** !y,< !, Library 12 ll B R.AR.Y OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 973.785 P65s 111. Hist. Survey THE SPY REBELLION; BEING A TRUE HISTORY OF THE DURING THE LATE REBELLION. REVEALING MANY SECRETS OF THE WAR HITHERTO NOT MADE PUBLIC. COMPILED FROM OFFICIAL REPORTS PREPARED FOR PRESIDENT LINCOLN, GENERAL McCLELLAN AND THE PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL. BY ALLAN PINKERTON, WHO (UNDER THE NOM-DE-PLUME OF MAJOR E. j. ALLEN) WAS CHIEF OF THE UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE. WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS. NEW YORK: G. W. Carleton & Co., Publishers. MDCCCLXXXIII. [SOLD ONLY BY SUBSCRIPTION.] COPYRIGHT. ALLAN PINKERTON. 1883. Stereotyped by TKOW'S SAMUEL STODDER, PRINTING AND BOOK BINDING Co., 90 ANN STREET, N. Y. N. Y. closely as he wrote. Several other new arrivals placed their signatures after Webster, and he then no- FOR REBELDOM. 163 ticed that the officer was engaged in making a copy of names and addresses on a piece of paper. While watching this proceeding, his attention was distracted by some one hastily entering the hotel office. It was his mysterious fellow-traveler, who, stepping into the center of the room, glanced quickly around, apparently looking for some particular face. The search was evidently successful, for, walking up to one of the men who had just arrived on the train from the North, he tapped him on the shoul- der and beckoned him. After a few moments' conversation, during which the new-comer appeared to be both surprised and frightened, the two left the hotel together and walked up the street arm in arm. Two citizens who were lounging near the door had been interested spectators of this incident, and Webster heard one of them inquire : . " What does that mean ?" " It means that the stranger is under arrest," re- plied his companion. " Under arrest ? And who is the man who arrested him ?" " Oh, he is a member of the safety committee." " But what crime has the stranger committed, that he should thus be taken into custody ?" " Nothing, perhaps ; but the fact that he is a stranger from the North, is sufficient to mark him as an object of suspicion." 164 WEBSTER STARTS " Isn't that a little severe ?" " Severe ? It's a necessity in these times. For my part, I am in for hanging every Northern man who comes here, unless he can give the most satisfactory proof that he is not a spy." The rest of the conversation did not reach Web- ster's ear, and, being much fatigued by his day's journey, he soon retired, to seek that much needed rest which slumber only could afford. He rose at an early hour in the morning, feeling much refreshed. On entering the dining-room he found it crowded with guests, the majority of whom wore the uniform and shoulder-straps of Confederate officers. The conversation around the table was upon the all-absorbing theme which at that time was uppermost in every mind, and the scout was both amused and edified by what he heard. He did not long remain a silent listener, but taking his cue at the proper moment he entered easily and naturally into the conversation himself, and his pleasing address and intelligent observations commanded at once the respectful attention of those around him. After breakfast Webster determined to ascertain whether or not he was under the surveillance of the vigilance committee, and he accordingly left the hotel, and wended his way toward the post-office. He had not proceeded far when he noticed a man who appeared to be following him on the opposite side of the street. Desiring to satisfy himself upon FOR REBELDOM. 165 this point he walked on for several blocks, and then dropped into a saloon. Remaining there a sufficient length of time for the man to pass from view, in case he did not stop in his onward course, he emerged from the saloon and retraced his steps toward the hotel. As he did so he noticed the stranger on the other side of the street, dogging him as before. This left no doubt in his mind that he was being shadowed, and he resolved to be guarded in his movements, to refrain from writing any reports or making any notes that could possibly betray him. He returned to the office and bar-room of the Worsham Hotel, and spent an hour or two reading and smok- ing. While thus occupied, three military officers entered and stood near the bar engaged in animated conversation. Webster sauntered toward them, and heard one of the trio a man whom the others ad- dressed as " Doctor" remark emphatically : " Yes, gentlemen, that is a true principle. It will not do to let a man set foot on Kentucky soil until the Northern troops disregard the neutrality of that State." Catching the drift of the conversation, Webster stepped forward and said : % " I beg pardon, sir ; will you permit me to ask one question ?" The three officers turned toward him, with ex- pressions of mild surprise in their faces, and the Doctor replied : . " Certainly, sir ; certainly." 