The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-10-09
A DIPLOMATIC SPY.
CAPT1IN PIG4ULT'S VISIT TO 1T
LAET4 BEFORE THE SIEGE.

boom Of Shermans cannon, forty miles away,
could be distinctly heard in Atlanta, the
good people in that city were unusually rest
less and vigilant.
A stranger in those days was an object Of
suspicion, until he proved himself to be a
friend, and not doubtful character.
This was the situation of affairs, one fine
morning when gentleman walked out of the
dining room of the Atlanta hotel, and took his
stand in front of the main entrance.
A citizen in shabby clothes everything was
shabby at that stage Of the war-sauntered
into the hotel, looking keenly at the stranger
as he passed him. What he saw evidently
surprised him for he turned and looked sharply
at the man.
"Who Is he OF the citizen asked the land
lord, who at that moment came along and
stopped to shake hands.
"Came in last night" was the reply, "regis-
tered from Montgomery-name Louis Pigault
French, l should say"
"0r yankee" answered the other with a
frown, II don't like his looks. Where in the
devil did he get his spick and span new store
Clothes. Why, man, they're brand new! You
don't see such stylish rig as that coming
through the blockade. Money wouldn't buy
it, sir not even in Richmond"
That's so, " said the landlord, refectively,
Hell have to be investigated"
81 don't want to bother anybody" remarked
he shabby man, ''but as member of the
Committee of Safety must do my duty. you
know"
"Ihen you will"
PRECISELY" with moaning nod. "IH
drop hint TO the Commander of the POST
With these words the member of the Com
mittee Of Safety walked out of the Office, and
started up the street.
The landlord was a genial man, and he did
| not like to see guest annoyed. Yielding to
! good-natured impulse, he joined Pigault and
made some commonplace remarks about the
weather
French" said the landlord to himself,
| after few pleasant words had been ex-
| changed, "or creole from louisiana don't
| know which-but he is a gentleman all the
| same"
AS Pigault stood there putting his cigar, and
| talking yiYaciously with a strong foreign ac-
| ent, his COMPANION scratiniZed him closely.
The Frenchinan was man OF thirty-tive or
| forty with a broazed face, ornamented with a
| pointed mustache and imperial. His eyes
were black and impenetrable, but his express
| sion was suave, and his courtesy embarrassed
the plain Georgian.
An officer accompanied bya private soldier,
came striding along the pavement. He paused
III front of the hotel.
"Can l see Mr.. Pigault2" he asked the pro-
prietor
The smiling landlord at once introduced the
officer to his companion The military man
was very polite. Would Mr. Pigault mind
stepping up to the Office of the commander of
the post, mere formal matter of business he
believed, but still it was necessary that the
matter should be attended to at once.
Mr.. Pigault received this information with
q bland look. Nothing would afford him
greater pleasure, he said than to meet tho
commander, and he would be charmed to ac-
company tie officer.
BY this time the landlord had complete con-
fdence in tho newcomer.
Tell the colonel" he said, "that I'll call
with Mr. Pigault in few minutes"
This was satisfactory to the lieutenant and
wlth al elaborate bow he departed, followed
by the private with his musket.
The commander Of the post opened his eyes
very wide when the stranger informed him
that he was Captain Pigault, of Marshal
BazGnes staff.
Here is my pass, The captain volunteered,
handing him scrap of brown paper.
1t was IN due form, signed by the Montgom-
cry official, and on the back was the oath of
allegiance to the southern confederacy prop
erly filed out and signed
The commander did not know exactly what
to say, bat he iutimated his desire to learn the
nature Of his visitors mission.
captain pigault hesitated and looked at the
landlord, Ihat worthy citizen took the hint
and excused himself.
The Interview lasted an hour. Captain
Plgault had no commission in writing, no let
ters, no documents-aothing but the pass from
Montgomery. After he had talked ten min
utos, the commander felt that no credentials
were necessary. The Freachman expressed
i'ls qualification at meeting gallant con
could talk freely, and yet he felt
bound to state that he was compelled
to hold some things back until he could con-
fer with President Davis and his cabinet. One
thing, however, he could say and that was that
the Emperor Macmillan would soon be firmly
established in Mexico, and the empire desired
to form close alliance with the southern con-
federacy In month or so Bazaine's army
would not be needed at home Was there any
reason why it should not reinforce Johnston or
Lee
Tho scheme was a dazzling one The COM
mander had heard whispers Of il in Richmond.
and the newspapers from time to time limited
at it, AS he listened to the accomplished
diplomat and soldier before him it struck HIM
that Macmillan could not have selected bet
ter man for such an important mission.
Captain Pigault did not disguise the fact
that he had found it difficult to reach Atlanta.
lie could not repGse confidence in everybody.
1t would have been dangerous to carry writ
ten communication from the imperial govern
ment, as he ran the risk of falling into the
hands of the federals on his way
into the confederate lines. He had found it
impossible to make his way across the Rio
Grange. rs the troops Of Juarez would have
captured him. He had first gone to Cuba and
from there to Florida in little fishing vessel.
Before going to Richmond he wanted to see
General Johnston. Then he would proceed
President Davis and General Lee.
We expect trouble, sooner or later" he
said with tho United States. The federal
government will reassert the Monroe doctrine
and go to war with the empire, Who are our
natural allies? The confederates as 2 matter
of course. II is true that they are founding a
republic, but as it is based upon Slavery IT is
monarchical in spirit. As friendly allies the
empire and the confcderacy will he able to
maintain themselves against the world"
AS the confederate gaZed into the handsome
face Of the dehonair Frenchman, If dawned
upon tisn that this man could not be a name
less adventurer. lie was a man Of affairs, and
one used to authority in courts and 5camps. A
few questions confirmed this impression. Cap
tain Pigeult gave a brief sketch OF his career.
lie had served in the Imperial. Guard and
foughtin the Crimea and in Algeria He
spoke five languages as we'll as hiss native
tongue. Louis Nanoleon had decorated him
with the cross OF the Legion OF Honor.
All these matters the captain touched upon
in his fluent, sparkling talk. and the confed-
crate never thought OF doubling him. When
they parted the commander proposed to.escort
him on the following day to General John
stons headquarters. This was satisfactory to
the captain, and he returned to his hotel, with
new pass in his pocket giving lin practically
the freedom Of the city.
nd n,1foT