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The Spy of the Rebellion

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The Spy of the Rebellion The Spy of the Rebellion by Allan Pinkerton, 1819-1884 Chief of the United States Secret Service [prepared under the nom-de-plume of Major E. J. Allen] Published: 1900 G. W. Dillingham Co. Publishers J J J J J I I I I I Table of Contents Preface & Chapter I ... „An Unwritten Page of History.” A Political Resumé. Mr. Lincoln is Elected President. Chapter II ... Opposition to Mr. Lincoln’s Inauguration. A Plot to Assassinate him. The Journey from Springfield. Chapter III ... The Conspirators at Work. Detectives on their Trail. Webster as a Soldier. Chapter IV ... The Conspirators in Council. My Operative Joins the Conspiracy. Chapter V ... The Presidential Party arrives in Philadelphia. Independence Hall. The Departure from Harrisburg. Telegraph wires Cut. Through the Lines of Treason and Safe Arrival at Washington. Chapter VI ... My Connection with the Rebellion. Timothy Webster Accepts a Mission. Chapter VII ... Webster on his Way to the Capital. Wrecked Trains and Broken Bridges. An Adventure with a Cavalryman. Rebel Emissary. President Lincoln and Timothy Webster. Chapter VIII ... Timothy Webster in Washington. The Return to Philadelphia. I go to the Capital. An Important Letter. Chapter IX ... An Adventure in Pittsburg. A Mob at Bay. An Explanation. Good-feeling Restored. Chapter X ... General McClellan in Command of Ohio. I am Engaged for the War. The Secret Service. A Consultation. Webster starts for Rebeldom. Chapter XI ... Webster Fraternizes with the Rebel Officers. A Secession Hat. A Visit to a Rebel Camp. “The Committee of Safety.” A Friendly Stranger. A Warning. The Escape. Chapter XII ... I take a Trip to the South Danger in Memphis. A Timely Warning. A Persistent Barber. An Unfortunate Memory. Return to Cincinnati. Chapter XIII ... East and West Virginia. Seceding from Secession. My Scouts in Virginia. A Rebel Captain Entertains “My Lord.” An old Justice Dines with Royalty. A Lucky Adventure. A Runaway Horse. A Rescue. Chapter XIV ... The Rebels Attempt to Occupy West Virginia. General McClellan Ordered to Drive them Out. Early Battle. The Federals Victorious. West Virginia Freed from Rebel Soldiers. Chapter XV ... General McClellan is called to Washington and placed in Command of the Armies, after the Battle of Bull Run. The Secret Service Department. Its Duties and Responsibilities. Chapter XVI ... A Female Traitor. Suspicious Correspondence. A Close Watch under Difficulties. I am Arrested. Exposure of the Treason of a Trusted Officer. A Disgraced Captain. Chapter XVII ... Timothy Webster in Baltimore. An Encounter with a Fire-eater. Webster Defends Himself. Treason Rampant in the Monumental City. Chapter XVIII ... Webster Makes a Journey to the South. A Secret Organization. The »Knights of Liberty«. Webster Becomes a Member. A Sudden Intrusion of the Military. The Conspiracy Broken Up. Chapter XIX ... Suspicions in Washington. »Uncle Gallus«. Property Searched. A Rebel Family sent South. Webster starts for Richmond. Chapter XX ... The Spy at Richmond. Earthworks Around the Rebel Capital. An Unexpected Meeting. Pistols for Two. A Reconciliation. Safe Return to Washington. Chapter XXI ... Again in Baltimore. A Warning. The Spy is Arrested, and Escapes. Chapter XXII ... Webster and Scobell. A Negro as a Spy. A Traitor Deserts from the Army. He Carries Dispatches to the Rebels, which Fail of their Destination. An Attack in the Woods. »The Loyal League«. Slaves as Patriots. Chapter XXIII ... A Negro Spy. Passage on a Steam Packet. Lyrical Melodies. Scobell Deserts the Ship. His Tramps Through Rebeldom. Chapter XXIV ... A Perilous Ride. A Suspicious Peddler. Uncle Gallus Again. Scobell Investigating. Doubts and Suspicions. Chapter XXV ... The Journey Resumed. A Midnight Pursuit. A Brave Woman. A Deadly Encounter. Scobell Defends Himself. Death of a Rebel Spy. Chapter XXVI ... A Woman’s Discoveries. An Infernal Machine. The Shipping in Danger. Discovery and Destruction of the Submarine Battery. Chapter XXVII ... „Stuttering Dave.” His Tramp Through the Rebel Lines. An Ammunition Train. “Dave’s” Plan Succeeds in its Destruction. A Man Who Stuttered and „Had Fits.” Chapter XXVIII ... Another Trip to Richmond. A Rebel General Taken In. Curtis Makes Valuable Acquaintances. »The Subterranean Headquarters«. Chapter XXIX ... A Virginia Home. Unwelcome Visitors. Mr. Harcourt Arrested and Released. Dan McCowan Makes Forcible Love to Mary Harcourt. The Girl in Peril. A Timely Rescue. The Villain Punished. Chapter XXX ... Curtis Again on his Travels. A Loving Episode. Dan McCowan Again Turns Up. The Capture of Curtis. A Fight For Life, and Escape. A Bit of Matrimony. Chapter XXXI ... McClellan and his Enemies. The Peninsula Campaign. The Rebel Forces Before Richmond. The Union Forces Outnumbered by the Enemy, and their Commander Hampered by Superiors. An Honest Opinion. Chapter XXXII ... Webster’s Expedition. His Gallantry. A Stormy