The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-06-21
Tuesday Morning, June 81, 1864.
The Romance Of War.
Extraordinary Account OF Federal
Spy and his Operation.

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Extraordinary Account OF Federal
Spy and his Operation.
La 1862, there lived, In the state of --, a
Union Han. with wife and children. He was
q friend of the Union, and an anti-slavery man
upon principle. After the rebellion broke out,
aud when the Southern heart" had become
fred, this man, living in q strong pro-savery
region, and surrounded by opulent slavehold-
ers, his own family connections and those oil
his wife being wealth and bitter secessionists,
very pradenuy held his peace, feeling his ut
ter inability TO stem the tide of rebellion In his
section. Thus, without tacit admissions, or
any direct action on his part, the gentleman OF
whom we write was classed by the people of
his section as a secessionist.
Circumstances occurred during that year by
which this person was brought into contact
with Federal commander in Kentucky, Gen,
Nelson. Their meeting and acquaintance was
accidental. Mutual Union sentiments begat
personal sympathy and friendship. Nelson
wished certain service performed in the reb-
el 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 af-
ter its speedy and successful performance.
Soon after similar work was necessary, and
again was the citizen importuned, aud again
he consented, but not considering himself as
professional spy.
During this or a similar trip, and while at
Chattanooga, our man heard of the sadden
death OF Gen. Nelson. He was now at loss
what to do. Finally he determined to return
Aand report bis business 10 Major General Rose
Grams, who had assumed command of the Fed
erai army. Thus resolved, be proceeded to
finish his mission. After ascertainng the po-
sition of military affairs at Chattanooga, he
came to Murfreesboro', where Braggs army
was then collecting. Staying here several
days, he was urged by his Southern army
friends TO act as their spy in Kentucky. The
better to conceal his feelings and position, he
consented to do SO, and he left Gen. Bragg's
headquarters TO go to that state by way of
Nashville. feigning important business, and
from thence 10 go TO his home, passing by and
through Rosecrans' army as it lay stretched
out between Nashville and Louisville.
The nameless man now makes his way to
the Federal headquarters, seeks private in
teryiew with .Gen. Rosecrans, and state, his
case fully as we have just related. Here was
something remarkable, surely-a spy ia the
confidence OF The commanders of the two great
opposing armies. Our general took great pains
20 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 South
erner, surrounded by rebellious Influences,
and enjoyed Bragg's confidence; and what
guaranty could be given that he was Union
man at hearth None; and our general, in
great perplexity, held counsel with his chief
OF police, and requested the latter to "dg 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 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 our mans report was made at the rebel
headquarters a few days afterward. His in
formation was very acceptable to Bragg; but
we strongly question its value to rebeldom. as.
the spy reported only what he was told BY that
old fox, Col. Truesdail, the chief OF the FEEDER
nj army police.
Perhaps the reader will inquire, How 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 reports of
our spy TO Bragg, because he had nothing else
70 tell him. For i've days did our spy keep
himself locked in private room in the police
building at Nashville. His meals were car
ried TO him by trusty servant. His door
was "shadowed" constantly by our best de-
tectiyes, 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 fire,
read books and papers, and conferred often
with the chief OF police aud his assistant,
anording them, strangers as they were to that
region OF country, a fund of valuable infor-
nation respecting the rebels Of Kentucky
and Tennessee. He was a man of fine adj
dress and good intellectual attaInments.
When our man concluded it was about time
for his return to Braggs army, he was politely
escorted by our mounted police TO a proper
point beyond our lines, and by route where
he would see nothing of our forces. The
reader will now appreciate the grounds of our
confidence, we doubt not, In the worthlessness
OF at least one of Gen. Bragg's spy reports.
In due lime 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
pirlng In Bragg's army at Murfreesboro', and
and then he resumes his pleasant private
quarters at the army police building. After
brief stay another trip was made by our man
10 Bragg's 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.
Il am stranger to you all. ] can give you
no guaranty whatever OF my good faith.
II Is alike due to you and TO myself that
be allowed no opportunities for deceiving
you.
The report he carried TO Bragg on his sec
ond trip delighted the latter. His officers
talked with our men freely, and, after staying
at Murfreesboro' two or three days and riding
aud walking about in the most innocent and
unconcerned manner, he was again sent back
TO Nashville TO STOOL that slow Dutchman,
kosecrans," as one of the rebel officers re-
marked. or the importance OF the report
now brought TO the "slow Dutehman" we
need not state further than that II contributed
Its due weight TO decision fraught with tre-
mendous consequences TO the army and to the
country. Marching orders were soon after
issued for the advance Of the Army of the
Cumberland upon Murfreesboro'.
Now commenced a period of excessive
labor and peril for the nameless spy. Gen.
Rosesrans and Bragg each wanted instant
and constant information as the armies ap-
preached. The mlnutie OF this mans work
for four or five days we need not stop to re-
late It is easily 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 ac-
curate account of his artillery and earthworks,
the movement of the rebel wagon and rail-
road trains, &C., &c. He was very earnest in
assuring Rosecrans that Bragg intended to
give severe battle with superior Numbers.
This information proved true In all 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
possessed by the nameless one. Almost with
anguish did hs excaim against himself, In