in my operative's charge. Reaching +their destination in safety, the party alighted, and walking out to the +end of the point, Moore uttered a shrill whistle, which was immediately +answered in the same manner. Soon they heard the splashing of oars, and +in a few minutes a boat was discernable through the darkness, and the +voice of a man called out: + +"Here I am, Cap'n! on time, as ye see." + +"All right, Tom," replied Moore, "I've got a party here that you must +take good care of." + +"Very well, Cap'n, I'll do the best I can, but I'm afraid the wind ain't +right for landin' on t'other side." + +"Well," said Moore, "you must do your best, and I guess you will get +over all right." + +The night was dark and cold, the wind was blowing sharp and chill, and +heavy clouds were shifting overhead. The river was running swiftly, and +was of that inky blackness that invariably presages a storm. The wind +through the low pines was sighing like a human being in distress, and +the ladies gazed fearfully and shudderingly at the dark waters and the +frail craft which was to carry them to the opposite shore. Webster +uttered words of courage and assurance to the shrinking ladies, and +assisted in comfortably bestowing them in the boat, and then, with a +parting salutation to John Moore, the boat pushed off from the shore. + +After getting clear of the land they hoisted sail, and were soon flying +rapidly over the water, before the driving wind. As the wind was against +them, they were obliged to make short and frequent tacks, and thus +their approach to the opposite shore was accomplished by slow and +labored degrees. The ladies were huddled together in the stern, clasping +their frightened children nervously in their arms, while Webster, active +and alert, rendered such assistance in managing the boat as was in his +power. + +"The storm's coming!" shouted the boatman, after a long silence, "and +the women had better cover up." + +The storm came, sure enough. A blinding rain, icy cold, which beat +pitilessly down upon the unprotected voyagers, while the little vessel +rocked to and fro at the mercy of the dashing waves. The wind suddenly +changed, the frail yacht gave a sudden lurch, and in a twinkling the +keel of the boat was heard scraping upon the bottom of the river, and +they were aground. They had been blown out of their course, and had +drifted into the shallow water, a mile below their landing place, and +within a hundred feet of the shore. + +Without a moment's hesitation, Webster bade the boatman lower his sail, +and then, jumping into the water, which was waist deep, and as cold as +ice, he took two of the children in his strong arms, and carried them +safely to the river-bank. Returning again, he assisted in carrying the +ladies and the remaining child ashore, although he was so chilled that +his lips were blue and his knees knocked together with the cold. The +nearest place of shelter was a mile away, but unmindful of the cold and +the pelting storm, Webster cheered his companions by his hearty words, +and bidding the boatman take care of one of the children, he picked up +another, and the weary party set out to walk through the icy rain to the +little hut, whose welcome light was gleaming in the distance. + +[Illustration: "_Webster took two of the children in his strong arms, +and carried them safely to the bank._" P. 474] + +Thanks to a flask of good brandy, which Webster fortunately had with +him, the ladies were strengthened and sustained sufficiently to make the +journey; and when they arrived at last at the comfortable cabin, their +words of gratitude to Webster were heartily and unstintingly uttered. + +After warming themselves before the fire, and drying their drenched and +dripping garments as far as practicable, the ladies retired to another +room, leaving Webster, who, overcome with fatigue, was obliged to sleep +in his wet clothing in the room to which they were first admitted. +Unmindful of himself, however, his only solicitude was for the ladies +who had been placed in his charge, and after they had been comfortably +disposed of, he prepared to take his own much-needed rest. + +He spread a blanket before the roaring blaze, and was about to stretch +his weary limbs upon it, when he noticed, lying upon the floor, a short +distance from him, a small packet, wrapped in oiled-cloth, and tied with +red tape. It had evidently been dropped by one of the ladies, and its +loss had escaped her notice. Picking it up, he examined it carefully by +the light of the fire, and to his surprise he found that it was directed +to Mr. Benjamin, the Rebel Secretary of War. As "all things are fair in +love and war," Timothy lost no time in secreting the precious document +about his own person. He had no objection at all to assisting two ladies +to reach their husbands, even if they were enemies; but he objected +decidedly to lend his aid to the forwarding of dangerous information to +those who were fighting against the cause he held so dear. His +conscience, therefore, gave him but little uneasiness as he pocketed the +mysterious little packet, and with the resolve to discover its contents +on the morrow, he stretched himself before the burning logs, and was +soon sound asleep. + +The next morning, when he arose, his clothing was dry, but he +experienced acute pains in his limbs, and a sense of weariness, that +boded no good to his physical condition. Ignoring his own ailments, +however, he busied himself in securing the comfort of his charges, and +after a hearty breakfast, the party set out upon their trip to Richmond. +They traveled for several miles in an ox-cart, and then by team, to a +place called Hop Yard Wharf, on the Rappahannock River. Here the party +embarked on a steamboat, and traveled as far as Fredericksburg, where +Webster was obliged to remain for two days, owing to an acute attack of +rheumatism, which was caused by his exposure in behalf of the ladies, +whose safety he had undertaken to insure. At this time he received a +striking illustration of the gratitude which one earns by the +performance of a kindly act of self-sacrifice. No sooner had the boat +landed at Fredericksburg, than these ladies expressed their impatient +desire to push on directly to the rebel capital. Notwithstanding +Webster's precarious condition, the danger in leaving him alone, and the +fact that his sufferings had been occasioned by his efforts in their +behalf, these high-toned Southern dames, intent only upon their selfish +pleasures, left him to his own resources, and without displaying the +slightest interest in his welfare they went their way, and Webster, +unable to move himself, was obliged to depend upon the services of +absolute strangers, for that care and attention of which he stood in so +much need. + +[Illustration: _Webster discovers a mysterious package._ P. 475.] + +It was while he was detained at Fredericksburg, that he seized the +opportunity of examining the package, which had come into his possession +in the little cabin at Monroe's Creek. Removing the enfolding wrappers, +he discovered that the contents of the bundle were complete maps of the +country surrounding Washington, with a correct statement of the number +and location of the Federal troops. Several items of information were +also conveyed, in regard to the probable intentions of the Union +Commanders in the coming spring. From the nature of this information, it +was evident that a trusted officer of the Federal government was +unfaithful to his duty, and was assisting the enemies of the country. +Webster congratulated himself upon the lucky chance which had thrown +this little packet in his way, and he resolved to forward the same to me +at the first opportunity that occurred. + +On the second day, though suffering severely, he was able to resume his +journey, and taking the train at Fredericksburg he was soon approaching +the City of Richmond. Immediately upon his arrival, he repaired to the +office of the Secretary of War, and delivered the letters which he had +brought with him from the North, and which were to be forwarded to their +various addresses by the Confederate authorities. Mr. Benjamin warmly +congratulated Webster upon his success in passing through the Union +lines, and for the information which he brought. He furnished him with +passports, which would enable him to journey unrestricted and +unquestioned throughout the Southern dominions, and requested a further +interview at a later day. + +Leaving the War Department, he went to the Monumental Hotel, where he +engaged a room for himself, and where he found Mrs. Lawton, who had +remained in the city during his absence. Mrs. Lawton informed Webster +that she had just received a visit from Mr. Stanton, another of my +operatives, who had arrived in Richmond from Nashville, Tenn., and that +he was going to attempt to leave for Washington that night. + +This was a lucky chance, and Webster resolved to see Stanton, and +entrust to him the conveyance of the packet that had so fortunately come +into his hands. Knowing the places at which he would be most apt to be +found, he made a tour of the city, and was at length fortunate enough to +discover the man he was in search of. Selecting a secluded place, +Webster confided his package to Stanton, instructing him to deliver it +to no one but myself under any circumstances, and then, feeling the need +of rest, he went back to the hotel, and shortly afterward retired to +bed. The next day he was unable to move. His sufferings were +excruciating, and for weeks he was compelled to endure the agonies of an +acute attack of inflammatory rheumatism, which confined him a prisoner +to his bed. + +Leaving Webster at the Monumental Hotel, we will return to the movements +of my operative, who had been delegated to deliver the package which +Webster had found. Mr. Stanton arrived safely in Washington, and after +rendering a report of his own observations upon his journey from +Nashville to Washington, he produced this packet of Webster's, a careful +examination of its contents revealed to me the author of the treasonable +communications. + +His name was James Howard, a native of the South, and he was a clerk in +the Provost-Marshal's office. I had frequently seen his handwriting, and +knew it perfectly. There could be no possibility of mistake about this, +and I lost no time in laying before the commanding officer, the proof +of the suspected man's guilt. Howard was confronted with the evidence +against him, and finding it impossible to deny the truth, he confessed +his treason, and implicated several others in the conspiracy. Before the +shades of night had fallen over the tented city, James Howard, and his +treasonable confederates, were placed within the enfolding walls of the +old capital prison, and behind iron bars were left to meditate upon the +heavy price they had paid for an attempt to betray their country. + +[Illustration: "HAIL COLUMBIA!"] + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +_Activity in Washington.--Webster's Journey Through The South.--His +Return to the Capital._ + + +During the month of January, 1862, I was actively engaged in the city of +Washington. With a part of my force, I was acting in conjunction with +General Andrew Porter, the Provost-Marshal of the district, while the +remaining portion was assisting General McClellan in obtaining reliable +information about the topography of the Southern country, and of the +number and disposition of the Southern troops. + +Almost every day witnessed some incident of importance to the national +cause, and my time was fully occupied with the numerous and responsible +duties which necessarily devolved upon me. Mr. George H. Bangs, who is +now the general superintendent of my agencies, was detailed to the +headquarters of the army, while I remained in charge of my office on "I" +street, although I was kept fully informed by daily reports of whatever +transpired at both places. As may readily be imagined, my office was no +sinecure. Many times I was obliged to deprive myself of needed rest and +sleep, engaged in laborious duties from early morn far into the waking +hours of the succeeding day, and for weeks scarcely obtaining a peaceful +night's slumber. The capital was filled with suspicious personages, with +Southern spies, and their Northern allies, and frequently officers of +the government, holding elevated positions, would be discovered in +secret, but active correspondence with the rebel authorities. Arrests +were numerous, and the searching of suspected premises of almost daily +occurrence, while the large number of men employed by me required +constant and unceasing personal surveillance. + +In the army it was astonishing what rapid progress had been made in +drilling and disciplining the large, and, for the most part, untried +force of soldiery. The commanding general was engaged in perfecting his +plans for a campaign against Richmond, and in order to do this +intelligently, much information was required of the condition of the +country through which the army must pass, and of the number of the enemy +he would be likely to encounter. The obstacles that must be overcome, +the defenses which would impede his passage, and all the minutia of +warlike particularities, were mainly left to be discovered by the men in +the secret service department, of which I was the authorized leader, and +responsible head. Engaged in these duties the month of January passed +away. Numerous operatives had been dispatched into the hostile country +before us, and had made their examinations, and returned, conveying to +me and to the commanding general items of valuable information which +could have been obtained in no other way. + +We will now follow the movements of Timothy Webster, whom we left in +Richmond struggling with his old and relentless enemy, the rheumatism. + +After a painful confinement to his bed for nearly a week, he was at last +able to move about once more, and in a few days thereafter was strong +enough to undertake a journey which he had been contemplating for some +time. + +In company with one of the largest contractors for the rebel government, +he left Richmond for Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Campbell, the contractor, +was engaged in the purchase of leather and desirous of purchasing +directly from the tanner, instead of depending upon the dealers, who +might not be able to supply him in such quantities as he required. +Traveling with this gentleman, and armed as he was, with an all powerful +passport from the Secretary of War, Webster would have every opportunity +for making his observations without incurring the slightest suspicion. +During this journey he traveled through Knoxville, Chattanooga and +Nashville, in Tennessee, then to Bowling Green, in Kentucky, and then, +on his return, he passed through Manassas and Centreville, carefully +noting in his passage through the country the number and condition of +the various troops, the number and extent of batteries and +fortifications, and eliciting an amount of information that seemed +wonderful for one man to accomplish. He made the acquaintance of +commanding officers, and conversed unreservedly with them upon the +various matters connected with their divisions, and their movements, +present and perspective. He carefully examined the fortifications that +had been erected, and the number of guns they contained. He talked with +the private soldier and the civilian, and in fact, on his return to +Richmond, was as well informed with regard to the military resources of +the enemy as were the generals themselves. Rejoiced at his success, and +carefully noting what he had witnessed, Webster prepared to return +North. + +Visiting the War Department and the office of the Provost-Marshal, he +received from Mr. Benjamin and General Winder a large number of letters +and several important commissions, which were to be delivered and +attended to after he should arrive in Washington and Baltimore. + +Leaving Richmond, he safely passed the pickets and outposts of both +Federals and rebels, and reported to me. His trip had been a most +important and successful one, and the information he brought was most +invaluable. Webster seemed as well pleased at his success as were either +General McClellan or myself, and after a short rest announced himself as +quite prepared to make another journey to the South, whenever his +services should be required. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +_Webster's Last Mission.--Anxiety at his Long Absence.--No Tidings of +the Faithful Scout.--Operatives Sent in Search of him.--Webster Ill in +Richmond._ + + +In the latter part of January, 1862, another packet of rebel mail matter +had accumulated, and the various articles, which Webster had agreed to +purchase for the residents of Richmond and vicinity, were ready for +delivery, and Webster prepared himself for another journey into the +South. While in Washington he had not experienced any painful reminders +of his old disease, and he was impatient to be actively employed once +more. + +Accordingly, everything was arranged for his trip, and early one bright +winter's morning he came, as was his custom, to bid me farewell. + +I often recall, and with an emotion that I cannot control, the +appearance of Timothy Webster, as I saw him that day. Brave, strong and +manly, he stood before me. The merry twinkle in his eyes seemed to belie +the sternness of the set lips, which were even now curved with a smile +of good humor. No trace of fear or hesitancy was apparent in his manner. +He seemed to be animated solely by an earnest desire to serve his +country to the best of his ability. He well knew, as did I, that his +journey lay through a hostile country; that danger was lurking +everywhere around him, and that if his true character was discovered, +the consequences would, no doubt, prove fatal to him. Notwithstanding +this, there was no quivering of the compact muscles, the hand that +grasped mine was as firm as iron, and the brave heart that throbbed in +his bosom was insensible alike to a thought of shrinking, or a desire to +evade, the responsibility that devolved upon him. + +After a few words of necessary caution and with good wishes for his +welfare and safe return, Timothy Webster took his departure, and went +his way. I did not know then that I had looked upon his face and manly +form for the last time, and no hint or warning of his subsequent fate +came to me as I sat watching his retreating figure. But to this day, I +can picture him with sentiments of pride, in his valor and services, and +regrets, deep and heartfelt, for the brave man who but a few months +afterwards laid down his life for his country. + +For some time previous to this journey of Webster's, Mrs. Lawton had +been located at Leonardstown, where she had assiduously cultivated the +acquaintance of the most important people in that locality, whose +sympathies were with the Southern cause, and whose assistance to Webster +and herself would be valuable in time of need. + +Among this number was a man whose name was Washington Gough, a wealthy +secessionist, who was one of the most active in his efforts to assist +the Southern blockade-runners in crossing over into Virginia, and in +eluding the watchfulness of the Federal pickets. Through her +acquaintance with this man, Mrs. Lawton was enabled to acquire much +valuable information from those who sought the aid of Mr. Gough in +obtaining the facilities for reaching the rebel lines in safety. + +With Gough, Webster was a prime favorite, and so thoroughly had my +operative ingratiated himself into the favorable opinion of this rebel +gentleman, that any service which would be required would be performed +without question or delay. Mrs. Lawton was invited to make the house of +Gough her home, while in Leonardstown, and by her charms of manner and +conversation proved a powerful ally to Webster in the discovery of +important secrets relating to the movements and intentions of the enemy. + +Webster's footing with the rebel authorities was also firmly +established, and every one of them with whom he came in contact yielded +to the magic of his blandishments and was disposed to serve him whenever +possible. + +An event which happened about this time fully justified this assertion. +It appeared that during Webster's absence from Leonardstown, a gentleman +by the name of Camilear had crossed over the river, and although a +noted secessionist in his own immediate vicinity, was not known to any +one upon the other side of the water. He was accordingly arrested and +placed in confinement. The appeals of his friends and relatives were +unavailing in securing his release, and the captive chafed terribly +under the burden of his captivity. At length, on Webster's appearance, +the matter was presented to him, and he was entreated by Camilear's +relatives to intercede in his behalf. He promised to do so, and indited +a letter to the officer who had the prisoner in charge, requesting his +release, and giving assurances of the man's fealty to the Confederate +government. In a few days the prisoner was returned to his home, and was +informed by the officer, that only the protestations made by Webster had +been sufficient to accomplish his release. From the highest to the +lowest, the confidence in Webster was universal. + +On this last mentioned trip Webster decided to take Mrs. Lawton with +him, and having obtained my sanction to his proposition, he journeyed to +Leonardstown and communicated his wishes to the lady, who was nothing +loath to accompany him. They accordingly made their preparations, and in +the darkness of the night they made their way to the river-bank where an +oyster boat was in waiting to cross the river. Mrs. Lawton wore an +overcoat and felt hat belonging to Webster, and to a casual observer +appeared very masculine in her habiliments. The river was entirely +clear of vessels, and the journey was made in perfect safety. As they +neared the opposite bank the moon shone out brightly, and revealed the +"pungy" to the rebel pickets, who were known by Webster, and from whom +he expected no interference or opposition. + +The lights on shore revealed the stations of these pickets, and as they +were expecting his return Webster called out loudly: "Pickets! +Pickets!!" + +There was no response to this call, and to his dismay the lights were +suddenly extinguished. The boatman was greatly frightened at this +proceeding, and was in momentary dread of being fired upon; but Webster +reassured him, and continued his loud, but ineffectual calls for the +guard. + +Finding it impossible to attract the attention of those who should have +been upon the lookout for him, Webster assisted the boatman in landing +their trunks, after which the "pungy" was pushed off from the shore, and +soon afterwards disappeared in the darkness. + +Webster and his companion wandered about for more than an hour, and it +was nearly midnight when they came to a farm house, where their approach +was heralded by the loud barking of numerous dogs, who were aroused by +the unwonted presence of human beings, and were disposed to resent their +approach. + +The noise of the dogs brought the farmer to his door, who demanded, in +no very gentle terms, to know who they were, and what had brought them +there at that unseasonable hour. In a few words Webster explained the +situation, and the genial farmer bade them welcome, and safely bestowed +them for the night. + +They had scarcely retired, when they were aroused by a loud knocking at +the door, which was discovered to have been made by the pickets from the +adjoining camp, who demanded to know who the new-comers were, and stated +that they had been ordered to bring them immediately before an officer +of the guard, two miles away. + +"Why didn't you tell them that, when they called out to you before?" +inquired the farmer, in a contemptuous tone. + +"Well we did not know who they were," answered the leader of the party, +"and we did not think it was safe." + +"Oho! you were afraid of them, were you, and ran away?" + +At this point, Webster, who had heard the conversation, made his +appearance at the door, and demanded to know what was wanted. + +The leader of the guard again explained his mission, and demanded that +Webster should accompany him to the camp. + +"Tell your commander that I will not stir from this house until morning. +My name is Timothy Webster. I am in the employ of the Confederacy, and +if you had answered my call, there would have been no difficulty." + +Finding that Webster was determined, the men went away, and left the +household to their repose. The next morning Webster reported at the +camp, and requested to see Major Beale, the officer in command. He was +informed, that this gentleman was stationed twenty miles away, and upon +telegraphing to him, the answer was returned: "Let Webster go where he +pleases." + +The day was cold and stormy, and the roads were in a wretched condition, +but notwithstanding this Webster pushed on to Fredericksburg, and after +delivering some letters and merchandise which he had brought for +residents there, he pushed on to Richmond. + +Taking up their quarters at the hotel, they resolved to wait until the +following day before commencing their operations. During the night, +however, Webster's malady returned, and he suffered terribly from his +old enemy, the rheumatism. In the morning he was helpless, and unable to +move. + +From this time, I heard nothing further from him directly, and for weeks +was utterly ignorant of his movements or condition. I began to grow +alarmed. Hitherto, his visits had not occupied more than three or four +weeks, and he had always succeeded in escaping suspicion, and evading +being detained by either force through which he would necessarily be +obliged to pass. As the days and weeks passed, and brought no tidings +from him, my apprehensions became so strong that I resolved to send one +or two of my men to the rebel capital, in order to ascertain the cause +of his unusual and long-continued absence. + +My anxiety was equally shared by General McClellan, with whom Webster +was a great favorite, and who placed the utmost reliance upon his +reports. One evening, early in February, the General called upon me, and +advised the sending of one messenger, or two, for the sole purpose of +hunting up Webster, or discovering some trace of him. I informed him +that I had already considered the necessity of some such action, and was +upon the point of submitting the matter for his approval. Finding the +General thus fully in accord with the proposition, I at once selected +two of my men for this important mission. After mature consideration, I +decided upon despatching Price Lewis and John Scully upon this delicate +quest. My reasons for this selection, were that both Scully and Lewis +had been connected with other operations in Baltimore, in company with +Webster, and had thus been enabled to form the acquaintance of a great +number of secessionists in that city, some of whom had gone South, while +others, who remained at home, had influential friends in Richmond. +During these operations, both Lewis and Scully had pretended the most +earnest and sincere sympathy for the cause of the Confederacy, and were +known as ardent secessionists. This, I concluded, would materially +assist them after reaching Richmond, particularly if they should be +fortunate enough to meet any of their old Baltimore associates. They had +also been engaged upon various investigations through the Southern +States, and especially in Western Virginia, where they had rendered good +service in the early campaigns in that section of the country. I had, +therefore, no doubt of their ability to perform the task assigned to +them, and felt perfectly satisfied that they would perform their duties +to the best of that ability. + +Requesting their presence in my private office, I broached the matter to +them, and submitted the question of their undertaking this task to their +own election. Upon operations of this kind, where there was danger to be +incurred, where a man literally took his life into his own hands, and +where death might be the result of detection, I invariably placed the +question upon its merits, before the person selected for the mission, +and then allowed him to decide for himself, whether he would voluntarily +undertake its accomplishment. + +I did this for various reasons. In the first place, I felt very loath to +peremptorily order a man upon an enterprize where there was every +possibility of danger, for in the event of fatal result, I should be +disposed to reproach myself for thus endangering the lives of those +under my command. It is true, that under their terms of service, and by +virtue of the authority vested in me, I had the undoubted right to issue +such order; but I always preferred that my men should voluntarily, and +without urging, signify their willingness to undertake hazardous +missions. Again, I have invariably found, that the ready and cheerful +officer performs the most acceptable service, and that the absence of +fear or hesitation are sure passports to success; while on the other +hand, should there be timidity or unwillingness, or a disposition to +avoid danger, success is rarely, if ever, attained. + +It is but just, however, to state that during my entire connection with +the secret service of the government, I never found any of my men +disinclined to undertake an operation that was delegated to them; but on +the contrary, I always experienced the utmost cheerfulness and ready +support from those who so valiantly served under my orders. Nor was I +disappointed in the present instance. On presenting the case, with all +its attendant dangers, to Price Lewis and John Scully, both of them +signified, without the slightest hesitation, their voluntary desire to +go to Richmond, and to make the inquiries, which were considered of so +much importance by both General McClellan and myself. + +But few instructions, and very little preparation, were required for +this journey, and in the afternoon both men were prepared to start. I +did not deem it advisable to provide them with any goods, as was +sometimes the case, in order to furnish an excuse for their +blockade-running experiences, for the reason that their journey would be +much delayed, owing to the impassability of many of the roads. I did, +however, cause a letter to be written, apparently by a rebel spy, then +in Washington, and which was directed to Webster. This letter introduced +the two men to Webster as friends of the South, and informed him that +his old route back was no longer a safe one, owing to the presence of +Federal troops in that locality, and advising him to select some other +and less hazardous one on his return to Washington. I did this to guard +against their being suspected and detained after reaching the rebel +lines, as, upon presenting this, they would at once be known as Southern +emissaries, and given safe conduct to the capital. Provided with this +letter, and with full verbal instructions as to their manner of +proceeding, they started from Washington late on the evening of the 14th +of February. As an additional safeguard, I sent along with them an +operative by the name of William H. Scott, who was well acquainted with +the various Federal commanders, and who was to see them safely across +the Potomac river. + +The three men departed in good spirits, and, though fully conscious of +the danger before them, thoroughly resolved to successfully accomplish +what they had undertaken. + +Prior to despatching these men, I had some misgivings that there might +be still remaining in Richmond some of those families who, while +residing in Washington, had been suspected of sympathizing with, or +furthering the cause of the Confederacy, and whose papers had been +seized, and themselves transported beyond the lines. Among the most +noted of these were the families of Mrs. Phillips, of South Carolina, +and of Mrs. Ex-Gov. Morton, of Florida, who had been residing in +Richmond for a short time. To satisfy myself upon this point, I made +extensive inquiries from deserters, refugees and contrabands, and +learned, from a variety of sources, that Mrs. Phillips had gone to +Charleston, and that Mrs. Morton and her family had departed for their +home in Florida. Believing my information to be reliable, I felt +reassured, and then the men were selected. + +While these men were making their way to Richmond, Webster was suffering +excruciating pain, confined to his bed, and unable to move. During all +this time, he was carefully attended and nursed by my resident +operative, Mrs. Hattie Lawton, and through the long, weary days and +sleepless nights, no patient ever had more careful nursing, or more +tender consideration than did Timothy Webster, from the brave +true-hearted woman who had dedicated her life and her services to the +cause of her country and its noble defenders. + +This was the state of affairs on the last day of January, and when the +information which Webster had gained would have been of vast importance +and benefit to the cause of the Union, but which, lying an agonized +invalid in a Richmond hotel, he was unable to communicate to those who +were anxiously awaiting his return. And now, leaving Webster at +Richmond, and with Price Lewis and John Scully on their way to the rebel +capital, we will return to Washington, and watch the events which were +transpiring at the capital. + +[Illustration: EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +_McClellan and the Government.