The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-06-21
PORTLAND TUESDAY MORNING, JUNE 81 1854

presence Of the author, for the severe manner
in which he was deceving the rebel general
and Involving the lives of his thousands OF
brave but deluded followers.
After the first great battle the work OF such
a spy is ended, or rather il ceases when the
shock of arms come on. Thenceforth the ar
niles are moved upon the Instant, as circum-
stances 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 battlefield, and retired to
a 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 re-
port, and at once started special messenger
to Gen. John II. Morgan-who was then alb
sent with his cavalry in Kentucky TO destroy
Rosecran's railroad communications lin which
Morgan succeeded)-to return instantly with
his command by forced marches TO Murfrees-
boro' The same night our man reported this
fact TO the Federal commander, described the
messenger and what route he was to take, &c.
The information was telegraphed at ence 10
Nashville, Gallatin and Bowling Green, and
force was sent from each of those posts to in
tercept the messenger They failed to appre-
hend him. which, however, proved of no con
sequence, as the battles OF Stone River were
fought and Bragg was ON his retreat from Muir
freesboro, by the time Morgan could have re-
ceiyed the orders.
: Our spy was brave man; yet during the
last three days Of his service he was most SEN
sible Of It's peril. To pass between hostile lines
in the lone hours of the night-for he did not
wait for daylight-to be halted by guerillas
and scouts and pickets, with guns aimed at
him, and finally, TO meet and satisfy the anx-
ious, keen-eyed, seartsear ching rebel officers
as well as our own, was mental as well as a
physical demand that could not long be sus-
tanned. While proceeding upon his last ex-
peditiop, the author met the nameless one up
on by-road. We halted our horses, drew
near, and conyersed few seconds In private,
while our attendants and companions moved
on. He was greatly exhausted and soiled ia
appearance, lis clothing having been rained
upon and splashed by muddy water, caused by
hard riding, and which had dried upon him.
He said he was about to try it once more. and
though he had been so often and successfully,
yet he feared detection and its sure result
the bullet or the halter. He had been unable,
amid the hurry and excitement. to make some
final disposition of his affairs. He gave us a
last message TO send to his wife and children
In case 1t became necessary; and he also de-
sired a promise-most freely given-that we
would attend to the settlement of his account
with our general for services recently render
ed. Thus concluding. he wrung our hand
most earnestly, and putting spurs to his fresh
and spirited animal, dashed off upon his mis-
sion. Twenty hours afterwards we were re-
lieved OF our anxious foreboding by his safe
return. We have stated Abe price paid him
for his lsbors five thousand dollars y il was
well earned, and to our cause was most prof
table inve stment.-" dnndls of the army of
The Cumberland.