The Portland daily press., 1895-08-17

i.ahu' OoioinaH 1911 IN with young new
Englander named Snow, who was serv-
ing in Mississippi regiment, and who
was teaching the children of rich
planter near Natchez when the war
storm burst on that state. Snow had
been detailed to serve as a clerk at the
commanding generals headquarters,
and so was thrown into frequent contact
with Coleman. The young men became
warm friends from the first, and grad
ually they confided, the one to the 9TH
er, their sympathies in the contest.
These men were admirably situated
to learn the exact condition of affairs in
Bragg's army. Indeed it is doubtful if
the officers, on Bragg's staff knew as
much about the strength and equipment
of that army or of the generals purpose
as did these two clear headed, shrewd
young fellows. They accompanied
Bragg on his sweeping raid into Ken
lucky in the autumn of 1862. Before
this it had been agreed between them
that at the proper time Snow should de-
sert, carrying with him the key to the
Confederate signal code and such other
information as might be of use to the
Union cause.
The southern sympathizers in Ken
lucky were so sure that Bragg and Kirby
Smith had come to stay that they in
augurated a governor after their own
heart, but his rule ended when the Con-
federates had filled their wagons and ex-
changed their broken down horses and
mules for the best animals in the blue
grass country. In the confusion follow
ing Bragg's retreat from Perryville
Snow was lost. He had gone into a barn
near Danville to sleep, and he slept on
till he was aroused by the prod of a
bayonet. He started up and saw a
bronzed man in blue before him, a pri-
vate Of the Thirty third Ohio, of Sill's
| brigade.
| Snow announced himself as deserter
from the enemy and asked to be taken
to the headquarters of the nearest gen.
eral officer. This request was complied
with, and he was taken before General
McCook. That officer examined him,
and at first was not inclined to believe
his story. He was kept under guard and
continued on with the army till the pur-
suit of the Confederates ended in the
mountains of southeastern Kentucky,
but during that time he had had oppor-
tunities to read and interpret the south
ern signals, and when it was found that
his reports were correct he was kept at
headquarters till all he had to impart
was learned.
1t had been Shows intention, after
reaching the Union lines, to go directly
to his home in Massachusetts, there to
remain till the war was over, but infIu-
ences were brought to bear on him that
caused him to change his mind and in
duced him to take up calling that
ended in death.
Coleman continued with Bragg's
army, still obeying orders and still plan
ming to aid the cause of the Union.
When he parted with Snow in Ken
tucky, he was convinced that If he ever
met that young man again it would only
be when the war was over. Great, then,
was his surprise. few days after reach
ing Chattanooga, to see his friend re-
porting for duty.
Snow told his old associates that he
had been made prisoner by the Union
forces in Kentucky and had escaped from
them, fact that added to his popular
ity and banished the lingering doubts as
to his fidelity which many who knew Of
his anteoedents had, but to Coleman he
told the truth. He had returned to his
old place, the better to help the cause of
the Union.
These friends were now drawn closer
together, and their intimacy would have
excited attention, had not Coleman, who
was the calmer and more masterful of
the two, controlled their meetings so
that their conferences were unobserved
3 If Snow had not returned, Coleman
would have deserted at the first oppor-
tunity, and he was just the man to
make an opportunity if he could not find
one to his hand. They remained about
the headquarters till the latter part of
December, when once more the Union
and Confederate forces stood face to face
to the south of Nashville, and there be-
gan that series of sanguinary engage
ments that ended in the battle of Stone
River
About the middle of December, to the
great surprise of Coleman, the Confed-
crate signal code was changed. He in
ferred from this that General Bragg had
become aware that his signals were be-
ing read by the other side. Coleman
and his companion were among those
suspected of communicating with the
Union forces. They could not see that
they were being watched, but they
shrewdly suspected it and governed
themselves accordingly.
Before the new code had been in use
week Coleman had mastered it, and
he at once became eager to communicate
the key to General Rosecrans. who had
superseded Buell. in command of the
Army of the Cumberland. After good
deal of watching Coleman found the
means of communicating his secret to
his friend.
81 want you,'' he said to Snow, "to
get through to the Union lines as soon
ac r,occ;I>1a 1xy l,a@oro bo nonl;orv