1 66 WEBSTER STARTS "Do you suppose," added Webster, "that Ken- tucky will allow the Northern army to march through the State without showing fight ?" " Not by a jug-full," was the prompt response. "The moment the Northern army crosses the Ohio river, Kentucky will rise in arms and take sides with the South." " If she doesn't," said Webster, with much appar- ent warmth, " she will prove herself unworthy of the respect of any true Southern men !" The Doctor's face brightened up, and he laid his hand approvingly on the scout's shoulder. " May I ask where you are from ?" " I was born in Kentucky and reared in Mary- land," was the quiet reply, " and I am now direct from Baltimore." " Baltimore !" ejaculated the whole trio in chorus ; and the next moment were all shaking hands in the most vigorous fashion. " Baltimore !" repeated the Doctor, his face red with his recent exertion. " My friend, we are always glad to meet a Baltimorean, for we know there is many a true man in that city who would help us if he could. May I ask your name, sir ?" "Webster Timothy Webster." "A devilish good name. Mine is Burton. My friends all call me Doctor Burton. Allow me to intro- duce you to Colonel Dalgetty and to Captain Stanley of the Arkansas Rifles." FOR REBELDOM. '67 The introduction was cordially acknowledged on both sides, and Webster then said : " Gentlemen, I was about to call for a drink when I heard you speak of Kentucky. I am happy to know that there is still hopes for that State. Will you drink her health with me ?" And in the clinking of the glasses, and the quaf- fing of their favorite beverages, the new link of friend- ship was forged. RUN DOWN BY CAVALRY. CHAPTER XL 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. WEBSTER'S new friends were men whom he believed he could use to good advantage, and he determined to improve the chance that had thrown him in contact with them. He found them not only very well informed, but disposed to be communica- tive, and he therefore applied the " pumping " process with all the skill at his command. He experienced no difficulty in making this mode of operation effectual, for these officers were exceedingly willing to air their knowledge for the benefit of their Baltimore friend, and enjoyed his frequent expressions of agree- able surprise at the extent of the preparations made by the people of the South to defend their rights. Dr. Burton was the most conspicuous one of the group, from his very pompousness. He wore a superfluity of gorgeous gold lace on his uniform, and assumed the dignity of a major-general. He was a flabby-faced, bulbous-eyed individual, with a wonderful stomach for harboring liquor, and that [168] A VISIT TO A REBEL CAMP. 169 unceasing flow of spirits arising from a magnified sense of his own importance. It was evident, even upon a short acquaintance, that the doctor found his chief entertainment in listening to himself talk, a species of recreation in which he indulged with great regularity, sharing the pleasure with as many others as would grant him a hearing. In Webster he found an attentive auditor, which so flattered his vanity that he at once formed a strong attachment for my operative, and placed him- self on familiar and confidential terms with him. " Webster, we've got to do some hard fighting in these parts, and that before we are many days older," said the Doctor, with a wise shake of the head. " I think you are right," conceded the scout. " We must fight it out. From what you have told me, however, I am sure the Lincoln troops will find you fully prepared to give them a warm reception here." " That they will, sir ; that they will !" was the emphatic rejoiner. "We have one full regiment and four or five companies besides, at Camp Rector, and General Pillow has thirty-seven hundred men at the camp in the rear of Fort Harris, which is a little above us on this side of the river. We expect to move with him, and if there is an attack made upon us every man in the town will instantly become a soldier." " Have you arms enough for all of them?" 170 A VISIT TO 11 Arms ? Let the Yankees count on our not having arms, and they will meet with a surprise party. In two hours' notice we can have from eight to ten thousand men ready to march." " No doubt of it, Doctor ; but how do you expect to get two hours' notice ?" " Lord bless you, Webster, we have men watching the movements of the Yankees at Cairo, and the minute they make a move we are notified. Then our signal gun is fired, and every man is mustered." " A good arrangement, truly," said the detective, quietly. " You look as if you could do some hard fight- ing yourself, Mr. Webster," remarked Colonel Dal- getty. The detective smiled. " I have been fighting against great odds for the past two^months in Baltimore. The last battle I fought was to get away from there with my life." " Yes, and we are confounded glad to receive you here," exclaimed the enthusiastic Doctor, shaking Webster by the hand for the twentieth time. " Come, gentlemen, we must have another drink. Step up and nominate your 'pizen.'" The glasses were filled, and some one proposed the toast : " Death to the Yankees T Under his breath, however, the detective muttered, " Confusion to the rebels !" and drained his glass. The toast was no sooner drank than Lieutenant Stanley, who was A REBEL CAMP. 171 evidently beginning to feel the influence of the liquor he had drank, took off his uniform hat and put it on Webster's head. " Excuse me, Mr. Webster," he said, " I merely wish to see how you look in one of our hats." Then stepping back, he added : " By the gods, nothing could be more becoming ! My dear fellow, you must have one by all means, if you stay among us." Webster endeavored laughingly to object, but they all refused to accept " no " for an answer. So, finding it impossible to resist, he went with them to a neighboring hat store. " Fit a hat to Mr. Webster's head a hat just like mine," said Dr. Burton, to the proprietor ; then turn- ing to the scout, he added : " We will have you a cord and tassel of blue, as that will show that you are true to the cause, although you do not belong to the military." The hatter produced a secession chapeau of the kind and size required, and Webster at once put it on, much to the delight of the Doctor, who slapped Webster familiarly on the shoulder, with the excla- mation : " Now, my dear fellow, you can consider yourself at home !" "Perfectly at home," echoed Colonel Dalgetty. " Henceforward you are one of us," put in the Lieutenant. Webster thanked them cordially for their kind- 172 A VISIT TO ness, and promised to wear it in preference to any other. As they stepped outside of the store, how- ever, all thoughts of the new hat were temporarily driven from his mind, for, standing on the sidewalk, within a few yards of the store door, and looking directly at him, was the identical individual whom he had noticed on the train, who had arrested the Northern stranger the night before. The gaze which this vigilant agent of the safety committee now bent upon Webster was full of dark suspicion, but after one swift glance at him the detective turned away with an air of perfect compos- ure and unconcern, and walked off between his com- panions. To say that he felt some uneasiness at this evidence that he was still being closely followed, would be only to tell the truth. His first impulse was to speak to his companions about it, but a second thought decided him not to mention the matter to any one, nor to betray by word or act that he had the slightest hint of a suspicion that he was being watched. The three officers introduced Webster to a large number of soldiers and citizens, and before the day was over he had quite an extended circle of acquaint- ance in Memphis. Dr. Burton, who had conceived a fancy for him, as sudden as it was pronounced, as- sumed a sort of paternal control over Webster, hover- ing about him with an air of protection and solicitude, and drawing the scout's arm through his when they walked together. A REBEL CAMP. 173 That afternoon, Webster, desiring to be alone for awhile, hired one of the hackmen at the door of the hotel to drive him three or four miles into the coun- try. He went down the river road, and as it was a beautiful day, he enjoyed himself admiring the pictu- resque scenery along the way. Just below the town, on the bank of the river, he found a small encampment of soldiers with a battery, who were on the lookout for boats coming up the river, and during his ride he saw several encampments of the same nature. After spending several hours in- specting the fortifications along the river, Webster returned to the hotel, which he reached about dark. The next day Doctor Burton and several of his military friends sought out the detective, and urged him to go with them to Camp Rector. " Gentlemen, I am at your service," said Webster, earnestly. " I think I would enjoy a visit to your camp to-day above all things." They went to the levee, and at ten o'clock were on the boat, steaming up the river toward Mound City, where Camp Rector was located. A distance of some six or seven miles, passing on their way up, various objects of interest, among them Fort Harris, which was merely an embankment thrown up, to answer the purpose. Arriving at Mound City, the party disembarked and walked to the hotel. After dinner the party visited the camp-ground, a distance of about one-fourth of a mile from the hotel, i 7 4 A VISIT TO and here Dr. Burton and the other officers took much pride in showing Webster around. They talked volubly about the unexampled bravery of .the Con- federate soldier ; had much to say on the subject of Southern chivalry as opposed to Northern braggadocio; told how well they were prepared to meet the on- I slaught of the enemy ; and found a special delight in exhibiting to the visitor a portion of General Bragg's artillery, which they had in the camp. After that they seated themselves around a table in one of the larger tents, to rest and enjoy the grateful shade, as it was a warm and sunny afternoon. While engaged in the most bombastic utterances of their prowess, and of the wonderful exploits that might be expected of the Southern army, their con- versation was interrupted by a shadow falling across the strip of sunlight that streamed in through the