--Lewis and Scully Arrested as Spies.--An +Attempted Escape.--Trial and Conviction.--Condemned to Die.--Before the +Gallows their Mouths are Opened._ + + +The month of February added its slowly passing days to those that had +preceded it, and as yet no tidings were received from Timothy Webster, +or from those who had gone in search of him. W. H. Scott had returned, +and reported that they had safely passed over the Potomac River, and +landed upon rebel soil, but further than this, I had no information that +tended to allay my anxieties, or to give assurance of their safety. + +In the meantime, the troops around Washington had not been idle. +Reconnoissances had been made from time to time, by the advance-guard of +the army, and skirmishes with the enemy were of frequent occurrence. +These movements were of great importance, not so much from the actual +results of victories attained, as for the education which it imparted to +the troops, in accustoming them to the presence of their foes, and +giving them confidence while under fire. + +General McClellan had completed his plans for the investment of the +rebel capital, and the public mind was in a state of feverish anxiety +and expectation for the forward movement of the troops. The popular cry +of "On to Richmond," was echoed from lip to lip throughout the entire +country. Every one, except those who knew and realized the danger and +difficulties to be encountered and overcome, were filled with an +enthusiasm which only regarded results and never considered the cost of +their accomplishment. Extravagant ideas of a struggle which should be +"short, sharp and decisive," were the only ones entertained by the great +army of "stay at homes," and the question of caution, foresight and +sagacity was left to the consideration of those who must brave the +dangers of the field, and face the deadly fire of their determined +enemies. + +Added to this a feeling of dissatisfaction began to display itself in +high circles at Washington. The delay, which General McClellan wisely +deemed necessary for the perfect equipment and education of his army, +was being used as a pretext by those who envied the young commander, to +detract from his reputation, and to impair the confidence which a united +people had reposed in his loyalty and ability. The President was +besieged by importunate cavillers the burden of whose refrain was the +defamation of the hero of West Virginia, and it is not surprising, +however much to be regretted, that Mr. Lincoln gradually permitted +their clamors to disturb him, and eventually partook of some of the +distrust with which they endeavored to impress him. From a legitimate +and wise desire to prevent an untimely divulgence of his plans, General +McClellan had, up to this time, kept his ideas and opinions to himself +and confined his military discussions to but a few of his immediate +officers, and those whom he had known and trusted for years. This manner +of proceeding was not to the taste of some of the leading men in high +places at that time, who deemed themselves as competent to confer with +and advise the commanding general, as those whom he had chosen. In order +to soothe their wounded self-pride they had recourse to a species of +revenge not admirable, to say the least. They plied the ears of the +President with comments derogatory to McClellan, and with innumerable +suggestions of pet schemes of their own conception, which would, in +their opinion, undoubtedly end the war with surprising alacrity. The +result of these onslaughts was, that McClellan was required by Mr. +Lincoln to unfold his own carefully arranged plans to a council of +generals, for their consideration and approval. To this "wicked and +ignorant clamor" he was obliged to yield, and it is not to be wondered +at, that his proposed movements were betrayed, and that not long +afterwards he was subjected to the mortification of having his army +divided into corps, against his wishes, and their commanders appointed +without consulting him, and without his knowledge. Subsequently he was +compelled to submit to having the conduct of the war in Virginia placed +in charge of inexperienced, irresponsible and jealous-minded officers, +whose antipathy to him was as well known as it was unceasing and +violent. + +Notwithstanding all this, the general pursued his way. His army was +organized, his plans prepared. The defense of Washington was provided +for, as he thought, in the most complete manner possible, and in command +of a noble army, which had grown up under his immediate guidance and +control, the brave commander started upon his campaign. + +During the month of March, 1862, the forward movement was commenced. By +divisions the army was transported from Alexandria to their point of +destination upon the Peninsula, and on the first day of April, General +McClellan embarked, with his headquarters, on the steamer "Commodore," +reaching Fort Monroe on the afternoon of the following day. + +At this point we will leave the army, to follow the movements of my +operatives, and detail their experiences in the rebel capital, although +the facts were not reported to me until a long time after their actual +occurrence. + +Price Lewis and John Scully reached the city of Richmond without +accident or delay, and at once established themselves in the Exchange +Hotel, where they remained quietly for the night. The next morning they +started out to search for Timothy Webster, and for the purpose of +obtaining reliable information of him they went to the office of the +_Richmond Enquirer_, for the proprietors of which Webster had frequently +carried letters, and purchased goods while in the North. Here they were +informed that Webster was confined to his bed at the Monumental Hotel. +Repairing at once to the place where they were directed, they were shown +to Webster's room, and here they found the brave fellow, lying a weak +and helpless invalid, attended by Mrs. Lawton, whose attentions to him +were unremitting. There was also in the room, a Mr. Pierce, a warm +Southern friend, whose friendship for Webster was of long standing, and +whose visits to the sick man were of daily occurrence. + +The recognition between them was a most formal and undemonstrative one, +and no one would have suspected that they were engaged in the same +vocation, and acting under the same authority. During the short +interview that ensued, Webster was fretful and ill at ease. Knowing the +sentiments of the people as he did, and associated as intimately as he +was with the most prominent of the Confederate authorities, he was +fearful that the precipitate and unheralded appearance of his companions +might lead to their being suspected, as well as to attaching suspicion +to himself. + +The few words of conversation, therefore, that ensued, were marked by a +constraint which was uncomfortable to all parties, and the visit was of +short duration. When they called again upon Webster, they found with him +a rebel officer from the Provost-Marshal's office, who was a friend of +Webster, and who visited him frequently. + +Webster introduced his two friends to Captain McCubbin, for that was the +man's name, and after a few minutes, that officer inquired: + +"Have you gentlemen reported at General Winder's office?" + +"No, sir," replied Lewis, "we did not think it was necessary, having +fully reported to Major Beale, and received his permission to travel." + +"It _is_ necessary for you to report to the Provost-Marshal here, and I +now give you _official_ notice of the fact," said McCubbin, laughingly. + +"Very well," returned Lewis, "we will do so as early as possible." + +"Any time within a day or two will answer," said the officer. + +Webster watched the rebel captain carefully while he was speaking, and +he thought he detected beneath his careless, laughing demeanor, an +element of suspicion, which he did not like, and more than ever he +deplored the fact that my men had visited him so soon, or had appeared +to be acquaintances of his. However, the mistake had been made, if +mistake it was, and he resolved to give the matter as little concern as +possible, trusting that his anxiety was ill-founded, and that all would +be right in the end. + +On the following morning my two operatives presented themselves at the +office of the Provost-Marshal, and meeting Captain McCubbin there, they +were soon introduced to General Winder, who occupied that position in +the rebel capital. After they had been formally introduced to General +Winder, that officer made very minute inquiries, as to the antecedents +and the business of the two men before him, although no word was +mentioned, that led either of them to believe that they were suspected +of being other than they seemed. They informed the Marshal that they +were natives of England and Ireland, that Scully had been in America +nearly three years, while Lewis had arrived only eighteen months before; +that one of them had been connected with a prominent dry-goods house in +New York city, and the other represented a London publishing firm, whose +office was located in the same city. They also stated that in Baltimore +they had become acquainted with W. H. Scott, who had informed them of +great opportunities for making money by smuggling goods into the +Confederacy, and that this visit had been made to afford them the +knowledge requisite to embarking in such an enterprize. They had agreed +to deliver the letter, which Mr. Scott gave them, to Mr. Webster, which +they had done, and further than this their intimacy with either +gentlemen did not extend. + +This interview was conducted in a very pleasant manner by General +Winder, and after they had fully answered all the questions which had +been propounded to them, they took their leave, being politely invited +by the General to call upon him whenever convenient. + +Congratulating themselves upon the fortunate outcome of a visit which +they had looked forward to with more or less solicitude, they repaired +to Webster's room to give him an account of what had transpired. + +They had not been seated very long, when a detective from the Marshal's +office made his appearance, and after apologizing for his visit, +inquired from what parts of England and Ireland the two men had come; +stating also, that General Winder desired the information. + +After this man had left, Webster turned to his companions and in as firm +a voice as he could command, said: + +"Get away from Richmond immediately! There is danger brewing. You are +certainly suspected, and it may go very hard with all of us, unless you +leave the city at once!" + +"Why do you think so?" inquired Scully, in a skeptical tone. "We +certainly cannot be suspected, and I am confident that you are alarming +yourself unnecessarily." + +A spasm of pain prevented Webster from replying immediately; but when +the agony had somewhat subsided, he answered: + +"I tell you that man never would have come here with that question +unless there was something wrong. You must, indeed, get away, or the +consequences will be serious." + +Scarcely had he uttered these words, when there came a sharp rap at the +door, which, upon being opened, revealed the forms of two men, one of +them being George Cluckner, a detective officer attached to the +Provost-Marshal's office, and the other no less a personage than Chase +Morton, a son of ex-Governor Morton, of Florida, whose house in +Washington my operatives had at one time assisted in searching. + +The consternation of Lewis and Scully may well be imagined, and the +latter, without uttering a word, walked rapidly towards the open doorway +and disappeared, leaving Lewis, filled with astonishment and +apprehension, to pass the ordeal of an introduction. The salutations +between them were, as may be conjectured, not of a very cordial +character; and after the merest form of politeness, Lewis bade Webster +good-evening, and left the room. At the top of the landing he found +Scully awaiting him, and they were about to descend the stairs, +felicitating themselves upon having escaped a threatened danger, when +the door of Webster's room was opened, and the Confederate detective +again stood before them. + +"Are your names Lewis and Scully?" he inquired. + +"Yes, sir," answered Lewis, promptly, resolved to put as bold a face +upon the matter as possible. + +"Then," said the officer, "I have orders to convey you to General +Winder's office." + +There was no help for it, and they signified their readiness to +accompany him at once, intending to make an effort to escape when they +reached the street. This hope, however, was dashed to the ground; for, +as they descended the stairs, they found three other officers awaiting +their appearance, who immediately took them in charge, and accompanied +them to the Provost-Marshal's office. + +Several times, during their journey, Lewis noticed, with increasing +apprehension, that the gaze of young Chase Morton was riveted fixedly +upon them, and he had no doubt whatever that they had been recognized, +and would certainly be apprehended. This prospect was far from being a +cheerful one; but they mustered up all their latent courage, and +conversed good-humoredly with their escort, as they walked briskly +along. + +Arriving at the General's headquarters, they learned that that +functionary was absent upon some urgent business, but would shortly +return, and had left orders that they should await his appearance. Lewis +and Scully were accordingly admitted to a private room, and requested to +make themselves comfortable until General Winder should desire their +presence. The door closed upon the retreating forms of their escort, and +left them in a most uncomfortable condition of mind indeed. There was +now no doubt of the correctness of Webster's suspicions, and they +bitterly regretted their haste in visiting him, and also not having +taken his advice at once. However, this was no time for regrets, and +they resolved to firmly adhere to their original statements, and await +the disposition of their case by General Winder. + +While they were conversing together, the door was opened, and young +Morton entered the room, accompanied by an officer. Stepping directly up +to Price Lewis, he addressed him: + +"Don't you remember me?" + +"I do not," responded Lewis; "I do not remember to have seen you at any +time before to-day." + +He looked unflinchingly into the eyes that met his, and the determined +tones of his voice betrayed no trace of the emotions that were raging +within his bosom. + +"Don't you remember," continued young Morton, "coming to my mother's +house, in Washington, as an agent of the secret service of the Federal +government, and making a thorough search of our premises and its +contents?" + +"You are mistaken, sir," replied Lewis, firmly. "I know nothing of what +you are alluding to." + +"I am not mistaken," said the young Southerner, "and you are the man!" + +"Perhaps this gentleman will say that he recollects me, next," said +Scully, resolved to be as bold as possible, under the circumstances. + +Chase Morton gazed at him a few moments and then answered, decidedly: + +"Yes sir, I recollect you also; you were one of the men who assisted in +searching my mother's residence." + +Both men insisted strongly upon their ignorance of any such proceeding, +and indignantly repudiated the charges that had been made against them. + +At this juncture General Winder came in, and walking up to Lewis he +greeted him cordially, warmly shaking him by the hand, saying: + +"How do you do, Mr. Lewis, and how is Mr. Seward?" + +"I do not know what you mean," replied Lewis. + +"Perhaps not," said Winder, with a disagreeable smile, "but I am +inclined to think that you know a great deal more than you are willing +to admit." + +"I do not understand you." + +"Very well," said the Provost-Marshal, "you will understand me, and all +in good time. Do you know gentlemen, I suspected you were all wrong from +the start, and you were not keen enough to impose your story upon me? +George," he added, turning to one of his men, "go to the hotel, and get +the baggage belonging to these gentlemen. We will see if that will +throw any further light upon their true character." + +The officer departed, and during his absence, General Winder plied them +with questions about their mission; their knowledge of Timothy Webster; +their visit to Richmond, and in fact about everything imaginable, and +all of them showing conclusively that he believed them to be spies, and +unworthy of credence. Their satchels were finally brought in, and a +rigid examination failed to discover anything to justify his suspicions, +and Winder finally left the room, angrily ordering them to remain where +they were, and directing his officers and Chase Morton to accompany him. + +A few minutes elapsed after their departure, during which the loud voice +of Winder could be heard, angrily declaiming against the two men; he +then came back again, and addressing my operatives said: + +"Gentlemen, your stories don't agree with what I know about you, and we +will give you time to think the matter over;" then turning to his deputy +he commanded, "Take them away!" + +"Where to?" inquired the officer. + +"To Henrico Jail," was Winder's response. + +They were then conducted to the jail and placed in a room in which six +others were confined, where the officers left them to their meditations, +which, as may be imagined, were far from pleasant. Not knowing what +might be in store for them, and fearing that their presence in Richmond +might result in danger to Webster, they resolved to say nothing +whatever, and to adhere strictly to the story originally told by them, +and then to abide by the consequences, no matter how serious they might +be. + +During the afternoon of the following day, an officer accompanied by an +elder son of Mr. Morton made their appearance at the jail, and he, too, +identified the two men, as being concerned in searching his mother's +residence in Washington, and endeavored to recall several incidents +which had taken place on that occasion. To all of his statements, +however, Price and Scully made emphatic denials, and vehemently asserted +their entire ignorance of anything connected with the Mortons, or their +relations to the Federal government. + +Finding it impossible to obtain any admission from the two prisoners, +they took their departure, and left the confined detectives to their own +unpleasant reflections. + +For three days they remained in their place of confinement, and during +that time no word came from the Marshals office or from any one +concerning their disposition or future movements. It seemed as though +the authorities had been content with simply placing them in durance +vile, and then had dismissed them from their minds. This was the most +favorable view they were able to take of the case, and they were +solacing themselves with the fallacious hope of having escaped a fate +which they dreaded, and also with the belief that Webster, their friend +and companion, would not be associated with their presence in Richmond, +and that their discovery would not operate to his injury. + +On the fourth day, however, an attaché of the Marshal's office came to +the jail, and calling for John Scully informed him that his presence was +required by General Winder. Scully prepared himself for the visit, and +taking leave of his companion followed the officer. He did not return +that night, and for days afterwards Lewis was in ignorance of what had +become of him, or what fate he was to expect at the hands of these +minions of disloyalty and secession. + +Lewis, meanwhile, had become acquainted with his fellow prisoners, all +of whom were in a state of anxiety as to what measure of punishment +would be meted out to them, and all nearly crazed with the uncertainty +of their impending fate. For days they had been concocting a plan of +escape, and finding Lewis disposed to make an effort to be released from +his confinement, they developed their plans to him, and requested his +aid in the accomplishment of their purpose. + +Lewis hailed with delight a proposition that promised to enable them to +exchange the damp and noisome air of a prison for the free breath of +nature, and the dark hours of captivity for the freedom and liberty he +longed for, and he became an energetic and careful coadjutor of those +who suffered with him the degrading position of being imprisoned by a +government which they despised, and by which their lives were menaced. + +The part of the jail in which they were confined was separated from the +main building, and contained four cells, two upon the ground floor and +two immediately above them. These cells were reached through a corridor +from the yard outside, and secured by two doors; one a heavy iron one +fastened on the inside, and the other a stout wooden barricade, the lock +of which was placed on the outside of the building. It was the custom of +the old man, who acted as the jailer, to allow the prisoners a half +hour's walk in the yard during the early evening, and then, locking them +up safely again, he would leave them alone in the building, while he +went to his home, several blocks distant. + +One of the men had managed to secrete a file about his person, and with +this they succeeded in making a saw out of a knife. These were the only +implements which they had to work with. Notwithstanding the meagerness +of their implements, but a few days had elapsed before the bolts on +every cell-door were sawed through so that they only required a few +minutes' labor to detach them from their fastenings altogether. + +It is impossible to detail the hours of feverish anxiety, of tireless +energy, and of momentary fear of detection, through which these men +passed while engaged in their difficult and dangerous work--or to depict +their joy, when at last their labor was completed, and they awaited the +time of carrying their plans into execution. + +The outside door was now the only barrier between them and their coveted +freedom, and various plans were suggested to overcome this obstacle. At +length one was decided upon which promised to secure the object of their +desires. In one corner of the yard in which they took their daily +exercise, there was a large pile of ashes and garbage, which had been +accumulating for a long time. It was resolved that one of their number +should be buried under this rubbish, while several of the other +prisoners engaged the old jailer in animated conversation. + +The man selected for this purpose was a good, brave fellow, who was +formerly a sailor, and had lately been a member of an artillery company +from New York. His name was Charles Stanton, and he had come into the +South upon his own inclination, and for the Quixotic purpose of +obtaining command of a gunboat of the Confederacy, and then attempting +to run it through to the Union lines. He had, however, been suspected, +and remanded to prison, where he had remained without a trial, and +without hope of release, for several months. + +The prisoners were all turned out for their usual exercise in the yard, +on the evening which had been agreed upon; and in accordance with their +arranged plan, several of the prisoners surrounded the old turnkey, and +engaged him in an earnest discussion, while others set actively to work +to dig the grave of Stanton in the ashes. In order that he might not be +unbearably uncomfortable, his body only was covered with the contents of +the ash-heap, while his head and shoulders were concealed from view by +some straw, which one of the men brought from his cell for that purpose. + +In the jail, at this time, there were a number of negroes, who had been +captured while attempting to make their way to the North, and although +these faithful blacks were aware of the attempted escape, and knew full +well that they were not included in the movement, their efforts were +none the less active in behalf of the white men who were struggling for +liberty. + +They had been informed of the attempted escape, from the first, and had +kept the matter a profound secret, at the same time rendering such +service as they were capable of to the whites. + +Everything worked to their entire satisfaction. The turnkey was +unsuspicious; the grave was made without discovery, and Stanton was +carefully concealed. In a few minutes afterwards the call for retiring +was heard, and the men, with throbbing hearts, rushed in a mass toward +the door of the corridor. This was done in order to escape the counting +of their number, in case the old man should attempt to do so. They +passed quickly into their cells, and were not required to be counted. +Thus far, all had been done as successfully as could be hoped for, or +expected; no suspicions were excited, nor was their missing comrade +called for. It had been the custom of the old man to make a tour of the +cells after the prisoners had retired, to see if they were all there +before he went away for the night. In order to overcome this possibility +of detection, a figure had been made of straw, stuffed into the garments +of the men, and laid upon the bed, in order to look as much like a human +being as possible. + +This precaution proved to be a good one, for just before the time of +closing up the prison arrived, the glimmer of the old turnkey's lantern +was seen in the corridor, and shortly after, his face appeared at the +door, as he eagerly scanned the occupants of the various cells. +Apparently satisfied with his scrutiny, the jailer went his way, the +heavy outside doors were closed and locked, and the retreating footsteps +of the old man could be distinctly heard. + +The critical moment had at last arrived, and they awaited in breathless +silence the appearance of Stanton. Fortune favored them in a peculiar +manner this evening. As the old man was passing the pile of ashes under +which Stanton was concealed, he noticed the unusual appearance of the +straw. Stopping for a moment, he drew a match from his pocket, lighted +it, and then walked toward the heap as though with the intention of +setting fire to it. The match fortunately was extinguished by a blast of +wind, and after searching in his pocket for another match, but finding +none, he slowly turned, and walked out of the gate, locking it securely +behind him. + +Stanton's feelings, under this ordeal, may be imagined. If the old man +had succeeded in igniting the straw, under which he was concealed, +detection would have followed instantly, and no doubt serious injury +would have been inflicted upon the brave fellow, who had willingly +suffered the discomforts of his unpleasant confinement for the purpose +of assisting his comrades to escape. + +No sooner had the gate closed upon the jailor, than he crawled nimbly +out from his place of concealment, and hastily made his way to the door. +He at once began his operations upon the lock. The appearance of Stanton +at the door was the signal for the others, and in less than an hour the +locks upon the cell doors had been removed. Stanton had wrested the lock +from the outside door, and only the iron inside one was now to be +overcome. This barrier resisted all their efforts, and it was at last +decided that the lock must be removed by main force. This was a +proceeding which necessitated a great deal of noise, and they were in an +agony of apprehension lest their clamor should attract the attention of +people passing on the outside, and thus lead to their detection. To +prevent this, the colored men, without any solicitation or instruction, +came to the rescue in a very important, though unexpected manner. They +commenced to sing in concert, at the top of their voices, snatches of +plantation and camp-meeting melodies, which effectually drowned the +sound of their blows, and enabled them to work without fear of +detection. + +The lock at last yielded to their combined efforts, and the men issued +silently forth into the darkness of the night, breathing once more the +stimulating atmosphere of hope and promised liberty. Only the wall +around the prison yard was now to be surmounted, and with the aid of +some old planks that were lying around, they succeeded in reaching the +top, after which they noiselessly dropped themselves to the ground. +Although this wall was very high, they all reached _terra firma_ in +safety, and with one impulse breathed a prayer of thankfulness for the +success which had thus far attended their efforts. + +Silently, and walking in couples, at long distances apart, they started +out to leave the city. The sky was clear, and the moon was shining +brightly overhead. The stars were twinkling merrily, as though enjoying +the success which had attended these brave, patient men, in their labor +and toil of days and weeks. + +This was on the eighteenth day of March, and Martial law had been +proclaimed some time previously. It was now nearly eight o'clock, and by +the provisions of the law any one found upon the streets after nine +o'clock, must be in possession of a pass, or be liable to arrest. Great +haste was therefore necessary, in order to leave the city before that +hour. With only the stars for their guide, they set out in a northerly +direction. Not one of the men was acquainted with the country, and their +journey was all the more perilous on that account. + +By midnight they had reached the Chickahominy, having succeeded, by the +greatest good fortune, in escaping any one who was disposed to make +inquiries or to molest them in any manner whatever. Across this swamp +their way led through quagmires and deep pools, and was dangerous in the +extreme. Sometimes waist deep in the soft mud and water, and scrambling +over slipping places which furnished insecure footholds, and threatened +instant danger from falling back into the pools through which they had +made their way. Their journey was full of hardship and suffering. The +air was cold and frosty, and their wet garments clung to them like ice; +their limbs trembled; their teeth chattered with the cold, and their +condition was really a pitiable one indeed. + +At length they reached the woods upon the opposite side. Here they were +obliged to stop and rest, completely exhausted. Some of the hardier of +the party removed their dripping garments, and attempted to wring the +water from them; while others, unable to stand the chilling air any +longer, built a fire, around which they gathered in the effort to warm +their bodies and to dry their water-soaked clothing. + +They rested for about two hours, and then pushed on again until +daylight, when they sought the shelter of the woods and laid down, +hoping to get some sleep after their laborious and fatiguing journey of +the preceding night. Sleep, however, was impossible; their clothing was +wet, and the air was cold. Their sufferings became intense, and at +length, finding it impossible to endure the freezing atmosphere longer, +they determined to build a fire, regardless of the consequences. +Proceeding further into the wood, they gathered some boughs, and soon +the cheerful blaze afforded them sufficient heat to dry their frozen +clothing and to warm their benumbed and freezing bodies. Thus passed the +day, and when darkness came on again they resumed their journey. + +Already they began to experience the pangs of hunger. They had eaten +nothing since the evening before, and had walked many weary miles. They +were foot-sore and tired and hungry. They had provided themselves with +the remnants of the corn cake which had been served for their supper on +the previous evening, but these had become thoroughly soaked with water +on their journey through the swamps, and had crumbled to pieces. +Notwithstanding their pitiable condition, their strong wills and brave +hearts sustained them, and they plodded on. + +The night was intensely dark; the stars were obscured, and a pall of +inky blackness hung over them, which rendered their journey exceedingly +hazardous, as they could not see the way before them, and were unable to +tell in which direction they were traveling. + +They had not proceeded far when the storm broke, and a drenching torrent +of rain descended. The wind whistled and howled through the trees, and +for hours the tempest raged with relentless fury. Seeking the shelter of +the woods again, they crouched close to the trunks of the trees, and +vainly attempted to screen themselves from the deluge. It was of no +avail, however; the leafless timber afforded them no protection, and +during the continuance of the storm the poor, tired and almost exhausted +fugitives were exposed to the pitiless blast. + +Shivering with cold, their teeth chattering, their garments drenched +through to their quivering skin, they knelt or crouched upon the ground, +and when daylight dawned, and the storm at