The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-11-20

self before his comfortable iirc, read books
and papers, and conferred often with the
Chief of Police and his assistant, aaording
them, strangers as they were to that region
Of country, fund of valuable information
respecting tho rebels Of Kentucky and Ten.
ncssseo. He was man of fine address and
good intellectual attainments. When our
men concluded 1t was about time for his re-
turn to Bragg's army, ho was politely escort.
cd by our mounted police to proper point
beyond our lines, and by route where he
would SEQ nothing Of our forces. The reader
will now appreciate the grounds Of our con.
fidcnco, we doubt not, in tho worthlessness
of at least ono of Gen. Braxton Braggs spy
reports.
In due time this uameless gentleman again
enters our lines, and is escorted in by our pick
cts to the general commanding, to whom he
reports in person concerning all that is trans.
piring in Bragg's army at Murfreesboro'
and then he resumes his pleasant private
quarters at the army police building. After
brief stay, another trip was made by our
man to Bragg's headquarters, we using the
samo precautions as previously. In fact,
our spy desired and even demanded such at.
tention at the hands Of the Chief of Police.
Said.he: II am stranger to you oil. I
can give you no guaranty whatever of my
good faith. 1t is alike due to you and to
myself that I be allowed no opportunities
for dcceiving you"
The report he carried to Bragg on his
second trip delighted tho latter. His officers
talked with our man freely, and, after stay.
ing at Murfrecsboro' two or three days, and
riding and walking all about in the most in
nocent and unconcerned manner, he was
again sent back to Nashville to "fool that
slow Dutchman, Rosccrans," as ono Of the
rebel officers remarked. OF the importance
Of the report now brought to tho "slow
Dutchman," we need not state further than
that It contributed its true weight to deci-
sion fraught with tremendous consequences
to tho army and to tho country. Marching
orders were soon after issued for tho advance
of tho Army of the Cumberland upon Muir
frecsboro'. -
Tolls AND DANGERS. Now commenced
period Of excessive labor and peril for the
namclcssspy. Generals Rosccrans and Bragg
each wanted instant and constant informa-
tion as the armies approached. Tho minu.
tip Of this mans work for four or fvo days
we need not stop to relate; it is easily imag-
ined. Within that time he entered the rebel
lines and returned three times. Ho gave the
outline OF Bragg's lire Of battle. close es-
innate Of his force, on accurate account OF
his artillery and his earthworks, the move.
ments Of the rebel wagon and railroad trains,
&C., &c. lilo was very earnest in assuring
Rosecrans that Bragg intended to give severe
battle with superior numbers.
The information proued true in all essen.
tials, and its value to the country was inosti.
mable. We had other spies piercing tho
rebel lines at this time, but they did not en-.
Joy the facilities possessed by tho nameless
ono. Almost with anguish did he exclaim
against himself, in tho presence Of tho auth
or, for the severe manner in which he was
deceiving tho rebel general and involving tho
lives of his thousands of brave but dcluded
followers.
After tho first great battle the work of
such spy is ended, or rather it ceases when
the shock of arms comes on. Thenceforth
tho armies arc moved upon the instant, as
circumstances may require. Our man, who
during the four days had been almost inces.
sanity in the saddlo, or with his cars and
eyes painfully obServant while in the camps,
took leave Of our army upon tho battlefield,
and retired to place Of rest.
Ono incident occurred during his last visit
to Bragg which is worthy Of mention. That
general took alarm in consequence Of his ro-
port, and at once started special messen.
ger to Gch. John II. Morgan-who was then
absent with his cavalry in kentucky to do.
stroy Rosccrans' railroad communications
Tin which Morgan shccooded)-to return in.
stantly with his command by forced marches
to Murlrecsboro'. That same night our
man reported this fact to the federal COM
mander, described the messenger and what
route he would take, &c. The information
was telegraphcd at once to Nashville Gala
tin and Bowling Green, and forco was sent
from each OF these posts to intercept tho
messenger. They failed to approhend him.
which, however, proved Of no consequence
as tho battles of Stono River wcro fought
and Bragg was on hisrctrcat from hiurlfeo'.
boro' by the timo Morgan could have received
tho orders. =.
Our SPY was brave man; yot during tho
las. three days Of his service he was most
sensible Of its peril. To pass between hos
ala lines in the lone hours Of tho night-for
bo did not wait for daylisht-to be halted
bv ruorillas and scouts and pickes' with
Gums aimed at him, and, finally, to mcCt and
satisfy tho anxious. kccn-cycd, heart''carch'
ing rcbcl officer, as we'll as our own, was
mental as well as physical demand that
LII nh lonn ba austained. WHO pro-