The National tribune., 1900-01-18

After the close of the war the spy moi
his death at the hands of q lot of rulfians
who We're smuggling. The spy was then an
officer in the Customs Department.
| Very few men, or women either, tor we
had both,) had the qualifications necessary
for the dangerous service. A detective,
no matter how shrewd, might be COM
plete failure as a spy. Bravery alone was
not sufficient but tact. a retenslve memory,
ability to see things without detection, ana,
above all, presence of mind in trying sltua-
tions. Letters and memoranda were DAN
gerouS things to carry, unless the spy
knew his business. Many a man gave
his life in the service of his country, North
and South; but manof ordinary abilities,
thinking he was smart enough to fool
everybody else soon learned, and then to
late. that he was out of his element.
In few instances women were engaged,
| or volunteered. and the wonderful faculty
Gen. Grant had of determining the capacity
of men and officers did not fail him in the
case of women in this service. He seemed
of the mind and the ability to do certain
things. His selections never failed in army
experience, and upon one occasion over
ruled the protest of Gen. Rawlins in the
appointment of Volunteer General to an
important duty. The result confirmed
| his opinion of the man, and he remarked
afterWard that he wished he had more like
| him.
As an illustration of>his ability to select
| the proper person for certain duties, he had
on one occasion two lady visitors that de-
sired to render him service, but at different
hours of the day. He thanked them both,
and dismissed them. He Immediately put
close watch upon one in the person Of
lady employe, and an old detective from
the Chicago force, and before sundown
the lady was brought to him loaded with
contra band articles, as an examination
by a lady employe revealed.
The other lady he had confidence in,
and was not disappointed. The same
day accompanied her to areview Of a bri-
gade of new troops at Memphis, and there
she pointed out an officer of rank from
Johnston's army. Calling the Officer of
the Guard, l requested him to arrest the
Confederate and conduct him to Gen.
Grant. Returning to headquarters before
him, / notified the General of the facts, and
how we had received the information. The
lady did not appear, but the Confederate
officer found apartments in the famous
Irving Prison.
The same lady met aparty at a reception
one evening later and without disclosing
the fact that she still loved the flag with
the stars and stripes. The gentleman
spoke of an intended visit to Pemberton's
army with supplies concealed in corn
meal barrels intended for plantation use,
as the permit would read. He never reach
ed Pemberton. but found resting place
in Alton Penitentiary.
Gen. Grants Investigations were not
all in Southern territory, for many in
quiries were made in Northern States and
cities by trusted men, resulting in many
requests being refused and many plans
broken up.
In one instance the parties appealed
through influential friends to the Presi-
dent. Mr.. Lincoln told Secretary of War
Stanton that they mad better revoke the
order of Gen. Grant, but Stanton replied:
Let us hear Grants side first"
The investigation through Mr.. Dana,
and Gen. Grants letter saying that he had
thoroughly investigated the parties before
their appeal, induced the President to not
interfere, and Grant said, with the permis-
sion of the President, he would hang some
of them. The President told Mr.. Stanton
that Grant was always right, and I'VE will |
keep hands off after this.'
The parties in the Northern city never |
dreamed that Gen. Grant had investigated |
them thoroughly. They thought as he was |
down in Tennessee, he would not know |
of their scheme. But they did not know |
him The casual reader Of his wonderful !
campaigns or a visitor at his headquarters
would think he was entirely occupied in |
directing the movements of his army; but |
in the quiet of his tent, generally alone, he
looked into everything that went to make |
up the check-mate later on.
L
was over to write orders or put into cipher
important matters requiring the attention
of the War Department or corps command
ers, or to look after supplies or equipment |
of the Secret Service people. The General
required considerable money at times to
the fund was always available from
source only known to the General
In one instance an important move
ment was contemplated, and 1t was neces-
sary to employ some one who knew how to |
obtain the information upon which to base
the orders: A gentleman down in central
mississippi was approached, and found
reliable, but before he was employed or
sent on his errand a quiet inquiry was
made by the General. The gentleman re-
ferred to a prominent man in central Ohio
who would vouch for his loyalty. l made
a hasty trip to Ohio, and found the party
on my arrival: / had no letter of intro
duction, but introduced the subject at once
by asking if he could vouch for the loyalty
Of Mr.. -, of Mississippi. His reply was
and an hour later / was on
my, way to Mississippi, stopping over
night at Cincinnati, and asking the same
question of another citizen, who had not
seen or heard Of his friend for a long time.
told him did not know him, and was only
directed to make the inquiry. The services
we're well paid for, and years after Gen.
Grant repaid him for his loyalty, remem-
DerlnS lne trying tlmeS OF 1868 and '64.
The lives Of the Secret Service men were
not always in jeopardy, but often death
stared them in the face, and in more than
1ne instance they were compelled to take
ife to save their own.
Such sacrifices seemed necessary during
,he war. Gen. Grants Chief Scout or
secret Service man related numerous
;ases of escape from death or imprison-
nent, and it seemed miraculous almost.
His sight was clear and penetrating, his
lerves steady, his horsemanship fine, and :
lis aim as true as any man living. He
inew no fear, and was always on guard,
hat no advantage could be taken Of him. .
His services were of great value, and con- .
iidering the risks he took, his pay was not
,qual to many less exposed and rendering
ess service. He loved the excitement and .
he confidence of Gen. Grant, and these were :
worth more than this pay. This man was 6
N the move continually within the Con- 5
ederate lines, and had the most dangerous :
service, while others had easy service
One man did service in Indiana and Hi :
lois for some time, and the intrigues and !
,lans of the people not friendly TO the !
trmy were in possession of Gen. Grant, and :