Year: 1867




Noticing few days since, in the obituary col
umn of Southern paper, the following announce
ment, relieves me from an obligation voluntarily
entered into before the close Of the late war:


"Died, at -, on the 18th instant, J. NJ,
aged A years. The deceased was long and favor,
ably known as steamboat pilot, and throughout
the rebellion firm friend of the Southern cause,
for which he made many sacrifices and rendered
valuable services.


The promise made NJ was that l would not
divulge what he then told me; but his death relev
ing ME from that promise, now offer it to the
public through your columns:


1t will be remembered that, among the many
reasons which operated to prevent the tall OF Vlcks
burg Mississippi, when it was first attacked by
General Sherman, and afterwards so laboriously be-
sieged by General Grant, was the certainty Of the
information the enemy seemed to get. NotWlth
standing every precaution was taken to prevent
spies from obtaining and transmitting information
Notwithstanding the river was closely watched te
prevent the least message from being Hoated dowr
to Vicksburg- nevertheless information, and that
too, of the most positive nature daily reached the
enemy to the great annoyance of the officers ano
men, who were slowly wearing their lives away un
der an almost tropical sun, and also to the NORTH
cation of the Commanding General


1t is my object, briefly, to show how that infor
nation was transmitted. NJ. was at that time al
impressed pilot in the service of the Union army
having in charge one Of the transports lying be-
low Young's Point, on the West side Of the Mis-
sissippi. His plan for advising the enemy inside
the garrison of Vicksburg, of what was taking
place or contemplated in the Union army was sim
pie and efective-so simple that it easily evadec
all attempts at detection. During three or foul
hours of each day, NJ, after gathering from tn
officers at headquarters what information he de
sired-for officers would talk-would repair to
farm house down on the point, and with large
mirror which he had previously taken from tht
cabin of the steamer, amuse himself by throwing
the suns reflection up and down the river, occa
sionally darting the concentrated rays OF May o.
June sun into the eyes of some gull or loon, quiet
ly floating on the water, causing it to dive down
fly up with half frightened shrek, and thel
turning it full upon the enemy's works along tht
Vicksburg levee. No one thought Of suspicion
no one asked him what he was doing for the EN-
ployment was so simple and apparently abstracted
that none thought for o moment of attributing any
other motive than mere idle pastime.


But this was his secret, previously agreed upor
between himself and General Pemberton. Vicks
burg is mainly upon high bluff; the lower par
of the city during certain hours Of the day being
entirely in the shade. Commencing at the uppe
end of the city and within view, NJ had selected
thirteen houses behind and above these. To escl
one of these houses letter of the alphabet wa
given From the window in the farm house h
threw the reflection first upon one house, and theI
upon another, an officer Of Pemberton's staff, il
the secret, at the same time standing on the leve
with his back to NJ, and yet reading every wore
easily and rapidly. And henot only gave informa
ton of what was tr,lnspiring in the Union camp q
Young's Point, but also gathered from newspaper
important news relative to the movements Of ar
mics elsewhere, sending it across the river in tn
same manner.


This plan was kept up until short time befor
General Grant made arrangements for going below
Vicksburg crossing ut Grand Gulf, and coming
up in the rear. Just before that event, M. wa
ordered to another point, and consequently the en-
emy had no light upon the subject Of that las
move which finally resulted in the capture oftha
stronghold of the Confederacy.


These facts I obtained from NJ. himself whit
sfterward an officer on board one Of our transport
with him, and I have every reason to believe, iron
experiments made at the same place, that it was