The National tribune., 1901-03-14
LEWIS FORCED THE FRIGHTENED
ANIMAL BACK on HIS LAUNCHES" Z"

| ANIMAL BACK on HIS LAUNCHES.
forces into the State from his department.
In order to act inteIligently in the mat
ter it was necessary that some definite in
formation should be derived respecting the
country which was now to be projected
and from which it was necessary the in
vading rebels Should be driven. For this
purpose the General desired that l should
| dispatch several of my men, who, by as
sumirg various characters, wonld be able
| to travel over the country, obtain q correct
idea of its topography, and ascertain the
exact position and designs OF the seces-
sion;sts. .--
Price Lewis, who had just returned from
trip TO the South, and whom I had rea-
son to be satisfied was equal to the task.
| resolved, therefore, that he should be
one of the party to make this journey,
| together with several others who were
delegated for the same purpose. In order
| to afford variety to the professions of my
operatives, and because of his fitness for
| the character, decided that Price Lewis
should represent himself as an English
man travelling for pleasure, believing that
he would thus escape close scrutiny or a
rigid examination, should he, by any ac-
cident, fall into the hands of the rebels.
Procuring comfortable-looking road
wagon and pair of strong gray horses,
which were both substantial-looking and
good roadsters, 1 stocked the vehicle with
such articles Of necessity and luxury as
would enable them to subsist themselves
if necessary, and at the same time give
the appearance of truth to such profes-
sions as the sightseeing Englishman
might feel authorized TO make. / provided
him also with a number of English certi-
ficates OF various kinds, and l also sup
piled him with English money which
could readily be exchanged for such cur
rency that would best suit his purposes
in the several localities which he would
be required to visit.
Lewis wore full beard, and this was
trimmed in the most approved English
fashion, and when fully equipped for his
journey he presented the appearance OF
weIl-to-do Englishman, who might even
be suspected OF having "blue blood" in
his veins. In order that he might the
more fully sustain the new character he
was about to assume, and to give an added
dignity to his position, concluded TO send
with him a member of my force who
would act in the capacity of coachman
groom and body-servant, as occasion
should demand. The man whom | select
ed for this role was q jolly, good-natured
and fearless Yankee, named Samuel
Bridgeman, a quick sharp-witted young
man, who had been in my employment
some time, and who had on several occa-
sions proved himself worthy of trust and
confidence in matters that required tact
as well as boldncss, and good sense as
well as keen wit.
Calling Sam into my office, / explained
to him fully the nature of the duties he
would be required TO perform, and when
| | had concluded / saw by the merry
twinkle in his eyes, and from the readiness
with which he caught at my suggestions.
| that he thoroughly understood and had
decided 10 carry out his part of the pro-
4 n Vaf a
| In addition to these, / arranged a route
tfor two other neH of my force. They
were to travel through the valley of the
Great Kanawha River. and to observe
carefully everything that came under their
notice which might be of Importance in
| perfecting a military campaign, in case
the rebels should attempt hostile meas
ures, or that Gen. Mcclellan might find
necessary to promptly clear that portion
of Virginia of secession troops. These two
men were TO travel ostensibly as farm
laborers, and their verdant appearance
was made TO fully conform to such avo,
| cations.
| Everything being in readiness, the two
parties were started, and we will follow
their movements separately, as they were
to travel by different routes.
Price Lewis, the pseudo Englishman,
and Sam Bridgeman, who made quite q
lsmart-looking valet in his new costume
transferred their horses, wagons and
stores on board the trim little steamer
Cricket. at Cincinnati, intending to travel
along the Ohio River, and effect a land
ing at Guyandotte, in Western Virginia,
at which point they were to disembark
and pursue their journey overland through
the country.
j accompanied Lewis to the wharf, and
after everything had been satisfactorily
arranged, ] bade him good-by, and the lit
tie steamer sailed away up tina river.