_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._
As I am not attempting to write a history of the Civil War, but merely
relating, as best I can, the leading incidents connected with my labors
in the secret service, I shall not dwell upon the details of the
military movements of the war, except as they are necessarily connected
with my own movements. It is necessary, however, to make cursory mention
of that remarkable chain of circumstances which followed General
McClellan's campaign in West Virginia, resulting in entire and
unexpected change of circumstances to him, and a consequent enlargement
of my own field of operations. Therefore, without pausing to describe
the various movements and enterprises in West Virginia during the
remainder of the year 1861, or detailing the campaign of the three
months' volunteers under General Patterson, and their bloodless victory
at Harper's Ferry, I will pass on to other scenes and events which lead
directly to the turning-point in my story.
Patriotism in the North was excited to such a pitch that the people were
impatient of delay, and eager to strike a decisive blow--a blow that
would at once annihilate treason and wipe out the insult to a nation's
flag, and maintain a nation's honor. The resounding echoes of the rebel
guns that had done their work of destruction on Sumter's walls, were
still vibrating in the air.
The Confederate seat of government had been transferred from Montgomery
to Richmond, immediately after Virginia's indorsement of the secession
ordinance, and this enthronement of rebellion so close to the very
stronghold of freedom, caused patriotic resentment to blaze up with
fresh intensity.
In the month of June a determined movement against Manassas was resolved
upon at Washington.
As a preliminary step to the advancement upon the rebel capital, General
Scott gave Patterson orders to offer Johnston battle, or detain him in
the Shenandoah Valley by other demonstrations, in order that his army
might not unite with Beauregard's and defeat the movement. But Patterson
failed to perform the task assigned to him, and his failure lost to the
Union cause the first great battle of the war.
General Beauregard was in possession of Manassas with six thousand men,
and this force was being very materially increased by the arrival of
reinforcements from time to time; but notwithstanding this fact, it was
believed that every chance of success would be provided for by the
strength of the Union army at the capital, if only Johnston could be
held in check for a few days.
Delay in starting this expedition against the enemy's works was
unavoidable, and it was not until the afternoon of the 16th of July that
the march of McDowell's army commenced. Even then the progress was
painfully slow, owing to inexperience and lack of discipline on the part
of the troops.
Manassas Junction was defended by about two thousand rebels, with
fourteen or fifteen heavy guns, while at Bull Run, some three miles east
of Manassas, was stationed Beauregard's main army, over twenty thousand
strong, posted at the various fords of the stream, in a line fully eight
miles long. McDowell, as a strategic movement to conceal his real
purpose, directed his march upon Centreville, at which place Tyler's
Division arrived on the morning of July 18th, to find that it had been
evacuated by the rebels, who were all behind Bull Run. From Centreville,
which is situated on a hill, Tyler and his men had a view of the whole
valley spread out before them, with Manassas on the high plateau beyond.
It has been hinted that Tyler was inspired with over confidence by the
utter absence of opposition to his advance, and was thus betrayed into
the indiscretion of a further advance and an experimental assault. This
provoked a skirmish, which speedly culminated in the battle of
Blackburn's Ford, the result of which was much loss and demoralization.
Two more days elapsed before the great fight occurred. Those two days
were occupied by the engineers in efforts to find an unfortified ford
over Bull Run, which was accomplished in time to permit McDowell to call
his officers together on Saturday night, and announce to them his plan
of battle for the following day. This brought the main contest on
Sunday, July 21st, and before daylight on the morning of that eventful
day, both armies were up and astir, each intending to take the
initiative. There was much unnecessary confusion and delay, mingled with
undue excitement and impetuosity, showing that everything was raw and
awkward on both sides. Perhaps no troops ever engaged in warfare with as
little knowledge of the privations, hardships and dangers of
soldier-life, as did the Union and Confederate armies on this bloody
field.
The day passed; the shades of evening fell, and the battle of Bull Run
had been fought and lost! Victory had perched itself on the rebel
banners, and the Union army was in full retreat towards Washington. The
engagement had been well contested, and fought with equal courage and
persistence by both sides, and the result was quite as unexpected to the
Confederates as to the Federals.
But Johnston had not been kept out of the fray, as it was calculated he
would be. His army had been permitted to arrive on the battle-field in
the nick of time to take a decisive part in the famous conflict, and to
turn the fortunes of the day at a moment when the signs of victory were
all in favor of the Federal troops. Totally unconscious of the fact that
they had been fighting Johnston all day, the Union soldiers had not once
lost confidence in themselves, and fully believed that they must win;
but when a fresh assault from a new quarter convinced them that
Johnston's forces had arrived, the realization and acknowledgment of
coming defeat pervaded the whole army, and the quick instinct of retreat
was aroused. They believed that success had now become hopeless, and
nothing could change this belief, or check or control the impulse of
flight, once started. The day was lost; the evidence of a great disaster
became suddenly overwhelming to the non-combatants in the rear; the
retreating brigades, and the nearer approach of cannonade and musketry
soon confirmed the worst fears of a terrible defeat and a hot pursuit;
and then began that insane scramble and stampede for safety.
