Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-05

tyred President admired his frank manli-
ness, and when the war was in its incipient
stage he selected Goodall for special i'm
portant and dangerous service in the near
by precincts of the confederacy.
1t is stated, as unwritten history, that Mr..
Lincoln selected twelve men to act as scouts
and keep him personally advised of the
movements of the enemy in the country
across the Potomac.
These scouts were trusted, confidential
agents of the President, and their appoint
ment and work were kept secret by him.
They were, in fact, the very eyes of the
government. carefully watching the growth
and movements of the seceSSionists in Vir-
ginia and prepared to note at once any
movement toward the capture and invest
ment of Washington. 1t was said that
Abraham Lincoln placed all reliance in
these secret agents, and that many of his
famous orders resulted after he had con-
suited these men after their return from a
trip to Virginia. He gave more trustworthy
reports in regard to the opinions and re-
ports of his personal scouts. it was said,
than he did to those made by high army
officers trained in the art of war.
Mission and Work Of Scouts. ~.
These scouts went into the enemys, coun-
try. watched their movements, listened to
their opinions and plans, gained Informal
ton as to their resources and forces and
then reported faithfully to the great man in
the White House, and to him alone.
AS the war progressed and the military
secret service force was formed, the scouts
were disbs nded, but Mr.. Goodall ever re-
manned trusted and confidential friend Of
Abraham Lincoln, and they were frequent
ly spoken of as more like brothers than
accuaintances In honor of his distin-
guished friend. Mr.. Goodall named his only
son Abraham Lincoln Goodall, and the
young man is living and proud of his hon.
orable cognomen.
Mr.. GoOdall never tired of relating some
OF his thrilling experiences while he was
serving as the eyes and ears of Uncle Sam
in the early sixties. On one occasion while
he was proceeding from the south or Vir-
ginia end of the old Long bridge in the d.
rection of Alexandria, to learn something
of the movements of body of confeder-
ates that had recently made it's appearance
in the vicinity, and while he was crossing
a large field, he was startled by seeing a
cavalcade of southern horsemen emerge
from line of woods in his front. They
were coming in his direction and he said
lit was a case of think quick and act
quick" for to be captured at that time
might mean his death.
Directly in front of him was small
ravine. Springing quickly into this he lay
prone upon the ground and covered him
self as well as he could with earth and
leaves. The main body of the troopers in
gray crossed the ravine Immediately where
he was lying, but he was not discovered
He lay quiet in the ravine until all danger
was over and then returned to Washing
ton He went at once to the White House
and reported to President Lincoln, who
took steps to prevent any depredations by
the body of confederate cavalry.
On another occasion Mr. Goodall was met
on road in Alexandria county, Va, it is
said. by Dave Porter a confederate leader
Porter did not take the scout prisoner, as
he might have done, but told him to make
himself scarce whereabouts, as secessionfsts
were ''as thick as fieas on a cur dog"
Later when Porter was captured as spy
and was incarcerated in the old capital
prison, Mr.. Goodall went there to see him,
and by interceding with President Lincoln
had Porter's sentence commuted.
Identified With Local Interests.