last cleared away, they were +almost too weak to help themselves. + +Price Lewis looked around him as the faint streaks of sunrise illumined +the horizon, and to his dismay saw that nearly all of his late +companions had disappeared, and that only three others beside himself +remained. + +With the greatest difficulty they succeeded in building a fire, and were +just preparing to enjoy its comforting warmth, when they were alarmed by +the sound of the hasty tramping of feet, and in a moment they were +surrounded by a number of Confederate soldiers, who commanded them to +surrender at once. + +This sudden and unexpected appearance was a crushing blow to their +hopes. They submitted without a word; and although bowed to the ground +with disappointment, they experienced a sensation almost amounting to +relief, at the prospect of receiving the care and attention which even +enemies would give to those in such distress as were these poor +fugitives. + +Limping along, they were marched to an out-building, connected with a +farm-house near by, when, to their surprise, they saw the remainder of +their party, who had been captured by another band of soldiers, huddled +together in one corner of the room. + +The soldiers were touched with pity, as they beheld the forlorn +condition of the men whom they had secured, and in a short time they had +provided them with a repast, which the famished fugitives devoured with +a rapidity which gave ample testimony of their long and painful +abstinence. + +After dispatching this meal they were conveyed directly back to +Richmond, and returned to their old quarters in Henrico jail. On their +arrival each man was placed in a separate cell, and doubly ironed, to +prevent a repetition of their efforts to escape. + +[Illustration: _The prisoners re-captured._] + +While Price Lewis had been engaged in this unsuccessful attempt to gain +his liberty, John Scully had been undergoing a far different experience. +A court-martial had been hurriedly convened, where he was fully +identified by every member of the Morton family as the man who had +searched their premises in the city of Washington, and had, after a very +summary trial, been convicted and remanded back to prison to await his +sentence. + +On the second day after the return of Price Lewis he was conducted +before a court-martial, and in a remarkably short space of time was +accorded a trial, if trial it could be called, and his conviction +followed as quickly as did that of John Scully. + +They had been charged with being alien enemies, and at one time acting +in the service of the Federal government in Washington. In addition to +this, they were charged with loitering around the fortifications at +Richmond and taking plans of the same. Notwithstanding the fact that no +witness could be procured who would swear to having seen them in such +localities, or engaged in any such occupation, the members of the +court-martial, with singular unanimity, found them guilty of the second +charge, with as much haste, and as manifest an air of solemnity, as they +did of the first. + +The next day they were each informed of their sentence, which was that +they should be hung by the neck, as spies, and that their execution +should take place in one week from the day of the communication of the +information to them. + +This sentence was a heavy blow to the two prisoners; and from the +character of the men by whom they were surrounded, they felt that hope +was useless. The spirit of animosity manifested toward them by the +court, the indecent haste with which their trial had been conducted, and +the rapidity with which their sentence had followed their conviction, +gave them no reasons for hoping for clemency, or that they would be able +to escape the dreadful fate which now was impending over them. + +The conduct of the various members of the Morton family in betraying my +operatives to the authorities, and in appearing as accusing witnesses +against them, in face of their promises, long ago made, to befriend them +if possible, was an act which did not reflect very favorably upon their +regard for truth, or their appreciation of delicate treatment when they +themselves were suspected of treachery. + +Lewis and Scully had never seen each other from the time when the latter +was removed from the cell a few days after their first imprisonment, and +each was unconscious of the other's fate or of the state of their +feelings under the fatal sentence which hung over them both. + +After their conviction they had both been sent to a prison called Castle +Godwin, and had been placed in irons, and in separate cells. During the +first two days that elapsed after their conviction, they were visited +by Judge Crump, who conducted the trial, and by several members of +General Winder's staff, all of whom endeavored to obtain some admissions +from the two prisoners which would justify their action in condemning +them to death. All with no avail, however; the two men stoutly insisted +upon their original story, except so far as to admit that they had +searched the premises of Mrs. Morton, but each man was firm in stating +that he had become disgusted with the service, and had left it very soon +after that act had been committed. + +On the day after their sentence had been communicated to them, a letter +was brought to Lewis, from the commandant of the post, stating that +Scully was suffering with a serious illness, and having requested that +Lewis be allowed to visit him, the privilege had been granted. On +entering the cell where Scully was confined, Lewis found his +fellow-prisoner in a very depressed condition of mind, although his +physical infirmities had been assumed in order to secure an interview +with his partner in misfortune. + +After discussing their situation as philosophically as possible under +the circumstances, seeking for some ray of hope and finding none, they +were at last compelled to the belief that their doom was sealed, and +that their only plan was to bear up manfully to the end. + +Scully, who was a Roman Catholic, desired the services of a priestly +comforter, to whom he could make such statements as would relieve his +mind in the coming trial, and made known this wish to Lewis. + +"You will not tell him what you know of Webster, and his connection with +this matter, will you?" said Lewis, fearful that Webster might be +betrayed. + +"I don't know what I will tell him," answered Scully; "I have not +decided what to say, nor do I know what I will be commanded to relate." + +"For God's sake, Scully, don't say anything about Webster; we can meet +our fate like men, but to mention his name now, would be wrong indeed." + +"I tell you," said Scully, "I don't know what I am going to say. I don't +want to do wrong, but I cannot tell what I may have to do yet." + +Lewis argued with his companion long and earnestly upon this matter, and +when at last the priest arrived, and Scully followed him to another +cell, the warning admonitions of his fellow-prisoner were ringing in his +ears. + +What transpired during that secret meeting between the condemned spy and +his father-confessor, Lewis did not know, but when he was conducted to +his own cell, late that night, he saw a man and woman closely guarded, +in the lower hall, and his heart grew heavy and cold as his imagination +conjured up the direful fate which a confession from his imprisoned +comrade would bring to the faithful patriot Webster, who lay suffering +and anxious upon his bed of pain. + +After a long and restless night, in which he tossed uneasily upon his +hard prison bed, vainly attempting to court the rest-giving slumber of +which he stood so much in need, Lewis arose from his couch, feverish and +unrefreshed, as the first faint rays of the morning sun penetrated his +damp and dingy cell. + +His mind was in a state of confusion, and his heart was filled with +fear. What had been done he knew not, and yet those guarded figures of +the night before were ever in his mind. Could it be that they were +Webster and his faithful attendant Mrs. Lawton? He shrank involuntarily +from this thought; and yet, strive as he would, it recurred to him, with +increased force, and with more convincing power, after each attempt to +drive it from him. + +In a little while, the prison was astir. The guards were making their +accustomed rounds, breakfast was served, and another day, with all its +solemn activity, and its bustle so death-like and subdued, had begun. + +Unable to partake of the scanty meal that was set before him, Lewis +impatiently awaited the hour when he would be permitted to visit his +fellow-prisoner whom he had left upon the eve of consulting with his +spiritual adviser, and, if possible, learn the result of his interview +with the priest. + +About ten o'clock the turnkey appeared, and he was conducted to Scully's +cell. As he entered the dimly-lighted room, he noticed that the face of +the man whom he had left the night before, had undergone a wonderful +change. His cheeks were sunken and pale; his eyes had a strange, wild +expression, and the shadows under the lids were dark and heavy. His hair +was unkempt, and his lips trembled with the emotions which he was +struggling to repress. Whatever events had transpired since he had seen +him last, it was evident that their effect upon Scully had been terrible +and agonizing. He had been unable to sleep, and the tortures of his mind +had been almost unbearable. His greeting to Lewis showed a degree of +restraint which had been unknown before, and for a moment he seemed +unable to speak. + +At length he grew calmer, and related to his friend the events of the +preceding night, and the influences that had been brought to bear upon +him. The promise of freedom; his loving family at home; the certainty of +an ignoble death if he refused; the degradation of the impending +scaffold; and the promise that his admissions should result in injury to +no one, all combined against his weak condition of both mind and body, +and at last, yielding to the influences which he could not control, he +had told his story, and had given a truthful account of all his +movements. + +Who can blame this man? Who, that has stood before the frowning +scaffold, and with a free world before him, can utter words of censure? +Only those who have suffered as he did, prostrated as he was, can know +the terrible agony through which he passed ere the fatal words were +forced from his trembling lips. For myself, I have no judgment to +utter. Now, as when the news was first communicated to me, I cannot +express an unjust sentence. John Scully and his companion were not +heroic martyrs. What then? They were simply men who, after having +performed many brave acts of loyalty and duty to their country, failed +in a moment of grand and great self-sacrifice. I cannot apologize for +them--I cannot judge them. Their trial was a severe one, and they were +in sore distress. If they succumbed to a controlling emergency, it was +because of a lack of the heroic elements of humanity; and who, in our +day, can claim their possession in the very face of death and dishonor? + +Let us hasten over these unpleasant and disastrous events. Finding that +the worst had occurred, and that further concealment was of no avail, +Lewis, too, opened his mouth. He was again visited by the rebel +authorities, and at last he, too, added his voice to that of Scully, and +made a revelation of his true character, and of the nature of his +mission to Richmond. The next day they were respited. They had escaped +an ignominious death, but, perhaps, in their lonely cells they suffered +a death in life, beside which an actual demise might have seemed a +blessing. Leaving them to their reflections, we turn again to Timothy +Webster. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +_Webster Arrested as a Spy.--A Woman's Devotion and a Patriot's +Heroism.--Webster is Convicted.--The Execution.--A Martyr's Grave._ + + +After the departure of Lewis and Scully from Webster's room, where they +were so closely followed by the Confederate detective and Chase Morton, +my trusty operative heard nothing of them for some time. Fearing to make +inquiries concerning them, lest he should compromise them still further, +as well as bring himself under the suspicion of the rebel authorities, +he maintained a strict silence with regard to the movements of his +companions. Several days of anxious suspense followed, which, to one in +Webster's critical condition, were fraught with agonizing doubts and +heartfelt fears for the ultimate safety of himself and his friends. +Resolving, however, to utter no word which would compromise them, he +bore the solicitude with unmurmuring firmness. Only to the heroic woman, +who so faithfully nursed him, did he unburden his mind of the weight of +care which oppressed him, and her words of womanly friendship and +encouragement were the only influences which supported him through the +trying ordeal. + +One day, Mrs. Lawton came into his room--as was her custom--but this +time there was a gravity about her manner, which, to Webster's quick +perceptions, boded no good. Finding him receiving some friendly +visitors, the lady withdrew, and repressing his impatience as well as he +was able to do, Webster dispatched his friends as quickly as politeness, +and a due consideration for their kindly regard, would permit. When they +had disappeared, Mrs. Lawton again entered the room. + +"You have news for me," said Webster, impatiently; "what is it?" + +"Be calm, my dear friend," said the devoted little woman; "what I have +to tell, calls for the utmost calmness." + +"Tell me what it is," said Webster; "I will be as calm as you could +wish, but do not, I pray you, keep me in suspense." + +"Well," replied Mrs. Lawton, "I learned this morning that Lewis and +Scully have been arrested and taken to Henrico Jail." + +"When did this occur?" asked the invalid, a great weight pressing upon +his heart. + +"The very day they were here last," answered the woman. + +"Then all is lost," exclaimed the sick man. "I feared as much; and now +the time has come I will meet it manfully; however," he continued, "it +will be only a short time before I will share the same fate." + +"Why do you think so?" anxiously inquired Mrs. Lawton. "Surely they +cannot connect you with these men." + +"I do not know why I think so, but I am as confident that I will be +brought into this matter as though the officers were already here to +arrest me." + +While he yet spoke, there came a knock at the chamber door, which, on +being opened, revealed the form of Captain McCubbin. + +As he entered the room he gazed furtively around, and his salutation to +Webster was very different from the cordiality which had marked his +previous visits. + +"Good morning, Webster," said he, as he took the offered chair, and for +the first time since they had known each other neglecting to shake the +invalid by the hand. "This is bad news about Lewis and Scully, isn't +it?" + +"What is it?" inquired Webster, apparently receiving the information for +the first time. + +"They have been arrested as spies, are confined in prison, and General +Winder wants that letter which they brought to you from the North." + +There was something so cold and imperious in the officer's tones, which +confirmed Webster's fears for his own safety; but without evincing the +slightest alarm, he cheerfully made reply: + +"I am sorry to hear this news, and trust that they will be able to +exonerate themselves from the charge. Anything, however, that General +Winder wants from me will be cheerfully given. Mrs. Lawton, will you get +the letter, and hand it to Captain McCubbin." + +There was no tremor of the voice, and the watchful Confederate looked in +vain for any evidence of fear in the face of the man, who, stricken by +disease as he was, still showed the bravery of a lion, and gazed +unflinchingly at him. Though the hand of fate was upon him, Webster +never lost his heroic courage, and bore the scrutiny of the officer +without the quiver of a muscle. + +Captain McCubbin received the letter, and almost immediately withdrew. +As he closed the door behind him, Webster turned to his faithful +companion, and, in a low, solemn voice, said: "That letter has sealed my +fate!" + +From this point, Webster's physical condition seemed to improve, and +although depressed with fears for the fate of his companions, he +gradually became stronger, and was at length able to leave his bed and +move about his room. + +The visits of his numerous friends had now almost ceased. From General +Winder's officers, with whom he had previously been so intimate, he +heard nothing, nor did they make inquiries about his health, as had been +their custom. Of the many friends in private life, who had surrounded +him, only two remained. These were Mr. Pierce and Mr. Campbell, with +whom Webster had traveled for some time, and his family. This dropping +away of old friends, and the breaking up of old associations, was +significant to Webster of impending danger. It must be that he, too, was +suspected, and that the favor of the rebel authorities had been +withdrawn. + +Day by day, during his convalescence, did the brave little woman who had +nursed him back to life, endeavor to encourage him to a hopeful view of +his situation, and to impress him with her own sanguine trust for a +favorable outcome from this present dilemma. Webster listened to the +bright promises of his devoted companion, but he was too profoundly +aware of the danger that threatened him to permit himself to hope that +the result to him would be a beneficial one. + +After he was able to leave his bed, he accepted the pressing invitation +of Mr. Campbell, and was removed to the residence of that gentleman, +where he would be more quiet, and where he could receive that care and +attention which could not be afforded him in a hotel. The kindness of +Mr. Campbell and his family was heartfelt and unceasing. They did +everything in their power to make him comfortable, and their courtesy to +Mrs. Lawton was as marked and genuine, as was their regard and care for +Timothy Webster. + +Webster had been domiciled at the house of Mr. Campbell but two days, +when one of Winder's men came to know if Webster was sufficiently +recovered to go out, as his presence was imperatively demanded at the +court room, as a witness in the trial of John Scully. The officer +further stated that the evidence of Webster had been solicited by Scully +himself. Finding him unable still to leave the house, the officer stated +that arrangements would be made by which his testimony could be taken in +his room. On the second day after the appearance of the officer, the +court-martial adjourned to Campbell's house, and Scully accompanied +them. Seating themselves around the bedside of the invalid, the court +was formally opened, and Webster was requested to state what he knew of +the antecedents of the accused. + +Though very weak, and speaking with considerable difficulty, Webster +made his statement. He said that he had known John Scully from April, +1861, to the time of his arrest. That the prisoner was in Baltimore when +he first met him, and was always in the company of known secessionists, +and was considered by them to be a good friend to the South. So far as +he had any knowledge of the accused he was what he assumed to be, and +that his appearance in Richmond was a surprise to him. He was not known +to be in the employ of the government, and Webster had never met him +under any circumstances which would indicate that fact. + +This was all that he could say, and although closely questioned by the +president of the court, and the attorneys present, he insisted that his +knowledge of John Scully was confined to what he had already stated. +Finding it impossible to obtain any further information upon this +subject from the sick man, the court, in a body, left the room, and +departed from the house. + +Mrs. Lawton, who had been compelled to retire on the entrance of the +Confederate authorities, and who had been in a wild state of excitement +and apprehension during their visit, instantly repaired to Webster's +room. When she entered the chamber, she found that the brave man, after +the exciting experiences through which he had been compelled to pass, +had fainted. His strength of will, which had supported him through the +investigation, had given way, and he lay, limp and inanimate, upon the +bed. + +Several days of anxiety and solicitude now passed. Unable to learn any +tidings of his unfortunate comrades, Webster tortured himself with all +manner of vague fears and doubts as to their probable fate, all of which +had their effect in retarding his recovery, and keeping him confined to +his room. + +At last, after days of weary and anxious waiting, the newspapers were +brought in one morning, and the information of the conviction of Lewis +and Scully was duly chronicled. The same paper also announced the day +upon which their death was so speedily to follow. This filled the cup of +Webster's misery to overflowing, and, sinking upon a chair, he wept +like a child. Refusing to be comforted, although Mrs. Lawton exerted +herself to the utmost, Webster paced the room, half frantic with his +grief, at the horrible fate which had overtaken his friends. + +Slowly the day passed, and when the shadows of evening were falling +Webster was at last induced to lie down, and attempt to snatch a few +hours sleep. He was soon slumbering quietly, although ever and anon he +would start nervously and utter an inarticulate moan, as though his mind +was still troubled with the sad events of the day. While he lay thus, +attended by Mrs. Lawton, Mr. Campbell suddenly entered the room, with a +look of fear upon his face, which filled Mrs. Lawton with alarm. + +"What is the matter?" she hurriedly ejaculated. + +"One of Winder's men is below, and I fear his presence indicates +misfortune for Webster," was the reply. + +"Who is it?" + +"Cashmeyer," answered Mr. Campbell. "He inquired for Webster, and says +he must see him at once." + +Webster, disturbed by this conversation, was awake in an instant and +inquired what was wanted. + +"Cashmeyer has called, and wishes to see you," said Mr. Campbell. + +"Let him come up at once," replied Webster, in the hope that he might +bring some tidings of Lewis and Scully. + +Mr. Campbell departed, and in a few moments returned with the +Confederate officer. Cashmeyer's salutation was cold and formal, and +without any preliminary he addressed Webster. + +"I have a painful duty to perform, Mr. Webster. I am directed by General +Winder to arrest you, and convey you at once to Castle Godwin." + +As he spoke, two soldiers appeared at the doorway. + +"You cannot wish to take him away in this condition, and at this hour of +the night," said Mrs. Lawton. "Such an action would be his death, and +would be the worst of inhumanity." + +Webster stood silent and unmoved. He did not utter a word, but gazed +fixedly at the officer, whose visits heretofore had been those of +sympathy and condolence. + +"I cannot help it," said Cashmeyer, "my orders are to take him dead, or +alive, and those orders I must obey." + +"Then," said Mrs. Lawton, "I will go too. He needs care and attention, +without it he will die, and no one can nurse him so well as I." + +Cashmeyer gazed at the brave little woman for a moment, and a shade of +pity came over his face. + +"I am sorry to inform you, that my orders are to arrest you also, and to +search your trunks." + +"This is infamous," exclaimed Webster; "what can Winder mean by +arresting this woman, and what am I charged with that renders your +orders necessary?" + +"Webster," answered Cashmeyer, "as God is my witness, I do not know; I +only know what my orders are, and that I must obey them." + +Without further parley, Webster and Mrs. Lawton prepared to accompany +their guards, and Cashmeyer, demanding their keys, commenced a search of +their trunks, which resulted in his finding nothing that would criminate +his prisoners. + +A carriage was procured, and Webster was assisted into it, while Mrs. +Lawton, under the escort of Cashmeyer was compelled to walk. It was +quite late when they arrived at the prison, and as Price Lewis was +ascending to his cell, Webster and his faithful female companion entered +the gloomy portals of the jail. + +General Winder was present when they arrived, and after a hurried +examination Webster was remanded to a room, in which a number of Union +prisoners were already confined, and the atmosphere of which was reeking +with filth and disease. + +As he entered the room, pale and emaciated, and scarcely able to walk, +the prisoners gathered around, in silent pity for his forlorn condition. + +"My God!" exclaimed one of their number, "they will send the dead here +next." + +Mrs. Lawton was conducted before the General, but she stoutly declined +to answer a single question that was propounded to her. This so enraged +the valiant officer that he ordered her to be taken away at once. She +was then conducted to a room in which another lady was confined, and +left for the night. + +As midnight tolled its solemn hour over the city, and the tramp of armed +men resounded through the streets, the noises within the prison died +away. An awful and impressive silence brooded over the place. The dim +light in the corridor shone faintly upon four miserable human beings, +who tossed restlessly upon sleepless couches through the long, weary +watches of the night. + +Who can tell the thoughts that thronged through their brains, as the +slow moving hours advanced toward the dawn? The brave woman who had been +cruelly deprived of her privilege to administer to the needs of her +suffering friend. The heroic Webster, wasted by disease, weakened by his +long and painful illness, but still brave and defiant. Price Lewis and +John Scully, tortured with the thoughts of their impending fate, and +harassed with reflections of a more agonizing nature, which we may not +analyse. + +The trial of Webster was ordered for an early day. With a haste that was +inhuman, the Provost-Marshal made his preparations for the farce of an +investigation. It seemed as though he was fearful that his victim would +die, ere he could wreak his vengeance upon him. The court was convened, +and, owing to Webster's weakened condition, their sessions were held in +the jail. For three long, weary weeks did the investigation drag its +slow length along, although it was apparent that those who tried him had +already decided upon his fate. Numerous witnesses were examined, and +testimony was admitted which would have been excluded by any righteous +tribunal whose ideas of justice were not obscured by an insane desire +for revenge. + +Price Lewis and John Scully were compelled to give their evidence; and +although they attempted to do their utmost to lessen the effect of their +testimony, it bore heavily against the poor prisoner, who sat pale and +emaciated before them, and whose heart never failed him through the long +and tedious ordeal. What Webster's feelings must have been during this +harrowing experience is unknown to any one. What thoughts were rushing +through his brain, as the damaging statements fell from the lips of his +late associates, were never revealed by him. No murmurs escaped his +lips, no words of censure or blame against the men whose evidence cost +him his life, were ever uttered. A heroic calmness, born of the very +despair which oppressed him from the first, was manifest throughout the +long, weary investigation. Indeed so manfully had he borne himself, so +completely had he controlled his feelings, that his physical health +perceptibly improved, so much so that the tribunal removed their +sittings to the court-house, and Webster was able to be in daily +attendance. + +Webster had secured able counsel for his defence, and they did all that +was possible for man to do. Although they were rebels, their efforts in +behalf of the accused spy were such, that if pleadings could have +availed him aught, his fate would have been averted. + +It was not to be, however; the trial came to an end at last. A verdict +of guilty followed quickly upon the heels of the partial and +antagonistic charge of the judge, and Timothy Webster was convicted of +being a spy in the employ of the Federal authorities. + +Not even then did the brave spirit break down. Firm and heroic he +received the fatal verdict, and the satisfaction of his enemies was +robbed of its value by the unflinching deportment of their victim. + +After the trial, he was remanded to a cell, and closely watched. But a +little time elapsed, and then came the warrant for his execution. An +officer appeared in the cell, the paper was produced, and the faithful, +brave, true-hearted man was condemned to be hung on the twenty-ninth day +of April, but ten days after the approval of his sentence. + +[Illustration: _The death warrant._ P. 542.] + + * * * * * + +The Union army was before Yorktown. McClellan had already sustained two +serious disappointments, and both of them at the hands of the government +at Washington. In the first place, on his arrival at Fort Monroe, he had +ascertained that the promised assistance of the navy could not be relied +upon in the least, and that their efficient co-operation with him would +be an utter impossibility. This interference with his plans might have +been overcome, although the loss of the naval support was a serious +misfortune to him; but a more surprising and disheartening act of the +authorities was yet in store for him. A few days later, he was +thunderstruck at the unexpected information that General McDowell's +entire corps, upon whose assistance he had confidently relied, was +detached from his command, and had been ordered to remain in front of +Washington, for the protection of the capital, which was erroneously +believed to be in imminent danger of capture by the rebels. These events +rendered a scientific siege of Yorktown a necessity; and while engaged +in this laborious work, I was in constant consultation with the +commanding General. Numerous scouts had been sent out through the rebel +country, and the secret service department was taxed to its utmost. +George H. Bangs was busily engaged in examining the rebel deserters and +prisoners, Southern refugees and contrabands, who were either captured +or came willingly into camp, and in preparing daily reports of our +movements, which were required to be made to the General in command. I +had accompanied McClellan upon this campaign, and gave my untiring +personal supervision to the management of the large corps of men and +women, white and black, then engaged in obtaining information. + +During all this time, not a word had been received of my missing +operatives. Tortured by the uncertainty of their fate, I passed many an +anxious hour. At length all doubts were set at rest, and a dreadful +certainty manifested itself to my mind. A newspaper, published in +Richmond, was received by me, and in hastily perusing its contents, with +a view of acquiring such military information as it contained, my eye +alighted upon a small paragraph, which filled me with dread and sorrow. +This paragraph was the simple announcement that Price Lewis and John +Scully had been arrested as spies in the rebel capital, and had been +sentenced to be hung on the 6th day of April. + +I cannot detail the effect which this announcement produced upon me. For +a moment I sat almost stupefied, and unable to move. My blood seemed to +freeze in my veins--my heart stood still--I was speechless. By degrees I +was able to exercise a strong command over myself. I then sought my +immediate associates, and communicated the fatal news to them. Their +consternation and grief were equal to my own. Every man seemed to be +impressed with the solemnity of the fate of their comrades. What was to +be done? How to intercede in their behalf? I rushed to the tent of +General McClellan, and relating the news to him, besought his aid in +this direful extremity. His sympathy and sorrow were as acute as though +the men had been joined to him by ties of blood. Anxiously we discussed +the situation, in the vain attempt to seek some mode of obtaining their +release, and all without definite or satisfactory conclusion. + +All that night I paced the camp, unable to sleep--unable almost to think +intelligently; and when morning dawned I was as far from devising any +practical plan of relief as when I first received the information. + +I telegraphed to Captain Milward, Harbor-Master at Fortress Monroe, and +in charge of the flag-of-truce boat for exchanging prisoners, asking him +to endeavor to ascertain from the Richmond papers, or from any other +source, anything definite as to the fate of my unfortunate operatives. + +Several messages were received from that officer, containing various +statements of the case, and finally came the crushing intelligence that +Lewis and Scully had been respited, after having given information which +implicated Timothy Webster, whom the rebels now regarded as the chief +spy of the three. + +This was the crowning burden of all, and I was almost prostrated by the +blow. Hurried