Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 June 1890 — ADVENTURES OF A SPY. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ADVENTURES OF A SPY.

- A STORY THAT READS JAKE A J'AGE FROM A WORK OF FICTION.

• Tit© Remarkable Career of Me,?or W. C. dormant a Spy in tlio Service «.f the Cohlodprates During: the War—Thrilling Adventures and Hair-Rreadtli Escapes.

NE ol tho most remarkable contributions to war historv made in recent years in that lurnished to a correspondent of tho Dos Moines Jieginter by Ma,or W. C. Gorman, an ex-Con-federate spy and at present a resident of Birmingham. Ala. The story 01 his peril-

''ous udvontures and hair-breadih escapes reads like a page from a work of liction, «ai would scarcely bo credited had the na-mtor omitted to give datos, localiti *s. atnd the names of'the actors in the exciting tlim drama in which he was an active participator. Alter the retreat at Torryville. in 1862, begins Major Gorinaa, I received orders torel>ort to Gen. Forrest for picket duty on the Cumberland River. between bp.irtaand Gallatin. I there received orders to report to Crtjn. Forrest at Murfreesboro, which I did. Oen. Forrest wished me to undertake a commission entirely foreign to the duties or a soldier, being a trip to St. Louis on private business for my commander. I went to st. touis and returned just prior to the battle of btone lliver, in which I participated vwith my battalion. Gix days later I was ordered to report 1o ■''.Senator Sims at Richmond, Va.. for duty • on bohal of the Comedi-rate Government. ln’«t Senator Sims, President Davis. Vice President Stephens and Winder in confer--once, and they unfolded the plans. Gen- • er d Forrest was to make a raid through ■West Tennessee, and General Murmaduko ’• through Northern Arkansas, the two iorces ‘ meeting at Springfield. Mo. Scattered ' tlirough Northern Missouri were r2.OUOt.rue 1 Confederates, as yet unorganized, and it ' was their desire that I should organize those mon and march them to Springfield at the appointed time, as a contingent to .Forrest and Marmaduke. This plan was carried out so far as circumstances would permit I went to Northern Missouri and organized the Paw Paw .militia; General Forrest started through 'West Tennessee and General Marmaduke v through Northern Arkansas. I had organized 0.000 men at Blacklist Hills, ready for -marching orders, when I learned of Forrest’s defeat at Jackson, Tenn., and Mar'maduke's defeat fl teen miles from Spring.field, which drove the men back to bush\w ha, eking. 'iTiicro were a number o' incidents on my 'trip. I returned to General Forrest’s command' and asked him for a pass. In his «ruff way he said: “Go to h—l for a pass; If you can't steal through the Confederate lines, you can’t steal through the Yankee linos." ' Istirted on foot from Franklin, Tenn., Tor Hickman, Ky., making the trip in ten • days, and stealing through both lines, the ►Confederates and Federals being picketed ;£rom Gallatin to Memphis. At Hickman, tired, dirty and ragged from • swimming streams and climbing through -and over l ushes, I went to a hotel and ate ■supper. That night I hoard music in the parlor, and going up I saw two young ladies, one playing the piano and the otner ■ singing. I knew that if they were Corned- - orates the ladies would be the truest -and best of friends to the soldier boys, so I asked them to allow me to play. They “.looked surprised, but let me have the use <tl the piano. I sang. “Maryland, My Marvdand.” which at that time was new. From • the effect the song had on them I knew they ■•were sympathizers with my cause, and I asked their assistance to get me a pass by st-amboat to Bt. Louis, as the step-son of Judge Fitzgerald, of West Tennessee, iu whose loyalty the Federal soldiers had confidence. The next morning I got the pass and left for St. Louis, I claimed that I was •on my way to Kansas to visit relatives, and -that I was a Union man. The boat was loaded with Federal soldiers who were ■going home on furloughs or for the purpose of re-enlisting. I was woll supplied with money, and winded away the time playing poker with the men who, if they had known ■who I was, would have shot me and thr own my body in the river. Mv money was that -of the Bank o' West Tennessee, and was in bills, but iu those days ass bill could be «iit In two and each end was good for $2.50; in fact, chango was scarce, and was geuor«ilr made in that way. Each end of as 2 Wit was good for SI. When I reached St. Louis I had my West *T«nnesaeo money and $1,(300 in greenbacks. I went to Bingham. Wright & Co., with whom I had transacted the private business