open- ing of the tent. Every one around the table glanced up, and there at the entrance stood the man with the broad-brimmed hat ! The intruder did not tarry a moment, but turned and walked away. Evidently he had stopped only to look in ; but in that single instant he had shot a keen, and apparently satisfactory, glance at Timothy Webster, which was fortunately not ob- served by any one save the detective himself. " That fellow is one of the safety committee," said Dr. Burton, filling his glass. "He appears to be looking for some one," remarked Lieutenant Stanley. A REBEL CAMP. 175 "Reckon he is," answered the Doctor. "He's always looking for some one. And, by-the-bye, those chaps are doing a heap of good for the cause just now. A Northern man stands no show for his life in these parts if the safety committee spots him. They hang 'em on suspicion." " That's right," said Webster, coolly. " I believe in hanging every Northern man that comes prowling around. They don't deserve a trial, for they have no right here anyway." But cool and collected as Webster outwardly appeared, it must be admitted that he was inwardly ill at ease. There was now no longer the shadow of a doubt in his mind that this long-haired agent of the safety committee was following him and watching his every movement, and that any attempt on his part to return to the North would betray him and cause his arrest. " The only reason I have not already been arrested," mused the scout, "is because they are not sure whether I came from the North or not. They merely suspect, and are watching me to see if I under- take to return northward. Such an act would confirm their suspicions, and I would be arrested and probably put to death as a spy. It stands me in hand to give them the slip before I take the back track." After spending a very pleasant day at the camp, he returned to Memphis on the latest boat that night, informing Dr. Burton that he was going to Chatta- 176 A VISIT TO nooga to look up a brother whom he had not seen in twelve years. " You'll come back ?" said the Doctor, as he wrung his hand. " Oh, certainly," was the cheerful response. " I'll be with you again before long." Colonel Gaines, of the artillery, who heard this conversation, now grasped the scout's hand. " Webster, you'd make a good soldier," he said, bluntly. " Hang me if I wouldn't like to have you on my force." Webster smiled good-naturedly. " I have some family business to attend to before I could think of entering the army. After that I may remind you of your remark." " All right," said the Colonel, " any time that you are ready, come ; I will make room for you." On his way down the river Webster found, to his relief, that the man with the broad-brimmed hat was not aboard the boats. He now had a hope of being able to give his shadow the slip by leaving Memphis on early train in the morning. Arriving in sight of their destination, the passen- gers on the ferry-boat were surprised to see that the levee was crowded with people. Shortly after, they learned that this unusual gathering was caused by the capture of the steamboat " Prince of Wales " by the rebels. Webster went to the Worsham Hotel, where he A REBEL CAMP. 177 spent the night, and at five o'clock in the morning, after making a few preparations, and dispatching an early breakfast, he repaired to the depot. Arriving there he looked carefully about on all sides, but saw no one who seemed to take any interest in his move- ments. " So far, so good," he muttered, as he boarded the train ; and the next minute he was leav- ing the scene of his most recent exploits with the speed of the wind. He was himself too shrewd and cunning to feel absolutely sure that he was not followed. His own experience in the art of " shadowing " told him he had not yet escaped the vigilant eyes of the safety committee, but he resolved to elude them if it was possible to do so. Innumerable troops were being transported at this time, and the train was crowded with soldiers. Webster amused himself by making the acquaintance of the officers, and skillfully drawing on their fund of information, until the train arrived at Grand Junction, where he decided to change cars for Jackson, Tennes- see. Accordingly, he abandoned the Chattanooga cars and boarded the north-bound train, which was in wait- ing at the junction, and again he was whirled away across the verdure-clad country, this time toward the "land of the free." But no sooner was the train well under way than something which came under Webster's observation removed from his mind all 12 i 7 8 A VISIT TO, doubt as to whether he would be permitted to pursue his journey unmolested. He occupied a seat in the forward part of the car, and on turning carelessly away from the window after gazing out upon the landscape for awhile, he was somewhat surprised at seeing an individual standing on the front platform of the car, looking in through the glass door. It was a person whose face and figure had already become quite familiar to him, being no other than the man who had so persistently followed him for the past few days. " He seems