Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-11-05
THE NAMELEss SPY OF THE CUM.
RFRLAND

1aE " NAMELLSO UT
- BERLAND. ff
We reviewed. . few days ago, th,
"Annals of the Army Of the Cumber
land" The most Interesting part Of it
as before stated, are the chapters rels
ting to the spy and police system of the
army. Perhaps the most remarkable
story is the following, of a daring South
ern loyalist. whose operations appear
to have been at one time of great i'm
portance:
THE SAMELRss SPY.
This man, says the author of the
"Annals," went into and came out from
Bragg's army at Murfreesboro. three
times during the week Of battles at Stone
river--even dined at the table Of Bragg
and of his other generals--brought us
correct Information as to the force and
position of the rebel army, and Of the
boasts of its bead officers. He was the
first to assure us positively tina: Bragg
would fight at Stone river, telling us
of that generals boast that che would
whip Rosecrans back to Nashville, if it
cost ten thousand men," For the four
days. service thus rendered by our spy,
he was paid five thousand dollars by
order of our general, and the author
saw the money passed to him.
In 1862 there lived in the State Of
Union man, with wife and
children. He was friend Of the U MON
and an snti-Slavery man upon principle.
After the rebellion broke out, and when
the "Southern heart" had become fred,
this man, lived in a strong pro-Slavery
region and surrounded by opulent
Shareholders, his own family connec-
tions and those Of his wife being also
wealthy and bitter SecessionIsts, very
prudently held his peace, feeling his ut
ter inability to stem the tide of rebel
lion in bis section. Thus, without tacit
admissions, or any direct action on his
part, the gentleman of whom We write
was chssed by the people of his section
as Secessionist.
Circumstances occurred during that
year by which this person was brought
into contact with a Federal commander
in Kentucky, Gen. Nelson. Their meet
ing and acquaintance was accidental
Mutual Union sentiments begat person
al sympathy and friendship. Nelson
wished certain service performed in
the rebel territory, and he persuaded
the citizen to undertake it, which the
latter finally did as matter of duty,
we are assured, rather than of gain, for
he made no charge for the service after
its speedy and successful performance.
Soon after, similar work was neces-
sary; and again was the citizen impor-
tuned, and he again consented, but not
considering himself as professional
spy.
During this or a similar trip, and
while at Chattanooga, our man heard
of the sudden death OF General Nelson.
He was now at loss what to do. FL
nally be determined to return and re-
port his business to Major General
who had assumed command
of the Federal army. Thus resolved,
he proceeded to finish his mission. At
ter ascertaining the position of military
affairs at Chattanooga. be came to Muir
freesboro, where Bragg's army was
then collecting. Staying here several
days, he was urged by his Southern
army friends to act as their spy in Ken
lucky. The better to conceal bis OWL
feelings and position, he consented to
do SO, and he left General Bragg's
headquarters to go to that State BY
way of Nashville, feigning important
business. and from thence to go to his
home, passing by and through Rose
crans's army as it lay stretched out be.
tween Nashville and Louisville.
GENERAL BRAGG TAKEN IN.
The nameless man now makes his
way to the Federal headquarters, seeks
a private interview with General Rose
Grams, and states his case fully as we
have Just related. Here was something
remarkable, surely--a spy in the con-
fidence of the commanders of two great
opposing armies! Our General took
great pains to satisfy himself Of the hon.
esty and soundness of the stranger
He was pleased with the mans candid
manner, and his story bore an air of
consistency and truth. Yet he was a
Southerner, surrounded by rebellious
influences, and enjoyed Bragg's conf
dence; and what guaranty could be Civ.
en- that he was Union man at heart?
None; and our General, in great per-
plexity, held council with his chief Of
police, and requested the latter to "dig
up" the case to its very root. This
was done; but in what manner we need
not specially state. Satisfied that 1t
would do to trust the spy, TO certain
extent at least, he was now sent on his
way to perform his mission for Bragg.
At all events, that scheming General
so supposed when our mans report was
made at the rebel headquarters few
days afterward. His information was
very acceptable to Bragg; but we
strongly question its value to rebellion.
as the spy reported only what he was
told BY that old fox Col Truesdail. :
Perhaps the resder will inquire: how
can we answer for the report thus made
to Bragg? Itmay have been more true
and valuable than we supposed. Well,
there is force in the query. However,
= IT.. .,;,. con6d.pt of tha