for Gen. Forrest on my previous trip. Here I had all of my money changed jnto gold. The question then was, how to get out of St. Louis—a man could not leave the city nor oven obtain work in the city without a certificate that he had taken the oath of allegiance. I was not goinz to take the oath, and finally devised a scheme. Going down to the levee I met an honest Irishman by the name of Murphy. I got in with him. made him drunk and bought his certificate for SSO. Being an Irishman myselt I was not afraid of the name. I went to the Wedge house anil bought ahorso for Soil) and left town. When about four miles out I met two young ladles and saluted them. Thov returned the salute, and I saw that Ihev wore red and white ribbons around their necks. Turning my horse, wo went to their home together. That acquaintance was my starting point in Missouri. Their father was Lieut CoL Kibble, of Price's regi-

ment. and their home was the hot bed of the whole Southern organization in North Missouri. At midnight that night 102 determined Confederates mot there, inside tlie Yankefi lines, and within four miles of Ht. Louis, twenty-eight of them being commissioned officers. l left the next morning, going through the State on the south of the river, making my reports through tho mail at Paris. 111. My next experiences of interest were in St. Charles County, where I met with Craighill’s Dutch Home Guards. At Warronton. wh le oatmg dinner, twenty-six of them came in to arrest me. I showed my certificate of oath, pleaded Union sentiment. cursed Jefferson Davis and the whole Southern Con'oderucy as an honest Irishman, but it took live kegs of beer to flnallv convince them that I was loyal. The Eng-lish-speaking people in that section were usually friends, but these Dutch were bitter enemies of the Koutn. I learned that Colonel Kibble had a brother toward Black River. I finally reacned there after swimming two swollen creeks and having two battles with Craignill’s Dutch. I learned that Colonel Kibble’s

daughter had married a Sergeant in General Price’s command, and tliattliese Dutch troops had dragged her from h«r bed while in a deiicate condition, and nad burned the house on the day previous. When I learned this I made op my mind to teach the Dutch a lesson. Taking fifty-two men I went to Warrenton, and we killed every Dutchman we met. This gave Murphy a notorious character, and the quicker I got out of there the better for all concerned. I took two men with me, Cumbe-Tand Kibble and John Andrews, and started through the country. Gen. Odin Guitar was at that time commanding the Department of North Missouri, with headquarters at Cohimbiaville.

Ho issued an or lor that no person should carry tirearms except those engaged in active service lor the United States Government. Tho three freebooters, armed to the teeth, and killing '-very man they met with a home guard uniform on, naturally created' a sensation. That night we ate supper at Charles Prather's in Columbia County, at the foot of Blackleet Eidge. While eating, forty Yankee soldiers arrived, looking tor a notorious bushwhacker by the name ot Conway. Kibble suid Andrews escaped, and I have never seen them since. I pleaded loyalty, said I was alono. and on a pony, and to show my loyalty would assist them in hunting up Conway, who. by the way, had agreed to meet me at Prather's that night. I ot on Prather’s pony and went with the soldiers to a corner grocery eight njilus away, and twenty-two miles lrom Columbiaville. Here I called lor Conway, and insisted that I knew he was there. A man named Steele was proprietor, and I gave him $lO and paid for all the whisky to make the soldiers drunk; then I loaded them up with bott'es of liquor and started with them for ColuuA'iftvill \ Arrived there I took them at once to Gen. Guitar’s headquarters, and said: “General. lam a loyal Irishman. Your men took mo prisoner, and, to show my loyalty. I have brought them back to you. If I had not they would have all been killed in their present drunken condition." The