determined not to let me get away," thought the scout ; but neither in his face nor manner did he betray any of the disappointment he felt. He noticed that his pursuer was not alone this time, but was accompanied by another person an ill-looking man of herculean proportions with whom he conversed in an earnest, confidential way. When the train arrived at Jackson, Webster stepped out upon the platform of the depot, and the two agents of the safety committee did the same. The conductor stood near by, and Webster spoke to him in a tone which he meant his shadows to hear, ask- ing: " How soon will there be a train for Humboldt ?" " In twenty minutes," replied the conductor. " Do you know anything about the hotels there ?" inquired the scout. " I've got to stop two or three days in the town, and it's a strange place to me." A REBEL CAMP. 179 The conductor recommended him to a good house convenient to the depot, and thanking him for the in- formation, Webster turned away. He had spoken in a tone that he knew must have been distinctly heard by his enemies, and he hoped this bit of strata- gem would have the desired effect. He boarded the train for Humboldt, and the brace of shadows promptly followed him, taking seats in the same car. .,-. While the train was speeding on its* way, Webster was aroused from a reverie by the voice of a woman saying : " Pardon me, sir ; may I occupy a portion of this seat?" He looked up ; a tall, very respectable looking lady was standing in the aisle, and he saw in an instant that she was the person who had addressed him. " Certainly, madam, certainly ;" he replied ; and quickly made room for her. She sat down beside him, and then, to his great surprise, she began to talk to him in a low, earnest tone, without once turning her face toward him. " You are going to Humboldt ?" she inquired. " I am," he answered, surprised at the question. " You are a Northern man ?" " Madam !" A suspicion flashed, lightning-like, across his mind. " Believe me, I am not an enemy," the lady went i8o A VISIT TO on, " I have been sitting in the rear part of this car. I heard two men talking, and have reason to believe they were speaking about you. They said they would stop at the same hotel with you in Humboldt, and keep a close watch over you, and if you attempt to go northward they will arrest you, take you back to Memphis, and deal with you as they would with any Northern spy. I advise you to be very careful, sir, for your life depends upon it." The train by this time was approaching Hum- boldt, and the lady arose and disappeared before the astonished detective could tender his thanks for the warning. She was destined to remain an utter stranger to him for all time to come, for he never heard of her afterwards. As they entered the depot, Webster passed out at the rear end of the car, and he noticed, with a smile of satisfaction, that his attendant shadows were making their way out at the front. As he stepped from the car he noticed a pile of baggage near him, and quickly stepping behind this, he watched the movements of the two men. Apparently fully satisfied that their game would be safely bagged at the hotel, they left the depot and walked rapidly away in the direction of the public-house. His ruse worked to a charm. A violent shower happened to be passing over at this time, and it was only natural for the two " safety " men to suppose that Webster had stopped to seek shelter in the depot for a few minutes. A REBEL CAMP. 181 The express train from Memphis was soon due, and as it came dashing in " on time," Webster jumped aboard, and was on his way toward Louisville, smil- ing in his sleeve as he thought of those two crafty foxes, whose cunning had overreached themselves, patiently awaiting his arrival at the hotel in Hum- boldt. Before crossing the Kentucky line, Webster put his rebel hat out of sight, and once more donned the one he had worn from the North. The remainder of his journey was made without incident, and in due time he arrived in Cincinnati, and reported to me. A HOT LUNCH. CHAPTER XII. / take a Trip to the South. Danger in Memphis. A Timely Warning. A Persistent Barber. An Unfortunate Memory. Return to Cincinnati. TIMOTHY WEBSTER had scarcely departed upon his trip to Memphis, when I was sum- moned for consultation with General McClellan. Upon repairing to his office, which I did immediately on receiving his message, I found him awaiting my arrival, and in a few minutes I was informed of his wishes. He was desirous of ascertaining, as defi- nitely as possible, the general feeling of the people residing South of the Ohio river, in Kentucky, Ten- nessee, Mississippi and Louisiana, and requested that measures be at once taken to carry out his purposes. It was essentially necessary at the outset to be- come acquainted with all the facts that might be of importance hereafter, and no time offered such oppor- tunities for investigations of this nature as the pres- ent, while the war movement was in its incipiency, and before the lines between the opposing forces had been so closely drawn as to render traveling