The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1867-03-09
Tho clothes-Lino Telegraph

In the early part Of 1858, when the Union
army was oncamped at Falmouth, aud pickcting
the kappahannock, the utmost tact and Ingenuity
were displayed by the scouts and vdettes IN
gaining knowledge Of contemplated movements
| on either side aud here a. at vatious other
times, the shrowdness Of the African camp n t,en.
danls was very remarkable
One Circumstance IN particular showed how
quick the race are 10 Learning the art Of cOmmu-
nieAtion by signals.
There came into the Union lincs . negro from
the farm on the other side Of the river, known by
the name OF Dabney, who was found 10 possess q
remarkably clear knowledge of the topography
Of the whole region aud lac was employed as
cook aud body servant At headquAflers. Which
he hrsi Saw our system OF Army telegfaphs the
llea Interested him intensely, and be begged
HS mS OPERATOR TO explain the signs 10 him They
u'u ~, aha found that he could understand and
ieincuher the meaning OF the various movement
as well AZ any of bis brethren Of the ualer hue
Not long after. his wife, who had CONG with
lin, expressed great anxiety 10 he allowed 10
20 over 10 the other side Gs servant 10 iscce.A
woman whom Gen. Hooker was abor, sending
over 90 bet friends Tie request was efau,ed
bAbney wlfe went acres the Happahanuock.
aud IN few days was dgly installed as lalndrcss
AZ the headquarters OF promigoi rebel genera.
Dabney her husband, on tie other hand WIS
soon found 20 be wonderfully wei. D.. med as
~ al the rebel plans. W.ihia az bon OF IL,
time that movement Of any Kind va. 10 jrcicd
% even discussed among the rrtcl t,..tra'.
Hooker knew nj. about ii ile ku-v $50 -ogp.
wa. moving, o. ahoat 20 t..o,c in~midif,-t ior.
ho" .oug me- .Hd see. Oh IT. 'Dst,a. ..i4 go
what 'o'tr aad ail this kuowled 30. tare ,f- -.el
inhE'y, and Ais rcroit. iuruid ouf q. tr..
let Dabney wh- never 4h-'.i' nud nteot tt4.t!
Win The scouts and steni,d ~ b. atWafs iaAou
Ai with hi. fHiic- as coos ant groom about head.
l""f'.s How hc ut;a.9vg his information o..
H,in,! tor some time pa zzic 60 'hc Union
Oiiiceis Al length. upon much solicitation be-
unioideG his marvellous secret 80 one 80 our
officers
Taking him 10 point wher, !. c., view
could be obtained Of ffederioksbgfr b. utti
out little cabin IN the suhurbs near ine 'rvcr
bank aad asked him II lac saw that cloths. iuc
with clothes hanging on j.; 'ntr! Na ai
hr 20 that clothes I'm" tell, Llr "a .eH az hour
j--i what g0es OF "a Lees hendluafi,fs Ycu
t'c nv wife Ovcf there she was4r. Tor the utirc,.
n"d 'ooas and ws.'' ;ogad ,n. 4- .lDl ar .ilr
"afs n1'iai ANY 'anreih,'.'s - Ausi!.ne loinr
% SO ..''.'. ioru ~. ...,- 80 .i..l.- 81.
;'"'' ''h' =" Via; '.,D l;..cfs;ah. itita iuinnt.
That these gray SHIRT Is Lol.s'r,,t ana vu,u
81, i"krf o. o' .; neaHs that ne ha. tui., 900
about lichiVni That ~lii. shlft m,ai.a
nnt when shc moves . ul' Zoo i..e ~est.a4 Co. 3D..
i'Hc' ii'!l 'oiFs nns moved " 'hc s'ic.m Ti'
ica oac is Sionewall he dovu oi the s.gL, ''.y
anG 4 ae movts shc vii! move that icu
oae morning Dshney oane 10 an e..
movement; over there But; .4s t..
amount 10 ANYTHING They',e snhia. i.
iicvc
Al office: ~ea; oui t.,.. .. -tt ..a .tr
'.erfai'n through -. '...I a. ii.it 81 ,st.
quite shifting o. scgc amon. o., .l.. t.n-
Hrs Bu' h" Il" you know t.' .arf. j.
suiae'hi 10. fou eco ,i..- .yo .iaa..
eis pI.' 'l:tiir' - 20, huitoiu ashul uat-
fst
les .u' wini ~ . asked ;he ciirc.
Why 'Eai'. hri Say Of making d nsh-igap
and N'en shv i4as the clothes ,ogelhef that way.
% n"ao- that lie ia only trying % Law a. .a.
ne tsa-ITap.
" long a. the ;wo aia.ica .ay watching each
o,ici on opposite banks Of iAe stream. Dahncy
With lis clothes line telegraph, continued To b.
nae % the piOmriesi aud nos' reliable 1T Gen
} COOKERS scon;s - .Mtrts .Inc-3r'e.