The sights and scenes encountered on the way to Fairfax Court-House will
never be effaced from the memory of those who witnessed it. The story of
that memorable retreat has been told over and over again; of the mad
flight of civilians, in carriages and on horseback, lashing their steeds
to the top of their speed; of soldiers of all regiments mingled
confusedly together, some in complete uniform, others stripped of
everything but trousers, shirts and shoes, and all foot-sore, haggard
and half-starved; of arms, clothing and other valuables abandoned, that
the progress of the runaways might not be impeded by such incumbrances;
of vehicles, and even ambulances, bearing wounded men, left standing in
the road, while the frightened teamsters rode away like the wind, on
horses unhitched or cut out of their harness; of army wagons emptied of
their loads and filled with stragglers, thundering along the crowded
highway; of the dash and clatter of artillery carriages; of confusion,
panic, demoralization and headlong hurry everywhere along the route.
By midnight, mounted officers and civilians began to arrive in
Washington; but not until the next day, when the rain was pouring down
in torrents--that dreadful, drenching rain that continued for thirty-six
hours, with but slight intermission--did the poor, hungry, fagged-out
soldiers commence straggling in. That they were promptly and properly
fed by the people, rich and poor, who threw open their doors and gave
what they could to alleviate the suffering of these brave but
unfortunate men, speaks volumes for the unselfish generosity of the
loyal families of the capital during that period.
It was while this discouraging state of affairs existed that General
McClellan was called to Washington, to assume control of the lately
defeated troops, General Rosecrans having succeeded him in the command
of the Army of the West. Considering his recent success in West
Virginia, and the military skill and judgment there displayed by him, it
is but natural that McClellan should have been selected to re-create the
army, which was destined to defend the Capital for the next three years.
His arrival in Washington, on the 27th of July, was hailed with genuine
delight by officers and citizens, for at that date he held the esteem
and confidence and admiration of all loyal people. It was an immense
responsibility which devolved upon him, but he accepted it cheerfully,
and took up his task with that energy, tact and perseverance which
precluded all possibility of failure. When first called to the command,
he found a mere collection of regiments, undisciplined, undrilled and
dispirited, cowering on the banks of the Potomac, and with only such
material to work upon, he soon organized, equipped, and trained with
rare skill, that grand body of troops, which he afterwards led in the
campaign of the Peninsula.
The war was but just commenced, at a time when most people thought it
would be over. The "ninety days" theory was completely exploded. Those
who had flattered themselves that the conflict would be "sharp and
short"--that a single victorious and glorious campaign would crush the
rebellion--were now undeceived. My own hopes had controlled my judgment
on this subject, and made me visionary. I had hoped for myself to be
able speedily to return to congenial pursuits and my domestic circle,
and that a speedy collapse of their frenzy would save the Southern
people from the inevitable ruin which must result from a protracted war.
I had hoped for my country, that the spectacle she now presented to the
world--exciting the derision of her enemies, and the melancholy pity of
her friends--would soon be changed by the "returning good sense of the
people," as it was so easily and egotistically phrased by many
individuals at that time. Above all, I had hoped for the oppressed and
shackled race of the South, that the downfall of slavery would be early
accomplished, and their freedom permanently established. Being myself an
old line abolitionist, and by no means the least active or energetic of
those who had controlled and operated the famous "underground railroad,"
I had the Anti-Slavery cause very much at heart, and would never have
been satisfied until that gigantic curse was effectually removed.
Indeed, during the whole time that I labored for the cause of the Union,
the dearest object I had in view was the abolition of the most cruel
system of oppression that ever cursed any people--an oppression long ago
so justly characterized by John Wesley as "the sum of all villainy"--in
comparison with which Egyptian bondage appeared simply burdensome. All
these hopes were dissipated by the results of the late campaign. The war
had developed into a reality to estimate. "The Federal Union--it must
and shall be preserved!" was the sentiment that now prevailed, and all
realized that the time for doubt and hesitation had gone by.
There was no mistaking the duty of every loyal heart--the Republic must
be saved at whatever cost.
As I have previously stated, my connection with General McClellan was
not interrupted by this change in his position. By my own preference, as
well as at his request, I accompanied him to Washington, and cast my lot
with those who were rallying there to protect and defend the government
of the United States.