in the disaffected district unsafe, if not utterly impossible. As this mission was of a character that required [182] A TRIP TO THE SOUTH, 183 coolness and tact, as well as courage, and as most of my men had been detailed for duties in other sections of the rebellious country, I concluded to make the journey myself, and at once stated my intention to the General, who received it with every evidence of satisfaction and approval. " The very thing I should have proposed, Major," said he ; " and if you will undertake this matter, I have no fears of a failure, and every confidence in obtaining important developments." ., My action had been prompted by two impelling' reasons. The first was the absence of the men whom I had thus far engaged, and who, as I have before stated, had been detailed upon missions of investiga- tions in various parts of the South and West, and the other was a desire to see for myself the actual con- dition of affairs as they existed at that time. I have invariably found that a personal knowledge is far more satisfactory than that gleamed from others, and whenever it was possible, I have endeavored to acquire my information by such means. Another advantage to be derived from a personal observation was that I would be necessarily forced to rely in many matters to which it would be impossible for me to devote my personal attention. Having arranged everything to my satisfaction, in order that my absence would occasion no disar- rangement in the proper conduct of the investigations already commenced, I left my office in the charge of 1 84 TO THE SOUTH AND Mr. George H. Bangs, my general superintendent, and started upon my journey, intending to be as rapid in my movements as circumstances would per- mit, and to return at as early a date as I could, con- sistently with the proper performance of the duties intrusted to me. My first objective point was the city of Louisville, in Kentucky. The position of this State at the present time was a peculiar one. Her Governor, if not a Southern conspirator, was, if his own language was to be relied upon, both in opinion and expecta- tion, a disunionist. He had at first remonstrated against the action of the Cotton States, but after that action had been taken, he was unqualifiedly opposed to coercing them back to obedience, and in addition to this, he had endeavored to excite his own people to a resistance to the principles and policy of the party in power. The people, however, did not sustain his views, and while the popular sentiment was deeply pro- slavery, and while her commerce bound her strongly to the South, the patriotic example and teachings of Henry Clay had impressed upon them a reverence and love for Union higher and purer than any mere pressing interests or selfish advantage. At Louisville, therefore, I found a degree of excitement prevailing that was naturally to be ex- pected from the unsettled condition of public affairs. The Governor had refused to comply with the Presi- BACK TO CINCINNATI. 185 dent's call for troops, and the State had been in a state of hopeless bewilderment and conflict of opinion in consequence. A strong minority, arrogating to themselves an undue importance, were endeavoring, by self-assertion and misapplied zeal, to carry the State into the secession fold, but thus far they had made no substantial progress against an overwhelm- ing undercurrent of Union sentiment. Failing in this, their energies were now devoted to an effort to place the State in a neutral attitude, which would pre- vent her from taking a decided stand upon the ques- tion of supporting the Union. Thus far they had been temporarily successful, and on the i6th day of May the house of representatives passed resolutions declaring that Kentucky " should during the contest occupy the position of strict neutrality." This was the existing condition of affairs when I arrived in Louisville, and which I found prevalent throughout all the sections of the State I passed. Representing myself as a Southern man, a resi- dent of Georgia, I had no difficulty in engaging in conversation with the prominent men of both ele- ments, and I decided then, from my own observations, that Kentucky would not cast her fortunes with the South, but that, after the bubble of unnatural excite- ment had burst and expended itself, the loyal heart would be touched, and " Old Kaintuck " would event- ually keep step to the music of the Union. Results proved that I was not mistaken, and not many weeks 1 86 TO THE SOUTH AND elapsed before Union camps were established within her domain, and the broad-shouldered Kentuckians were swearing allegiance to the old flag, and, shoul- dering their muskets, entered into the contest with a determination to support the government. Passing on undisturbed, but everywhere on the alert, and making copious notes of everything that transpired, that I considered at all material to the furtherance of the loyal cause, I reached Bowling Green. At this place I found a very decided Union senti- ment, the Stars and Stripes were floating from the various buildings, and the Union men were