The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-12-17
A DaRlRG SOUTHERN LOYALlST.

parts of it are doubtless the chapters
relating to the spy and police systems of
the army. Perhaps the most remarkable
story in this volume is the following, of a
daring Southern loyalist, whose operations
appear at once to have been Important:
TEE NAMELEss SPY.
This man, says the author, went into
and came out from Bragg's army at Muir
freesboro', three times, during the week
of battles at Stone riyer-even dined at
the table of Bragg and of his other Gen
erals-brought us correct information Of
the force and position o. the rebel army,
and of the boast of its head officers. he
was the first to assure us positively that
Bragg would fight at Stone River, telling
us of that Generals boast that "he would
whip Eosecrans back to Nashville If 1t
cost him 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 paid over to him.
In 1862 there lived in the State Of -
a Union man, with wife anu children
lie was a friend OF the Union and aa anti
slavery man upon principle. After the
rebellion broke out and the '.southern
heart" had become fred, this man, living
in violent pro slavery region, and sur
rounded by opu.ent shareholders, his own
family connections and those Of his wife
being rich aud bitter secessionists, very
prudently held his peace, feeling his utter
inability to stem the tide of secession in
lis section. Thus, without tacit admis
sions, or any direct actions on his part,
the gentleman Of whom we write was
elassed by the people of his section as a
secessioDist,
Circumstances occurred during that
year by which this person was brought
iuto contact with a federal commander III
Kentucky, Gen. Nelson. Their meeting
aud acquaintance was accidental Mutual
Union sentiments begat personal sympathy
and friendship. Nelson wished a certain
service performed in the rebel territory,
and he persuaded the citizen to undertake
it, which the latter finally did as a matter
of duty We arc assured rather than of gain,
for he made no charge for the service,
after its speedy and successful performance.
Soon after, similar work was necessary !;
and again was the citizen importuned, aud
he again consented, but not considering
himself as a professional spy.
During this or similar trip to Chatta-
nooga, our man heard of the sudden death
of Gen Nelson. He was now at loss
what to do. Finally he determined to
return and report his business to Gen.
Rosecrans, who had assumed command of
the federal army. Thus resolved, he
! l. 4 f21
ascertaining the position Of military affairs
at Chattanooga, he came to Murfreesboro' !,
where Bragg's army vas then collecting.
Staying there several days, he was urged
by his southern army friends to act as
their spy in Kentucky. The better to
conceal his own feelings and position, he
consented to do SC, and he left Gen.
Braggs headquarters to go to that State
via Nashville, ieigning important business,
aad from thence to go to his home, pas
sing by and through Rosecrans' army, as
it lay stretched out between Nashville and
Louisville.
GENERAL BRAGG TAKEN ~.
The nameless man now makes his way
to the federal headquarters, seeks a private
interview with Gen. Rosecraus, and states
his case fully as we have just related
Here was something remarkable, surely
a spy in the confidence of the commanders
of TWO great opposing armies Our gen
eral took pains to satisfy himself OF the
honesty and soundness of the stranger. =
He was pleased with the mans candid
manner, aud his story bore an air of con-
sistency and truth. Yet he was South
erner, surrounded by rebcllious Influences,
ard enjoyed Bragg's confidence ; and what
guaranty could be given that he was a
Union man at heart? None; and our
general, in great perplexity, 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 matter
VIC need not especially state. Satisfied
that it wonld do to trust the spy to a
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 cur man report
was made at the rebel headquarters few
days afterwards His information was
very acceptable to Bragg but we strongly
question It's value to rebeldom, as the spy
reported only what was told by that old
fox, Colonel Truesdall 8t
Perhaps the reader will here inquire