The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-02-09
AWOMAN'S WILES.
How "a Fascinating Female Pos
sesSed Herself of Cabinet Sc
orefa md ~ hat Came OF IL


A writer in the New York Times tells
how fascinating Southern lady won the
confidence Of a Cabinet officer during the
war, lust about the time that great
naval expedition was determined upon,
the destination OF which was Cabinet
secret, impaired under seal to the COM
manders Of the expedition, to be revealed
only at the moment Of sailing. Twenty
thousand soldiers, 5000 sailors, and 20
vessels constituted this formidable
force, On the eve Of departure; but
before the troops had embarked,
its destination was impaired to the
writer-not by the President, with
whom he was in constant contact, not by
Cabinet Minister, some OF whom he saw
nearly every day, not by the chiet in
command Of the expedition, but the III.
formation came through the fascinating
Southern friend OF the Secretary, and JET
ferson Davis was made aware OF It at the
same time. Nevertheless, the writer still
kept his own counsel. He knew that at
the moment OF sailing council OF war
was to be held, and that the budget would
be then and there unfolded; and il the
information given to him through chan.
mel so monstrous should unfortunately
prove TO be true, that 1t would not be too
late to make the terrible fact known
The hour came for the council to be held.
Never did American waters behold a
sight 20 magnificent as was seen that day
in Hampton Roads. The finest frigates,
the noblest steamers, the largest mer-
chant ships, had all been gathered togeth.
er filed with enthusiastic troops, and
Americas most patriotic sons, guns OF
great calibre, mortars, tons Of ammuni.
lion, stores OF all kinds in enormous
quantities, trained officers who had fol.
lowed the flag 10 victory in other climes,
brave men who had given all to their
country. The hope OF a great nation was
about to cast itself upon terrible chance,
while the prayers from countless tiresides
wen. up to heaven for their safety and sue
cess; never did the flag Of freedom wave
over more determined band. The hour
ior,,council came. Upon the flagship were
assembled the few who had been selected
TO lead these men to victory, 10 guide that
great expedition TO success. In the inner
receaes OF the Admiral's cabin the coun'
Gil assembled. The doors were locked, a
sentinel placed fifteen feet from the door
on the outside, with orders that none
should approach him within a like dis
lance. The sacred budget was unsealed,
and 10 low and measured tones the in
structions OF the Government were read,
and in inspired words the destination was
told. 1t was Bulls Bay and Fernan-
dina" The same that the fascinating
friend Of the Secretary had distinctly
named What stupendous farce was
being enacted before high heaven
The writer could not believe his
senses, nor could the august council Of
war believe theirs. Fortunately for the
cause-fortunately for the countryside
Cabinet had added to its instructions that
the council Of war could, in its discretion,
change the destination on the eve OF SAIL
ing, II in its wisdom it should deem such
course expedient. 1t is sufficient to
say that the expedition sailed, each YES
sci under sealed orders TO be opened only
in mid.ocean. For Port Royal and Tor
victory-which the Government first
knew through rebel sources.
So much OF diplomacy and its secrets.
And so much for the power Of diplomacy
over war,