largely in the majority. There was one great cause for dis- quietude, however, which was very manifest even to a casual observer. Many residents of Bowling Green and the vicinity were slave owners, and the impres- sion had become general throughout the negro com- munities that the opening of the war naturally and inevitably involved their freedom, an opinion, how- ever, without sure foundation, at that time, but which was eventually to be justified by subsequent events. The slaves had heard their masters discuss- ing the various questions which naturally grew out of a conflict of this chance character, and in which it was generally admitted, that emancipation must fol- low the commencement and continuance of hostilities between the two sections. It was not surprising therefore, that this opinion should spread among the BACK TO CINCINNATI. 187 entire colored element, or that it should be greedily accepted by these down-trodden blacks as the har- binger of a freedom for which they had been praying. In conversation with one of the leading men of Bowling Green, I was thoroughly impressed with the importance of this phase of circumstances. " Mr. Allen," said he, "you have no idea of the danger we are apprehending from the blacks. We know that the moment that Lincoln sends his aboli- tion soldiers among our niggers, they will break out and murder all before them. Why, sir," continued he, "we cannot sleep sound at nights for fear of the nig- gers. They think Lincoln is going to set them free." " Why," I interrupted, " what can they know about 'Lincoln ?" " They know too much about him," he replied ; " there has been so much talk about this matter all through the State, that the niggers know as much about it as we do." " You should not talk before your niggers ; it is not safe, and I never do it." As I never owned a negro this was perfectly true. " I know we should not, but it is too late now ; they know as much as we do, and too much for our safety or peace of mind. Why, sir, we are compelled to mount guard at nights ourselves for mutual pro- tection, and though there has been no outbreak as yet, and I believe that this is the only thing that keeps them in check." 1 88 TO THE SOUTH AND " It would be a good plan," said I, anxious to preserve my reputation as a Southern pro-slavery man, " to take all the men and boys over fifteen years of age and sell them South." " That's the devil of it," he replied, " we cannot do that ; it was tried only last week, and a nigger that I was offered $1,500 for last year, I could not sell at any price." Already, it seemed, the fruits of the slavery agita- tion were being made apparent. The very institu- tion for which these misguided men were periling their lives, and sacrificing their fortunes, was threat- ened with demolition ; and the slaves who had so long and so often felt the lash of their masters, were now becoming a source of fear to the very men who had heretofore held them in such utter subjection. This state of affairs I found to be prevalent all over the country which I visited. Bright visions of freedom danced before the eyes of the slaves, and they awaited anxiously the dawning of the day, when the coming of the soldiers of the North would strike from their limbs the shackles they had worn so long. In the after years of this bloody struggle, many deeds of self-sacrifice were performed by these slaves, when, resisting the dazzling opportunities to obtain their coveted liberty, they cast their lot with the families of their old masters, whose male members were fighting to continue their bondage. Many cases could be cited where, but for the faithful labors and devotion BA CK TO CJNCINNA TI. 1 89 of the despised slave, the families of many of the proud aristocrats would have starved. But the faith- ful heart of the negro ever beat warmly for those whom he had served so long, and disregarding the tempting allurements of freedom, he devoted himself to the service and to the maintenance of those who had regarded him as so much merchandise, or simply as a beast of burden. At Bowling Green I purchased a splendid bay horse, whose swiftness and powers of endurance I felt assured could be relied upon, intending to make the rest of my journey on horseback. By this means I would be the better able to control my movements than if I were compelled to depend upon the rail- roads for transportation. I would also be enabled to stop at any place where I might find the necessity, or a favorable opportunity for observation. I had no cause to regret the purchase I had made, for right nobly did the spirited animal which I had selected perform the arduous duties that were imposed upon him. Day after day he would be urged forward, and under his flying feet the distance sped away almost imperceptibly, and each morning found my charger rested and refreshed, and ready for the day's journey, be the weather fair or foul, or the roads easy or rugged. I reached Nashville, Tennessee, in due season, and resolved to devote several days to my investigations. Here the disunion element was more united and out- i go TO THE