The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-11-26
$3.50 PER ANNUM In ADVANCE.
NUMBER 70.
The NameGess spy.

The NaneGess spy.
| Prom the Annals Of the Army OF the Cumberland
This man, says the author of the 'Annals,' y
went into and came out of Bragg's army at
Murfreesboro three times during the week OF
the battles at Stone river, even dined at the
table of Bragg and of his other Generals
brouget us correct information as to the for
ces and position of the rebel army, and of
the boasts of its head officers. lie was the
first to assure us positively that Bragg would
fight at Stone river, telling Of that generals
boast that ''he would whip Rosecrans all the
; way back to Nashville if it cost ten thous-
and men," For the four days service thus
rendered by our spy, he was paid five thous-
and dollars by order Of our general, and the
author saw the money passed to him.
In 1862, there lived in the State of-a
Union man with wife and children. Tie was
a friend of the Union and an anti-slavery
man upon principle After the rebellion broke
out, and when the southern heart had be-
come fired, this man, living in strong pro-
slavery region and surrounded by opulent
Shareholders, his own family connections and
J those of his wife being also wealthy and bit
ter secessionists, very prudently held his
: peace, feeling his utter inability to stem the
tide of rebellion in his section. Thus, with
: out tacict admission, or any direct action on
his part the gentleman Of whom we write
was classed by the people OF his section as q
secessionist.
1 Circumstances occurred during that year
by which this person was brought into con-
tact with a federal commander in Kentucky,
} Gen. Nelson. Their meeting and acquain-
lance was accidental-MutuaI Union senti
ments begat personal sympathy and friend
ship. Nelson wished certain service per-
formed in the rebel territory, and he persua-
ded the citizen to undertake it, which the
latter finally did as a 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 sim
liar work was necessary, and again was the
citizen importuned, and he again consented,
but not considering himself as professional
spy.
During this or a similar trip, and while at
Chattanooga, our men heard Of the sudden
death of Gen. Nelson, lie was now at loss
what to do Finally, he determined to re-
turn and report his business to Major General
Rosecrans, who had assumed command OF the
Federal army. Thus resolved. he proceeded to
finish his mission. After ascertalnlng the pO-
sition of military affairs al Chattanooga, he
came to Murfreesboro, where Bragg's army
was then collecting. Staying here several
days, he was urged by his southern army
friends to act as their spy III Kentucky. The
better,to conceal his own feelings and posi-
ton he consented to do so and he left Gen.
Bragg's headquarters to go to that State by
way Of Nashville, feigning important busln-
ess, and from thence to go to his home, pas
sing by and through Rosecrans army as 1T
lay stretched out between Nashville and
Louisville.
GENERAL BRAGG TAKEN IN.
The nameIess man now makes his way to
the Federal headquarters, seeks private in
terview with General RoSecrans, and states
his case fully as we have just relate d Here
was something remarkable, surely spy IN
the confidenc of the commanders Of two great
opposing armies Our General took great
pains to satisfy himself of the honesty 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 southerner surrounded by rebel
lious influences, and enjoyed Bragg's conf
dence and what guarantee could be given
that he was q Union man at heart? None
and our General, in great perpexity, held
council with his chief Of pol ce, and request
ed him to dig up" the case to its very roots
This was done, but in what manner we need
not specially state Satisfied that it would
do to trust the spy, to certain extent at
least, he was sent on his way to perform his
mission to Bragg At all events, that schem
ing General so supposed when our mans re-
port was made at the rebel headquarters q
few days afterward. His information was
very acceptable to Bragg; but we strongly
question its value to rebeldom, as the spy re-
ported only what he was told by the old fox,
Col Truesdale.
Perhaps the reader will inquire, how can
we answer for the report thus made to Bragg
| 1t may have been more true and valuable
than we supposed Well, there is force in the
query However; we were then quite conf
dent of the worthlessness of the report of our
spy to Bragg, because he had nothing else to
tell him For five days did he keep HIMSELF
locked i'll private room in the police uild-
| ing at Nashville His meals we're carried to
him by trusty servant. His door was
Swallowed" constantly by our best detectives,
and so were his steps, if he ventured upon
the street for a few moments after dark. 1t
was cold and bleak winter weather, and he
toasted himself before his comfortable hire,
read books and papers, and conferred often
with the chief OF police and his assistant, al
fording them, strangers as they were to that
region of country, a fund Of valuable Intor- |
nation respecting the rebels OF Kentucky
and Tennessee. He was man OF line adj
dress and good intellectual attainments.--
When our men concluded it was about time
for his return to Bragg's army, ne was polite
ly escorted by our mounted police to proper
point beyond our lines and by route where
L., hut ppr forp4g The I
reader will now appreciate the grounds OF our /
confidence. We doubt not, in the worthlessness /
of at least one Of Braxton Bragg's spy re-
ports.
In due time this nameless gentleman again |
enters our lines, and is escorted by our pick
cts to the general commanding, to whom he
reports in person, concerning all that is trans
piring in Braggs 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
Braggs headquarters, we using the same pre-
cautions as previously. In fact, our spy de- |
sired and even demanded such attention at
the hands of the chief Of police. Said he
81 am a stranger to you all. ] can give
you no guarantee whatever Of my good faith; |
1t is alike due to you and to myself that L !
be allowed no opportunity for deceiVng you. /
The report he carried to Bragg on his sec
ond trip, delighted the latter Bis officers
talked with our man freely, and after staying
at Murfreesboro two or three days,a riding
and walking about in the most innocent and
unconcerned manner, he was again sent back
to Nashville to ''fool that slow Dutchman,
Rosecrans," as one Of the rebel officers re-
marked. Of the importance of the report
now brought to the ''sow Dutchman," we
need not state further than that it contributed
its due weight to the decision fraught with
tremendous consequences to the army and
the country. Marching orders were soon at
ter issued for the advance of the army Of the
Cumberland upon Murfreesboro.