The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-12-03

now sent on his way to perform his mission
for Bragg. At all events that scheming
general so supposed when our msn's report
was made at the rebel headquarters few
days afterward. HIS information was very
acceptable to Bragg; but we strongly ques-
ton its value to rebeldom, as the spy repor-
ted only what he was told by that old fox,
COL Truesdail, the chief ofthe Federal army
police.
Perhaps the reader will inquire, how we
answer for the report thus made to Bragg |?
It may have been more true and valuable
than we supposed. Well, there is force in
TIE query. However, we we're then quite
confident Of the worthlessness ofthe reports
Of our spy to Bragg, because he had moth.
ing else to tell him. For five days did our
spy keep himself locked in private room
in the police building at Nashville. His
meals were carried to him by trusty SER
want. His door was "shadowed" constant
" by our best detectives, and so were his
steps If he ventured upon the street for
few moments after dark. 1t was cold and
bleak winter weather, and he toasted him
self before his comfortable fire, read books
and papers, and conferred often with the
chief Of police and his assistant, affording
them, strangers as they were to that region
of country, fund of valuable information
respecting the rebels of Kentucky and Ten
nessee. He was man of fine address and
good intellectual attainments. When our
man concluded it was about time for his re-
turn to Brags's army, he was politely escor-
ted by our mounted police to proper point
beyond our lines, and by a route where he
would see nothing Of our forces. The read.
sr will now appreciate" the grounds of our
confidence. we doubt not, in the worthless
ness of at least one of Gen. Bragg's spy re-
ports.
In due time this namsless gentleman
again enters our lines. and is escorted by
our pickets to the general commanding, to
whom he reports in person con cerning all
that is transpiring in Briggs army st MUIR
freesboro', snd then he resumes his pleas
ant private quarters at the army police
building. After brief stay another trip
was made by our man to Bragg's headquar-
ters, we using the same precautions ss pre-
viousg. In fact, our spy desired and even
demanded such attention at the hands of
the chief of police. Said he: ~ am
stranger to you all. I can give you no guar.
anty whatever of my good faith. 1t is alike
due to you and to myself that be allowed
no opportunities for deceiving you.
The report he carried to Bragg on his Sc
cond trip delighted the latter. His officers
talked with our man freely, and, after stay
ing at Murfreesboro' two or three days and
riding and walking about in the most inno-
cent and unconcerned manner, he was again
sent back to Nashville to STOOL that slow
Dutchman, Rosecrans," as one of the rebel
officers remarked. OF the Importance of
the report now brought to the ''slow Dutch.
man" we need nrt state further than that it
contributed its due weight toa decision
fraught with trememdoYs consequences to
the army and to the country. Marching or
ders we're soon after issued for the advance
of the Army Of the Cumberland upon MUIR
freesboro'.
Now commenced period of excessive la
Dor and peril for the nameless spy. Gen.
Rosecrans and Bragg each wanted instant
and constant information as the armies ap-
preached. The MINUTES Of this mans work
for four or fve days we need not stop to re-
late it is early imagined. Within that
time he entered the rebel lines and returned
three times. He gave the outline of Braggs
line of battle. close estimate of his force,
an accurate account Of his artillery and his
earthworks, the movement of tho rebel wa.
gon and railroad trains, st., &C. He was
very eSrnest in assuring Rosecrans that
Bragg intended to give severe battle with
superior numbers. This information proved
true in al essentials, and its value to the
country was inestimable. We had other
spies piercing the rebel lines at this time,
but they did not enjoy the facilities possess
ed by the nameless one. Almost with on.
guish did he exolaim against himself, In pre-
sence Of the author, for the severe manner
in which he was deceiving the rebel general
and involving the lives of his thousands Of
brave but deluded followers.
After the frs. great battle the work of
such spy is ended, or rather II ceases
when the shock ofarms comes on. Thence
forth the armies are moved upon the instant
as circumstances may require. Our man,
who during the four days had been almost
necessarily in the saddle, or with his ears
and eyes painfully observant while in the
camps, took leave of our army upon the bat
tle-field, and retired to place Of rest.
One incident occurred during his last
visit to Bragg which IS worthy Of mention.
That general took alarm in consequence of
his report, and at once started special mes
senger to Gen. John. II. Morgan-who was
then absent with his cavalry in Kentucky
to destroy Rosecrans's railroad communic,-
tions Gin which Morgan succeeded )-ao re-
Al a n