The Republican journal., 1898-08-04
THE EXPERIENCES OF A SPY.

l was the flrSt sergeant in GO. ID, It'll
Pennsylvania, in the spring of 1868. l
was one of the thousands of soldiers un
der Grant and Sherman lighting our way
northwald toward Nicksbnrg. There
were skllmisheS and engagements every
few days at that time. Gen. Pemberton
was at Jackson, Miss, fifty miles east of
Nlcksburg, with force of over 2O,O0O,
and was being daily reinforced. Grant
and his army entered Grand Gull May ),
1868. Gen. Sherman was ordered with
1900 men to make demonstration
against Haines Bluff to compel the con-
federates to detach troops there from
Pemberton' force.
Gen. Grant planned to face the two con-
tederate armies in detail and defeat them
before they could unite against him. He
wished to know a lot of facts about the
confederate Notifications in the gaps of
the Red Rock Ridge, and the size of
Johnston 5 reinforcements. Spies We're
necessary, and at that time | was called
npon to do spy service.
had done a little spy work in the Port
Gibson campaign, but this job in Johns
ton camp, Col Raymond told me, was
about the most dangerous that any spy
could undertake. The two great armies
We're almost ready to fight each other any
day, and all the camps We're unusually
watchful of unknown civilians. Col.
Raymond said he wanted twenty young
men who had nerve, and who would 90
into the enemys lines, ready to die if
necessary, without whimpeling or divulg-
ing of secrets. He also informed me that
several confederate spies had been recent
ly hanged at Corinth, and that the enemy
would surely retaliate ON federal spies.
| was given two hours to think the
proposition over. | was left in loom
and not allowed 10 speak to any of my
comrades.
l confess almost perspired blood as |
sat there alone that lovely May morning,
and thought over the horrible risk | was
going to take But agreed to 60.
Col. Raymond told me that Gen. Grant
wished to talk with the men who were
about to go as spies The colonel led us
about half mile away to dilapidated
house where Grant made his temporary
headquarters. Gen. Grant left a table
full OF maps and drawings, and came to
speak with us in the yard. He explained
that We had been chosen because of our
reputation for GOODNESS, nerve and dar-
ing. He told us that if any of us had any
gaging in the spy work in region and at
time when we would be summarily
hanged if caught, that one should decline
the service then and there
That afternoon each of us was instruct
ed in the particular information he was to
get, and the respective part he was to
play as civilian in the enemys camp.
was given the task OF observing some
tnDDCranhipal f9ntS and SaaipQr nr+;l
lery Gen. Johnston's army had. | was
instructed to be a deaf mute The sur
geon on Gen. Griersons staff had been
the head of deaf and dumb school at
Cleveland, and he spent several hours in
drilling me as a dummy.
was to 60 over TO Jackson with a
satchel full of shoe backing, shaving
soap, paper collars, and notions, appar-
emily caring my livelihood by selling my
wares TO confederate soldiers. 4 pencil
and slate We're my mode of eommunica-
ton.
/ started out from the Grand Gulf late
on the night Of May 9TH. l knew that |
would be suspected Of beius a spy, and
that the least indication that my hearing
was at all good would forfeit my life.
was within the enemys lines by noon
the next day. | ate under a COW shed
While the rain drizzled down
In the afternoon | was going along a
road near hamlet known as Griggsbvs
heard troop of cavalry coming down
the road behind me. | put on a blank
expression aud trudged along with my
olack satGhe. over my shoulder,
a lieutenant rode up to me and called
Hello he1e where are you going?''
had had time to prepare myself for
this test. started as if at the appear
anee OF the horse under my eyes. and
looked vacanrly up at the cavalryman.
ii 2 repeated his question. In a second
had my pocket slate out, and handed it
courteously 10 the officer. The Others in
the troop laughed and said
"Oh, he's d--n fool dummy
The lieute nant wrote on my slate.
"Nho are you, and where are you 60
ing?n
l wrote thai | was Daniel Freeman, and
that / was peddling for living
Several of the troops remarked that it
was foolish t. waste time on such dumb
mutton head as |, for II be caught any
how, and the troops galloped away.
saw camp OF fully 200 confeder-
ates down in the valley. l knew that my
presence would be reported at head quar-
terS by the cavalTymen, and it would be
folly TO go past camp if l were really
seeking trade. was stopped by senti-
mel about the camp. l wrote for him my
name and business on my slate. He
growled something about Junk head
dummies wandering about in war time,
and catching me by the coat sleeve, led
me to the officer of the guard. The SEN
tlnel explained that was deaf and dumb,
and went away.
The officer had evidently known that
the role OF dummy was not uncommon
with up to- date spies. 'Stand over there
a second till | finish this said he to me
IN the most arCful, off hand, easy manner
My knees did move slightly, and al
most stepped foot.
But l caught myself while the cold
chills chased up and down my spine at
my almost forgetfulness, and | resolved
not to risk my neck so easily again.
Your hand is bloody said he, turn
ing careessly to me. | stood like post,
looking vacantly at him.
Some of the cavalrymen | had seen on
the road came in, and | knew from the
expression on the officer of the guard
face that | was to be tested for nv
deafness. | stood Indifferent to my en-
Vlronment, looking at a picture on the
wall, while | knew that some test of my
hearing was being prepared at my rear
Suddenly one of the cavallymen drew
his sword and shouted: ''G-d oh