The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-03-07
A SPY'S PLAN.
HOW MRS. VIRGINIA MASON HOOD.
wINKEp THE UNION OFFICERS.
She HId Papers which Were OF Great
Importance 20 tho Southern Army
Between Two Dog skins.

Possessing. as many OF them did.
beauty, iinesse, the instructive knOwl-
edge Of human nature that enables the
sex TO penetrate the weakest points OF
mans armor. and "A patriotism TINT
made them proud 10 assume any risk
that would benefit their cause. many
undertook missions SD desperate that
only their wnmanhood saved them
from short shrift when discovered.
A case in point occurs To me. writes
Felix G.. de Fontaine In the N. Y.
Press. We had fallen back from Fair
fax Court House. and gone into camp
Mt Centervile. Winter was nj hand.
aud smoke curlel lazily upward from
10000 clay-built chimneys. Every
tree had been levcled by the soldiers
NIX; the old turn-pikes were lost in a
labyrinth Of foot-worn paths aud fields.
where only n little while before the
wind played hide and seek among the
growing corn. were now as hard ms
the bed of billiard table. The head
quarters of Beauregard were in farm
house. Imprinted aud unprctcntious.
that once had been the homo OF famous
Virginia hospitality, but "thc boys had
gone 10 the war" the old folks had ro-
tired to more congcnial scenes in the
interior Of the state. and all around
were signs of ruin.
The plans of Mcclellan. whose army
WAS encamped in our front. his fight
lug strength and the disposition of his
forces. together with the new phase of
public sentiment in the north that was
then beginning 10 take shape. were ut
this time subjects Of grave concern to
a
TO obtain more deiiuite Information
than had been furnished by the reg
ular spies. How to get IT, however
and through whom was the question.
The problem was solved while at
breakfast one morning by "A member OF
Beauregard's staff i know n lady"
he said. lin the neighboring county of
London. who possesses every qualillca-
ton of successful secret agent. Her
name is Mrs. Virginia Mason. She is
young. fascinating highly educated.
welcome guest in many Washington
families. aud acquainted with u large
number of northern people who spent
their winters in the capital before the
war. Withal. she is widow. her hus-
baud having been killed at the battle
of Manassas aud brave enough TO un-
dersake anything that will serve the
(. land she loves
Beaurcgard instructed the officer to
ride over TO London aud invite the
lady TO visit headquarters. and in "A
day or two she appeared. In the in
tcrview that followed he told her what
he required-a report from McClel-
lan's army. It's condition. the DISPOSE
ton of his forces. and the plans dis
cussed by the military authorities in
Washington. For this purpose she
was 10 ingratiate herself with promi-
nent officers. visit New York, Balti-
more. the various departments or any
other points where information could
be procured. She was also TO commu-
nicate with the representatives of the
confederate government in different
cities of the north.
The lady eagerly accepted the prop
ositon. and supplied with an abund-
ance OF money, started at once on the
perilous errand. which meant glory II
she was successful. aud prison II she
failed. She returned after an absence
OF several weeks. crossing the Potomac
opposite Dumfrcs and arrived ut tho
camp OF Col. (now senator) Wade
Hampton. Thence. escorted by one
of his officers. she was driven TO head
quarters AT Centerville.
can see her now rs she alighted
from the ambulance on the piazza OF
the little brown farm housc--a young
but MISUNDERSTANDING lady. handsome.
too. with glowing dark eyes that look
ed rs II they had fireworks in them.
She was dressed In black, and her only
baggage was q small hand-sachel. She
was also accompanied by shaggy
skye-terricr. mere armful that made
soldier who hadn't seen pretty
woman for month OF Sundays Gu
vious.
What occurred within the doors that
closed upon her was related to mo
nfterward by Gen. Jordan, then AMI
subsequently, Beauregard's adjutant-
general. Beauregard was. OF course.
delighted to see her. and with
woman's volubiIity she told him mora
la two hours than he could remember
In two months. The verbal part o!
the interview being ended. he inquired
for her papers. the record OF her trip.
and the dispatches he expected from
confederates Ia the north.
why. general. l didn't dare to
bring them on my person" she re-
piled. with peculiar smile. 1T was
unsafe, you know; | might have been
captured. and. therefore. | have told
you all know by word OF mouth"
Bcauregard could not conceal his
vexatiou. and the more he showed IL
the more the little woman seemed TO
enjoy IT, Finally. after teasing him to
her hearts content, she said with
affected occurrences; General. have
you pair Of scissors or knifep I'd
like 10 use II for minuts."
Beaurcgard handed her the ink
eraser. Come here. Dot" she called
70 tho dog. and taking him In her lap.