The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-11-26
Trapping a Spy.
BY NJ. QUAD.

who called himself "Captain Elliott"
That may have been his roal rank and
name, but the chances were that it was
not. tripped him up one February night,
and never had opportunity afterwards to
investigate his case, as he was taken to
military prison.
During the winter of 1862, when the
Federal troops were massed in front OF
Washington, waiting for the spring cam
paign, and the Confederates held Center
vile and the country thereabouts, Wash
ington was the headquarters of many Con
federate spies. In addition to the numer-
GUS residents of the city who lost no oppUi-
tunity to pick up information and send it
through to their friends, spies from the
Confederate army in front cane through
our lines and lived in the capital for weeks
at a time. The only risk they ran was IN
getting through the lines. The city was in
constant hubbub of excitement, filled
with officers, soldiers, contractors, Office
seekers, and others, and no one inquired
the business of his neighbor. In addition
to what spy could see and deduce, the
officers were fountains of information. In
1884, armies were moved without any one
but the commanding-g general having pre-
vious knowledge, and the officers had learn
ed the value of still tongue; but in the
early part of the war, the officer who could
lean back in his chair in the Office at Viii
liard's and "spout' his knowledge Of any
movements and commanders secrets,
thought himself hero.
"I've got a nice job for you," remarked
the official who controlled my movements
at that time, one day in January after
had returned from a weary scout towards
Centervile
"Well?'
81, want you to look up some of
the half dozen Confederate spies who are
lounging about Washington. They are
picking up every word of information drop
ped, and have become so bold that they
even dare to "pump" heads of depart
ments am aware that they are in the
city, but know none of them, or would ar
rest them myself. You have little time
to spare now, and make the hunting down
of these rascals your sole object"
OF course, replied, livery WE'LL" bowed
myself out, and then sought my quarters.
The business was new one flor me, but
one in which took great interest. ] had
never had any detective experience but
was not long in concluding that l could
soon get on the track of some of the men
had been in and out of Washington until
well acquainted with the hotels, and princi
pal saloons, and had quite fair idea Of
how must go to work
The next morning, none of my acquaint
ances knew me at sight, and no wonder.
was no longer citizen, unknown to fame,
but a "captain in the army" sporting q
brand-new uniform, and the "tallest
kind of an air. had made up my mind
that / could secure information as al
officer which could not be gained in the
character of citizen. AS a citizen, mus
hunt up the Confederate spies-as an army
officer, hoped and intended that they
should hunt for me- A long purse was par
whose men were in camp at Arlington
Fort Michigan, and at other points, re
manned in the city for days at a time, board
ing at the hotels and visiting the theatre
and so none would question my right IL
leave "my company" which formed par
of regiment stationed at Alexandria.
My first move was to WiIliard's, wher,
registered my name as Captain Charles
Lake, 'G' Co., 18th N. Y. Infantry" bu
in putting back the pen, managed to drol
big drop of ink on the line, so that i
blotted out the Company, leaving on,
to guess to which one in the regiment
was attached There were the names o
a ascore of officers; fifty lieutenants, captain
and colonels sat around and no attention
was paid me. Securing cigar and a seat
waited half an hour to get chance to mi
in with the conversation of a group of sevel
or eight officers. There was lieutenan
among them who said but little, but seem
ed to do great deal of thinking. Ever
time he spoke it was to draw out some poin
of information. He asked after regiment
newly arrived, about ordnance and nava
stores, and all at once made up my min
that he was n Confederate spy. I ha
hardly formed the opinion, when / rea
"spy" in his every action, and would nc
have hesitated to arrest him then an
there, but for desire to make him the ba
to bring other fish to my hook. Throug
him must get into the ring"
found no chanca to get into the conve