The Portland daily press., 1895-08-17

ordered in September, 1868, which was
destined to result SO tragically to him
sell. From New Orleans he was sent
again to the Army of the Cumberland,
then following Bragg through the
mountain defiles of northwestern Geor-
gla. Although not combatant, Cole
man fought gallantly with the Four
teenth corps at the battle OF Chlcka-
mauga and accompanied General Thom-
as back to Chattanooga Here his serv-
Ices were of the greatest value. The
Confederates had signal stations on
Lookout mountain and along the crests
OF Missionary ridge, Bragg's headquar-
tiers being about the center of the latter
elevation. The southern code had been
modified since Coleman's desertlon, but
enough of the former method remained
to enable him to read with reasonable
accuracy
When Grant took command of the
combined armies at Chattanooga in o.
tober, 1868, Coleman was sent for, and
he remained with that officer till after
the battles of Lookout Mountain and
Missionary Ridge, which were so disas-
trous to the Confederaoy. Immediately
after these victories the Union left un-
der the command Of Sherman, was hur-
rled to the relief of Burnside, then be-
sieged in Knoxville by Longstreet,
while the Union right, under Hooker,
was pushed forward till it struck the
Confederates under Cleburne at Ring
gold.
1t was at tha siege Of Chattanooga
that I became intimate with Coleman,
though our first meeting was just before
the opening Of the Vicksburg campaign.
About the 9th of November he started
on his last desperate mission, but
whether the undertaking was suggested
by himself or General Grant l do not
know, but am inclined to think it was
the former
After his defeat Bragg's army halted
at Dalton and Tunnel hill, where it re-
mained till Sherman began his spring
campaign the following year Coleman
was perfectly familiar with the country
between Dalton and Atlanta, and his
purpose was to intercept the telegraphio
messages between Davis and his unfor-
tunate lieutenant. AS there was no ao-
tive campaigning In Georgia or Vir-
ginia at that time whatever information
Coleman might gain would have no i'm
mediate value, and this fact is my rea-
son for believing that he was not advis-
ed to undertake the work. say ''ad-
vised, !" for at no time had the COM
manding officer under whom Coleman
served the power to order him to do
such work His ability to make his way
through the most closely guarded lines
was nothing short of marvellous. Past
success did not make him reckless. Even
in his sleeping he seemed to be on the
alert, and he had in an unusual degree
morning courage.
With safety he succeeded in making
his way to point about five miles to
the west of the town of Calhoun, on the
road to Atlanta. He set to work with
his customary energy the night he reach
ed the ground, but here his good fortune
deserted him.
1t was a cold, dark night, with high
wind and driving rain that froze as
graph poles in an armor Of ice. In what
he believed to be a secluded place, Cole
man climbed pole, which, with some
care, he had selected for its strength.
ne reacneo Jne crosspieces and was
pulling himself up when his hold broke
and he fell to the ground, 80 feet be-
low.
When he recovered consciousness, day
was dawning, and he saw about him
group Of Confederate soldiers, one of
| whom had canteen to his lips. He was
sore and stiff, but beyond severe scalp
wound he was not seriously injured.
The soldiers believed his statement that
he had met with his accident while re-
pairing the telegraph lines, and he
might have got away in safety had not
Confederate officer of more than ordi-
nary shrewdness happened along. This
officer had his suspicious aroused, but
he succeeded in keeping them to him
self. xn1satv
Where doyou live?" asked the officer
SIN Atlanta" was the reply. Y
"And your manner"
Coleman
care you in the army?"
eyes, but I never served with my
regiment. -
''You have been detailed for telegraph
repairs, eh?"
Eyes -
"And you were sent out alone?"
eyes; that is not unusual, % replied
Coleman, who was uneasy without show
ing it.
About this time hand car came
along. and the officer put Coleman
aboard and accompanied him to Cal
houn. Here Coleman was recognized by
a Captain Dennis, who had been on
Bragg's staff and was now on a sick
leave. Dennis recalled the death of
Snow and the mysterious disappearance
OF Coleman, and it did not take much
reasoning to convince him that his old
acquaintance was q spy in the Federal
service. At Calhoun number of Off
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