Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-09-17
How Information was Transmitted to the
Rebels at VicksburR

Noticing few days since, IN the obit.
1ary column of Southern paper, the
following announcement, relieves me
from an obligation involuntarily entered
into before the close of the late war;
"Died, at -, on the 18th instant,
j. M, aged forty-four years The
deceased was long and favorably known
as d steamboat pilot, and throughout
the rebellion a firm friend of the
Southern cause, for which he made many
sacrifices and rendered valuable SER
vices.
The promise gave M. was that
would not divulge what he then 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 fall of Vicksburg, Miss. when it was
first attacked by General Sherman, and
afterwards so laboriously besieged by
General Grant was the certainty of the
information the enemy seemed to get.
Notwithstanding every precaution was
taken to prevent spies from obtaining
and transmitting information-notwith.
standing the river was closely watched
to prevent the least message from being
floated down to Vicksburg- nevertheess
information, and that, too, Of the most
nositive 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, and
also to the modification OF the command
ing General.
II is my object, briehy,to show how that
information was transmitted. NJ was at
that time an impressed pilot in the SER
vice 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 advis-
ing the enemy inside of the garrison at
Vicksburg of what was taking place or
contemplated in the Union army was
simple and effective-so simple that 1T
easily eyaaed all attempts at detection.
During three or four hours Of each day,
M. after gathering from the officers at
HEADQUARTERS what information be de-
sired-fer officers would talk-would re-
pair 70 farm house on. the point, and
with a large mirror which he had pre-
yiously taken from the cabin of the
steamer, amuse himself by throwing the
suns reflection up and down the river,
occasionally darling 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 enemys works
along the Vicksburg levee No one
thought of suspicon-no one asked him
what he was doing--for the employment
was so simple and apparently distracted
that none thought for mement of
attributing any other motive than mere
idle pastime.
But this was his secret, previously
agreed upon between himself and Gen
eral Pemberton. Vicksburg is mainly
upon a high bluff; the lower part of the
city during certain hours Of the day
being entirely in the shade Commenc-
ing at the upper end Of the city and
within view, NJ. had selected thirteen
houses behind and above these. To
each one of these houses letter of the
alphabet was given From the window
in the farm house he threw the rehec-
ton first upon one house, and then upon
another, an officer of Pemberton's staff,
in the secret, at the same time standing
on the levee with his back to NJ, and yet
reading every word easily and rapidly.
And be not only gave information of
what was Transporting in the Union camp
at Young's Point, but also gathered from
newspapers important news relative TO
the movements Of armies elsewhere,
sending it across the river 10 the same
manner
This plan was kept up until short
time before Gen. Grant made arrange.
ments for going below Vieksburg, cross
ing at Grand Gulf, and coming up in the
rear. Just before that event, NJ. was
ordered to another point, and conse-
auently the enemy had no light upon the
subject Of that last move which finally
resulted in the capture Of that strong
hold of the Confederacy.
These facts / obtained from NJ. him
SELF while aftcrward an officer on board
one of our transports with him, and
have every reason to believe, from ex
periments made at the same place, tina,
Il was "a plain. unvarnished tale he
ralnfed IN mo - CIR Alba1U Journal