General thanked me. became sat sited as to my loyalty and gave me a pass, with which I got away as quietly as possible, before they recognized me. I r-tifned to Prather's, where I found iny horse and Conwav with sixteen men. who submitted at once to my orders. We th*»n organized the Paw Paw militia, nnd had a light near St. Joe with Crnighill’s Dutch, in which Conway lost an arm and I was shot through the shoulder; nine of the Dutoh being killed. I then succeeded in getting to Paris. Ht. where Mr. and Mrs. Farrel nursed me back to health, and I returned to Missouri, then to Richmond, where I reported to Senator Sims. I was then instructed to return, and given the rolls of the Confederates in the North — 30.<tX)in Illinois. 12.1W0 in Missouri, 26,000 in Indiana, 4.00 J m Ohio, and 5.000 in Pennsylvania. On the 10th'af Januay, 1863, I went to City Point and hired its a roustabout on the United States flag of truce steamboat Gen. Hensell. I was to receive $75 a month. I staid six days, for which tho Government still owes me. leaving tho boat at Baltimore. The next morning I was in Washington, where I met United States Senator Powell, of Kentucky, delivering to him a regular commission as lieutenant general in the Confederate army, commanding all the forces north of the Ohio River, and with authority to issue commissions. From him I obtained a map of the fortifications on the Potomac River, the number of men between Washington and the mouth of the river, the condition of fortifications around Washington, and other valuable iniormation.

I left lor Cincinnati over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and was arrested at Bellaire, being guarded by three Irishmen, John Burke, of Pontiac, Mich.; John Doyle, of 321 Sixth street. Detroit; and another whose name I have foi gotten. For $lO and a quart of whisky 1 bought a Yankee overcoat and got away. I first went to Columbus, Ohio, where I mot George Zeney. and going twelve miles out of tho city, was introduced to 000 as determined men as ever shouldered a gun. They were tho best drilled and best equipped or any of tho copperhead organizations, and wore sworn Confederate soldiers. I swore them into service with George Zeney as colonel. They afterwards did valiant service in the rescue of Gen. John Morgan fiom the Ohio penitentiary. I went to Cincinnati and met one of the truest friends the cause ever had. Samuel I’. Thomas, now a dry goods merchant of that city. H • was commissioned quartermaster general. Returning to Washington. I stole a skiff and floated down the river, then stole a horse and reached Richmond safely. When I reported they wanted me to return. to which I seriO'isly objected, as my description was printed, everywhere. The rewards for my capture were large. I had used a dozen aliases, and the police and detectives were scouring the country tor me. General Winder insisted on one more trip. I started, crossing the Poicmac half way between Mathias’ Point and the mouth of the river. Hailing an oyster schooner I paid them £SO to put me on the Maryland side. Went to Washington and Columbus, and then to Cincinnati, whe e General Thomas had collected $280,000 in cash.