consultations were held, every conceivable plan was +suggested and discussed, which would avail in the slightest degree to +avert so terrible a fate from the faithful patriot who now was in such +deadly danger. + +I suggested that General McClellan should send, by flag-of-truce boat, +such a demand as would, if possible, save their lives; but to this the +General demurred, fearing, and justly too, that such a course might be +productive of more injury than good--that it would be a tacit +acknowledgment of their real character as spies, and they would be hung +without further delay. + +It was at last decided that I should go to Washington, accompanied by +Colonel Key, an eminent patriot, and an efficient member of General +McClellan's staff. We were to confer with the President and the members +of the Cabinet, lay the matter before them, and petition for the +official interposition of the government in their behalf. + +With Colonel Key, I started for Washington, about the middle of April. +The interest of that officer was scarcely second to my own, and he was +fully determined to exert every energy of his manly, sympathetic nature +in the work of saving their lives, if possible. + +The journey to Washington was quickly made. Mr. Lincoln was readily +seen, and he, too, filled with sympathy for the unfortunate men, +promised to call a special session of the Cabinet to consider the case, +that evening. + +In the meantime, Colonel Key and I occupied ourselves in visiting the +various heads of the departments, in order to prepare them, before +evening arrived, for energetic and speedy action. We felt that no time +was to be lost; if, indeed, it was not already too late to avert their +dreadful doom. + +Secretary Stanton, whom, among others, we saw, expressed in strong terms +his willingness to assist Webster to the extent of the resources of the +government, but he was but little disposed to assist the others, who, he +alleged, had "betrayed their companion to save their own lives." + +In the evening the Cabinet was convened, and, after a full discussion of +the matter, it was decided that the only thing that could be done, was +to authorize the Secretary of War to communicate with the rebel +authorities upon the subject. He was directed to authorize General Wool +to send by flag-of-truce boat, or by telegraph, a message to Jefferson +Davis, representing that the course pursued by the Federal government +toward rebel spies had heretofore been lenient and forbearing; that in +many cases such persons had been released after a short confinement, and +that in no instance had any one so charged been tried for his life, or +sentenced to death. The message concluded with the decided intimation +that if the rebel government proceeded to carry their sentence of death +into execution, the Federal government would initiate a system of +retaliation which would amply revenge the death of the men now held. + +Receiving a copy of these instructions, Colonel Key and myself, feeling +that we had exhausted the power of the government in this matter, +returned at once to Fortress Monroe. We arrived there on the 23d day of +April. General Wool was immediately found, and without a moment's delay, +he caused the required dispatches to be forwarded, by way of Norfolk, +through General Huger, who was then in command of that place, with the +urgent request that he would instantly transmit it by telegraph to the +Richmond authorities. + +This, I learned, was done as had been requested, and I learned further, +that it reached the officers of the rebel government, and received their +consideration in time to have been of avail, had there been one spark of +manly sympathy animating the breasts of those who were the leaders of a +vile conspiracy to destroy the noblest government under the blue canopy +of heaven. + +Feeling that all had now been done that was possible to save the lives +of my men, and believing that the hate and malignity of the rebel +officers would not carry them to such a murderous extent as this, I +awaited the result of our mission with painful solicitude. + + * * * * * + +After the day of execution had been fixed, Mrs. Lawton was permitted to +visit Webster in the room to which he had been assigned. During all the +time that the trial had been in progress, they had never been allowed to +communicate with each other, and the noble little woman had been +compelled to suffer in silence, while Webster was undergoing the painful +experiences of the investigation, which had resulted in his being +condemned to be hung as a spy. + +The meeting between Webster and Mrs. Lawton was a most affecting one. +Tears filled the eyes of the faithful woman, as she gazed at the pale +and emaciated form of the heroic patriot. Their hands were clasped in a +warm pressure, and her words of heartfelt sympathy and grief were choked +by the sobs which shook her frame. Even in the excess of his despair, +Webster's fortitude never for a moment forsook him. He bore the burdens +which had been imposed upon him with a courage and firmness that +impressed all who witnessed it. + +Under Mrs. Lawton's direction, the room in which he was confined was +soon made cheerful and clean; with her own hands she prepared for him +such delicacies as he needed most, and her words of comfort were of +great effect in soothing his mind, and in preparing him for the dreadful +fate which he was called upon to meet. + +Nor did Mrs. Lawton stop here. She sought an interview with Jefferson +Davis, but, finding him engaged with General Lee, she obtained the +privilege of visiting the wife of the Confederate president. With Mrs. +Davis she pleaded long and earnestly in behalf of the condemned man. +Besought her by every holy tie of her own life to intercede for the +pardon of the poor invalid, whose life hung by so slender a thread. + +All in vain, however. While fully sympathizing with the fate of the +unfortunate man, Mrs. Davis declined to interfere in matters of state, +and Mrs. Lawton left the house utterly hopeless of being able to avert +the dreadful fate which impended over Webster. + +The hours flew swiftly by, and the day of execution drew near, and still +a ray of hope glistened through the gloom which surrounded him. If +McClellan only succeeded in capturing Richmond all would be well. But as +the days passed, and this result seemed further from accomplishment than +ever, even that flickering ember of hope died out, and he prepared to +meet his fate like a man. + +One thing, however, impressed the doomed man more than anything +else--the thought of being hung. Any other mode of punishment would have +been accepted with joy, but to be hanged like a murderer, was a disgrace +which he could not bear to think about. On the day before his execution, +he requested a visit from General Winder, and that officer, evidently +expecting a revelation from the lips of his victim, soon made his +appearance at the prison. + +As he entered the cell where Webster was reclining upon his couch, he +roughly accosted him: + +"Webster you have sent for me; what is it that you desire?" + +"General Winder," replied Webster, "I have sent for you to make an +appeal to your manhood; my fate is sealed. I know that too well--I am to +die, and I wish to die like a man. I know there is no hope for mercy, +but, sir, I beseech you to permit me to be shot, not be hanged like a +common felon,--anything but that." + +"I am afraid that cannot be done," said Winder, coldly. + +"It is not much to ask," pleaded Webster; "I am to die, and am prepared, +but, sir, for God's sake let me not die like this; change but the manner +of my death, and no murmur shall escape my lips." + +"I cannot alter the sentence that has been ordered." + +Mrs. Lawton, who was present, and unable further to restrain herself, +exclaimed: + +"General, as a woman I appeal to you--you have the power, and can +exercise it. Do not, I pray you, condemn this brave man to the odium of +a felon's death. Think of his family, and his suffering. Let the +manliness of your own heart plead for him. It is not much that he asks. +He does not sue for pardon. He seeks not to escape your judgment, harsh +and cruel as it is. He only prays to be allowed to die like a brave man +in the service of his country. You certainly can lose nothing by +granting this request, therefore, in the name of justice and humanity, +let him be shot instead of the dreadful death you have ordained for +him." + +While she was speaking, the hard lines about the rebel's mouth grew +still more harsh and rigid. He did not attempt to interrupt her, but +when she had finished, he turned coolly upon his heel, and, as he +reached the door he said: + +"His request and yours must be denied. He hangs to-morrow." + +"Then," ejaculated the undaunted woman, "he will die like a man, and his +death will be upon your head,--a living curse until your own dark hour +shall come!" + +Without deigning to notice them further, he passed out of the cell, +violently closing the door behind him. + +The shadows of the night came down over the prison. The last night on +earth to a brave man who had met death in a hundred forms ere this. How +many times the gaunt, repulsive form of the fatal scaffold, appeared to +the vision of the condemned man, as he sat firm and rigid in his dark +cell, we may not know. How many times he lived over again the bright +scenes of his past life! The happy, careless days of childhood, when the +fond eyes of a loving mother beamed upon him in his sportive gambols. +His school days, the lessons conned by the evening lamp in the dear old +home of long ago. The merry days of youth, which glided away amid scenes +of mirth and jollity. The first dawnings of the passion of his life, +when a soft hand nestled lovingly in his, and earnest eyes, full of love +and trust, seemed to speak a world of affection. Then the stirring +scenes of active life, he a man among men battling with the world, +performing his daily duties, mingling honorably with his fellows, and +upheld by a pride of honor and self-respect. His sacrifices for his +country in the dark hour of her peril. The lonely marches, the weary +burdens, the unflinching steadfastness of his fealty to his government. +The long nights of storm and danger, the varying episodes of pleasure +and of pain, conflicts with enemies, and happy hours with friendly +companions--all these thoughts came upon him with a distinctness which +brought their actual presence near. Now he was listening to the sweet +lullaby of his mother's voice, now he stood in the hall of the "Sons of +Liberty," in the midst of affrighted conspirators and blue-coated +soldiers--anon he strayed by a purling stream, with a loved one upon his +arm--and again he breasted the dashing waters and the deluging storm on +the bay, as he rescued the women and children from the stranded boat. So +vivid were these pictures of his mind that he lived again a hundred +scenes of his past life, partook of a hundred pleasures, shared in a +hundred sorrows. Suddenly in the midst of some thrilling vision of +by-gone days, the flickering of his lamp or the tread of the sentry +outside would recall him from a delightful reverie to the dark and +dreadful present. Then gloomy and despondent thoughts would come to him. +He would picture minutely the scenes of the morrow, the rude platform, +the dangling noose, the armed soldiers, the hideous black cap, the +springing of the gallows trap. + +Then, unable to bear the agony of his thoughts, he would start to his +feet, press his hands to his ears, as if to drown the fearful sounds, +and pace rapidly the narrow cell. Mrs. Lawton never left him; ever alert +to his needs, ever ready with sustaining words, although her own brave, +tender heart was breaking, she did her utmost to strengthen and sustain +him. Gradually he became calmer. The slow moving hours passed on, and he +resolutely performed the last duties that devolved upon him. Messages +were confided to his unwavering nurse for the dear friends at home; +expressions of love and regard for his kindred, and unswerving +breathings of devotion to his country. + +"Tell Major Allen that I met my fate like a man. Thank him for his many +acts of kindness to me. I have done my duty, and I can meet death with a +brave heart and a clear conscience." + +The first faint streaks of the early dawn came in through the grated +window; the sun was rising in the heavens, brightly and gloriously +lighting up a day that should have been shrouded in gloom. Its beams +illumined the little chamber, where Webster lay calm and wakeful, his +hands clasped by the woman who had so nobly shared his captivity. + +A silence had fallen upon them. Each was busy with thoughts which lips +could not utter, and the death-like stillness was undisturbed save by +the tramp of the guards in the corridor. + +Suddenly there came the sound of hurried footsteps. They paused before +the door. The heavy bolts were shot back, and in the doorway stood Cap. +Alexander, the officer in charge. + +The little clock that ticked upon the wall noted a quarter past five +o'clock. + +"Come, Webster, it is time to go." + +There was no sympathy in the rough voice which uttered these words. + +"To go where?" inquired Webster, starting up in surprise. + +"To the fair grounds," was the laconic reply. + +"Surely not at this hour," pleaded the condemned man; "the earliest +moment named in my death-warrant is six o'clock, and you certainly will +not require me to go before that." + +"It is the order of General Winder, and I must obey," answered +Alexander. "You must prepare yourself at once." + +Without another word Webster arose from his bed, and began his +preparations. Not a tremor was apparent, and his hand was as steady and +firm as iron. When he had fully arranged his toilet, he turned to Mrs. +Lawton, and taking both her hands in his he murmured: + +"Good-bye, dear friend; we shall never meet again on earth. God bless +you, and your kindness to me. I will be brave, and die like a man. +Farewell, forever!" then turning to Captain Alexander, who stood unmoved +near the door, he said: + +"I am ready!" + +As they went out through the door, a piercing shriek rent the air, and +Mrs. Lawton fell prostrate to the floor. + +Arriving at the entrance to the prison, they found a company of cavalry +drawn up before them, and a carriage, procured by Mrs. Lawton, awaiting +their appearance. Webster crossed the pavement with unfaltering step and +entered the vehicle, the order to march was given, and the procession +started for the scene of execution. + +At Camp Lee, the scene was one of bustle and excitement. Soldiers were +moving about in companies, and in small detachments. Eager spectators +were there, curious to watch the proceedings, and the streets leading to +the grounds were lined with people whose prevailing emotion seemed to be +that of idle curiosity. + +On arriving at the camp, Webster was conducted into a small room, on the +ground floor of one of the buildings, and was left alone with the +clergyman who had been requested to accompany him. + +Thus he remained for several hours. At ten minutes past eleven, the +carriage was drawn up before the door, and Webster appeared leaning upon +the arm of the jailer, and attended by his spiritual adviser. + +The doomed man wore a look of calm composure. His face was pale, and the +feebleness of his condition was manifest in his tottering walk; but his +eye was clear and steady and not a muscle of his face betrayed his +emotion. + +They reached the scaffold, which was erected on the north side of the +parade ground. Slowly and painfully he ascended to the platform. Amid a +breathless silence, he stood for a moment and gazed about him. The +bright blue sky overhead, the muskets of the soldiers glistening in the +rays of the sun, the white, eager faces which surrounded him. His last +look on earth. Though much exhausted by his long illness, he stood alone +and firmly whilst his arms were tied behind him and his feet were bound +together. + +The black cap was placed over his head, and then followed a moment of +solemn stillness. The entire assembly seemingly ceased to breathe. The +signal was given, the trap was sprung, and, with a dreadful, sickening +thud, Webster fell from the gibbet to the ground beneath. The hang-man's +knot had slipped, and the man, bound hand and foot, lay in a confused +heap, limp and motionless, before the gathered throng. He was lifted up +and carried to the scaffold. + +"I suffer a double death," came from the lips of the dying man as he was +again placed upon the readjusted trap. The rope was again placed around +his neck, this time so tight as to be excruciatingly painful. + +"You will choke me to death this time," came in gurgling tones from +within the enveloping hood. + +In a second the trap was again sprung, and the brave patriot was +swinging in the air, between heaven and earth. + +Rebel vengeance was at last satisfied, the appetite for human blood was +sated. + +Treason had done its worst, and the loyal spy was dead. + +Early in the afternoon, Captain Alexander returned to the prison, and +informed Mrs. Lawton that all was over. He found her deathly pale, but +now firm, and giving no other outward sign of the agony of the past few +hours. + +"May I see him before he is taken away?" she asked. + +"There is no objection to that." + +Accompanying the officer, she went to the room in which the body lay, +incased in a metallic coffin which Mrs. Lawton had procured. His face +was not discolored in the least, and the features indicated the same +Roman firmness which he exhibited when he left the prison. He died as he +had lived--a brave man. + +Several rebel officers stood around the coffin. Turning suddenly upon +them, and facing Captain Alexander, Mrs. Lawton, in a burst of passion, +exclaimed: + +"Murderers! this is your work. If there is vengeance or retribution in +this world, you will feel it before you die!" + +As if stung to the quick by this accusation, Captain Alexander stepped +up to the coffin, and laying his hand upon Webster's cold, white +forehead, said: + +"As sure as there is a God in Heaven, I am innocent of this deed. I did +nothing to bring this about, and simply obeyed my orders in removing him +from the prison to the place of execution." + +Application was made to General Winder for the privilege of sending +Webster's body to the North, where it might be buried by his friends; +but this the rebel officer peremptorily refused. A petition was then +made that it be allowed to be placed in the vault in Richmond, with no +better success. Not content with heaping ignominy upon him while living, +the fiend was determined that even in death the patriot should be the +subject of odium and contempt. + +In the dead hour of the night, he ordered the remains to be carried +away, and buried in an obscure corner of the pauper's burying-ground. + +Farewell, brave spirit! I knew thee well. Brave, tender and true; thou +hast suffered in a glorious cause, and died a martyr's death. Thy memory +will long be green in the hearts of thy friends. When treason is +execrated, and rebellion is scorned and despised, the tears of weeping +friends will bedew the sod which rests above the martyred spy of the +Rebellion--Timothy Webster. + +After the war was over, and peace once more reigned throughout the land, +I procured his body, and it now lies in the soil of a loyal state--the +shrine of the patriot--the resting-place of a hero. + +But little more remains to be told. After weary months of captivity, +Mrs. Lawton, Price Lewis and John Scully, were sent to the North, where +their stories were told, and from whose lips I learned the particulars I +have narrated. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +_The Defeat of General Pope at the second Battle of Manassas.--McClellan +Again Called to the Command.--The Battle of Antietam.--A Union +Victory.--A Few Thoughts about the Union Commander.--McClellan's Removal +from Command and his Farewell Address._ + + +On the second day of September, 1862, the following order was issued: + + + "War Department, Adj't.-Gen.'s Office, + + "Washington, Sept. 2, 1862. + + "Major-General McClellan will have command of the + fortifications of Washington, and of all the troops for the + defense of the Capital. + + "By order of + + "E. D. TOWNSEND, "Maj.-Gen. HALLECK. + Ass't. Adj't.-Gen." + + + +At this time the Federal troops, under General Pope, were retreating in +great disorder from the disastrous defeat in the Virginia campaign, and +the roads leading to Washington were, for the second time during the +war, filled with stragglers from the ranks, making their way to the +capital. It will be remembered that while McClellan and the main Eastern +army were in the Peninsula, the divisions of McDowell, Fremont and +Banks were, by orders of the government, held near Washington, for the +protection of the national capital. On the 26th day of July, these +forces were consolidated as the Army of Virginia, and placed under the +command of General Pope. This army was guarding the line of the Rapidan. + +Soon after the retreat of the Union army under General McClellan, the +Confederates, in August, 1862, began to move towards Washington. +Stonewall Jackson, leading the advance of the Southern army, attacked +Banks' force at Cedar Mountain, on the 6th day of August. Banks, +however, was able to hold Jackson in check for some time; but the main +body of the rebels arriving, Banks was compelled to retreat. Lee now +pressed heavily upon Pope, who retreated northward from every position +then held by him. + +When this movement became known to the authorities, General McClellan +was ordered to hastily ship the Army of the Potomac back to Washington, +and so persistent was General Halleck in his orders to that effect, that +at the second battle of Manassas McClellan found himself completely +stripped of his army--literally without a command--and compelled to +submit to the mortification of listening to the roar of the battle from +afar, and without being allowed to participate in its conflicts. Some +idea of his feelings may be learned from a dispatch sent by him to +General Halleck at this time: + + "I cannot express to you the pain and mortification I have + experienced to-day, in listening to the distant sound of the + fighting of my men. As I can be of no further use here, I + respectfully ask that if there is a probability of the + conflict being renewed to-morrow, I may be permitted to go + to the scene of battle with my staff, merely to be with my + own men, if nothing more; they will fight none the worse for + my being with them. If it is not deemed best to intrust me + with the command even of my own army, I simply ask to be + permitted to share their fate upon the field of battle." + +These appeals, however, were utterly disregarded. Gen. Pope was to +command the army, and to do the fighting, and in the end the +contemptuous superiors of the heroic commander suffered a crushing +defeat in the bloodiest battle of this campaign. The second battle of +Manassas was a most disastrous one, and on August 29-30 Pope's army was +utterly defeated. + +Lee was now pressing forward, flushed with victory, and threatening +Washington. On the 1st of September the battle of Chantilly was fought, +and in which those brave Generals, Kearney and Stevens, lost their +lives. + +Learning by bitter experience the culpable folly of ignoring the genius +and bravery of McClellan, and with the rebel army besieging the capital, +General Halleck, in the excess of fear, was forced to again call for the +services of the gallant commander of the Army of the Potomac, and +General McClellan was once more placed in command of an army defeated +and demoralized by the incompetency of its generals. + +The broken army of Pope was now united with that of the Army of the +Potomac, and the army of Virginia ceased to exist as a separate +organization. With the intense enthusiasm of the soldiers for McClellan, +he soon brought order out of chaos, and in an incredibly short space of +time he faced them about, in orderly columns, and started to repel the +invading army of Lee, who was now crossing the Potomac. + +From reports made by my operatives at this time, it was ascertained that +Lee had abandoned, if, indeed, he ever seriously entertained the idea of +advancing directly upon the capital, and was now contemplating carrying +the campaign into Maryland. Longstreet's division had left Richmond +about the 5th day of August for Gordonsville, marching to Orange +Court-house, he fell back to Gordonsville. Jackson fell back at the same +time, and they both participated in the battle of Manassas, and in the +fighting that followed. Jackson then crossed the river into Maryland, +before Longstreet, who crossed a few days later, at or near Edwards' +Ferry. + +On the 4th day of September, my operatives, who were watching the +movement of the rebel army, reported that Lee had his headquarters on +the Aldie turnpike, near Dranesville; while Jackson was near Fairfax +Court-house. On the 9th, it was understood that the rebels had moved +their entire army into Virginia, and it was presumed that his objective +point was Baltimore. + +General McClellan left Washington on the 7th day of September, and +established his headquarters at Rockville, having first made all +arrangements for the defense of Washington, and placing General Banks in +command of the troops at that place. By this time it was known that the +mass of the rebel army had passed up the south side of the Potomac +river, in the direction of Leesburg, and that a part of the army had +crossed the river into Maryland. + +The uncertainty of Lee's intentions greatly distracted the authorities +at Washington for the safety of that city, and they were fearful that he +would make a feint towards Pennsylvania, and then suddenly seize the +opportunity to attack the capital. + +Some writers have animadverted freely upon the alleged "slowness" of +McClellan's movements up the Potomac, and his "delay" in offering battle +to Lee before the latter had time to unite his army and occupy the +strong position he held at Antietam; but they persistently ignore the +fact that the dispatches from the commander-in-chief at Washington, to +McClellan in the field, from the 7th to the 16th of September, were +filled with cautions against a too hasty advance, and the consequent +impropriety of exposing Washington to an attack. Indeed, it seems +evident to me, when I regard the career of the Army of the Potomac, +that had those in power in Washington been less concerned for their own +safety, and trusted more to the skill and sagacity of the general in the +field to direct its movements, the history of that army would have been +widely different from what it is. The campaign of the Peninsula +terminated disastrously to the Union arms, and it was mainly due to this +real or assumed fear of the authorities for the safety of Washington. + +It is not presuming too much to say, that McClellan knew far better than +those at Washington the movements and intentions of the enemy, and that +he was apprised of them sooner; but it is equally true that a certain +element in the Cabinet was unfriendly to the secret service branch of +the army, and, with characteristic stubbornness, placed but little +reliance upon the information obtained from this source. + +For instance, General Halleck was of the opinion, on the evening of the +day before Antietam, that Lee's whole force had crossed the river, and +so telegraphed McClellan, when the fact was that the rebel army was +actually in our front, and ready for the battle that so speedily +followed. + +Still, the importance of moving with extreme caution was kept constantly +in view, and the army was moved so that it extended from the railroad to +the Potomac River, the extreme left flank resting on that stream. + +On the twelfth of September, a portion of the right wing of the army +entered Frederick, Md., and on the following day the main body of the +right and the center wings arrived, only to find that the enemy had +marched out of the place two days before, taking the roads to +Boonesboro' and Harper's Ferry. + +Lee had left a force to dispute the possession of the passes, through +which the roads across South Mountain ran, while he had dispatched +Jackson to effect the capture of Harper's Ferry. In these plans he was +partially frustrated, for, while Jackson succeeded in capturing Harper's +Ferry, McClellan drove the rebel troops from the passes, after short but +vigorous engagements at South Mountain, on September 14th, but failed in +his efforts to relieve Harper's Ferry, and that place was surrendered on +the following day. + +Immediately following the actions at South Mountain, Lee, being closely +pressed by McClellan, turned at bay in the beautiful valley of the +Antietam. Here he resolved to endeavor to hold his position until he +could concentrate his army. His forces at this time numbered about forty +thousand men. + +On the sixteenth, he was reinforced by Jackson's gallant corps, +numbering about five thousand men, which, together with other +reinforcements, received during the day, swelled his numbers to fifty +thousand men, which, in the language of one of their own writers, +constituted "the very flower of the Army of Northern Virginia." + +Our own forces did not exceed eighty-five thousand men, and it is but +correct to say that not seventy thousand were actually engaged on the +day of the great battle. My own judgment is, that at no time during the +fight was the Confederate army ever confronted by a force outnumbering +their own. + +Confederate writers have sought to make it appear that Lee, at Antietam, +fought and practically defeated a force in excess of his own in the +ratio of three to one. This assertion is proven to be a glaring error, +for the facts are that the odds were less than three to two, even in +point of actual numerical strength present, while, all things +considered, these were reduced until the two armies faced each other on +the morning of Antietam pretty evenly opposed, and with no decided +advantage in favor of either contestant. + +To explain: taking it for granted that McClellan had eighty-seven +thousand men at roll-call on the morning of the seventeenth, it is now +known that the battle was mainly fought by the First, Second, Ninth and +Twelfth Corps, while the Fifth and Sixth Corps and the Cavalry Division +were scarcely used at all. In addition to this, it should be remembered +that ours was the attacking force; that the enemy occupied a chosen +position, and therefore, in this view of the situation, the odds were by +no means great in favor of the Federal troops. + +[Illustration: "_My horse was shot under me while crossing the stream._" +P. 569] + +On the morning of the sixteenth, being then at headquarters, and +desiring to learn from personal observation something of the position of +the enemy, I accompanied a party of cavalry sent out to reconnoitre +across the Antietam. Here it was discovered that the enemy had changed +the position of some of their batteries, while their left and center +were upon and in front of the Sharpsburg and Hagerstown turnpike, and +their extreme left rested upon the wooded heights near the cross-roads +to the north. + +While returning from this reconnoitering expedition, fire was opened +upon us from a masked battery upon the hill, and my horse, a beautiful +sorrel, that had carried me for months, and to which I was much +attached, was shot from under me while I was crossing the stream. +Several of the men who accompanied me were seriously wounded, and I +narrowly escaped with my life. + +The next morning, at early dawn, the battle commenced, and raged with +unabated fury until nightfall, when the rebels withdrew, and our +soldiers slept that night upon a dearly won, yet decisively victorious +field. McClellan determined not to renew the attack upon the following +day, for which his critics have censured him severely; yet, I am +satisfied, that not a few writers, who have fought, _on paper_, the +battle of Antietam, just as it should have been fought in their own +estimation, have not, in a single instance, given the subject more +painful and anxious thought than did the General himself, during all +that night, while his weary troops lay resting on their arms, on a +field covered with their own and their enemy's dead. + +No better reasons can be assigned, and, indeed, none better need be +given for the course he pursued, than he, himself, has stated in his own +report of that battle. He says: "I am aware of the fact, that, under +ordinary circumstances, a General is expected to risk a battle if he has +a reasonable prospect of success; but at this critical juncture, I +should have had a narrow view of the condition of the country, had I +been willing to hazard another battle with less than an absolute +assurance of success. At that moment, Virginia lost, Washington menaced, +Maryland invaded, the National cause could afford no risks of defeat. +One battle lost, and almost all would have been lost. Lee's army might +then have marched as it pleased on Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia +or New York. It could have levied its supplies from a fertile and +undevastated country, extorted tribute from wealthy and populous cities, +and nowhere east of the Alleghanies was there another organized force +able to arrest its march." + +The day after the battle, however, General McClellan gave orders for a +renewal of the attack on the morning of the nineteenth; but when morning +dawned, it was discovered that the rebels had suddenly abandoned their +position and retreated across the river, leaving nearly three thousand +of their unburied dead on the late field of battle. Thirteen guns, +thirty-nine colors, upwards of fifteen thousand stand of small arms, +and more than six thousand prisoners, were taken in the battles of South +Mountain, Crampton's Gap and Antietam, while not a single gun or color +was lost by our troops in any of these encounters. + +The Battle of Antietam, in its effects, was a brilliant and decisive +victory for the Union arms, as it was a terrible blow to the South, who +had expected much from Lee's sudden and daring invasion of a loyal +state; and their losses, from the time they first invaded Maryland until +the end of the Battle of Antietam, were in the neighborhood of thirty +thousand men. + +Whatever, therefore, has been said by unfriendly critics, concerning +General McClellan's achievements, they must be regarded by the +intelligent and fair-minded student of history, as far from being +failures. Nor were they merely the achievements of an ordinary man. It +is an easy, and no doubt a tempting task, nearly twenty years after a +battle has occurred, and with the knowledge and materials now at hand, +for writers to fight this battle over again, and point out alleged +blunders here and there, and in their vivid, and not always truthful, +imaginations conduct affairs as they should have been conducted. + +It may be safely asserted, that no General in the history of the Nation +was ever so shamefully treated by his government, as was General +McClellan. With a brave and noble devotion, and with a self-sacrificing +love for his country and her flag, he fearlessly offered his life and +his services in sustaining the honor of the one, and the perpetuity of +the other. + +Reviewing his career from the date of his taking command of all the +armies, down to the close of the battle of Antietam, he received the +bitter opposition of the Cabinet, and the ill-concealed enmity of the +politicians; and scarcely had he been called to this important position, +than his enemies began working to effect his downfall. With such +persistence and success did they devote themselves to their task, that +by the time he had his Army of the Potomac ready for the field, they had +practically deposed him as the Commander-in-Chief. + +His plans of the campaign were required to be submitted to a body of +twelve of his subordinates for approval, and this ridiculous proceeding +ended in their adoption by a vote of eight to four. The next day the +enemy abandoned Manassas, a move which was the result of direct treason, +or, at least, criminal indiscretion on the part of some member of that +commission, either directly or indirectly. After his plans were adopted, +and their execution commenced, he was hampered and distressed by orders +from his superiors at Washington, conflicting with his own well formed +ideas and deranging his carefully prepared plans in the field. + +He, however, bore all these things patiently, and at all times +faithfully endeavored to do the very best, under the adverse +circumstances which surrounded him. He, however, at all times, had the +courage to speak his convictions, knowing the purity of his own actions, +notwithstanding the fact that he was frequently called upon to execute +orders that his own better judgment convinced him were conceived in +ignorance or malice, and which could but do harm to him and to the cause +he loved. + +On July 7, 1862, we find him writing to the President his views on the +conduct of the war. He said: + +"In carrying out any system of policy which you may form, you will +require a Commander-in-Chief of the army, one who possesses your +confidence, understands your views, and who is competent to execute your +orders by directing the military forces of the nation to the +accomplishment of the objects by you proposed. I do not ask that place +for myself, I am willing to serve you in such position as you may assign +me, and I will do so as faithfully as ever subordinate served superior. +I may be on the brink of eternity, and as I hope for forgiveness from my +Maker, I have written this letter from sincerity towards you, and from +love for my country." + +Through all his correspondence, while in the field, with his superiors, +there breathed a spirit of earnest and sincere devotion to country; and +rarely was he tempted to utter words which proved how sorely he was +tried and how much he resented the interference of incompetent +authority. When pushed beyond all control by the foolish, unfriendly +and unjust course of those at Washington, and when their interference +had caused the failure of his plans, he wrote to Secretary of War +Stanton, "You have done your best to sacrifice this army," and even then +the words were written more in a tone of regret than of anger. + +Nearly a month later, when the order was issued for the withdrawal of +the Army of the Potomac before Richmond, under the full force of his +convictions, he uttered a manly protest against such action, and +entreated that the order might be rescinded. "All points," said he, "of +secondary importance elsewhere should be abandoned, and every available +man brought here. A decided victory here and the strength of the +rebellion is crushed, it matters not what partial reverses we may meet +with elsewhere. _Here is the true defense of Washington; it is here, on +the banks of the James, that the fate of the Union should be decided._ +Clear in my convictions of right, strong in the consciousness that I +have ever been and still am actuated by love of my country,... I do now, +what I never did in my life before, I entreat that this order may be +rescinded." + +How true these words were, and how prophetic their scope, may be proven +by the words of General Sheridan several years later. When Grant was +compelled at last to adopt the very plans of McClellan, thus giving as +practical a vindication of that general as could be desired, Sheridan +sent a message to Grant, but a little while before the surrender, +urging him to come with all the force he could command in pursuit of +Lee, saying, "_Here is the end of the rebellion._" A fit corollary to +McClellan's dispatch from James River to Halleck: "_Here, directly in +front of this army, is the heart of the rebellion._" + +No general in this country, or in any other, was more universally +beloved and admired by his troops, and no commander ever returned that +affection with more warmth than did McClellan. Troops that under other +commanders suffered defeat after defeat, until dismayed and discouraged +they fled to Washington, followed by a pursuing and exultant enemy, were +in a few days, by his magical influence over them, again transformed +into brave and hopeful soldiers, ready to follow anywhere their trusted +commander might lead. + +It is a strange fact, but a fact, nevertheless, that the Army of the +Potomac received all its good words, words of cheer and encouragement, +from McClellan alone. Those in power at the capital were painfully blind +to its sufferings on the toilsome march, or its deeds of valor on the +bloody field. After the battle of Antietam, and after the Army of the +Potomac had driven Lee from Maryland, General McClellan telegraphed his +chief as follows: "I have the honor to report that Maryland is entirely +freed from the presence of the enemy, who has been driven across the +Potomac. No fears need now be entertained for the safety of +Pennsylvania; I shall at once occupy Harper's Ferry." + +Two days later, receiving no word of acknowledgement for his troops, +whom he felt had earned them from the Commander-in-Chief, he, in a +telegram of September 20th, said: "I regret that you have not yet found +leisure to say one word in commendation of the recent achievements of +this army or even to allude to them." + +Before this, he had taken occasion to remind General Halleck of the fact +that the army deserved some credit for its labors, and appreciated any +acknowledgment of the same which the Commander-in-Chief might make. + +On August 18th, 1862, and after the fighting before Richmond, he wrote +to General Halleck as follows: + + "Please say a kind word to my army, that I can repeat to + them in general orders, in regard to their conduct at + Yorktown, Williamsburg, West Point, Hanover Court-house, and + on the Chickahominy, as well as in regard to the seven days, + and the recent retreat. No one has ever said anything to + cheer them but myself. Say nothing about me; merely give my + men and officers credit for what they have done. It will do + you much good, and strengthen you much with them, if you + issue a handsome order to them in regard to what they have + accomplished. They deserve it." + +Is it any wonder, then, that the army exhibited such splendid enthusiasm +for their leader, when they, above all others, were fully acquainted +with his character as a man and a general? + +Self was his last and least consideration. Always mindful of the comfort +of his men, yet inculcating, by his splendid discipline, the essential +requisites of the true soldier, he led his troops through the campaigns +of the Peninsula and of Maryland, achieving a record that was a credit +to him, his army, and the nation, and is an enduring monument to the +faithful devotion and the gallant services of the Army of the Potomac. I +cannot close this chapter in more fitting words than those used by +General McClellan, in his brief and affectionate farewell to his +officers and men, after the battle of Antietam, when, having won a +victory at a critical period, he was, as a reward, relieved from his +command. + + + "November 7th, 1862. + + "Officers and soldiers of the Army of the Potomac: + + "An order of the President devolves upon Major-General + Burnside the command of this army. In parting from you I + cannot express the love and gratitude I bear you. As an + army, you have grown up under my care. In you I have never + found doubt or coldness. The battles you have fought under + my command will proudly live in our nation's history. The + glory you have achieved, our mutual perils and fatigues, the + graves of our comrades fallen in battle and by disease, the + broken forms of those whom wounds and sickness have + disabled--the strongest associations which can exist among + men--unite us still by an indissoluble tie. We shall ever be + comrades in supporting the constitution of our country and + the nationality of its people." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +_General Burnside in Command.--My Connection with the Secret Service +Severed.--Reflections upon Important Events.--Conclusion._ + + +On the evening of the seventh of November, following the battle of +Antietam, General McClellan was removed from the command of the Army of +the Potomac. After having spent weeks in the laborious effort of +reorganizing his forces, which had been severely shattered and weakened +by the hard marching and the still harder fighting in the recent battles +with Lee, the brave commander, upon the eve of an important forward +movement was deprived of his noble army. General Burnside was named as +his successor. Again had the political cabal at Washington succeeded in +their opposition to the noble commander of the Army of the Potomac, and +this time effectually. + +McClellan's tardiness was the alleged cause of his removal. No one in +authority seemed to consider for a moment the necessity, which was +apparent to their immediate commander, of affording the Federal troops +an opportunity to recuperate from their exhausted condition. The serious +losses sustained at South Mountain, Crampton's Gap, and Antietam had +left the army badly disorganized, and the privations and hardships to +which they had been subjected, rendered a delay, for the purpose of +allowing the worn and weary soldiers time to rest and recuperate, an +absolute necessity. In the language of McClellan, "The Army had need of +rest." After the terrible experiences of battles and marches, with +scarcely an interval of repose, which they had gone through from the +time of leaving the Peninsula; the return to Washington; the defeat in +Virginia; the victory at South Mountain, and again at Antietam, it was +not surprising that they were, in a large degree, destitute of the +absolute necessities for effective duty. Shoes were worn out; blankets +were lost; clothing was in rags; the army was unfit for duty, and time +for rest and equipment was absolutely necessary. + +McClellan at once notified the authorities of the condition of his +troops, and made the necessary requisitions on the proper departments +for the needed supplies. For some unaccountable reason--unaccountable to +this day--the supplies ordered were so slow in reaching the men, that +when, on the seventh of October, the command came for him to cross the +river into Virginia, and give battle to the enemy, a compliance with the +order was practically impossible. + +Then, too, re-enforcements were needed. In ordering the advance, the +President, through the General-in-Chief, had submitted two plans, of +which McClellan could take his choice. One was to advance up the valley +of the Shenandoah with reenforcements of fifteen thousand troops, the +other was to cross the river between the enemy and Washington, in which +case he was to be reenforced with thirty thousand men. McClellan's first +inclination was to adopt the movement up the Shenandoah Valley, +believing, that, if he crossed the river into Virginia, Lee would be +enabled to promptly prevent success in that direction by at once +throwing his army into Maryland. Owing, however, to the delay of the +supplies in reaching the army, it was nearly the end of October before +the troops were ready to move. About the twenty-sixth, the army +commenced to cross at Harper's Ferry, and by the sixth of November the +advance upon the enemy was begun. On the night of the seventh, +therefore, when the order came relieving him from the command, +McClellan's advance guard was actually engaged with the enemy. + +I had already learned that Longstreet was immediately in our front, near +Culpepper, while Jackson and Hill's forces were near Chester's and +Thornton's Gap, west of the Blue Ridge. McClellan had formed the plan of +attempting to divide the enemy, with the hope of forcing him to battle, +when it was believed, an easy victory would be achieved. + +At this juncture, however, and when the army was in an excellent +condition to fight a great battle, when officers and men were +enthusiastic in their hopes of being able soon to strike an effective +blow, McClellan was removed, and Stanton had, at last, accomplished his +revenge. Not only this, but he had also secured the failure of, what was +undoubtedly destined to be, a great and decisively victorious campaign. + +McClellan's plan on discovering the position of the enemy's forces, was +to strike in between Culpepper Court House and Little Washington, hoping +by this means to separate the rebel army, or at least to force their +retreat to Gordonsville, and then advance upon Richmond, either by way +of Fredericksburg or the Peninsula. + +Burnside, on assuming the command, submitted a plan of his own, which +was to make a feint of doing, what McClellan really intended to do, +before adopting the move upon Fredericksburg or the Peninsula, and then +to advance from Fredericksburg. + +This plan, however, did not meet the approval of General Halleck. That +General had a long conference with Burnside, at Warrenton. Here their +various plans were discussed, without either agreeing to the plan of the +other, and the matter was finally referred to the President for his +decision. After a further delay of several days, Mr. Lincoln adopted +Burnside's plan, and the advance was ordered. + +The success of this plan depended upon the immediate possession of +Fredericksburg by the Federal army. The intelligent student knows full +well that this was not even _attempted_ until Lee had ample time to +heavily re-enforce the rebel army already there. The subsequent results +show Burnside's delay to have been fatal to his success. + +There was a time when he could certainly have taken Fredericksburg, with +but little loss; but that time was passed when he permitted the enemy to +fully garrison the place, and make ample provision for its defense with +an army of nearly ninety thousand men. + +At this time, however, my connection with the Army of the Potomac, and +with the military concerns of the government, ceased. Upon the removal +of General McClellan, I declined to act any further in the capacity in +which I had previously served, although strongly urged to do so by both +President Lincoln and the Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton. + +From my earliest manhood, I had been an ardent and active abolitionist, +and I have endeavored to demonstrate this fact throughout these pages. +My deep admiration, therefore, for General McClellan, was the result of +my knowledge, of my intimate acquaintance with him, and a consequent +high regard, based upon his innate and intrinsic qualities, both as a +man and a soldier, and not from any political affinity whatever. + +Refusing longer to continue with the army under its new commander, I was +afterwards employed by the government in the work of investigating the +numerous claims that were presented against the United States. While +acting in this capacity, I was instrumental in unearthing a vast number +of fraudulent claims, and, in bringing to justice a large number of men +who were engaged in the base attempt to swindle and defraud the nation +in the dark hours of her need and peril. + +In the Spring of 1864, I was transferred to the Department of the +Mississippi, under General Canby, and my headquarters were located at +New Orleans. Here I was engaged in looking after cotton claims, and the +frauds which were sought to be perpetrated against the government in +that region of the country. + +In 1865, I severed my connection with the "Secret Service of the United +States," and returned to Chicago, where I have since been engaged in the +active prosecution of my profession as a detective. + +Very often, as I sit in the twilight, my mind reverts back to those +stirring scenes of by-gone days; to those years of war and its +consequent hardships, and I recall with pleasure my own connection with +the suppression of the rebellion. My subsequent life has been none the +less happy because of my having assisted, as best as I could, in putting +down that gigantic act of attempted disunion, and in upholding the flag +of our fathers. More than all do I rejoice in the freedom it brought to +nearly half a million of people, who, prior to that time, had been held +in inhuman bondage,--striking the shackles from their bruised limbs, and +placing them before the law free and independent. + +My task is done. In a few brief pages I have attempted to depict the +work of years. The war is over, the rebellion has been crushed, peace +and plenty are everywhere apparent. The flag of the Union floats from +every port in the United States, the slave is free, the South is +recovering from the ravages of war, and the stories of those stirring +times seem now like the legends of an olden time. + + * * * * * + +One more scene remains, and I will then draw the curtain. + +It is a Sabbath morning, the air is fragrant with blossom and flower, +the birds are carolling sweetly a requiem for the dead. Around us, +sleeping the sleep that knows no waking, lie the forms of those whom we +knew and loved. We are in the "city of the dead." The wind sighs through +the waving branches of the trees, with a mournful melody, suggestive of +the place. Near by is the bustling city, but here we are surrounded only +by the mute, though eloquent testimonies of man's eternal rest. Here +beneath a drooping willow let us pause awhile. Flowers are blooming +over a mound of earth, saturating the atmosphere with a grateful aroma. +Let us lean over while we read what is inscribed upon the marble tablet. + + SACRED + + TO THE MEMORY OF + + TIMOTHY WEBSTER, + + WHO + + WAS EXECUTED AS A SPY, + + BY THE + + REBELS, IN RICHMOND, VA., + + APRIL 29, 1862, + + AFTER GALLANT SERVICE IN THE WAR + OF THE REBELLION. + + HE SEALED HIS FIDELITY AND DEVOTION + + TO HIS COUNTRY + + WITH HIS BLOOD. + + + Alike to him are the heats of summer, or the snows of winter. + Peacefully and quietly he sleeps. The Spy of the Rebellion is at rest. + + + + +APPENDIX. + +THE HARDSHIPS AND PRIVATIONS OF A DETECTIVE'S LIFE + + +Every person who may have survived the experience has undoubtedly a +lively recollection of the wild groups of people which the building of +the Union and Central Pacific Railroads brought together from all +directions, and from all causes. + +There were millions upon millions of dollars to be expended; and as the +points of construction neared each other, and the twin bands of iron +crept along the earth's surface like two huge serpents, spanning mighty +rivers, penetrating vast mountains, and trailing through majestic +forests, creeping slowly but surely towards each other, there was always +the greatest dread at the most advanced points, which, like the heads of +serpents, always contained danger and death; and the vast cities of a +day that then sprang into existence, and melted away like +school-children's snow-houses, were the points where such wild scenes +were enacted as will probably never again occur in the history of +railroad building. + +Everything contributed to make these places typical of Babelic +confusion, or Pandemoniac contention. Foreigners were told of the +exhaustless work, and the exhaustless wealth, of this new country which +was being so rapidly developed, and they came; men--brave men, too--who +had been on the wrong side during the late irritation, and who had lost +all, having staked all on the result of the war, saw a possible +opportunity of retrieving their fortunes rapidly, and they came; the +big-headed youth of the village whose smattering of books at the +academy, or the seminary, had enlarged his brain and contracted his +sense so that he was too good for the common duties and everyday +drudgeries which, with patience, lead to success, learned of the glory +and grandeur of that new land, and he came; the speculating shirk and +the peculating clerk came; the almond-eyed sons of the Orient in +herds--herds of quick-witted, patient, plodding beings who could be +beaten, starved, even murdered--came; the forger, the bruiser, the +counterfeiter, the gambler, the garroter, the prostitute, the robber, +and the murderer, each and every, came; there was adventure for the +adventurous, gold for the thief, waiting throats for the murderer; while +the few respectable people quickly became discouraged, and fell into +the general looseness of habits that the loose life engendered, and +gradually grew reckless as the most reckless, or quickly acquiesced in +the wild orgies or startling crimes which were of common occurrence. In +fact, as in the human system, when any portion of it becomes diseased +and all the poison in the blood flows to it, further corrupting and +diseasing it until arrested by a gradual purification of the whole body, +or by some severe treatment, so from every portion of the country flowed +these streams of morally corrupt people, until nearly every town west of +Missouri, or east of the mountains, along these lines, became a terror +to honest people, and continued so until an irresistible conflict +compelled a moral revulsion, sometimes so sweeping and violent as to +cause an application of that unwritten, though often exceedingly just +law, the execution of which leaves offenders dangling to limbs of trees, +lamp-posts, and other convenient points of suspension. + +As a rule, in these places, every man, whatever his business and +condition, was thoroughly armed, the question of self-defense being a +paramount one, from the fact that laws which governed older communities +were completely a dead letter; and the law of might, in a few instances +made somewhat respectable by a faint outline of ruffianly honor, alone +prevailed, until advancing civilization and altered conditions brought +about a better state of society; so that in these reckless crowds which +pushed after the constantly changing termini of the approaching roads, +any instrument of bloodshed was considered valuable, and stores where +arms and ammunition could be secured did quite as large a trade as those +devoted to any other branch of business; while so outrageous was the +price extorted for these instruments of aggression or defense, that they +have often been known to sell for their weight in gold; and just as, +during the war, the army was followed by enterprising traders who turned +many an honest penny trafficking at the heels of the weary soldiers, so +the same class of people were not slow to take advantage of such +opportunities for gigantic profits which, though often lessened by the +many risks run in such trading, were still heavy enough to prove +peculiarly attractive. + +As a consequence, there were many firms engaged in this particular +business, but probably the heaviest was that of Kuhn Brothers, who were +reported to be worth upwards of one hundred thousand dollars, which had +principally been made along the line of the road, and who, with +headquarters at Cheyenne, had established various "stores" at different +points as the Union Pacific was pushed on, always keeping the largest +stock at the most advanced point, and withdrawing stocks from the paper +cities which had been left behind, though only in those towns which had +not been altogether destroyed by the periodical exodus occasioned by +each change of terminus. + +For this reason the firms were obliged to entrust their business to the +honesty of many different employés, who were subject to the vitiating +influences and temptations, which were unusual and severe under the +circumstances already mentioned, while the distances between the points, +and the scarcity of secure means of safely keeping the large sums of +money which would occasionally unavoidably accrue at certain points, +left Kuhn Brothers, in many instances, really dependent on those +dependent on them. + +In this condition of affairs, and after a slight defalcation had +occurred at one of their smaller stores in the spring of 1867, the firm +were seeking a man whom they could place in actual charge of one or two +of their establishments at the larger towns, and give a sort of general +supervision over the others, when the senior member of the firm, being +in Laramie, casually met a young gentleman, who happened to be able to +do him so great a favor that the incident led to a close friendship and +ultimate business relations, eventually resulting in this narrative of +facts. + +It was a pleasant May evening, and Mr. Kuhn had decided to returned to +Cheyenne in order to secure a proper man for the superintendency nearer +home. He was to have left Laramie for the East at a late hour of the +evening and, being at a loss how to pass the intervening time, strolled +out from the hotel with no particular destination in view and his mind +fully occupied with the cares of his business, only occasionally +noticing some peculiarity or strange sight more than usually striking +among the thousands of weird things, to which his frontier business had +compelled him to become accustomed, when suddenly he found himself in +front of a mammoth dance-house, and, yielding to a momentary impulse of +curiosity, turned into the place with the stream of gamblers, +adventurers, greasers, and, in fact, everybody respectable or otherwise, +who, so far from civilization, found such a place peculiarly attractive. + +The dance-house was a sort of hell's bazaar, if the term may be +allowed--and it is certainly the one most befitting it--and was really +no "house" at all, being merely a very large board enclosure covered +with a gigantic tent or series of tents, bedecked with flags and gaudy +streamers. The entrance fee to this elegant place of amusement was one +dollar, and you had only paid an initiatory fee when you had gained +admission. + +On either side as you entered were immense bars, built of the roughest +of boards, where every kind of liquid poison was dispensed at the +moderate sum of twenty-five cents a drink, five-cent cigars selling at +the same price, and the united efforts of a half-dozen murderous looking +bar-tenders at each side were required to assuage the thirst of the +quite as murderous looking crowd that swayed back and forth within the +space evidently prepared for that purpose. + +Beyond this point, and to either side, as also down the center for some +distance, could be found almost every known game of chance, dealt, of +course, "by the house," while surrounding the lay-outs were every +description of men crazed with drink, flushed with success, or deathly +pale from sudden ruin; while everywhere the revolver or the bowie +intimated with what terrible swiftness and certainty any trifling +dispute, rankling grudge, or violent insult would be settled, one way or +the other, and to be marked by the mere pitching of an inanimate form +into the street! + +After these attractions came a stout partition which had evidently been +found necessary, for beyond it there was the strikingly strange heaven +of a mushroom city--a vast department where there were music and women; +and it seemed that the "management" of this grand robbers' roost had +shrewdly calculated on the fact that if a poor fool had not been +swindled out of every dollar he might have had before he reached this +point, those two elements, all powerful for good or evil the world over, +would wring the last penny from him. + +Here was another but a finer bar, where more time was taken to prepare a +drink and drug a man with some show of artistic excellence, and where a +half dollar was changed for a single measure of poison; women,--shrewd, +devilish women who could shoot or cut, if occasion required, with the +nicety and effect of a man,--"steering" every person giving token of +having money in his possession to the more genteelly gotten up +"lay-outs," and acting in the same capacity, only with far more +successful results, as the ordinary "ropers-in" of any large city; a +wild, discordant orchestra that would have been hooted out of the lowest +of the "varieties" east of the Missouri; but in this place, and to these +ears, so long unused to the music of the far-away homes beyond the +Mississippi, producing the very perfection of enchanting harmonies; but +above all, and the crowning attraction before which every other thing +paled and dwindled to insignificance, a score of abandoned women, +dancing and ogling with every manner of man, robbing them while +embracing, cheering and drinking with them, and in every way bedeviling +them; the whole forming a scene viler than imagination or the pen of man +can conceive or picture; grouping of wild orgies and terrible +debaucheries, such as would put Lucifer to a blush, and compel a +revolution in the lowest depths of Hades. + +Kuhn had strolled through the place, and now, out of compliment to +general custom, purchased a cigar and was just turning to depart, when +he suddenly found himself being hustled back and forth among several +hard-looking fellows, who, evidently knowing his business, and surmising +that he carried large sums of money upon his person, had determined to +provoke him to resistance; when there would, according to the social +codes then in existence at Laramie, have been a just cause for either +robbing and beating him, or murdering him outright and robbing him +afterwards; when a tall, finely-formed man suddenly stepped into the +crowd, and in a very decided tone of voice said: + +"I say, gentlemen, that won't do. You must stand back!" + +Then taking the terror-stricken ammunition dealer by the coat collar +with his left hand, but keeping his right hand free for quick use and +certain work, if necessary, he trotted him through the now excited +throng and out into the open air, hastily telling him to "cut for the +hotel," which were quite unnecessary instructions, as he made for that +point at as lively a gait as his rather dumpy legs could carry him. + +The person who had thus prevented the merchant's being robbed, and had +also possibly saved his life, was a tall, comely young man of about +twenty-eight years of age, and with a complexion as fair as a woman's, +pleasant, though determined, blue eyes, and a long, reddish, luxuriant +beard, all of which, with a decidedly military cut to his gray, woollen +garments, and long fair hair falling upon his shoulders--the whole +crowned, or rather slouched