SOUTH AND spoken, but even here, I detected evidences of a Union sentiment which was none the less profound, because of the danger which its utterances would have incurred. There could be no doubt that this State had resolved to cast her fortunes with the con- federacy, and the rebel General Pillow had been for some time engaged in fortifying the city of Memphis. At Nashville I met a number of officers of the rebel army, all of whom were full of enthusiasm, and whose bombastic utterances in view of the eventual results, seem at this time almost too absurd to be repeated. Here also I came in contact with an army surgeon, whose head was full of wild Quixotic schemes for de- stroying the Northern armies by other processes than that of legitimate warfare. One of his plans I remember was to fill a commissary wagon with whisky, in which had been previously mixed a gen- erous quantity of strychnine. The wagon was then to be broken and abandoned and left upon the road so as to fall into the hands of the Union soldiers. Of course, the liquor would be consumed by the finders, and the valiant Doctor, with evident satisfac- tion to himself, but to the equally evident disgust of his companions, loudly vaunted his death-dealing and barbarous scheme. This brave warrior, however, I learned afterward, had fled in terror at the first fire, and was afterwards dishonorably dismissed from the service he was so well calculated to disgrace. So far as I was afterward able to learn, this grand project SACK TO CINCINNATI. 191 for wholesale slaughter, of the valorous Doctor, received no sympathy or support from his more hon- orable associates, and the soldiers were enabled to drink their whiskey untainted with any other poison- ous influences than is naturally a part of its composi- tion. Leaving Nashville, I spurred on in the direction of Memphis, and in due time reached the city, which now presented a far different aspect than when I visited it only a few years before. Then the country was at peace. The war cloud had not burst with all its fury over a happy land, and the people were quietly pur- suing their avocations. I was engaged in a detec- tive operation which required my presence in the city, and had been in consultation with some of the express company's officials, for whom I was attempt- ing to discover the perpetrators of a robbery of one of their safes. Turning a corner I came upon a scene that stirred my feelings to the utmost. It was the market square, and the merchandise disposed of were human beings. There was the auction-block and the slave-pen. Men, women and children were being knocked down to the highest bidder. Wives were sold away from their husbands, and children from their parents. Old and young were submitted to the vulgar speculators in flesh and blood, and their value was approximated by their apparent age, strength and healthfulness. My blood boiled in my veins as I witnessed, for the first time, 1 92 TO THE SOUTH AND the heart-rendering scenes which I had only heard or read of before. The cold cruelty of the buyers and abject misery of the sold, filled me with a spirit of opposition to this vile traffic that gave me renewed strength to fulfill my duty as an active abolitionist, and to labor earnestly in the cause of emancipation. I shall never forget the events of that day, and I can recall the feeling of intense satisfaction which I experienced on my second visit, when even then, I could see the dawning of that liberty for which I had labored, and I knew that the day of emancipation could not be far distant. Then the fair fame of in- dependent America would no longer be blackened by the pressure of the slave or the master, but all men under the protection of the starry banner would be free and equal under the law. Now the streets were filled with soldiers, some of them fully armed and equipped, and others pro- vided with but ordinary clothing, and furnished with such inefficient arms as they had brought with them from their homes. A most motley gathering they were, and their awkward and irregular evolutions at this time gave but little promise of the splendid army of which they were destined in the near future to form so important a part. The work of fortifying the city had been progressing in earnest ; earthworks had been thrown up all along the banks of the Mississippi, and batteries were already in position, whose guns frowned threateningly upon the river. BACK TO CINCINNATI. 193 Here to be known or suspected as a Union man was to merit certain death, and to advocate any theory of compromise between the two sections was to be exiled from the city. Here rebeldom was ram- pant and defiant, and I had some difficulty in evading the suspicions of the watchful and alert Southron, who regarded all strange civilians with doubtful scrutiny, and whose " committee of safety " were ever on the qui vive to detect those whose actions savored in the least of a leaning towards the North. Fearlessly, however, I mingled with these men, and as I lost no opportunity in pronouncing my views upon the righteousness of the cause of secession,