Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-03-19
Written for the Register.
RecoIIections of the Civil War.

RecoIIections of the Civil War.
How do commanders OF armies get in
formation in time of war OF the move
ments OF the enemy?
First, by line OF pickets in front and
flank and sometimes in rear Of the army.
They receive instructions when posted,
but the old campaigner hardly needs in
structions-he knows what is expected OF
him. Second, by scouting parties OF cav
airy in every direction, even between
picket lines sometimes. Opposing forc-
es frequently meet, and during CAM
paign almost daily there is fighting and
skirmishing. Third, from citizens liv-
ingin the section where the armies ere
operating. But the most reliable infor-
nation is obtained by sending scouts or
spies directly into the camps OF the enc
my. This was constantly done by both
armies during the late war between the
States. The Confederate usually wore
the grey. II the night was rainy so much
the better, as he could wear gum cloth
over his uniform. The light from camp
fires was hardly sufficient TO distinguish
between blue and grey, and when in
camp no one would suspect you. The
old soldier would know if it was a regi-
ment, brigade, division or corps, also the
commander. He could usually get more
information, with less likelihood OF being
detected, if he strolled through the wag-
on encampment, the commissary depart
ment or the ordinance department-he
could see what was being done for the
morrow. He would catch bits OF conver-
sation, and being familiar with the COM
mands OF both armies, the information
the spy obtains is trustworthy. There
was hardly brigadier in the army who
had not his scouts, and when you take
| into account the few that were caught, 1t
is remarkable.
During the war 81 TO IS there was no
section OF Virginia that had not its Union
sympathiSers, but the Southern sentiment
largely predominated and the Confeder-
ate scout seldom missed il in his inquiries.
He served in the ranks until wanted for
some special service. His position and
reputation depended on his faithful per-
formance of duty. Going into the en-
emy's lines was always voluntary act
on the part of the soldier. If he thought
il too risky, some one else would take
his place He had to be cautious, re-
Sourceful, SELF f-poSSeSsed and brave, with
a retentive mind.
will relate the experience OF Con-
federates on one such trip, and the re-
suit as told to me. In the late fall OF 90
large force of the Yankee army had
taken position in Stafford county, on the
north side OF the Rappahannock river,
opposite Fredericksburg, and about five
miles from the river. They seemed TO
be very quiet, and General RoSser, with
his brigade on the south side of the river,
doing picket duty and watching the fordS,
wanted to know what was going on over
there. He sent for two men and gave
the following instruction:
want you to 90 over the river this
evening about sundown and get me this
information What Yankee commands,
cavalry and infantry where encamped,
and if there is any detached body OF cav
airy on this side OF their main body and
how many, and the commander be cor
rect about the roads; and then he gave
directions to citizens house. and said :
"Go there first, tIeY will put you on the
track. Walk right in, 90 in room on left
Be back by morning"
Armed with pass to get through out
side pickets, revolvers concealed under
gum blouseS, cavalry boots that partly
concealed the gray pants, a bite to eat
and a canteen OF water, they started on
their mission. They forded the river a
short distance above Fredericksburg, and
when they had gone about a half mile
beyond Falmouth they met citizen and
inquired the way TO the house General
Rosser had told them to 90 10. He
seemed much more ignorant than he
looked, and we thought that he was taxi
ing information TO the Confederates. We
made free to tell him who we were and
he then opened up little and directed
us 10 a house east OF the one we wanted,
saying that he was not acquainted in that
neighborhood. We have believed ever
since that he directed us to his own
house. There was no white man about
the place. The lady there gave us sup
per and also some information, the most
important OF which was that the house
we wanted was in the midst OF the YAM
kee encampment. We hid our horses
off the road in some scrub timber. The
underground was so high we feared we
would not be able to find them ourselves
We kept in the timber near the road until
we passed the pickets, and then boldly
took the road. We presently came to
the house and stopped TO take drink at
the Pump. We did not want the water,
but wanted to take in the situation. A
dim grease lamp was burning on The
pilared porch in front OF the house, and
two or three Yankees and some colored
folks were moving around.
"You 60 in and will entertain those
outside and give warning. If separated,
meet at the horses" We walked care
lessly up the walk, and there was not the
least suspicion that we were Rebs.
Reb-"Have you house guards hereP"
Colored Woman-"Not as know Of,
! sir"
Reb-"You should have them. Where
| is the man OF the houSe?"
Colored Woman-"De gemlan OBJ de