The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1866-09-05
Obtaining Information from Rich
49,, mOnd During the War. L. -


The Richmond correspondent Of the
New York Times imparts the following
information relative to the manner IN
which important intelligence was con-
Veyed from Richmond to the Federal lines,
during the war. The Richmond Wing
admits that the testimony of Gen. Lee
did leak out and did get to Washingtons :
but whether in the manner indicated by
the Times correspondent, is not certain
The version of the correspondent of the
Times is as follows: s.>:,s.S r.
''The country will remember that .du-.
ring the winter our Government obtained
assurance of the hopelessness of the Con-
federate cause, by coming into possession :
of the testimony Of General Lee before
committee Of the Confederate Congress,
which was never reported to the House,
except in secret session, if at all. A full
history of the manner in which the Gov
ernment obtained that information would ,
be more interesting than any romance, {
but it is too soon yet to do more than
outline il. The evidence of General Lee
was taken late in the winter ere this COM
mittee had determined what course they
should pursue-almost before the ink was.
dry upon their notes.-the entire state,
ment Of the Rebel General, word. for
word, was in the possession Of Mr.. Lns
coin at Washington. In the room where
the committee met was closet, and from
that closet, Immediately after their ad-
,journment, came the priceless informaS
tion. Outside the house it at once
changed hands, and second party walked
leisurely through the streets of Richmond,
with it, until upon the environs he en-
countered one of the common country
carts ofthis section proceeding with the.
half of a newly killed beef toward the
rebel lines in Buffers front, No COM
munication that the most lynx-eyed
could perceive passed between the man
and the cart, but the former gradually
changed his direction and was soon walk
ing. back in the direction whence he bad
come. The cartwent on, reached and,
passed through the Rebel camps without
molestation and reached the pickets5
where it halted as a matter Of, course.
The beef was destined for the house offs
planter just beyond the rebel lines and
in plain sight of their outposts. These,
explanations made and careless search;
of the cart made by the Rebel sentry;
that is look into it, the cart proceeded,
on it's way. Just as it neared the house
a small party of our cavalry made dash
at it, and to the. utter surprise of the
Rebel pickets, who saw the whole affair,
our men only hovered moment around
the cart, then galloped back with one.
more man than they came with, leaving
cart and beef, and driver and mule be-
hind him. They did not know it then,
but under the beef was man, and the.
man had apackage, and the package con-
tanned the statements of Gen. Lee before
the Committee Of Congress few hours
before. , g.. ..--,.-.. -. H..
In outline, this was how the thing was
done. 1t may seem strange, but Lincoln
and Grant knew long before many Of the:
T officials ofthe insurgent government the
sworn statement Of their commander as
to. the hopelessness of further resistance:
Knowing that the Goyernmehtand Grant
had this information explains many
things in connection with the, arrival
within our lines of Hunter Stephens and
Campbell, at the time Of the Hampton
Roads conference, which at the time were
explicable. The feat of obtaining this in
formation is unrivaled in the annals Of
war, and gradually, as the facts come to
| ,ght, it will be found that Grant had
every day such particular information
from the Rebel capital that he knew
what Jeff. Davis was talking about each
day in the most private of his converse
tions with his Cabinet and members of
his Congress. E. c.