, 1905-10-11
A NEAT JOB OF
SECRET SERVICE
[Original.l

a young countryman driving a COW got
mixed with the Union pickets. He said
that he didn't know that the army was
SO near and asked permission to take
his COW to his home some distance
back of the Union front. He was
taken to the general commanding that
portion of the army, where he made
his entry and gave his name as John
Harding. Being questioned as to the
dispositions of the enemy among
whom he had been he proved SO stupid
that the general dismissed him with
orders that he be permitted to drive
his COW home.
Six hours after he had departed a
Jew was found On the extreme right Of
the Union line selling the soldiers
pinchbeck jewelry and tin watches, re-
lieving them Of their g~reenbacks for
the worthless articles. ghe rders were
to arrest such traders and the Jew
was taken to the headquarters of the
general commanding the wing, where
he gave his name as Benjamin Moses.
He was conducted to the rear and In
formed that If he came pack he would
Dc ptdt lllOu6h LIN Tx " GiC VilCllJs
A day or two later the commander
Of the Union left received an order to
look out for a spy who had turned up
under the names John Harding, Ben
jamin Moses, and lastly Gustave La
violette, a citizen of France travelling
In America and seeking a pass to go
through the lines on his way to visit
relatives In Louisiana. His applica-
ton had been held for information
concerning him and he had disap-
peared. After the receipt of the order
the man had been chased to a clump
of houses near where, a day or two
later, was fought the battle of Seven
Pines. A guard surrounded the ham
let, the frightened people budding In
the road that passed between the
houses. The officer charged with the
arrest, not knowing the man he want
ed, asked for him under his various
aliases. If he was there no one would
betray him.
The officer was puzzled to know what
to do, 50 he sent to headquarters for
orders. While he was waiting he kept
the men of the hamlet In the road but
permitted the women to go and come
as they chose. One man entered the
place, apparently not knowing what
was transpiring. He was Il mere boy
and not suspected, but the officer put
him with the other men. After wait
Ing more than an hour an order came
which the officer proceeded to obey.
He compelled the men to stand as
near together as possible and drew his
soldiers up in q firing line. Then he
told them that if they would not give
up the spy he would shoot them all
down together. OF course this was a
bluff, but it drew forth Il response.
The youngster who had entered the
place p~assionately begged that his
comrades be spared, avowing himself
to be the spy.
The %youngster was taken to the head
quarters of the division in whose lines
he was captured.
so you're the person who has been
ma%squerading as Jew, Frenchman and
other individuals, gathering informa-
tion?"
Yes, general"
you're old enough to know that the
punishment for spying Is death, aren't
your
Eyes, general"
"Well, 1 wish you hadn't been caught
in my lines. It's no fun for me to
hang a boy like you"
To this the %youngster made no reply,
and the general ordered that he be
taken away and kept under guard till
called for. Then the general reported
the capture to his superior and awaited
Instructions. An order came to try
the spy by drumhead court martial and
execute him.
The officer of the day was intrusted
with the duty. and, the forms having
beer gone through with, the general
looked for notification that the disa-
greeable work had been done. While
he waited the officer of the day rode
up to his tent and dismounted.
rs it all overYv
NO, general. The boy says he's
a girl"
"A girl!'
Eyes. and l thought you'd prefer to
test the truth of the claim before exc
cutting him."
do so. There are some women In
camp. You'll find several in the hos
pitals."
The officer withdrew and in half an
hour returned with the information
that the claim had been proved.
"Send her to me-" the general or
dered.