Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-08-08
The Cioshes Line Telegraph.

In the early part Of 1863, when the
Union army was encamped at Falmouth,
and picketins the Rsppahannock, the ut
most tact and ingenuity were displayed by
the scouts and videttes, in gaining a
knowledge of contemplated movements on
the other side; and here, as at various
other times, the shrewdness Of the African
camp attendants was very remarkable.
One circumstance in particular shows how
quick the race are in learning the art of
communicating by signals. There came
into the Union lines negro from farm
on the other side Of the river, known by
the name of Debney, who was found to
possess a remarkable clear topography of
the whole region, and ne was employed as
cook and body servant at headquarters.
When he FIRST saw our system of army
telegraphs, the idea interested him in
tensely and he begged the operators to ex-
plain the signs to him. They did so and
found that he could understand and re.
member the meaning of the various move
ments as well as any of his brethren of a
palcr hue. Not long after, his wife, who
had come with him, expressed a great de-
sire to be allowed to 60 over to the other
side as servant to a "seCesh woman"
whom Gen. Hooker was about sending,
over to her friends. The request was
granted. Dabney's wife went across the
Rappahannock and after few days was
duly installed as laundress at the head
quarters of prominent rebel general.
Dabney, her husband, on the north bank,
was soon found to be wonderfully well in
formed as to all the rebel plans.
Within an hour of the time that move
ment of any kind was projected, or even
discussed among the rebel generals, Hooker
knew all about it. He knew which corps
was moving, or about to move, Ia what
direction, how long they had been on the
march, and in what force-and all this
knowledge came through Dabney, and his
reports all turned to be true. Yet Dab
ney was never absent and never talked
with the scouts and seemed to be always
taken up as cook and groom about head
quarters. How he obtained his informa-
ton remained fer some time a puzzle to
the Union officers. At length, upon much
solicitation, he unfolded his marvellous Sc
cret to one of our officers. Taking him
to point where clear view could be OBJ
tanned Of Fredericksburgh, he pointed out
| little cabin in the suburbs, near the river
banks, and asked if he saw that clothes
line with the clothes hanging on it.
Well" said he, ''that clothes line tells
me in half an hour Just what goes on at
Lees headquarters. You see my wife
over there washes for the officers and cooks
and waits round, and as soon as she hears
about any movement or anything going on
sh' CONES doTn and moves the clothes on
that line SO can understand it in minute
That their grey shirts is Longstreet, and
when she takes it off it means he's gone
down about Richmond. The white shirt
means Hill, and when she moves it up to
the west end Of the line Hills corps has
moved up the scream. That red one is
Stonewall He's down on the right now
and if he moves she will move that red
| shirt.
One morning Dabney came in and
reported movement over there. "But,n
says he, "it don't amount to anything.
There just MAXIM b.aey~.' An officer