which ho gave me ..together with maps amll plans of the Ohio a.jver between the mouth of t-ie Big Sandy mid Louisville. Went to Aurora, lnd., to con er with Senator Huffman, who bad organized three regiments—one at Aurora aud Lawreneebur ..one at Seymour and one at Madison audiNorth Yetrnon. 1 gave him a commission as major general in the Confederate armyThe next-stopping place was at Springfield, 111., where 1 im t Judge Dixon, wh©> was at the head of the movement in. Illinois, with a commission as- Major General. He had more influence, and aiterward, in attempting to release prisoners ait Camp Butler, accomplished more than any man in Illinois. This attempt would have been successful had it not been for Colonel Shanks informing tho authorities. He was at ter ward killed at Cheyenne- by his own men, on account of this,, as I believe. Going to Curlinvilile, I stopped with John D. IV hits, a wealthy farmer of Macoupin County. Hero I drilled my men openly, untill received information, that General John M. Palmer was about to call a regiment of soldiers tO‘ arrest me. I called on Gen ‘ral Partner, and told him that wo would light it to the bitter end. J was not arrested, and I have talked with General' Palmer since that time, and he said that be oonolud»d that it wa« best to lot me go, as it would have taken fiv.f thousand men at that time in that county to arrest me, and would have precipitated the war into the heart of Illinois. Going to Madison, lnd., where John T. Moore was in command of the copperheads, he told me that everybody was looking for me, and he assisted me - across the river, wfmre I found a horse at John Wells’. I rode to C ristianburg, then to Versailles, then to Lexington. In order to understand the subsequent events, we must go buck to August, 1802. At that time my battalion was with Gen. E. Kirby Smith, in the battle of Ri-hmond. Ky., and I was assistani provost marshal at Lexington, thus making many acquaintances. I had also remained on the battlefield to burv tho dead, impressing the services of citizens, union r whom were four brothers by the name of Haley. On my arrival at ’Lexington from the Northern trip. I called at the Curd House, which was the rebel soldiers’ headquarters, and Miss Nannie Curd was the moving spirit among them. Whiie eating dinner I met Capt. Gwynn, of Gen. Morgan’s staff. At that time there were 4.000 Federal infantry at Lexington, 2,000 cavalry at Georgetown, 3,000 cavalry at Frankfort, all under marching orders for L-xington, I gave Capt. Gwynn this information, and we parted to meet at Tate’s Creek ford, tour miles from Richmond, at 11 p. m. I’iovided with a horse and Lieut. Col. Bilev’s uniform of the Twenty-fltth Michigan, with the post countersign, through tho influence of Miss Ninnie Curd, at 8 o'clock I started for Tate’s ford. After crossing the river I was halted. I gave tho countersign, telling them I was CoL Riley of the Twenty-fifth Michigan. “Get down, Capt. Gorman; we know you," said one of them, and I saw that I was in the hands of the Unity brothers. They treated me kindly, and took me homo with them.

«bile in a room disrobing, one of picked up my coat and heard some pa peg rustic, lie 'ipned it open, and found some maps and a lot of letters directed to President Davis and Yice President Stevens. Then they knew that they bad a nrize. The letters were all in cipher, whloh I could not read myself. They furnished me with another suit, and laid CoL Riley’s unifo>m, which I had worn over my suit, it being too large for me. away. I was taken back to Lexington, where I was tried before Gem Gilmore, who asked if I could road the letters. I said that ] could, and that saved my life. Instead ot having me shot the next morning at sunrise. he sentenced me to be shot on April 7. the trial occurring March 7. I was confined in a dungeon in John Morgan’s old negro jail on Limestonejitreet, a place with which, as Provost Marshal. I was thor-

ouglily familiar. In the dungeon was Charles Slaver, of Scott’s Louisiana cavalry. At first we were suspicious of each other, but through our mutual acquaintance with Miss Nannie Curd, we soon became warm friends. Our hands and feet were shackled, and then a chain was fastened from the one which bound our hands to the one which bound our feet. We were both to be shot. I began to figure a way to get out ol there, and sent tor Father Lynch, a Catholic priest. Through his influence I succeeded in obtaining n call from Miss Curd. 1 told her to have the girls make love to the guards and sergeants, which they did. Slie obtained bedding and clothes for me, and in a few days I found a file starched inside of the sleeve of a shirt, so that it would not iall out when the garment was shaken. With this wo cut the rivets on our shackles, and with our case knives we began tne task oi cutting out through the floor. On tlie 19th of ill area the hole was large enough for a man to crawl ttirough, and we made our escape that night, eating a hearty meal at Mis. Myers’, next door to the jail. We reached Versailles and went to General Buford’s bouse before daylight, running nineteen miles during the night. On our way to this place we found a farmer in the i oad resting for ihe night. We stampeded tiis ho si s. and binding him to a tree, left him, wishing niin good luck. At had w» awakened Mis. Buford, who was well acquainted with both of us, audi who had made many a p aver for the lorgiveness ot my sins, expecting mo to die on April 7. When she first saw us she was lightened, but soon r-joiced and welcomed us most heartily. Will Moore, the overseer, was ealied. and we went to the far side of the plantation, where we took refuge under a straw stack.

