The National tribune., 1901-03-07

were domcled in the city OF Washing
ton, and among the number were many
ladies of refinement and wealth, from the
South, who had been leaders of fashion
and of society in the brilliant days of pre-
Sious Administrations. Many of these la
dies were extremely fascinating in their
manners, and being gifted with great per-
Scnal beauty and with rare conversational
qualities, they had gathered around them
brilliant circle of acquaintaaces, to whom
they dispensed regal hospitalities and most
delicate courteSieS.
When the war broke out these ladies
thoroughly identified themselves with the
cause Of the South, and upon all occasions
We're unreseryed in the expression of
opinions favorable to the rebels, and of fer
vent hopefulneSs of the eventual success
of the disunionists. But little attention
was paid TO these grand danes of the old
regime, as it was not deemed possible that
any danger could result from the utter
nnces of nOn-cOmbatant females, nor was
1t considered chiyalrous that resolute meas
ures should be adopted toward those Of
the weaker sex.
That this policy was 4 mistaken one
was soon fully proved, and when 1t was
discovered that these fine ladies were Sc
cretly giving information TO the enemy, it
was deemed Of great importance that such
means should be adopted as would pre-
vent their reasonable actions from being
made valuable to the opponents of the
Government, and who were seeking its
overthrow.
From information received from reliable
sources it was shown that the rebel au-
thOritieS We're as fully conyersant with the
plans of the Union commanders as they
We're themselves; that they knew of the
position of every regiment and brigade,
and the contemplated movements of the
commanders, and the time of proposed ac-
tion. far in advance of any publicity be-
ing given TO them. and when the utmost
secrecy was the only true passport to vic
tory. Indeed, ii was openly boasted that
the secret information given to the rebel
Generals had been mainly the cause of
The defeat of Cur armies at Bull 1.un.
Upon these facts being fully proven, the
Government resolved to effectually prevent
continuance of these practices, and that
if they We're persisted in, the guilty par
lies should either iDe confined or eXiied to
the more congeRial climate of Dixie,
My department was in its infancy when
the event occurred which ] am about to
relate. | had secured house in Wash
ington, and had gathered around me
number Of resolute, trustworthy men and
discreet women, who were devoted to the
cause of their country, but were scarcely
in such q condition as to move properly
or with any syStemat:zed regularity. l
had not been many days i'll the city when
one afternoon | was called upon by the
Hon. Thomas A. Scott, of Pennsylvania,
who was then acting as the Assistant Sec
retary Of War, who desired my services
in watching lady whose movements had
excited suspicion. and who, it was be-
lieved. was engaged in corresponding with
the rebel authorities and furnishing them
with much valuable information.
This lady was Mrs. Rose Greenhow, a
Southern woman OF pronounced rebel pro-
clivities, and who had been unsparing in
4 f..1ss
and who had openly declared that ''in-
stead of loving and worshiping the old
flag of the Stars and Stripes, she saw
in it only the symbol of murder, plum
der, oppression and shame" Mrs. Green
how had occupied prominent position in
the social circles Of the Capital, and was
personally acquainted with all of the lead
ing men Of the country, many of whom
had partaken Of her hospitality and had
enjoyed a social intercourse that was both
pieasurable and fascinating.
She had now become an ayowed hater
Of the Union, and it was feared, from her
previous association with officers of the
army. that she was using her talents in
procuring information from them which
would be immediately communicated to
the rebel Government at Richmond.
The residence Of Mrs. Greenhow was
situated at the corner of Thirteenth and
streets-quite fashionable quarter of
the city, and within Il short distance of
the White House. The building, while
not at all imposing In appearance, was
large, roomy, and was furnished with
every consideration for wealth and tasteful
refinement. 1t was two-story and base
ment brick bIiiiding. the parlors of which
were elevated several feet above the
ground, and entrance WAS obtained by as
cendlng Hight OF steps in the center Of
the edifice. This lady was widow. her
husband having died some years before,
and being possessed of considerable means
and mingiing with the highest circles Of
Washington society. her home was.a resort
of mcst of the prominent people of the
city.
The instructions OF the Secretary of
WAR were that strict watch should be
kept upon this house and that every per-
son entering or leaving the same should
come under the close surveillance of my
men, who should endeay0r to ascertain
who they were, and IL they attempted in
any manner TO communicate with any sus-
piciOus persons. | was 10 report TO him
daily, and TO continue my espionage until
received definite and official orders for
its discontinuaHce. My further instruc-
tionS were that in case any of the yisitors
OF Mrs. Greenlow should attempt to pass
the lines Of our troops, they should be ar
rested III once, and a rigorous search of
their persons Instituted. in order that
nothing should be allowed to pass through
NithoH a thorough examination by the
Secretary Of War or Nr. Scott.
After the departure of The Secretary
took with me two of my men. and pro-
ceeded to the vicinity of the residence of
Mrs. Greenhow. | was then quite a
stranger in Washington, and localities
were not as familiar to me as they after
ward became, and I therefore preferred
to recOnnoiter by daylight. to depending
upon survey after nightfall.
The entire day had been dark, gloomy
and threatening: clouds had been gather.
ing in the heavens, and everything indi-
Gated severe storm. AS | left my head
quarters slight shower of rain was fall
ing, which knew was but q precursor OF
a storm more violent. On arriving at the
designated locality found everything to
be as they had already been described to
me. The inside shutters to the windows
were closed, and no sign was apparent
that the house was occupied, and after
carefully noting the situation and the ex.
posed condition OF the premises, left the
two men within q convenient distance OF
the place, and returned for the additional
aid which thought might be needed Sc
Iecting three Of nIy most discreet men,
again repaired to the scene OF operations
we had not proceeded far when the storm
burst upon us in all its fury. The wind
blew strong and chill, and the rain fell il
Geluging torrents. Umbrellas were a use
less commodity, and. unprotected we were
compelled to breast the elements which
now were warning with terrible violence
.EaFarY