over, by a white hat of extraordinary width +of brim, gave him the appearance of an ex-Confederate officer, and right +good fellow, as the term goes, perfectly capable of caring for himself +wherever his fortune, or misfortune, might lead him, which proved the +case as he turned and confronted the desperadoes, who had immediately +followed him in a threatening manner, and whom he stood ready to receive +with a navy revolver half as long as his arm, mysteriously whipped from +some hiding-place, in each steady hand. + +A critical examination of the man as he stood there, and a very casual +survey of him, for that matter, would have instantly suggested the fact +to an ordinary observer that a very cool man at the rear ends of two +navy revolvers huge enough to have been mounted for light-artillery +service, was something well calculated to check the mounting ambition on +the part of most anybody to punish him for the character of the +interference shown; and the leader of the gang contented himself with +remarking, "See here, Captain Harry, if it wasn't you, there'd be a +reck'ning here; lively, too, I'm tellin' ye!" + +"Well, but it _is_ me; and so there won't be any reck'ning. Will there, +now, eh?" + +The ruffians made no answer, but sullenly returned to the dance-house, +when Captain Harry, as he had been called, rammed the two huge revolvers +into his boot legs, which action displayed a smaller weapon of the same +kind upon each hip; after which he nodded a pleasant "good-night" to the +bystanders, and walked away leisurely in the direction Mr. Kuhn had +taken, pleasantly whistling "The Bonnie Blue Flag," or "The Star +Spangled Banner," as best suited him. + +The moment that Mr. Kuhn's protector appeared at the hotel, the former +gentleman expressed his liveliest thanks for the opportune assistance he +had been rendered, and introduced himself to the Captain, who already +knew of him, and who in return gave his name as "Harry G. Taylor, the +man from somewhere," as he himself expressed it with a pleasant laugh. + +It was easy to be seen that there was a stroke of business in Mr. Kuhn's +eye, which his escape from the dance-house had suggested, as he told +Taylor that he had intended to return to Cheyenne that night; but he +further stated that as he had so unexpectedly been befriended, he should +certainly be obliged to remain another day in order to secure a further +acquaintance with the man to whom he already owed so much. + +Mr. Kuhn then produced some choice cigars, and the gentlemen secured a +retired place upon the hotel-porch, at once entering into a general +conversation, which, from the merchant's evident unusual curiosity, and +Taylor's quite as evident good-humored, devil-may-care disposition, +caused it to drift into the Captain's account of himself. + +He told Mr. Kuhn that his family resided at that time in Philadelphia, +where they had moved after his father had failed in business at Raleigh, +N. C., but had taken so honorable a name with him to the former city +that he had been able to retrieve his fortunes to some extent. The +Captain was born at Raleigh, and had received his education in the +South, and, being unable to share in his father's regard for the North, +even as a portion of the country best adapted for doing business, sought +out some of his old college friends in Louisville, Atlanta, and New +Orleans, who had been able to secure him a fine business position at +Atlanta, where by care and economy in 1860, though but a mere boy yet, +he had accumulated property that would have satisfied many a man twenty +years his senior. + +Being impulsive, and a warm admirer of Southern institutions, he was one +of the first men to join the Confederate army at Atlanta, and fought in +a Georgia regiment under Johnson and Hood during the entire war, at +Jonesville and Rough-and-Ready Station seeing the smoke ascend above the +ruins of the once beautiful city, and realizing that the most of his +earthly possessions had disappeared when the flames died away. + +Having been promoted to a captaincy, he had fought as bravely as he +could against the "blue-coats," like a man, acknowledging their bravery +as well as that of his comrades; and at the close of the war, which of +course terminated disadvantageously to his interests, he had sold his +lots at Atlanta for whatever he could get for them, and with thousands +of others in like circumstances, had come West and taken his chances at +retrieving his fortunes. + +This was told in a frank, straightforward way, which seemed to +completely captivate Mr. Kuhn, for he at once spoke to Taylor concerning +his business in Laramie, and bluntly asked him, in the event of mutual +and satisfactory references being exchanged, whether he would accept the +engagement as superintendent of his business over that portion of the +road, and take actual charge of the store in that place, and the one +about to be established at Benton City. + +The result of the evening's interview was the engagement of Taylor by +the firm at a large salary; his immediately taking supervision of the +business without bonds or any security whatever; and for a time his +management and habits were so able and irreproachable that, with the +gratitude for his protection of Mr. Kuhn at Laramie still fresh and +sincere, the firm felt that they had been most fortunate in their +selection of an utter stranger, and were in every way gratified with the +turn events had taken. + + +II. + +During the early morning of a blustering December day of the same year, +I was quite annoyed by the persistence of a gentleman to see me, on what +he insisted, in the business office of my Chicago agency, on terming +"important business." + +It was not later than half-past eight o'clock; and, as I have made it a +life-long practice to get at business at an early hour, get ahead of it, +and keep ahead of it during the day, I was elbow-deep in the mass of +letters, telegrams, and communications of a different nature, which, in +my business, invariably accumulates during the night, and felt anxious +to wade through it before taking up any other matter. + +The gentleman, who gave the name of Kuhn, seemed very anxious to see me, +however; and letting drop the statements that he greatly desired to take +the morning train for Cheyenne, where he resided; might not be able to +be in Chicago again for some time; felt very desirous of seeing me +personally; and would require but a few moments to explain his business, +which he agreed to make explicit; I concluded to drop everything else +and see him. + +On being ushered into my private apartments, he at once hastily gave me +an outline of the facts related in the previous chapter, adding a new +series of incidents which occasioned his visit, and to the effect that +the firm had made the necessary arrangements for increasing their +business under their new superintendent, having added largely to their +stock at Laramie, and placed about twenty thousand dollars' worth of +goods at Benton City. + +According to the agreement, he was required to forward money whenever +the sales had reached a stated sum at each point, and was given +authority to take charge of goods or moneys on hand at any of the less +important stations, when convinced that things were being run loosely, +or whenever it in any way appeared for the interests of the firm for him +to do so. + +It will be seen that under this arrangement, which was in every respect +injudicious, no security having been given by Taylor, he immediately +became possessed of great responsibility, as well as power; but appeared +to appreciate the unusual confidence reposed in him, and conducted the +business of Kuhn Brothers with unusual profit to them and credit to +himself. Matters progressed in this way for some time, when suddenly, +about the first of October, the firm at Cheyenne began to receive +dispatches from different employees along the road, inquiring when +Taylor was to return from Cheyenne, and intimating that business was +greatly suffering from his absence. The members of the firm were +astonished. They knew nothing of Taylor's being in Cheyenne. On the +contrary, their last advices from him were to the effect that he should +be at their city on the tenth of that month, with large collections; and +the announcement was accompanied with glowing accounts of the prosperity +of their business under his careful management. + +After the startling intelligence of Taylor's unaccountable absence, a +member of the firm immediately left for Laramie, Benton City, and other +points, to ascertain the true condition of affairs, still unable to +believe that the handsome, chivalrous captain had wronged them, and that +everything would be found right upon examination of matters which was +immediately and searchingly entered upon; but the first glance at +affairs showed conclusively that they had been swindled, and it was soon +discovered that he had gathered together at the stores under his own +charge, and at different points along the line, under various pretexts, +fully fourteen thousand dollars, and had been given two weeks in which +to escape. + +Mr. Kuhn did not desire to give the case into my hands on that morning; +but explained that he had returned from a fruitless trip to Philadelphia +in search of his former superintendent, and had been advised by a +telegram from his brothers to lay the case before me and request my +advice about the matter; at the same time securing information about the +probable pecuniary outlay necessary for further prosecution of the +search, and such other items of information as would enable him to +counsel with the remainder of the firm concerning the case, and be able +to give the case into my hands, should they decide to do so, without +further delay. + +This was given him; and I, in turn, secured from Mr. Kuhn all the +information possible concerning Taylor, which was scant indeed, as they +had seen very little of him, could give but a very general description +of the man, and here they had injudiciously given him over two months' +start, during which time he might have safely got to the other side of +the world. + +Only one item of information had been developed by which a clue to his +whereabouts could by any possibility be imagined. He had often spoken to +Mr. Kuhn in the most glowing terms of life in both Texas and Mexico, as +he had passed, so he had said, a portion of a year in that part of +America, since the close of the war, and in connection with the subject, +he had stated that he should have remained there had he been supplied +with sufficient capital to have enabled him to begin business. + +This was all; and I dismissed the swindled merchant with little +encouragement as to the result of a chase for a thief who had got so +much the advantage, or, rather, intimated to him that though I had no +doubts of being able to eventually catch him, it would be rather a poor +investment for the firm to expend the amount of money which might be +necessary to effect his capture, unless, in looking into the matter +further, I should be able to see opportunities for securing much better +knowledge as to his present whereabouts, or clues which could be made to +lead to them. + +With this not very cheering assurance, Mr. Kuhn returned to Cheyenne. + +Not hearing from the firm for several days, I finally dismissed the +matter entirely from mind; but on arriving at the agency one morning, I +received instructions from the Cheyenne firm to proceed in the matter, +and with all expedition possible endeavor to cage the flown bird for +them. + +I at once detailed William A. Pinkerton, my eldest son, and at present +assistant superintendent of my Chicago agency, to proceed to Cheyenne, +and look over the ground thoroughly there, and also, if necessary, to +proceed along the line of the Union Pacific, and, after ascertaining who +were Taylor's friends and companions, work up a trail through them, +which would eventually bring him down. + +The latter course was not necessary to be followed, however, as on +arriving at Cheyenne, with some little information gleaned from the +firm, he was able to ascertain that a young lawyer there named La +Grange, also originally from the South, had been a quite intimate friend +of Taylor's--so much so, in fact, that La Grange had for the last six +months regularly corresponded with the Captain's sister, who had been +described to him as not only an exceedingly beautiful woman, but as also +a lady possessed of unusual accomplishments and amiability. + +My son "cultivated" La Grange largely, but could secure but little +information through him. He seemed to know nothing further concerning +either Taylor or his family, save that he had incidentally met him along +the line of the Union Pacific; they had naturally taken a sort of liking +to each other, and in that way became friends in much the same manner +that most friendships were made in that country. He further recollected +that he had always directed his letters to a certain post-office box, +instead of to a street number; but seemed perfectly mystified concerning +the action of the brother. He had just returned from a three months' +absence in Kentucky, and it was the first intimation he had had of the +Captain's crime. La Grange also said that as he had been very busy, he +had not written to Miss Lizzie (evidently referring to the sister), nor +had he received any communication from her during that time. He had had +a photograph of Harry, taken in full-dress uniform while stationed at +Atlanta, which had been copied in Philadelphia, but a thorough search +among his papers failed to reveal it. + +This was all that my son could secure, as La Grange, evidently +suspecting that, in his surprise at Taylor's crime, he might say +something to compromise himself and endanger Taylor or wound his +beautiful sister, to whom he seemed greatly attached, positively refused +to have anything further to say concerning the matter; and with what +information he had, William returned to the hotel in a brown study, +determined to take time to exhaust the material at Cheyenne before +proceeding on the proposed trip along the Union Pacific. + +After summing up and arranging the points he had got hold of, he +telegraphed me fully, adding his own impression that Taylor was in +Texas, but expressing a doubt as to whether he had better proceed along +the Union Pacific for more information, or go on to Philadelphia at +once, and in some way secure information of the family as to their son's +whereabouts. + +On the receipt of this telegram, which arrived in Chicago about noon, I +at once resolved upon a little strategy, being myself satisfied that +Taylor had proceeded, _viâ_ St. Louis and New Orleans into either Texas +or Mexico, and was then engaged under his own or an assumed name, in +some business agreeable to his taste, as formerly explained to Mr. Kuhn, +and immediately telegraphed to my son: + +"Keep La Grange busied all day so he cannot write, or mail letters. +Study La Grange's language and modes of expression. Get La Grange's and +Taylor's handwriting, signatures, and Miss Taylor's address, and come +next train." + +Agreeable to these instructions, he secured several letters from Taylor +to Kuhn Brothers, concerning business matters, with the last one, +containing the announcement that he would be in Cheyenne on the tenth of +October with collections; and immediately sent by a messenger a +courteous note to La Grange, desiring an outline of Taylor's life so far +as he might feel justified in giving it, and requesting an answer, which +was politely but firmly given in the negative over Adolph La Grange's +own signature, which completed a portion of his work neatly. + +The balance was more difficult. He ordered a sleigh, and after settling +his hotel bill, but reserving his room for the night, at once drove to +La Grange's office, where he in person thanked him for his courteous +letter, even if he did not feel justified in giving him the information +desired. A little complimentary conversation ensued during which time my +son's quick eyes noticed in the lawyer's waste-basket an envelope +evidently discarded on account of its soiled appearance, addressed to +"Miss Lizzie Taylor, Post-office Box ----, Philadelphia," which on the +first opportunity he appropriated. The next move was to _prevent_ La +Grange's mailing any letter, as it was evident he had written several, +including one to Taylor's sister, which were only waiting to be mailed. + +Seeing that he had made a pleasant impression upon La Grange, who +appreciated the courtesy of the call under the circumstances, and +informing him that he had decided to make no further inquiries there, +but was to proceed west on the following morning, he prevailed upon him +to take a ride in his company about the city and its environs. In +leaving his office, La Grange hesitated a moment as if deciding the +propriety of taking the letters with him, or returning for them after +the sleigh-ride; but evidently decided to do the latter, as he left +them, much to my son's relief. + +The drive was prolonged as much as possible, and the outlying forts +visited, where, having letters of introduction from myself to several +army-officers stationed there, both he and his companion were so +hospitably treated that the afternoon slipped away quickly, and the two +returned to town evidently in high spirits. La Grange felt compelled to +reciprocate as far as in his power, and billiards, with frequent drinks +for the lawyer and a liberal supply of water for the detective, were in +order until within a half hour of the eastern bound train time, when La +Grange succumbed to an accumulation of good-fellowship, and on his own +suggestion, as he "wash rising y'n'g 'torny y'know!" accepted the +hospitalities of my son's room, at the Rawlins House, where he left him +sweetly sleeping at a rate which would prevent the mailing of the +letters he had left locked in his office for at least two days to come; +as "rising young attorneys," as a rule, sober off in a carefully +graduated diminishing scale of excesses of quite similar construction to +the original. + +On the arrival of my son in Chicago, I immediately caused to be written +a letter addressed to Miss Lizzie Taylor, at her post-office box in +Philadelphia, of which the following is a copy: + + + "SHERMAN HOUSE, CHICAGO, Jan. 1868. + + "MISS TAYLOR, + + "MY DEAR FRIEND:--You know of my intended absence from + Cheyenne in the South. During that trip, I really never had + the time when I could write you so fully as I desired, and + even now I am only able to send you a few words. I am _en + route_ to Washington on business, and have now to ask you + to send the street and number of your father's house, even + if it is not a magnificent one, as you have told me, to my + address, at the Girard House, in your city, on receipt of + this, as I shall be in Washington but one day, and would + wish to see both you and your people without delay. I not + only greatly wish to see you for _selfish reasons_, which + our long and pleasant correspondence will suggest to you as + both reasonable and natural, but there are other good + reasons, which you all will readily understand when I tell + you that I met _him_ accidentally just before my return to + Cheyenne, and that I have a communication of a personal + nature to deliver. While not upholding him in the step he + has taken, I cannot forget that I am his friend, and he your + brother. + + "In great haste, + + "Your true friend, + + "ADOLPH LA G----, + + "P.S.--I leave here for the East this morning. Please answer + on immediate receipt. + + A. L." + + + +This was posted on the eastern-bound train not an hour after my son's +arrival from the West; and another note was written upon the back of an +envelope which had passed through the mail, and had got a very much used +appearance, and ran thus: + + + "FATHER OF LIZZIE: + + "Treat Adolph well, you can trust him. Give him one of the + 'photos' taken at Atlanta in my full-dress uniform; keep one + other of the same for yourselves; but destroy all the rest. + Have been so hurried and worried that I don't remember + whether I have said anything about photographs before. But + this is a matter of _imperative necessity_. Adolph will + explain how he met me. + + "Good-by, + + "H. ----" + + + +It was impossible to detect any difference between this handwriting and +that of Captain Taylor's in his business correspondence to Kuhn +Brothers; and, armed with this document, with the assistance of the +epistolary self-introduction which had preceded it, I directed my son to +leave for Philadelphia that evening, secure admission to Taylor's +residence and the family's confidence, agreeable to the appointment made +by mail, and thus not only secure the man's photograph, but other +information that would be definite. + +On arrival at Philadelphia, he secured the services of an operative from +my agency in that city, to follow any member of the Taylor family who +might call for the letter, to their residence, in the event of an answer +not being received at his hotel in due time from the one assumed to have +been sent from the hotel in Chicago from La Grange, who found Taylor's +home, an unpretentious house on Locust street, while my son remained at +the hotel, fully expecting the coveted invitation to visit the Captain's +beautiful sister, which arrived at his hotel only a half day after he +did, and strongly urged him to call at his convenience. + +He was satisfied from this that our theory regarding his being in Texas, +or Mexico, was correct; that the family had not the slightest suspicion +of his identity, and that, wherever Captain Taylor might be, +communication with his people had been very infrequent, and that, with +what he would be able to invent after being received at Taylor's house, +he could secure at least sufficient information to put him upon his +son's trail. Not desiring to play upon their feelings and friendship as +another person any longer than necessary, however, he sent word by a +messenger, not daring to trust his own handwriting, that he would call +that evening, though necessarily at a late hour; and, accordingly, that +evening, about nine o'clock, found him at the door of a pleasant Locust +street cottage, ringing for admission. + +A tall, handsome young woman greeted him at the door, and accordingly +bade him enter, saying pleasantly, as she ushered him into the cozy +little parlor, that she was Miss Lizzie Taylor, and presumed he was Mr. +La Grange, with whom she had had so long and so pleasant a +correspondence; and of whom "poor Harry," as she said with a shade of +sadness and tenderness in her voice, had so often written, before he had +made his terrible mistake, and become a wanderer. + +After hastily satisfying her that he was the genuine La Grange, and +profusely apologizing for his not having written for so long a time +previous to his arrival at Chicago, from Cheyenne, he took up the +thread she had dropped, as quickly as possible, and said that he felt +sure that Harry would retrieve himself soon, and return the money, as he +had no bad habits, and everything would be all right again. + +"But yet, Mr. La Grange," she continued, "it makes me shudder whenever I +think of all my brothers being away off there on the Rio Grande, among +those terrible people!" + +"But, you must remember," he replied, encouragingly, "they are strong +men, and can well defend themselves under any circumstances." + +"Harry is strong and brave, I know," answered Miss Taylor, rather +admiringly; "but brother Robert is not fit for such a life. Why, he is +but a boy yet." + +"Ah, a younger brother?" he thought, making a mental note of it, in +order to assist in shaping his conversation after which he said aloud: +"I almost forgot to give you this note;" and he took the piece of +envelope out of his note-book, as if it had been sacredly guarded, and +handed it to her. + +Miss Taylor read the hastily written lines with evident emotion; and +after studying a moment, as if endeavoring to reconcile matters, while +her face was being searchingly read by an experienced detective, she +rose, and, apologizing to him for the absence of her father, who was in +New York, on business, and of her mother, who was confined to her +apartment, a confirmed invalid, she asked to be excused so as to show +the note to her mother. + +The instant the door closed, my son had seized the album, which he had +located during the preceding conversation; and rapidly turned its leaves +to assure himself that he was not treading on dangerous ground. He found +a half-a-dozen different styles of pictures of the Captain, including +three of the copies taken in Philadelphia of the original Atlanta +picture, and felt reassured beyond measure at the lucky turn things had +taken. He would have abstracted one of these, but it was impossible, and +had barely time to return the album to the table, and himself to his +seat, when he heard the woman's step along the hall, and in a moment +more she entered the room. + + +III. + +Giving the door a little impulsive slam, as she closed it, Miss Taylor +at once came to where my son was sitting upon the sofa, and seated +herself beside him. She said that her mother was anxious beyond measure +to learn how and where he had met Harry, how he was looking, and what he +had said. + +The imagination and resources of the able detective are fully equal to +those of the most brilliant newspaper reporters, and a pleasant and +plausible fiction was invented, how he (as La Grange, of course), having +taken a run from Louisville down to New Orleans, by boat, was just +landing at the levee, when he suddenly came across Harry, who had +hastily told him all; how great had been his transgression, how deeply +he had regretted it; but that now he was situated in his business +matters so that, if let alone, he would be able to return to Kuhn +Brothers every dollar which he had taken, and have a fine business left; +how it had been necessary for him to come to New Orleans on imperative +business, and that he should not come east of the Mississippi again +under any circumstances. He further said, that Harry seemed hopeful; +that he had stated that his younger brother Robert was well and enjoying +the frontier life; and that, further than that, he had no time or +disposition to talk, as he was on the very eve of departure for Texas, +only having time to write the little note concerning the photographs. + +Miss Taylor excused herself for a moment to convey the truthful +intelligence to her anxious mother; and on her return suggested that +they go through the album together at once, and attend to the +photographs, an invitation which was accepted with unusual readiness. + +Every gentleman who has had the experience, and there are few who have +not, know that looking over an album with a beautiful woman who has +some interest in her companion, is a wonderfully pleasant diversion. In +this instance it was doubly pleasant, for it meant success to my son, +whose zeal is as untiring as my own when once on the trail of a +criminal. + +"I wonder why," asked Miss Taylor, as if wondering as much about Mr. La +Grange as about any other subject; "I wonder why Harry desires those +photographs destroyed?" + +He was turning the leaves for her and, as La Grange, of course, had a +perfect right to take plenty of time to explain the matter soothingly +and sympathetically. + +"But do those horrid detectives track a man out and run him down, when, +if he were let alone, he might recover from his misfortune, and right +the wrong he has done?" + +Mr. La Grange remarked that he had heard that some of them were very +much lacking in sentiment and sensibility, and would go right forward +through the very fire itself to trace the whereabouts of a criminal; and +all those little things helped, he could assure her. + +She began to see how it was, she said; but suddenly firing up, she shook +her pretty fist at some imaginary person, exclaiming: + +"Oh, I could kill the man who would thus dog my brother Harry." And +then, after a little April shower of tears, quite like any other woman's +way of showing how very desperate they can be under certain +circumstances, began slowly taking the Captain's pictures from the +album, commenting upon them, and then handing them to the bogus La +Grange to burn, who would occasionally step to the fire-place for that +purpose, where he would quickly substitute miscellaneous business cards, +which answered the purpose excellently. + +An hour or two was passed with Miss Taylor in conversation upon various +topics which might lead the really estimable young lady to divulge all +she knew about the Captain, or concerning his whereabouts and business, +which was certainly not much. + +It appeared that, immediately after the embezzlement, and while at St. +Louis, Taylor had telegraphed to his brother Robert to meet him at New +Orleans at a certain time, as he was going into business in that +section, and should need his services, for which he would be able to pay +him handsomely; the brothers had met there and had proceeded to some +other point; the Captain claiming that it would be injudicious to make +that fact known, as he had also sent a full and complete confession to +his parents of his embezzlement from Kuhn Brothers, which he had +directed them to burn, and which he finished by requesting his family +not to write to either himself or his brother for some time to come; or +at least until he should indicate to them that it would be safe to do +so; and under no circumstances to give any person an iota of +information concerning himself or his brother. + +My son left Miss Taylor's hospitable home with a pang of regret for the +deception which had seemed necessary in this case; for whatever may be +the opinion of the public regarding the matter, a detective has often +quite as large and compassionate a soul as men of other and apparently +more high-toned professions. + +So long as intelligent crime is the result of a high standard of mental +culture and a low standard of moral conscience--conditions which now +exist and have for some years existed--intelligent minds must be trained +to battle criminals with their own weapons; and these two questions, of +speedy detection of crime and swift punishment of criminals will be +found quite as essential to a preservation of law and society as lofty +arguments or high moral dissertations on the right or wrong of the +expediencies necessary to bring wrong-doers to immediate and certain +justice. + +As soon as I had received a full telegraphic report of the success of +the Philadelphia experiment, I directed him to proceed to Louisville, +where he would be met by operative Keating, from Chicago, who would +bring letters of introduction from myself to Colonel Wood, commanding +the First Infantry at New Orleans; Captain White, chief of the detective +force of that city; General Canby, commanding the Department of Texas, +at Austin; Col. Hunt, Chief Quartermaster of the Department of Texas, +and other army officers, requesting them to render my son and his +assistant any aid in their power should the necessity for such +assistance arise; the requisition from Governor Foulke, of Dakotah +Territory, for Henry G. Taylor, upon Governor Pease, of Texas, and +general instructions concerning his conduct of the search for the +handsome captain after he had got beyond mail and telegraphic +communication. + +I was sending him into a country which was at that time in many portions +utterly unsafe for the securing of a criminal should the pursuer's +mission become known, so as to allow the person desired time to apprise +his friends of his danger, or give him even an opportunity to rally any +number of acquaintances for defense; for the reason that, as Texas had +become a sort of refuge for ruffians, they became clannish through the +general peril of being pursued each experienced; and would, as a rule, +on the slightest provocation, assist in the rescue of any person under +arrest, not knowing how soon it might be their turn to cry for help; but +I have invariably sent my sons into danger with the same expectation +that they would do their duty regardless of consequences, as I have had +when sending other men's sons into danger. Happily I have never mistaken +their metal; and, in this instance, felt sure that I could rely upon him +to exercise both discretion and intrepidity in exigencies to which his +long experience and careful training have at all times made him equal. + +The two detectives met in Louisville, and at once proceeded to New +Orleans, where they arrived early in the morning of the 7th of January, +1868, and were driven to the St. Charles Hotel. No time was lost; and +while my son presented his letters to different parties, and made +cautious inquiries regarding the recent appearance in New Orleans of +Taylor, Keating, in the character of a provincial merchant, investigated +as far as possible the business houses dealing in stock, leather, or +wool, as to whether any such person had made arrangement for +consignments from the interior or seaport Texan cities. No trace of +their man