Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-07-26
SUN TELEGRAPHY.--- INCIDENT
OBJ THE REBELLION.
BY j. H. HOWARD.


Noticing few days since In the obituary
column of Southern paper the following
announcement, relieves me from an obliga-
ton | voluntarily entered into some months
before the close of the late war
"Died, at -, on the 18th inst, J.
Nj, aged A years. The deceased was
long and favorably known as a Steamboat
riot, and throughout the war firm friend OF
the Southern cause, for which he made many
sacrifices and rendered valuable services. "
The promise gave M. was that | would
not then divulge what he told me, but his
death relieving me from that promise, now
offer it to the public through your columns.
1t Will, be remembered that among the
many reasons which operated to prevent the
iall OF Vicksburg, Miss, when il was first
attacked by Gen. Sherman and afterward so
laboriously beseiged by Gen. Grant, was the
certainty of the conformation the enemy SEEM
ed to possess of every movement set on foot
for that purpose. Notwithstanding every
precaution was taken TO prevent spies from
obtaining and transmitting information
Notwithstanding the river was closely watch
ed to prevent the least message from being
fioated down to Vicksburg-neverthele in
formation, and that too, Of the most positive
nature, daily reached the enemy, to the
great annoyance Of the officers and men
who were slowly wearing their lives away
under an almost tropical sun-but also to
the modification of the commanding general.
1t is my object, briefly, to show how that
information was transmitted. M. was at that
time an impressed pilot in the service of the
Union army, having in charge one of the
Transports lying below Young's Point, on
the west side of the Mississippi. His plan
for advising the enemy inside the garrison
OF Vleksburg of what was taking place, or
contemplated in the Union army, was simple
and effectual-so simple that It easily evaded
all attempts at detection. During three or
four hours of each day, NJ, after gathering
from the officers at headquarters what infor-
nation he desired-for officers scould talk
would repair to iarm house down on the
Point-and with large mirror which he
had previously taken from the cabin OF the
steamer, amuse himself by throwing the
SUMS reflection up and down the river,
occasionally darting the concentrated rays
of May or June sun into the eyes OF some
gull or loon quietly floating on the water,
causing it to dive down Or fly up with half
frightened shrek, and then turning it full
upon the enemy's works along the Vicksburg
levee. No one thought of suspicion-no one
asked him what he was doing-for the em-
ployment was so simple and apparently ABB
stracted, than none thought for moment of
attributing any other motive to it Than that
of mere idle past-time.
But this was his secret, previously agreed
upon between himself and Gen. Pemberton;
Vicksburg is mainly upon high bluff, the
lower part of the city during certain hours
of the day being entirely in the shade. Com
mencing at the upper end of the city and
within easy view, M. had selected thirteen
houses along the levee, and thirteen Others
behind and above these. To each one oi
these houses letter of the alphabet was
given. From the window in the farm house
he threw the reflection first upon one house
and then upon another, an officer OF Pember
TOMS staff, in the secret, at the same time
standing on the levee with his back to NJ.
and yet reading every word easily and rapid
ly. And he not only gave information o
what was transpiring in the Union camp a
Young's Point, butalso gathered from North
ern newspapers important news relative Il
the movements of armies elsewhere, sending
il across the river in the same manner.
This plan was kept up until short tint
before Gen. Grant made arrangements TO
going below Vicksburg; crossing at Grant
Gulf, and coming up in the rear. Just betor'
that event, M. was ordered to another poin
and consequently the enemy had no Hgh
upon the subject of that last move whicl
finally resulted in the capture OF that strong
hold OF the Confederacy.
These facts obtained from NJ. himself
while afterward an officer on board one o
transports with HIM, and have every reasoi
to believe, from experiments made at til
t same place, that itwas "a plain, unvarnishe'
3 tale' he related me.-AlbGny Journal
a -4sesf-