The Arkansaw traveler. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1882-1???, 1889-02-02
SCOUT AND SPY.
New ork sun.


Ten days before Rosecrans moved from Nashville
to attack Bragg at Murfreesboro he knew the Con-
federate strength to man and gun. That was,
perhaps, the best piece of scout and spy work on
large scale performed during the war. There were
twenty-five of us, male and female, engaged In the
enterprise for three weeks, and four of remained
within Brsgg's line up to within twelve hours of
the march out of Nashville.
On the other hand Bragg receiving hourly
information from a hundred different sources and
his estimate of the Federal strength was found to
be only one hundred and fifty two out of the way.
To get these figures on either side required much
personal sacrifice at great peril, and during the
three weeks mentioned three OF our spies were cap
tured and we got two Confederates. Two of ours
were shot while making a break for liberty, and
the third died in prison. The two Confederates
were killed within our lines and guard OF four
men with them, by the explosion of an ammuni-
ton wagon
The fact that a scout and spy during the
greater part of the war does not bias me one iota
when l say that men who will take their lives in
their hands spies do not deserving of the
stigma which attaches to the name. The idea in
war is to win battles. Why should the men who
60 into an enemy's camp and count his numbers be
reproached and the general who acts on the infor-
nation and wins fight be praised2 II because
they go In disguise, assert that half the
movements in a campaign are disguised. Troops
advance retreat to play hypocrite and deceive
the enemy. Our gunboats were often disguised
in order to get advantage, and neither side hest
other.
Why it is legitimate warfare for a gunboat TO
shut of her lights and sneak past battery ut mid
night to take position below and matter of con-
tempt for an individual to pass that same battery
on foot to what is beyond, is a puzzle to me.
The rule in war is welcome the deserter who has
information, but to shoot down the patriot who
comes to possess himself of any, and it WILL per-
haps, always remain
1t was required of me to enter Murfreesboro and
remain for q couple of weeks to get the headquar-
tiers gossip. Such pointers as picked up were to
be forwarded to a certain spot on the Nashville
pike by young man who accompanied me to act
messenger His name was Charles Jackson and
he q private in Ohio regiment IL was
arranged that should hail from Louisville and he
from Lexington, and for two days before leaving
Nashville we were busy posting up on the streets,
prominent people, public buildings, etc. of the cit
les named. It was an easy matter to get into the
town. but it cost Uncle Sam considerable cash in
advance. l was furnished with twenty five revolt
vers proof that l was the agent OF a firearms
house In Louisville and Jackson got In with three
fine horses to sell for Lexington speculator.
So far 30 good. When one has actually entered
upon the dangers of expedition the perils seem
to lessen. took up my quarters at q hotel, and
made no attempt to avoid any one jackson put
his horses into the hotel stables, but took mp his
own quarters ut private boarding house. There
was much confusion and excitement, and no one
seemed to give any attention. On the first day
of my arrival sold revolver to an infantry cap
tain named Williams, and he informed me that he
would return next day with couple Of his friends
was In no hurry to sell out my stock, M cacu-
lated stay Of ten days ut least, and made no