was found, however, until my son was able to get at the +register of the St. Charles Hotel for the preceding three months, which +was attended with some difficulty, on account of the crowded condition +of things at that house; and any detective, or other expert, will +understand how much time and patience are required to discover one +signature from among ten thousand, when that one may be an assumed name, +and perhaps five hundred of the ten thousand be so similar to the one +sought, that a disinterested person could scarcely be convinced it was +really not the person's handwriting desired; but after a good deal of +trouble and searching, the names of "H. G. Taylor & clerk," were +discovered on the last half line at the bottom of a page under date of +November 30th, 1867, which, by constant wear and thumbing in turning +pages, had been nearly defaced, but which, in his handwriting, beyond a +doubt told the story of their presence. + +Further inquiry of the clerk on duty at that time, and with his memory +refreshed by a glance at Taylor's photographs, developed the facts that +he had certainly been at the St. Charles on the date shown by the +register, and that he was accompanied by a young man about nineteen +years of age, who was recognized as Taylor's clerk. + +The peculiar register then kept at the St. Charles Hotel in New Orleans +was also instrumental in assisting the detectives. It gave the guest's +name, residence, hour of arrival, and hour of departure, with name of +conveyance at arrival and departure, in the following manner: + + _H. G. Taylor and Clerk, | Mobile, | 12 m. | Ped. + 2 Dec. | 7 a. m. | 'Bus._ + +This told anybody curious about the matter that H. G. Taylor and clerk, +assuming to reside in Mobile, arrived at the St. Charles Hotel, New +Orleans, at noon on Saturday, the thirtieth day of November, 1867, +either afoot or by some mode of conveyance unknown to the clerk of the +house, and that they left the house in an omnibus at seven o'clock on +the morning of the third day following. + +Naturally the next inquiries were directed to ascertaining to what boat +or railroad lines omnibuses could be ordered at that hour of the +morning; if to different ones, then to discover who had driven the +particular omnibus which conveyed Taylor and his brother from the hotel; +and then make an effort to learn to what point they had been conveyed. +This, however, proved less difficult than had been feared; for it was +found that on the morning in question the omnibus had gone from the +hotel to but one point, and that was to the ferry connecting with +Berwick Bay route, by the New Orleans and Opelousas Railroad and the +Gulf, to Galveston, although a large number of passengers had been +booked, and it was impossible to ascertain whether Taylor and his +brother had actually gone that route or not, though everything was in +favor of that presumption. + +The death of General Rosseau had caused quite a commotion in New +Orleans, and it seemed a pretty hard matter to get anything further of a +definite character in that place; and I therefore instructed my son and +detective Keating to proceed slowly to Galveston, stopping at Brashear +City, where Taylor might have diverged,--supposing he had taken that +route with the other passengers from New Orleans,--and to particularly +search passenger lists aboard any lines of boats, and all hotel +registers, before arriving at Galveston, so as to have the work done +thoroughly nearest the base of operation; as I knew that for any party +to get on the wrong scent in that vast state, thinly settled as it was, +with no means of quickly conveying needful intelligence, was to enter +upon both a needless waste of money for my patrons, and an objectless +and wearying struggle against insurmountable obstacles for my +detectives, whom, whatever may be said to the contrary, I have never in +a single instance needlessly or injudiciously exposed to privation or +danger. + +In Brashear conductors of trains were applied to; the hotel and omnibus +men were questioned, the postmaster was appealed to, and even the +passenger-lists of the boats which had been in port, and to which they +were able to gain access for a period of three months, had been searched +in vain. Every trace of the man seemed lost; and I was appealed to for a +decision as to whether they should proceed to Galveston by boat, with +the presumption that Taylor had taken passage under an assumed name, or +take a few days' trip up along the line of the New Orleans and Opelousas +Railroad and seek for information of their man at different points +through Central Louisiana. + +I decided on the former course, and they accordingly embarked from +Brashear immediately after the receipt of my telegram of instructions, +on the handsome steamer "Josephine," the only boat whose books they had +had no opportunity of examining; and, having received my telegram but a +few minutes before the steamer left, were obliged to do some lively +running to reach it; for, in anticipation of a message from me to take +that route, my son had directed Keating to settle the hotel bill, and +with both valises in hand wait at a convenient corner, where, should +William receive a dispatch from me of the character expected, within a +certain time, they might yet make the boat. Everything transpiring as my +son had hoped, they were just in time, after a lively run, to be hauled +up the gang-plank by two stalwart negroes, and were soon steaming down +the bay and thence out to sea. + + +IV. + +As the two ascended to the cabin they were congratulated by the officers +of the boat and many of the passengers on their graceful and expeditious +boarding of the steamer; and being something of objects of interest on +account of the little incident, they concluded not to lose the +opportunity to blend the good feeling evoked into a thoroughly pleasant +impression, and consequently took the shortest way to accomplish that +desired end by at once walking up to the bar where the assembled +gentlemen, to a man, apparently in compliance to general custom, seemed +to understand that they had been invited before a word had been uttered +by either of the detectives, so that when my son asked, "Gentlemen, +won't you join us?" it was an entirely superfluous request; for on +either side, behind, and extending a solid phalanx beyond, the +"gentlemen" had already joined and were describing the particular liquor +that in their minds would do honor to the occasion in the most lively +and familiar manner possible, and interspersing their demands upon the +leisurely bar-keeper with such remarks as "Gen'lemen had narrow 'scape;" +"Gen'lemen made a right smart run of it;" "Gen'lemen not down from +Norlens (New Orleans), reckon come down Opelousas route," and other +similar comments; but invariably prefacing each and every remark with +the stereotyped word "Gen'lemen," which men were, without exception, +assumed to be in that country at that time, at least in conversation; as +any neglect to preface a remark with the word laid one liable to become +immediately engaged in a discussion regarding the propriety of the use +of the term, behind navy revolvers, rifles, double-barreled shot-guns, +or any other available pointed or forcible means of argument. + +After the thirst of the crowd, which upon a Gulf-coasting steamer is +something terrible to contemplate, had been in a measure assuaged, my +son excused himself, and with Keating repaired to the office, remarking +to the clerk: + +"I presume you would like to transact a little business with us now?" + +"Any time to suit your convenience," returned the clerk, but getting at +his books with an alacrity which showed that he would be a little more +willing to attend to the matter of fares then than at any other time. + +William handed him an amount of money large enough to pay for both the +fares of himself and Keating from Brashear to Galveston; and, while the +clerk was making change, said, by way of getting into conversation with +him, "I'm afraid we're on a fool's errand out here." + +The clerk counted out the change, inked his pen to take the names, and +then elevating his eyebrows, although not speaking a word, plainly +asked, "Ah, how's that?" + +"Well, you see," replied the detective, "we're hunting a man that's had +right good luck." + +"He can't be in these parts," replied the clerk, with a slightly +satirical smile. "Names?" he then asked. + +"James A. Hicks and Patrick Mallory." + +"Where from?" + +"Pittsburg." + +"Which is which?" asked the clerk, in a business tone of voice. + +"I am Hicks, and that pretty smart-looking Irishman by the baggage-room +is Mallory," was the reply. + +"Your age and weight?" asked the clerk mechanically, at the same time +looking at my son keenly, and getting the rest of his description at a +glance. + +These questions were properly answered, and as the clerk was noting them +he asked, "Might I ask what was the gentleman's good luck?" + +"Certainly; he has fallen heir to a coal mine in Pennsylvania, and we +are endeavoring to hunt him up for the executors of the estate." + +"Ah?" said the clerk, driving away with his pen; "will you be so good as +to ask Mr. Mallory to step this way?" + +My son stepped up to Keating and remarked aloud, "Mr. Mallory, Mr. +Mallory, the clerk would like to see you;" and then as Keating stepped +to his side, remarked as if for his better information, "He knows your +name is Patrick Mallory and that we are from Pittsburg, hunting Taylor, +so he can come home and enjoy the property the old man left him; but he +wants your entire description." + +"Quite so," said the quick-witted Irishman, dryly. + +"You've got me, now," said Keating, winking familiarly at the clerk, +"when we came over we went under; and so many of us was lost that those +saved wasn't worth mendin' as to age, ye see; but concerning heft, why +I'd not fear to say I'd turn an honest scale at a hundred an' sixty." + +The clerk smiled, but concluded not to ask Mr. Mallory from Pittsburg +any more questions. + +As soon as he had made his notes, however, William told him that he had +examined the lists of all other boats plying between Brashear and +Galveston save those of the "Josephine," and requested him to look +through them, concluding by describing Taylor, and stating that he might +register either as H. G. Taylor and clerk, or under an assumed name, as +he was somewhat erratic, and through family troubles, not necessary to +explain, he had got into a habit of occasionally traveling _incognito_. + +The clerk readily complied with his request, scanning the pages closely, +and repeating the name musingly as if endeavoring to recall where he had +heard it. By the time he had got on with the examination of a few pages, +William had selected a photograph of Taylor, and on showing it to the +clerk the latter seemed to have a certain recollection of having seen +him, but a very uncertain recollection as to where, or under what +circumstances. He went on repeating the name, however, turning back the +pages with his right hand and tracing the names back and forth with the +index finger of his left hand, occasionally looking at the photograph as +if to assist in forcing a definite recollection, but without any result +for so long a time that Messrs. Hill and Mallory of Pittsburg became +satisfied that their last hope before arriving at Galveston was gone, +when suddenly the clerk carelessly placed the picture beside a certain +name and in a manner very similar to a dry-goods clerk on securing a +successful "match," in two pieces of cloth, quietly remarked: + +"Yes, can't be mistaken. There you are; I've got him." + +"Then _we've_ got him!" exclaimed my son, in the excess of his +gratification, shaking the hand of Mr. Mallory, from Pittsburg. + +"It's a joy," said the latter, beaming. + +"Think of the immense property!" continued my son. + +"And the surprise to his friends!" murmured Keating. + +"The surprise to himself, I should say," interrupted the clerk. + +"Quite so," said Mr. Keating. + +It appeared that Taylor and his brother had missed one or two boats at +Brashear from some cause, but had finally taken passage on the +"Josephine," November 7th; and as the detectives had not been able to +ascertain whether the "Josephine" had carried the fugitives or not, on +account of her being belated by adverse weather, and was now returning +to Galveston, after having had barely time to touch at Brashear, they +had felt that perhaps they might be upon the wrong trail, which, with +unknown adventures before them, had been peculiarly discouraging; so +that now, when they ascertained that his apprehension was only a +question of time and careful work, they could not repress their +gratification. + +Nothing further worthy of note transpired on the voyage from Brashear to +Galveston, save that the trip was a pretty rough one, and they finally +arrived in the latter city, hopeful and encouraged, notwithstanding the +unusually dismal weather, which seemed to consist of one disconnected +but never-ending storm, the "oldest inhabitants" of the place contending +with great earnestness that "it 'peared like's they'd never had nothin' +like it befoah!" + +Arriving in Galveston early Sunday morning, they went to the Exchange +Hotel, and after breakfast set about examining the hotel registers of +the place, ascertaining that Taylor and brother had been in the city, +stopped a day or two, and then, so far as could be learned, had gone on +to Houston. They were satisfied he had made no special efforts to cover +his tracks, although he had not made himself at all conspicuous, as the +difficulty encountered in getting those who would be most likely to +recollect him, to recollect him at all, clearly showed; and it was quite +evident that he had not anticipated pursuit, at least of any nature +which he could not easily compromise, and intended going into some +legitimate business under his own name, and with his brother's +assistance. + +Before he could be arrested in Texas, however, it would be necessary to +secure Governor Pease's warrant, which obliged a long, tedious trip to +Austin, the capital of the State; nearly the whole distance having to be +done by stage, which at that time seemed a forbidding piece of work, as +it had rained every day of the year, so far; and it might be a question +of helping the stage through rather than being helped through by it. +Besides this, according to my son's reports, which gave a true +description of things in Texas at that time, everything beyond Houston +had to be paid for in gold, as sectional sentiment and counterfeiting +had pronounced a ban upon greenbacks, and not only in gold, but at +exorbitant prices; hotel rates being five dollars per day; single meals +from one to two dollars; railroad fares eight cents per mile, and stage +rates nearly double that amount; with no assurance that you would ever +reach a destination you had paid to be conveyed to; all attended by +various kinds of danger, among which was the pleasant reflection that +you might be called upon at any time to contribute to the benefit of +that noble relic of chivalry, the Ku Klux Klan, who at that day were +particularly busy in Texas. + +All of these pleasant considerations made the departure from Galveston +for Austin, in a Pickwickian sense, unusually agreeable. + +At Houston they discovered from different persons, including the +postmaster, that Taylor had been there, but had made inquiries about +points further up country; and the general impression was that he had +gone on, though at Brenham, the terminus of the railroad, where they +arrived Monday evening, they could find no trace of him. + +The next morning, when my son arose and looked on the vast sea of +mud,--a filthy, black earth below; a dirty, black sky above; with +nothing but driving rain and wintry gusts between; while the +lackadaisical Texans slouched about with their hands in their pockets, +with only energy enough to procure tobacco or "licker;" their sallow +faces, down-at-the-heels, snuff-dipping wives desolately appearing at +the doors and windows, only to retire again with a woe-begone expression +of suspended animation in their leathery faces,--he fully realized the +force of the remark attributed to General Sheridan, and more expressive +than polite: "If I owned Texas and hell, I would live in hell and sell +Texas!" + +The stage was crowded, however, and the dreary conveyance splashed and +crunched on until noon, when dinner was taken at Wilson's Ranche, a +long, low, rambling, tumbledown structure, which, like its owner, who +had at one time been a "General" of something, and now retained the +thriving title out of compliment to his departed glory, had gone to a +genteel decay with a lazy ease worthy of its master's copy. The dinner +was one long to be remembered by the detectives, as it was their first +genuine Texan dinner, and consisted merely of fat boiled pork, and hot +bread of the consistence of putty cakes of the same dimensions, which, +when broken open after a mighty effort, disclosed various articles of +household furniture, such as clay pipes, old knife handles, and various +other invoices, probably playfully dumped into the flour barrel by some +one of the half-score of tow-headed, half-clad children, which the +"General" and his buxom helpmeet had seen fit to provide for torturing +another generation with rare Texan dinners at a dollar a plate. + +It was an all-day's labor getting to La Grange, but thirty-five miles +from Brenham, where they arrived at ten o'clock, tired and exhausted +from the day's banging about in the stage and out of it, for they were +obliged to walk many times in order to rest the jaded horses so that +they could get through to La Grange at all; but before retiring made all +the inquiries necessary to develop the fact that their man had not been +at that point. + +The next day, Wednesday, was rather more trying than the previous one. +Two miles out of town the stage got "bogged," and the entire load of +passengers were obliged to get out and walk through three miles of +swamps, the stage finally sticking fast, necessitating prying it out +with rails. After this Slough of Despond was passed, the Colorado river +had to be forded three times, and then came a "dry run," which now, with +every other ravine or depression, had became a "wet run," and was "a +booming" as the drunken driver termed it between oaths. There was at +least four feet of water in the dry run, and the horses balking, the +buckskin argument was applied to them so forcibly that they gave a +sudden start, and broke the pole off short, which further complicated +matters. My son, being on the box, sprang to the assistance of the +driver, and stepping down upon the stub of the pole, quickly unhitched +the wheel horses, so that the stage could not be overturned, and then +disengaged the head team, finally appropriating a heavy wheel horse, +with which he rode back to Keating, who was perched upon a rear wheel to +keep out of the water, which was rushing and seething below, sweeping +through the bottom of the stage, and at every moment seeming to have +lifted the vehicle preparatory to sweeping it away like feathers, and +also holding on to the baggage, which he had got safely upon the roof of +the stage; and, taking him aboard his improvised ferry, after securing +the valises, rode to the muddy shore, forming with his companions about +as fine a picture of despairing "carpet-baggers" as the South has ever +on any occasion been able to produce. The bedraggled passengers +ascertained that the next town, Webberville, was several miles distant, +and that there was no house nearer, save on the other side of the +rapidly rising stream; and as night had come on, the best thing that +could be done was to penetrate the woods, build a rousing fire, and +shiver and shiver through as long, wet and weary a night as was ever +experienced. + +There was never a more longed-for morning than the next one, and the +moment that the sickly light came feebly through the mist and rain, and +straggled into the dense cottonwood trees, where the discouraged +passengers had a sort of fervent out-doors prayer-meeting, they started +forward for Webberville, hungry, drenched, and so benumbed as to be +scarcely able to walk. It was five miles into town, but one mile of that +distance stretched over a quagmire known and described in that section +as "Hell's half-acre;" and the truthful inhabitants of Webberville +related of this delectable ground that during the rainy season its +powers of absorption were so great that it would even retain the +gigantic Texan mosquito, should it happen to take a seat there. + +This bog was impassable to the travelers, who finally bartered with the +owner of a hog wagon to be carried over the marsh for a silver half +dollar each. This was far better than remaining on the other side, and +they finally trudged into the town more dead than alive. + +Fortunately for the detectives, the brother of ex-Governor Lubbock, of +Texas, was one of the party, and as they had all become so thoroughly +acquainted, as common misery will quickly make travelers, he took my son +and Keating to the residence of Colonel Banks, a merchant of +Webberville, whose good wife never rested until she had provided the +party with a splendid meal, something with which to wash it down, and +beds which seemed to them all to have been composed of down. + +After they had a good rest, the passengers for Austin were got together, +and explained the situation of things. The creek the other side of +Webberville was a mighty river. The driver thought he could possibly get +the stage across, but was certain he could not do so with any passengers +or baggage to make it drag more heavily; but he thought that if once on +the other side, they might get to Austin the same day. William was +anxious to push ahead, and looking about town discovered a rather +venturesome negro who owned a monstrous mule, and at once entered into +negotiations with him for the transfer of the party and baggage, sink or +swim. So when the stage arrived at the creek, the baggage was unloaded, +and the stage successfully forded the stream. But as the water covered +so broad an expanse, was so deep and rapid, and altogether presented +such a forbidding appearance, the passengers refused to try the mule +experiment unless William, who had proposed the mode of transfer, and +had secured the novel ferry, which stood with the grinning negro upon +its back ready for passengers, would first cross the Rubicon to +demonstrate the convenience and safety of the passage. So, handing the +captain one of the valises, he mounted the mule, which after a few +whirls, a little "bucking," several suspicious sidewise movements, and a +shouted "Ya-a-oop, da, Dani-el!--done quit dis heyah foolishness!" +plunged into the current without further ceremony. + +The passengers saw that Dani-el and his master were up to a thing or two +in that section of the country; and after seeing Keating cross the +stream in safety also, they one by one ventured upon the transfer, which +was finished without accident, but with a good deal of merriment; and +the colored clown paid even beyond his contract price, the stage was +enabled to go lumbering on to Austin, where it arrived at a late hour of +the same day. + + +V. + +Rain, drizzle and mist; mist, drizzle and rain. It seemed all that the +country was capable of producing; and the same preface to the befogged +condition of the English chancery courts used by Dickens, in his +introduction to "Bleak House," with a few of the localisms expunged, +would have fitly applied to the condition of things in Texas, which +afterward culminated in a flood which swept everything before it. + +In Austin--though the seat of the State government and the headquarters +of the military department of Texas, full of legislators, lobbyists, +officers and soldiers, everything had the appearance of having been +through a washing that had lasted an age, and had been prematurely wrung +out to dry, but had been caught on the lines by an eternal rain day. +Involuntarily, with the spatters and dashes of rain and the morning +wind, Longfellow's "Rainy Day" came drifting into the mind, and the +lines: + + "The day is cold and dark and dreary; + It rains, and the wind is never weary; + The vine still clings to the mouldering wall, + While at very gust the dead leaves fall. + And the day is dark and dreary!" + +were never more appropriate than when applied to any portion of Texas +during the months of January and February, 1868. + +The very first man my son met in the office of the hotel, the next +morning, was a member of the Legislature from Besar county, who, hearing +his inquiries of the clerk concerning Taylor, informed him that he had +been introduced to him in San Antonio a few weeks previous; that he was +in company with a much younger man whom he represented as his brother, +and that he had ostensibly come to San Antonio to make some inquiries +concerning the hide and wool trade; but whether with an idea of settling +at that point, or whether he could yet be found in San Antonio, he was +unable to state. + +In any event this was cheering news; for it assured my detectives that +their long and weary search would not prove unavailing; and William +directed Keating to make himself useful about the different hotels and +hide and stock dealers,--as it is a detective's business to work all the +time, and the slightest cessation of vigilance after the beginning of an +operation might at the most unexpected moment cause the beginning of a +series of circumstances eventually permitting a criminal's +escape,--while he himself sought out General Potter, who escorted him to +General Canby's headquarters, where he was most cordially received, and +not only given an order for military aid, should it be required, but +General Canby himself went with him to the capitol and introduced him to +Governor Pease, vouching for the reliability of any statement made in +connection with the business which had brought him so far from home; as, +while I had charge of the secret service of the Government, during the +war, with myself and sons had had an intimate acquaintance with, and +personal friendship for him. + +Governor Pease frankly stated to William that the affidavits were rather +weak, and that should some of the "shysters" of that state, who did a +thriving business in _habeas corpus_ releases, get an inkling of his +business and the nature of the papers, they might give him a deal of +trouble, even if they did not get his man away from him eventually. He +said he would make the requisition as strong as possible, however, and +expressed his hope that the reputation for ingenuity in devising and +executing expedients possessed by Pinkerton's men would be more than +sustained in this instance; and General Canby terminated the interview +by giving the document approval over his own signature. + +My son thanked them both for their kindness, and withdrew, only too +anxious to get to where his man was before any information that he was +being sought for should reach him, and either scare him beyond the Rio +Grande, or enable him to act on the defensive, as only a man can act who +has plenty of money, plenty of friends, and, as we already knew, a great +plenty of bravery on his own account. + +Soon after he had returned to the hotel, Keating came in with undoubted +information that Taylor had a permanent residence at or near Corpus +Christi; that either he or his brother owned a sheep ranche near the +coast, not far from that city, while the other dealt in hides and wool +there; and that one or the other penetrated into the interior as far as +San Antonio, soliciting consignments. + +My son at once concluded that it was the Captain who had done the +dealing, as well as stealing, and whose money and business ability had +been brought to bear upon the trading at Corpus Christi, and upon the +ranche in the country near it; the brother, though probably entirely +innocent of complicity in the robbery, or even a knowledge of the source +from whence the money had come, only being used for a convenient +repository for his ill-gotten funds in case of Kuhn Brothers following +him before he was ready to meet them. + +He therefore decided to get through to Corpus Christi in the very +shortest time in which the trip could be made _viâ_ New Braunfels, San +Antonio, Victoria, and Port Lavaca, hoping that he might be able to pick +him up along some portion of that route, as it was quite evident he made +frequent trips in that direction; and, at whatever point he might be +started, should he seem to be going much farther into the +interior,--which would be improbable, as San Antonio at that time was +quite a frontier city,--arrest him at once, and hurry him back to +Galveston along the route he was already familiar with; but, should he +be going toward the coast, to let him take his own course, keeping him +well in hand until he had reached Corpus Christi or some other seaport +city, and, waiting a favorable opportunity, arrest him and get him +aboard a boat before he could recover from the surprise. + +Not a half hour before they left Austin, he fortunately met Judge Davis +of Corpus Christi, who was there attending some political convention, +and who gave him a letter to his law partner at home, should his +services in any way be needed, as I had been of some service to him on a +previous occasion; so that when my two detectives left Austin on the +seventeenth of January, they felt perfectly satisfied of ultimate +success, though the same terrible experiences as to staging were again +encountered. + +It required the entire day to traverse the few miles between Austin and +Blanco Creek, where they secured a sort of a supper; the Onion Creek and +its branches having been waded and forded numberless times. At Manchell +Springs, the stage pole being again broken, they were only able to +proceed after improvising a tongue out of a sapling, chopped from the +roadside with a very dull hatchet. At Blanco Springs a good rest was +taken, and the driver, having the day's experience in his mind, objected +to going further that night; but the detectives insisted that they had +paid their money to be taken to a certain destination, and, as they had +shown a disposition to more than earn their passage besides, no excuse +for their detention should be offered. + +After a good deal of grumbling, fresh horses were got out, a new pole +put in the stage, and the procession again took up its weary march over +the then most horrible of roads, crossing the innumerable brooks and +runs which now pushed torrents into York's Creek. All night long they +slushed and splashed, and tramped and cursed; though the rain had ceased +for a time, there was but little light from the sky, which seemed full +of black heavy clouds ready to burst asunder, to again drench them and +swell the torrents afresh. My son, Keating, and a man sent along from +Blanco Creek, "took turns," trudging along ahead of the lead-team, and, +with lanterns, picked out the way. Often they would be misled where the +ground was so bad as to almost defy a passage over it, when the patient +animals behind them, steaming from the toil of straining along with +nothing but an empty coach, would stop, as if guided by a keener +instinct, where they would quietly remain until the united search of the +three men had discovered the road, when the intelligent creatures +docilely plodded along again. + +And so, through seemingly bottomless quagmires; over corduroys, where +the shaky ends of timbers, struck by a horse's hoof, would mercilessly +splash those walking beside the useless vehicle, or, suddenly relieved +from the weight of the ponderous wheel, would fly upwards to heave +gallons of slime upon the coach; laboring around the bases of +far-extending mounds of sandy loam; descending into unexpected and +sometimes dangerous depressions, along creeks, and plunging into +streams, where drift and changing, sandy bottoms always made it a +question whether the coach could ever be got across; they marched only +as Sherman taught soldiers to march, or as honest detectives will crowd +all obstacles between themselves and their duty, and came with the gray +of the morning to the beautiful, forest-shaded Guadaloupe. + +Fording this river without nearly the trouble presented at some of the +petty runs and creeks which had been passed, they came to New Braunfels +with the sun, which had shown itself for the first time since their +arrival in Texas, and which also shone upon the first city which had +shown any of that wide-awake "go-aheaditiveness" and thrift so common to +nearly all northern cities. + +The reason that New Braunfels differed so materially from the ordinary +Texan towns lay in the fact that it was almost exclusively settled by +Germans; and it was a welcome sight to the detectives to be able to +enter a place where, from suburb to center, up and down long, +finely-shaded avenues, it was plain to be seen that the most had been +made of everything. + +From the pleasantest cottage of the extreme suburb, and past the more +pretentious residences,--every home being provided with an exterior +bake-oven, the same as in Germany, Pennsylvania, or portions of +Wisconsin and Minnesota, to the shops, stores, hotels and public +buildings, every yard, in many instances, fenced with stone gleaned and +cleaned from the soil, and, for that matter, every spot upon which the +eye rested showed that thrift and not whisky-drinking ruled that place; +and that fact alone entitles the little German city to respectable +elevation from the obscurity which has heretofore surrounded it. + +As nothing at this point could be learned regarding Taylor, though +leaving the town and its extraordinary attractions with some reluctance, +they immediately proceeded to San Antonio, the roads to which place were +quite passable, and arrived at that city Friday afternoon. I had +telegraphed to Colonel Lee, of San Antonio, to hold himself in readiness +to assist my son and Keating, on the score of personal friendship, +whenever they might arrive there, not knowing, from the terrible +condition of the roads, at what time it would be possible for them to +reach that point, and he, being ignorant from what direction they might +come, where they might stay, or under what name they might register, had +caused an advertisement to be inserted in the San Antonio _Herald_, of +which the following is a copy: + + PERSONAL.