Passage. A Mysterious Package. Treason Discovered and Punished. Chapter XXXIII ... Activity in Washington. Webster’s Journey Through the South. His Return to the Capital. Chapter XXXIV ... Webster’s Last Mission. Anxiety at his Long Absence. No Tidings of the Faithful Scout. Operatives Sent in Search of him. Webster Ill in Richmond. Chapter XXXV ... McClellan and the Government. Lewis and Scully Arrested as Spies. An Attempted Escape. Trial and Conviction. Condemned to Die. Before the Gallows their Mouths are Opened. Chapter XXXVI ... Webster Arrested as a Spy. A Woman’s Devotion and a Patriot’s Heroism. Webster is Convicted. The Execution. A Martyr’s Grave. Chapter XXXVII ... The Defeat of General Pope at the second Battle of Manassas. McClellan Again Called to the Command. The Battle of Antietam. A Union Victory. A Few Thoughts about the Union Commander. McClellan’s Removal from Command and his Farewell Address. Chapter XXXVIII ... General Burnside in Command. My Connection with the Secret Service Severed. Reflections upon Important Events. Conclusion. Appendix The Hardships and Privations of a Detective’s Life. * * * * * Illustrations Preface Allan Pinkerton and General McClellan in Private Consultation I A Council of War III „He Must Die, and if necessary We Will Die Together!“ III „Warming Up.“ IV „Howard was conducted to the Station of the President, and Duly Sworn.“ V Mr. Lincoln Raising the Flag on Independence Hall V The party, consisting of Mr. Lincoln, Governor Curtin and Mr. Lamon, entered the carriage V The Save Arrival at Washington V A Camp Song VI A Coloured Contraband VIII Storming a Fort IX „Stop, Gentlemen, where you are!“ IX Betrayed by his boots X Run down by Cavalry XI “Now, my dear Fellow, You can consider Yourself perfectly at Home.” XI A Hot Lunch XII “Fo’ God, Massa Allen, Ye’ll be a Dead Man in de Mo’nin’!” XII “If you say another word to me, I’ll whip you on the Spot.” XIII An English Lord and a Rebel Captain XV Guard-House Prisoners XVI „Halt, or I fire!“ XVI A Female Spy XVII The man reeled half way across the room, and fell prostrate between two tables XVIII The door burst open and a stream of blue coated soldiers came pouring in XXI “John Hart, You are my prisoner.” XXI Webster leaped from the Wagon while it was in motion XXII A Hot Chase XXIII „The work isn’t hard. Now,what do you say.“ XXIV Good-Morning XXV With a Scream of Anguish, the one nearest to him threw up his hands and fell heavily to the ground XXV A Dead Shot XXVII Shot by a Cannon Ball XXIX While she was struggling in his grasp, he was startled by a violent clutch upon his collar from behind XXX Night on the Battle-Field XXXII Webster took two of the Children in his Strong Arms, and carried them Safely to the Bank XXXII Webster discovers a Mysterious Package XXXII „Hail Columbia!“ XXXIV Exchange of Prisoners XXXV The Prisoners Recaptured XXXVI The Dead Warrant XXXVII My horse was shot under me while crossing the Stream J J J J J I I I I I A True History of the Spy System of the United Staes Army During the Late Rebellion Revealing Many Secrets of the War Hitherto Not Made Public. Compiled from Official Records prepared for President Lincoln, General McClellan, and the Provost-Marshal-General. Illustration: Allan Pinkerton and General McClellan in Private Consultation Preface Nearly a score of years have passed since the occurrence of the events related in the following pages. The “Rebellion,” with its bloody scenes, has ended, and the country is at peace. The grass is waving green and beautiful over many Southern fields that once ran with human blood, as the contending forces met in the deadly encounter. The birds are carolling sweetly in the air, which then was laden with the clarion notes of the trumpet; the fierce, wild yell of assaulting soldiery; the booming of cannon, and the groans of the wounded and dying. The merchant, the mechanic, and the husbandman have returned to the pursuits which they followed before the dark clouds of war had overshadowed this fair land, and they shouldered their muskets in defense of the Union. From the desolation and the ravages of war, the country has emerged into the sunshine of abiding peace, and now, in the evening twilight, the gray-haired veterans gather around their family hearthstones to repeat the stories of bravery and devotion associated with those trying hours of their country’s history. In the twilight of my days I have been tempted to the recitals which follow, and in relating my experiences as the Chief of the Secret Service of the Government during the Rebellion, I have been governed by a desire to acquaint the public with the movements of those brave men who rendered invaluable service to their country, although they never wore a uniform or carried a musket. Working quietly, and frequently under disguises, their assistance to the Union commanders was of incalculable advantage, and many acts of courage and daring were performed by these men which, until now, have never been revealed.
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