Among the first things the General did, after being assigned to the
command of the troops around that city, was to organize a secret service
force, under my management and control. I was to have such strength of
force as I might require; my headquarters were for the time located in
Washington. It was arranged that whenever the army moved I was to go
forward with the General, so that I might always be in close
communication with him. My corps was to be continually occupied in
procuring, from all possible sources, information regarding the
strength, positions and movements of the enemy. All spies,
"contrabands," deserters, refugees and prisoners of war, coming into our
lines from the front, were to be carefully examined by me, and their
statements taken in writing.
This was the first real organization of the secret service. How much
benefit was rendered to the country by this branch of the army will
probably never be known--the destruction of nearly all my papers in the
great fire of Chicago preventing their full publication--but that our
operations were of immense practical value to the Union commander is a
fact attested to by every one connected with the leading movements of
our forces.
It was about this time that the city of Washington was placed under
martial law--a measure deemed necessary to correct the serious evils
which existed, and to restore order in the city. Colonel Andrew Porter,
of the Sixteenth United States Infantry, was appointed Provost-Marshal,
and under his command was placed all the available infantry, a battery,
and a squadron of cavalry. In addition to these, the assistance of a
detective police force was deemed indispensable, and in answering this
requirement I found work enough to keep myself and entire corps busy
during our stay in Washington. A better understanding of my position and
the nature of my duties at this time may be gained from the following
extracts from a letter which I addressed to General McClellan when the
organization of this department was yet in its incipiency.
"GENERAL:
"In accordance with your expressed desire, I beg leave to
submit to you my views with regard to the duties of my
detective police force, should the services of the same be
required by the government.
"In order to promote the efficiency of such a force, it is
highly necessary that its existence should be known to as
few persons as possible. It is an admitted and self-evident
fact that the movements of the various departments of the
government, civil and military, are closely watched, and it
is beyond a doubt that from some source the rebels have
received early, and to them, valuable notice of the intended
actions of the government. I am also led to believe that the
rebels have spies who are in the employment of this
government, or who possess facilities for acquiring
information from the civil and military authorities, or
bureaus, and that this information is imparted to others,
and transmitted, within a very short time, to the rebel
government. Many of the parties thus leagued with the enemy
are said to be persons of wealth and position.
"In operating with my detective force, I shall endeavor to
test all suspected persons in various ways. I shall seek
access to their houses, clubs, and places of resort,
managing that among the members of my force shall be
ostensible representatives of every grade of society, from
the highest to the most menial. Some shall have the _entree_
to the gilded salon of the suspected aristocratic traitors,
and be their honored guests, while others will act in the
capacity of valets, or domestics of various kinds, and try
the efficacy of such relations with the household to gain
evidence. Other suspected ones will be tracked by the
'shadow' detective, who will follow their every foot-step,
and note their every action.
"I also propose to employ a division of my force for the
discovery of any secret traitorous organization which may be
in existence; and if any such society is discovered, I will
have my operatives become members of the same, with a view
to ascertaining the means employed in transmitting messages
through the lines, and also for the purpose of learning, if
possible, the plans of the rebels. All strangers arriving in
the city, whose associations or acts may lay them open to
suspicion, will be subjected to a strict surveillance.
* * * * *
"Another and more dangerous feature of the service
contemplated to be rendered to the government by my
detectives, is that of entering the rebel lines, and
endeavoring to obtain accurate information of the nature of
their defences, the number of troops under their command at
various points, etc.
"In order to give efficiency to this movement, operations
should be commenced in Baltimore as well as at Washington.
* * * * *
"Considering the amount of labor to be done and the
necessity of immediate action on my part, in case these
plans are to be carried out, I purpose concentrating my
entire detective force of _both sexes_ into this work.
* * * * *
"The amount of force necessary to carry out such an
undertaking as I have indicated, will necessarily be very
large, and the assumption of disguises and characters by my
operatives, will be a very important item in itself," etc.,
etc., etc.
My views were carried out just as they were set forth in this letter,
and I was soon hard at work in my efforts to "regulate" the District of
Columbia. It was too true that a great majority of the local police were
disloyal, and could not be depended upon to faithfully discharge their
duties to the government that employed them; therefore, in addition to
my other work, I exerted myself to the utmost in aiding the municipal
authorities to reorganize and discipline the police of the district.
Many personal incidents worthy of note occurred during this period, but
there was one which I recall at this moment with a laugh at my own
expense--an incident in which I was reluctantly compelled to occupy the
wrong side of a guard-house over night, and instead of capturing a
prisoner became a prisoner myself.
[Illustration: GUARD-HOUSE PRISONERS.]