--WHENEVER THE SON OF A. P., of Chicago, may arrive + in San Antonio, he will learn of something to his advantage + by calling upon Lieut.-Col. Lee, at the Mengler House. + +Keating's sharp eyes first saw the item at the supper table of the +Mengler House, where they were stopping, and they both learned, by +listening to the conversation about them, that the Colonel was sitting +at the same table. + +After supper William made himself known to Colonel Lee without +attracting attention, the latter kindly offering him any help needed, +after which inquiries of a guarded character were instituted for the +object of their search. The landlord of the Mengler House stated that +Taylor had called upon him about three weeks before to inquire for +letters; but as he was stopping elsewhere but little attention had been +paid to him or his questions; all of which William had reason to believe +absolutely true, on account of the strong corroborative testimony which +would lie in the statement of any landlord that no civility was shown +to a man who quartered at any hostelry save his own. + +The next morning he called upon Chief of Police, H. D. Bonnet, who +extended every imaginable courtesy, went with him to the offices of the +different stage-lines, and assisted in examining their lists for some +time previous with a view to ascertaining what direction Taylor had +taken when he left San Antonio; introduced him to the Mayor and Chief +Marshal, and even went with him on an extended tour through the old +Mexican quarter of the town; but no other information was secured save +through the German landlady of a hotel, who was as positive as her +limited knowledge of the English language would allow her to be, that +Taylor had stopped at her house without registering at all, and had gone +directly from San Antonio to Port Lavaca or Corpus Christi on horseback, +which, after all, in the exceptional condition of the weather that year +in Texas, seemed quite probable. + +It was evident nothing was to be gained by remaining any longer at San +Antonio, and was quite as plain that all possible expedition should be +used in getting on to the coast. + +As if the fates were ordained perverse, the moment the two left San +Antonio a steady drenching rain again began to fall, and as the stage +was crowded, the discomfort of those within could not very well be +increased. About twelve miles from San Antonio the driver succeeded in +tipping over the stage, and giving the occupants "an elegant mud varnish +all over," as operative Keating aptly expressed it. The driver remarked +that he was "going up the new road," but some of the more profane +passengers swore that, if so, he was hunting it three feet under the old +one. On arriving at Lavernia station the dismal announcement was made by +the lean, long stage agent, who seemed to have never done anything from +time immemorial save sit in the door of his tumbledown hovel to make +dismal announcement that "the Cibolo (pronounced there 'C'uillou') is +just a scootin' and a rippin' up its banks like a mad buffler bull! +ye'll all be back to stay at my tavern all night." + +It was the contemplation of this man's pure cussedness, as he sat there +doting on the big bills he would charge when the Cibolo should drive +back a stage load of hungry travelers, that nerved them to push on at +all hazards and attempt a crossing at some point where the Cibolo +"scooted and ripped up its banks" with less ardor than across the +regular route to Victoria; but on reaching Southerland Springs, seven +miles distant, it was found that it would be necessary to wait until +Thursday morning, when they might possibly make a passage, as the stream +was running down to within something like ordinary bounds very fast. + +Thursday afternoon came before an attempt to ford the stream was made, +when the driver agreed to land the passengers in the middle of the +stream on an immense fallen tree, from which point they could reach the +other side, when they might be able to get the empty stage across also. + +The trial was made, and was successful so far as landing the passengers +was concerned, but while this was being done the wheels of the coach +sank deeper and deeper into the mucky bed of the stream, and though but +a few minutes had elapsed, the strange action of the water had caused +deposits to form about the coach so rapidly that it became firmly +imbedded, and could not be moved by the four horses attached. At this +juncture an old farmer came along, who carried the evidences of some of +his propensities strongly marked in his face, which was a thin one, like +his conscience, but with bright tips on his cheek bones and as red a +nose as ever the devil-artist in alcohol tipped with crimson. No +importunities or amount of money could prevail on him to assist the +discouraged travelers with his fine mule train; but a pint of good +whiskey, to be delivered the moment the stage had been drawn from its +peril, with a small drink by way of retainer, accomplished what would +not have been done in any other manner, and set the travelers joyfully +on their way again. They journeyed on at a snail's pace until one +o'clock Friday morning, when they arrived at Kelly's ranche, kept by +Bill Kelly, uncle of the "Taylor boys," notorious for their connection +with the Ku Klux and various other gangs of villainous desperadoes. + +The family were unceremoniously awakened, and at once good-humoredly +proceeded to provide the ravenous passengers with something to eat; +after which they made a "shake-down" on the floor, into which substitute +for a bed everybody turned, and slept late into the morning, awakening +stiff in every joint and scarcely able for that day's journey, which, +with its complement of accidents and delays, took them safely over +Esteto creek and into Yorktown early in the evening, where the +detectives secured certain information that Taylor had been in Corpus +Christi the week previous, and was undoubtedly there at that time, as +Texas by this time had become a net-work of resistless streams, almost +impassible quagmires and far-reaching lagoons. + + +VI. + +Late the next morning they left Yorktown, having taken on a passenger of +no less importance than ex-Confederate Governor Owens, of Arizona. He +was a pleasant, voluble old fellow, and my son at once fell in with his +ways, and treated him so courteously that it perhaps averted a greater +disaster than had at any previous time occurred. + +Governor Owens was largely engaged in the Rio Grande trade of supplying +frontier points with provisions and merchandise, and was just on his way +to Indianola, on the coast, where he was to meet his Mexican freighters, +comprising thirty wagons and carts, of all characters and descriptions, +driven by the inevitable lazy Greaser. Even as late as the same period, +1867-8, a vast amount of freighting was done between St. Paul, +Minnesota, and Fort Garry, Manitoba, in the famed Red River carts, +driven by the inevitable, lazy half-breed. + +William, knowing the position held by Governor Owens during a portion of +the war, and realizing that an ex-office-holder will never lose his +tenderness for the political regime which made him titled, assumed to be +a Mississippian, from Vicksburg, with an Irish acquaintance, on a trip +of inspection through Texas, and, so far, terribly disappointed with the +State. + +During those periods when, owing to the depth of the mud, the passengers +were obliged to walk, they would fall behind or walk ahead of the stage, +when they would chat pleasantly upon general subjects. On one of these +occasions Governor Owens eyed his companion sharply a moment, and then +asked: + +"Can I trust you, sir?" + +"Certainly." + +"On the word and honor of a gentleman?" + +"Yes, and an honest man, too," William answered. + +"I believe you; thank you. You know stages are robbed out this way?" + +"I do." + +"Did you ever see it done?" + +"No; nor have I any desire to be around on such an occasion," he +replied, laughing. + +"I reckon you hadn't better, either," said the Governor earnestly. "It +wouldn't make so much difference if they would do the work a trifle +genteelly, in a gentlemanly way; but the fact is, we have low fellows +along our Texas stage-lines. They have no regard for a man's family. +Why," he continued, warmly, "they'll just pop out from behind the trees, +or up through some clumps of bushes, ram a double barreled shot-gun, +loaded to the muzzle with slugs and things, into the coach from both +sides at once, and just blaze away--all that are not killed outright are +scared to death. There's nothing fair about it!" + +William expressed his curiosity to know if the drivers were ever killed. + +"Drivers? Never, sir, never. Why, those ruffians are too smart for that. +Let it be known that they have begun killing drivers, and there isn't a +stage company in Texas that could send a coach past the first timber. +They couldn't afford to kill stage-drivers, for the moment they began +it, that would be the end of staging." + +My son expressed his thanks at learning so much of the business +principles of these land pirates, and the old gentleman continued: + +"You see, it takes a peculiar kind of a driver for a Texas coach. You +want one, first, that can drink right smart of whiskey, for the water +isn't good along some of these branches. You want one that can swear a +hoss's head square off, too. He's got to be a coward, or he would help +put this robbing down; and yet, he has got to be rather brave to drive +right along up to a spot where he knows he is to see his passengers +butchered! and that," continued the Governor, earnestly, "is just what I +want to talk to you about, as I feel sure that I can trust you." + +The Governor then explained to him that a certain member of the Ku Klux, +whom he was sorry to say was too intimate with those roadside +plunderers, had informed him that morning, just as he was leaving +Yorktown, that preparations had been made to rob their stage at a point +between Clinton and Mission Valley; and that he very much desired some +organization among the passengers for defense, as he himself had upwards +of thirty thousand dollars, to be paid out at Indianola, for goods, and +to his freighters for wages. + +On the receipt of this alarming intelligence, my son took the +responsibility of informing the rest of the passengers what might +possibly be expected; and, as Governor Owens had six fine carbines, +which he was also taking down to Indianola for the protection of his +freighters on the Rio Grand, preparatory to any attack that might be +made. + +About six miles from Mission Valley the stage route traversed a low +piece of bottom-lands covered with timber, and a considerable growth of +underbrush. A corduroy road had been built through the place, and as the +coach was obliged to be driven slowly across it, the locality offered +particularly fine inducements for a robbery of the character described +by the Governor; so that the precaution was taken of walking along with +the coach, three on either side, with carbines ready for instant use. + +Just before entering the timber, two men were seen prowling about, and, +evidently fearing their actions might cause suspicion and frustrate the +plan they had in view, made a great effort to appear to be two +respectable hunters in search of only wild game; and, before leaving the +timber at the other side, two more persons were seen, who, evidently, +not having been given any signal, had come as near to the stage as they +dared, to ascertain for themselves why their comrades had failed in +their calculations; but skulked away after seeing the force which grimly +trudged along, guarding the empty vehicle, into which the passengers +were glad enough to climb when the danger was gone by, and be carried +with sound bodies and whole pockets to the supper which had been some +time in waiting when they reached Mission Valley. + +Dinner the next day was taken at Victoria, from which city William and +Keating expected to be able to go by railroad to Port Lavaca, only +twenty-eight miles distant. They were doomed to disappointment in this, +as the railroad had been abandoned since the war, either the Union or +Confederate soldiers having taken it up bodily and turned it upside +down, like a gigantic furrow, from Victoria to the sea. + +After many years somebody had come along and turned it back; but to this +day the steam-engine has never thundered over it again; the most that +has ever been done having been to drag an occasional freight car over +the road by the not peculiarly thrilling application of mule power; and +so it was said a hand-car, worked by a gang of negroes, was used for +transporting passengers, the trips being made back and forth whenever a +load could be got, and not before. + +As they were obliged to remain for this new mode of conveyance, their +time was entirely unoccupied, and they could not but have leisure to +make something of a study of Texan life, as it then existed; and on +Sunday afternoon were witnesses to one of those little episodes which +sometimes make extremely lively certain periods that would otherwise +remain humdrum and ordinary. + +The bar-room of the hotel had been crowded all day, and a good deal of +liquor had been drunk, while there had also been a large amount of money +lost and won over cards, so that there was that feverish, explosive +condition of things which always follows large winnings or losses at +games of chance, although there had as yet been no disturbance of a +serious character. + +At one of the little gaming tables, John Foster, county clerk of +Victoria County, and another person, named Lew Phillips, who had been +one of the Andersonville prison-keepers during the war, but had drifted +out to Victoria and had secured charge of a large livery-stable there, +were engaged at a game of poker, when Foster was heard to quietly say: + +"See here, Lew Phillips, you stole that card!" + +"You're a liar!" was retorted, with an oath. + +The two men were up over the card-table in a twinkling, looking at each +other, and both very white. + +"Apologize!" demanded Foster, still quiet, but with a terrible +earnestness in his voice. + +"I don't do that sort of business, you white-livered coward!" shouted +Phillips. + +Without another look or word, the two parted, one passing out one door +and the other out of another, while the crowd in the hotel canvassed the +matter as coolly as though there had been no difficulty worth +mentioning, while a few quietly laid wagers on who would get the first +shot. + +In about fifteen minutes more, Foster was seen returning with a +double-barreled shot-gun, and Phillips, who had a wooden leg, came +stumping up another street, with an immense navy revolver in his hand. +It was noticeable that the space between the advancing men was made very +clear, so that nothing should interfere with their sociability. In a +moment more, Phillips had fired at Foster, and evidently hit him; for, +as he was bringing his gun to his shoulder, his aim had been badly +disturbed, and before he had time to fire, Phillips had fired again and +wounded his man the second time. Foster now leaned against a porch +column, desperately resolved to get a good aim,--his antagonist, all the +while advancing, attempted to fire again, but missed this time, the cap +refusing to communicate the deadly flash to the chamber of the +revolver,--then there was a blinding flash from Foster's gun, +accompanied by a thunderous report, and the two men fell almost +instantaneously. + +Foster had discharged both barrels of his weapon, heavily loaded with +buck-shot, at Phillips, the entire charge having entered his wooden leg, +and sent him spinning to the ground, like the sudden jerk and whirl of a +nearly spent top, the recoil of the gun also "kicking" Foster flat as a +Tennessee "poor white's" corn pone. + +The "gentlemen" who had been looking on and quietly criticising the +little by-play, now rushed forward and surrounded the combatants, the +anxiety of each of whom was to be assured of the other's death; or, in +case of his being alive, to have some one to be the immediate bearer of +tender regards and profuse expressions of friendship; thus terminating +satisfactorily to all parties what the chivalrous inhabitants of +Victoria informed my detectives was called a "stag duel," the most +common and effective method known for settling the little difficulties +liable at any time to occur among gentlemen, the only conditions imposed +by custom being that neither party shall offer to shoot in a crowded +room, or be allowed to fire at his opponent unless he is also prepared, +when other citizens who may be using the streets at those times withdraw +from them as rapidly as consistent with the proprieties, when the +occasion is immediately made interesting to the participants, who +advance and fire upon each other as rapidly as a liberal practice in +this and other "codes" of taking human life will permit. + +As the next sensation to a "stag duel" in Victoria was the arrival of +the "train" from Lavaca, in the shape of the hand-car manned by four +burly negroes, who with the original superintendent of the road had +formed a soulless corporation with which nothing could compete, it was +not long before the detectives had secured seats with four other +passengers, making ten persons in all, to be conveyed twenty-eight miles +on a broken-down hand-car over probably the most villainous excuse for a +railroad ever known. + +The fare was six dollars in gold for each passenger, which might seem to +have a shade of exorbitance about it when it was considered that the +accommodations consisted of two very insecure seats, constructed over +the wheels, upon each of which three persons might cling with a constant +expectation of being jolted off by the unevenness of the road, or of +falling off from sheer fatigue in endeavor to cling to the ramshackle +boards beneath them. + +"All abo'd!" shouted the negro conductor, with all the style and unction +of the diamond-pinned aristocrat of a New York Central train; and then, +as the "train" started out of Victoria the passengers and the admiring +lookers-on were greeted with the following song, tuned to the +"Ra-ta-tat" of the wheels upon the rails, and sturdily sung, or chanted +rather, by the jolly but powerful crew: + + "Heave ho! + Away we go-- + Winds may wait, or de winds may blow! + Heave ho! + Away we go-- + For to cotch de gals at Lavac--o!" + +In the sense that this mode of traveling had the charm of novelty and +the thrilling attraction of danger combined, it was a success. There was +freshness and variety about it, too; for, whenever one of the negroes +had "done gin out," the conductor would call for volunteers from among +the passengers, and give the demand a peculiar emphasis by the remark, +"Takes brawn 'n sinyew to pump dis hy'r train into 'vacca; 'n de' Lo'd +never did make no men out o' cl'ar iron 'n steel!" + +The argument was so forcible that some one would work with the negroes +while the "clean done gone" man and brother rested and meditated upon +"catchin' the gals of 'vacca!" which the song brought out so feelingly. + +Besides this, new interest would be added to the excursion whenever the +wind was favorable; for, stopping the car, a mast, to which a sort of +"mutton-leg sail," as they termed it, would be attached; the conductor +would brace himself and would lengthen or shorten the sail as was most +judicious, and then the hand-car ship would speed along the billowy +tract like a majestic thing of life for a mile or two, when the party +were again forced into a realizing sense of the plodding nature of the +means of transit, which, after all, at times became monotonous. + +On one of these occasions of momentary fair sailing and enthusiasm, they +were also favored with a down grade of quite a stretch; and, as +everybody was happy at the wonderful rate of speed acquired, while the +negroes were singing snatches of songs in the gayest manner possible, a +"spread" of the track let the car upon the ties, from which it leaped at +one bound into the swamp, completely immersing several of its occupants +in the muddy slime. + +No damage was done, however, as the spot where everything and everybody +alighted was too soft to cause anything to be broken; and after righting +the car, and repairing the disaster as much as possible, William and +Keating safely arrived in Lavaca early in the afternoon, were at once +driven to Indianola, where they cleaned up, including a most welcome +bathing and shaving, at the Magnolia House; embarked on a little +schooner carrying the government mail down the coast; were becalmed in +Aranzas Bay, and late during the night of the twenty-seventh of January +the light from a quaint seaport city danced along the waves of its +beautiful harbor, and welcomed the worn-out but indefatigable detectives +to Corpus Christi. + + +VII. + +Going ashore, the two proceeded to a sort of hotel or boarding-house on +the beach, where they found Judge Carpenter, formerly of Chicago, who +had become district judge there, and who, on learning my son's name, +inquired if he were not a relative of Allan Pinkerton the detective. + +He replied that he was very _distantly_ related, which was a literal +truth at that time, when the Judge, claiming an acquaintance, proffered +any assistance which might be desired, whatever his business. The +courtesy was courteously accepted, but no questions were asked +concerning Taylor. + +After breakfast the next morning, they strolled up-town with Judge +Carpenter, when passing a Mr. Buckley's store, Keating, while catching +step, took occasion to nudge my son, who carelessly looked into the +place, as any stranger might, and there saw the object of his long +search pleasantly chatting with one of the clerks; but they walked on +quietly with the Judge as far as the post-office, when he kindly +introduced them to another Mr. Taylor, the postmaster. + +After a few moments' pleasant conversation, William asked the postmaster +if he could direct him to ex-Sheriff John McLane's residence. It proved +to be but a block distant, but on inquiring there, it was ascertained +that he was absent at his store, farther down-town. He was the only +person in that city, besides Keating, whom my son felt that he could +trust, as I had not only previously rendered him service, but also held +him in the light of a friend; and he had already been requested by me to +render him any service in his power, should William pass that way, so +that he knew the first thing he should do was to go to him, explain his +business fully and secure his immediate advice and assistance. + +Finding him, he told him that he did not feel justified in arresting +Taylor unless the mail-boat in which he had arrived was, in some way, +detained for an hour. McLane said he would attend to that, and brought +Captain Reinhart to the store, but not telling him why the delay was +desired, arranged for the same, and at once hunted up Sheriff Benson, to +whom my son delivered the warrant and demanded the prisoner. + +Benson at first hesitated, expressing the utmost surprise, as Taylor was +a fellow-boarder, and he could not realize, so he said, that he was +other than a brave and chivalrous gentleman, and began to question the +validity of the requisition, but William told him that there was the +order of Governor Pease approved by General Canby, and that he did not +propose to be dallied with or imposed upon in any manner. + +Seeing that my son had come too far and undergone too many hardships to +be trifled with, he went with him to Buckley's store, where they found +Taylor, who was given into the detectives' hands, though utterly +astounded and completely unnerved at the idea that the strong hand of +the law was upon him. + +In this condition, and before he could collect his scattered senses and +decide to make a legal resistance, which would have caused my son a vast +amount of trouble, if indeed it had not resulted in the liberation of +the elegant swindler, he was placed on board the schooner. + +After they had left Corpus Christi behind, William began a system of +soothing argument, with the end in view of convincing Taylor, who was +now becoming nervous and restless, and evidently ashamed of being +carried away so ingloriously, that it would be the best thing for +himself, his brother, and even his people in Philadelphia, to go along +quietly, without creating any disturbance, as, should he do so, he +would treat him like a gentleman in every instance; but should he give +him any trouble whatever he would be obliged to put him in irons, and +not only treat him like a criminal, but would serve him roughly in every +particular. + +Taylor saw that he was in my power, and that I had put two men after him +who would have gone to Cape Horn for him, and that his only chance of +escape lay in strategy. + +He had the perfect freedom of the boat, and, when he desired, chatted +with the captain and the crew, who were not apprised by my son of the +character of his new companion, and everything was done to make him +comfortable. + +At first he kept entirely to himself, but of a sudden his manner changed +entirely, and he became particularly pleasant, especially to the captain +of the boat; and as they were nearing the little barren Saluria Island, +at the entrance to Matagorda Bay, William accidentally overheard the +captain say to Taylor, "The tide is high enough, and I will be able to +run close to the island." This caused him to have no particular +suspicion of Taylor, as the remark might equally apply to a hundred +other subjects besides the one to which it did; but in a few moments +after, he noticed the schooner, which had hugged the island pretty +closely, now suddenly take a still closer tack, and rapidly neared the +barren coast. Feeling alarmed lest the helmsman was not attending to +his duty, my son yelled: + +"Captain, what under heaven do you mean? Don't you see that in another +moment you'll have us beached?" + +He had scarcely uttered the words when Taylor was seen to spring into +the waves, and then disappear, and the boat at the same moment stood off +from the island, as if in obedience to the warning my son had given. + +The truth flashed into his mind in an instant: Here, after this hard, +unremitting toil, the discomforts, the annoyances, the dangers, +everything through which they had been obliged to pass, after their +hopes for success, and after they had earned it--if two men ever had +earned success--just when they were beginning to feel the pleasure of +work well done, and be able to experience the genuine satisfaction it is +to any man who is honest enough to acknowledge it, in securing the +regard of the public for assisting in its protection, the commendation +of one's employer for good sturdy care for his interests, and the +self-respect one gains in doing one's duty, even if it has led him a +hard life of it,--they were to be cheated and outwitted. Half crazed, my +son, with anger and indignation, and a perfect flood of humiliating +thoughts filled his brain in the first great question, "What was to be +done?" + +His first impulse was to plunge in after him, and in pursuance of that +impulse he had freed himself of his boots and coat, when, seeing Taylor +rise to the surface and make but little headway against the tide, which +was ebbing strongly, he call to the captain to round to, and began +firing with considerable rapidity, so as to strike the water within a +few feet of the man who was so unsuccessfully struggling against the +tide, but whom he could not blame for making so brave and desperate an +effort to free himself. + +He was provided with two magnificent English Trenter revolvers, which +will carry a half-ounce ball a fourth of a mile with absolute accuracy; +and as he could use it with great precision he could easily have killed +the man in the water. Both the captain and Taylor were terribly scared, +and as Taylor held up his hand, and yelled--"I surrender!" the balls +were cutting into the water all about him savagely, and the captain +shouted, "For God's sake, don't kill the man! Don't you see I'm rounding +to?" + +Keating, who had been almost worn out from the Texas trip, had been +sleeping in a bunk below, and who had been roused by William's firing +and the strange motion of the schooner, now came on deck rather thinly +clad, and the two detectives covered Taylor with their revolvers; while +the captain, himself at the wheel, handled the schooner so that it was +only necessary for him to keep himself above water in order to float +with the tide against the side of the boat, when my son, rather too +indignant to be particularly tender, grabbed him by the hair and his +luxuriant whiskers, drew him aboard, and soundly kicked him into the +cabin, where he began crying from excitement and fright, even going to +such depths of discouragement that he begged for a revolver with which +to kill himself, which being handed him by my son for that purpose, he +very properly refused, and was put to bed for the purpose of drying his +clothes like a truant school-boy. + +It was my son's intention to take the steamer at Indianola for Galveston +immediately upon arriving at the former place; but on account of a heavy +"Norther," which had blown all day Friday, the steamer had been obliged +to put out to sea, and the party were consequently compelled to put up +at the Magnolia House, and wait there until the following Monday; and it +required all the detective's shrewdness to keep Taylor quiet, as he had +learned from some source that the creation of Wyoming Territory, which +occurred a short time before his capture, had caused Cheyenne to be a +city of quite a different Territory than when the requisition was +issued, which would have amounted to so grave a technical flaw that the +requisition would not have held against a _habeas corpus_. + +Court had just set at the place, and Indianola was full of lawyers, +hungry as vultures for just such a rich case; but by constant +persuasions, partial promises, leading to a hope, at least, that a +compromise might be effected at New Orleans, and dark hints of irons, +and that, should his brother come on there and create any disturbance he +would be immediately arrested as accessory both before and after the +crime; with constant drives out into the country, rambles down the +sea-shore, and every pretext known to the mind of the ingenious +detective, everything was managed successfully; a receipt for nearly two +thousand dollars in specie secured; the turning over of the money to +Taylor's brother stopped; and Taylor himself taken to New Orleans +without an attempt at rescue; and receiving a dispatch there from me to +the effect that a compromise could not be for a moment considered, the +party left that city Thursday, February 4th, arriving in Cheyenne six +days later, my son accounting for his prisoner to the authorities into +whose hands the case then passed; the last being seen of "Harry G. +Taylor, the Man from Somewhere," being behind the bars of the +guard-house at Fort Russell, where he had been placed for safe-keeping +previous to his trial;--and I have related these facts, not so much to +show any startling phase of crime, as to give the public a single +illustration, out of thousands upon my records, of how men must overcome +every known obstacle while leading the hard life of the detective. + + +THE END. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Spy of the Rebellion, by Allan Pinkerton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPY OF THE REBELLION *** + +***** This file should be named 34973-8.txt or 34973-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/9/7/34973/ + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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