At 6 o’clock that morning Mrs. Buford, Miss Wiley George, Miss Canfield, and Miss Harris rode out over the plantation on horseback, finally coming to the straw stack and producing from their long riding skirts the best breakfast I ever ate. They had m>t been gone half an hour when the section was literally swarming with Yankee soldie s, looking for us. We had been traced to Versailles, where all clue had b *en lost. That night it rained very hard, and under cover of darkness we felt for Frankfort, where Shivers left me. aud I have never seen him sine-. I heard thiat he was killed by Jack Goodwin’s- bushwhackers. I went to Madison, Carlinville. Springfield, Aurora. Cincinnati, Columbus, and Washington, returning with copies of the eommunicatkms that the Yankees had captured. I returned to Wall’s, opposite Madison, and when going across the river two soLiiers followed me in the ferry-boat, which I succeeded in capsizing, throwing the soldiers into the river. 1 readied Wall's, where I was given the best horse that I ever rode, and seeing that I was pursued, I went to the top of a hill, where I had a sharp light with the Yankees, who chased me to Cnristianburg,. where I was far enough ahead to get a lunch at Dr. King’s. At the corner grocery I got half a pint of whisky, which I gave to thohorse, and another half pint, which I used myselr. The Yankees were again in sight, and tired as my horse .was I again distanced them, cut the t-legraph wires and went on the dead run for Danville,'thence to Lebanon, bix miles from Lebanon I turned off tho pike and rode up Poke’s Creek in three feet of water. I put up at tiie house of bid man Prewitt, having run my horse 104 miles, six of which were in the creek. The next morning my horse was dead, the noblest animal I ever saw. I was taken sick ui this house, and while in bed I was captured. When I became a prisoner tne excitement seemed to cure me, and on the train, wnile being taken to Cairo, I jumped off wnile the train was in motion. I was not seriously hurt by the jump, aud hid out in the woods until night, when I stole a horse from a man named Greer, who, by the way. I have met since and offered pay for his horse, which he declined. The next morning I was in Glasiow, where I received mail and left, crossing the Cumberland River near bparta. then to Tullahoma, thence to Knoxv.llo, where I gave m.v stolen horse to Miss Mattie Love, and took the train for Richmond. Alter making my reports I declined to return to the North, and again assumed command or my regiment of sharpshooters in General Claiborne’s brigade, joining them at Lenoir’s station. In October, 1863, I was taken prisoner, and confined first on Johnson’s Island and then at Camp Morton until the close of the war. I was three times offered my parole Governor Orth, of Indiana, coming specially to see mo at one time, but I relused to take the iron-clad oath. , After the war was over I went North and settled in Detroit, where I was elected as a member of the Michigan Legislature, being defeated as a candidate for re-election in 1888. I then came to Birmingham, where I have resided ever since.

Snifkins — Ye gods! Look at Briggs. Isn’t he stuok up? TVhat’s the matter ■with him that he’s grown so proud all of a sudden? Has he made a fortune, or -? Bimley—No; his wife sent him down town the other day to match some cloth for her, and he came within two shades of getting the right color.

“MARYLAND, MY MARYLAND."

“I HAD A SHARP FIGHT WITH THE YANKEES.”

“GENERAL, I AM A LOYAL IRISHMAN.”

“JUMPED OFF WHILE THE TRAIN WAS IN MOTION."