The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-06-26
A FISIIY STORY
Told by an Alleged Federal
Spy.
Passing Off far Half Dozen Men It Once
Only To BE Discredited
Last.

| federate lines by system Of defenses, / was in
the trenches one afternoon when the captain
of my company sent for mo and ordered me to
report to the colonel The COLONEL ordered me
| to report at General Halleck's headquarters,
and when made my appearance the general
| said:
"You have done some scouting2"
ayes, sir"
"Will you go as q spy?"
"Where to?"
Unto Corlnth. want information which
only spy can secure. If you come back you
shall be well rewarded. If you are detected
you will be hung"
~ will try It,"
every good. Return in an hour and will
give you instructions. When can you set out"'
"By midnight"
THAT will do"
went away wondering how on earth Cen
eral Halcck had ever heard Of me, and it was
n month later before / ascertained the facts.
One afternoon / was Showing OFF, to group
of soldiers, and tho general and his chief engi-
neer halted on their round of inspection and
became spectators unknown 90 me. In my
palmy days / could initiate any voice | heard
/ could put my face into almost any shape;
could work my ears like a horse, and could
throw a hat off my head by working my scalp.
When / was only twenty-four yerrs old Icoud
make my face look like that Of man Of seven
ty, and, as my face was as beardless as wo-
mans, | could dress in female attire and defy
any one to detect me by voice or gait.
Tho main thing was to get into Corinth. The
general had no suggestions to make on that
point, and tho work To be done, when once in
side, seemed easy enough. The way into Crinth
by the south and west was still open, and milk,
vegetables, hay, and other stuff was being re-
ceived by every highway When | set out Just
before sundown had $500 in gold in my pock-
cts and bundle of clothing in my hand. At
midnight, when had reached the point aimed
at, bowbacked old man of 10, lame, gray
haired, and toothless, might have been seen sit
ting in fence corner of a highway to await the
passage of time. / was within seven miles of
Corinth, and my plan was to go in with some
vehicle. Within ten miles OF mo were two
great armies getting ready for death grapple,
but just then the frogs croaked, the insects
buZzod, and peace spread her mantle as in
graveyard. Indeed l was in a browse when |
heard the rattle Of wheels, and was only on my
feet when young man, driving horse to an
open buggy, came along. He had six jugs Of
milk in tho vehicle and was bound for town.
give an old man lift to town? My boy has
run OFF and jined tho soldiers, and L must see
him and try and get him back"
"Who are you?" he asked.
"Judge Lexington of Guntown Started to
come by rail, but the engine broke down, and
in trying to get ahead I've got lost reckon"
81 should say you had! You amt anywhere
near the railroad"
"Reckon not. Pretty hard on the old man,
but feel rs if must get the boy back"
well, jump in l suppose you've got
pass|
go, yes"
He was knd-hearted simple-minded young
man, ana had pass which enabled him to
como and 90 at pleasure. We had not gone
above half n mile when / "suddenly discover
cd" that had lost the important document
which would admit mo into Corinth. lie
stopped his horse while l searched anew, but
the paper could not be found.
"And what will they do II don't have
pass ?" l asked.
Take you before some of the generals, and
they may lock you up. They are mighty care
full Of late'
And may not get to see my boy?"
perhaps not"
TT took on" for about five minutes in pa
thetc strain, and when l saw that had en-
listed his sympathies / said:
"Niy young friend l don't want to be de-
layed. You must help me. When we come to
the picket post l am to pass as your father who
has como to town to look around. Even an
hours delay may take my boy away"
80 but wouldn't dare.''
"You'd dare great deal for these" said,
as put couple Of $40 gold pieces into his
hand
"Why-yes-I-I feel sorry for you, and I
want you to get in. i might say you was my
father, but"
I'm chance the rest"
don't think no expected any trouble, for
the matter did not seem to trouble him any.
When we drove up TO the first picket post lie
halted the horse and was fumbling for his pass,
when one Of tho pckets said
That's all rght-drive on. o. but who is
that with you?"
Tho old man, He fit in the Mexican war,
and wants TO SEQ how things look in Corinthn
And If was ten years younger I'd shout
der my musket, added.
Bully for youl" shouted the three or four
men on the post and they were laughing as we
drove on.
The inner picket did not stop us Mt all, and
we drove into the town in the gray of the morn
ing. Although the hour was early, everybody
was astir and tho streets almost blocked with
army vehicles. During the last half mile of
the drive tho young man inspected me very
closely, and whom finally left him he did not
seem altogether satisfied rs TO my identity
lie asked me several questions about Guntown
which had to answer at random, and my ac-
count OF how my SON. had left home was not
rs clear rs ii might have been. My first move
after losing sight OF the milkman was to 20 to
hotel. There l boldly registered rs John
William Richardson, Mobile" and dropped a
hint TO the clerk that was furnishing Beame-
gard with supplies. AS soon rs | went to my
room peeled off my outer suit, removed wig
and SpCctaCleS, took out three of my false teeth
which were ON plato by themsolves, black
enod my eyebrows, and in ten minutes l was in
q new disguise, Invent down to breakfast, and
them slipped over 70 the other hotel and regis
| tered and took room rs prof. E.G. S. LaDue
| New Orleans" l had the French twist TO my
| speech, and | also had discovery relating TO A
new explosive had come to the front TO put
| 1t in practice.
II was about ten o'clock when started ont.
aud who should run against tho very first
thing but my friend Of the milk business lie
had sergeant and three privates with him,
and rs they passed me he said:
so, can tell him half mile off. His gray
wig got rumplod up, and lsaw light hair under
It, hut he was of before know what TO do"
followed them 10 the hotel whore had first
registered, and entered ii Just as they went up
stairs 70 my room. They thought they had
their man, but were doomed to disappointment
Two of the men were left in the Office, howev.
or, while the other two. accompanied by the
milkmau, went ont 10 look for me on the streets
This was on the 10Th ~ May Beauregard had
concentrated everything on the short line, and
the couiederateS believed they had sure thing
IN caSr they were attacked in their intrench.
ments. | picked up the acquaintance Of A
dozen army officers before night. and the sub
iect of the now explosive proved interesting 10
ALL They pumped mo for particulars, of
course, but my reply was;
In day OF two hope 60 make q test and
surprise the yankees"
Through The influence OF q Captain johnson.
tlttl 4