_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._
On the first day of November, 1861, General McClellan was made the
Commander-in-Chief of all the armies of the United States. Immediately
on assuming this important position, the General turned his attention to
the entire field of operations, regarding the Army of the Potomac as a
branch, though the most important one, of the armies under his command.
Reliable information regarding the location and strength of the enemy
was the most desirable thing to be obtained at present, and although
Webster had been performing giant labor in this direction, his
operations comprised but a minor portion of the work that devolved upon
me. Numerous men of various callings and abilities were traveling
through the South, gathering items of news wherever possible, and
reporting the same as accurately and as rapidly as they were enabled to
do so. So numerous were the methods which I employed in promoting the
successful operations of the secret service, that it is possible within
the limits of the present volume to enumerate but very few of the many
events which occurred. Among the many men thus employed, was a negro by
the name of John Scobell, and the manner in which his duties were
performed, was always a source of satisfaction to me and apparently of
gratification to himself. From the commencement of the war, I had found
the negroes of invaluable assistance, and I never hesitated to employ
them when, after investigation, I found them to be intelligent and
trustworthy.
As I have previously stated, all refugees, deserters and contrabands
coming through our lines were turned over to me for a thorough
examination and for such future disposition as I should recommend. John
Scobell came to me in this manner. One morning I was seated in my
quarters, preparing for the business of the day, when the officer of the
guard announced the appearance of a number of contrabands. Ordering them
to be brought in, the pumping process was commenced, and before noon
many stray pieces of information had been gathered, which, by
accumulation of evidence, were highly valuable. Among the number I had
especially noticed the young man who had given his name as John Scobell.
He had a manly and intelligent bearing, and his straightforward answers
to the many questions propounded to him, at once impressed me very
favorably. He informed me that he had formerly been a slave in the
State of Mississippi, but had journeyed to Virginia with his master,
whose name he bore. His master was a Scotchman, and but a few weeks
before had given him and his wife their freedom. The young woman had
obtained employment in Richmond, while he had made his way to the Union
lines, where, encountering the Federal pickets, he had been brought to
headquarters, and thence to me. He gave an intelligent account of his
travels through the country, and appeared to be well informed as to the
localities through which he passed, and of the roads and streams round
about.
I immediately decided to attach him to my headquarters, with the view of
eventually using him in the capacity of a scout, should he prove equal
to the task. For two weeks I employed him in various capacities of minor
importance, but those in which secrecy and loyalty were essential
qualifications, and his performance of these duties was all that could
be desired. At the end of that time I resolved to send him into the
South, and test his ability for active duty. Calling him into my
quarters, I gave him the necessary directions, and dispatched him, in
company with Timothy Webster, on a trip to Virginia. Their line of
travel was laid out through Centreville, Manassas, Dumfries, and the
Upper and Lower Accoquan.
John Scobell I found was a remarkably gifted man for one of his race. He
could read and write, and was as full of music as the feathered
songsters that warbled in the tropical groves of his own sunny home. In
addition to what seemed an almost inexhaustible stock of negro
plantation melodies he had also a charming variety of Scotch ballads,
which he sang with a voice of remarkable power and sweetness. During the
evenings his singing was the chief feature of the impromptu
entertainments that were resorted to in order to while away the tedious
hours before retiring, and he soon became a universal favorite.
Possessing the talents which he did, I felt sure, that he had only to
assume the character of the light-hearted, happy darky and no one would
suspect the cool-headed, vigilant detective, in the rollicking negro
whose only aim in life appeared to be to get enough to eat, and a
comfortable place to toast his shins.
It was arranged that the two men should travel together until they
arrived at Leonardstown, when they were to separate, Webster proceeding
on to Richmond by way of Fredericksburg, while Scobell was to make his
way to the rebel camp at Dumfries, and then up as far as Centreville.
Proceeding by stage to Leonardstown they parted company, each one
depending upon his own exertions to get across the river. Although they
had traveled in the same coach, they paid no attention to each other,
nor gave any indication of a previous acquaintance. At Leonardstown
Webster went to a hotel, kept by a Mr. Miller, who was a bitter
secessionist, and had known my operative for some time. His greeting
was cordial, and his enthusiasm over his escape from the officers at
Baltimore, an account of which he had read in the paper, was quite
overpowering.
While they were conversing together a tall, dark-whiskered man came into
the room, and after a quick, nervous glance at Webster, requested to see
the land lord in another room. As they departed, Webster bestowed a
searching look upon the new-comer and was at once impressed with the
familiarity of his features. He recollected that while he was coming
down on the stage, this man came riding rapidly behind them, seated in a
buggy and driven by a young negro. They made several ineffectual
attempts to pass the stage, and finally succeeded in doing so, and
disappearing from view. Webster had forgotten all about him, until his
sudden appearance at the hotel and his suspicious actions attracted his
attention. After the lapse of a few minutes the two men again entered,
and the stranger immediately took his departure.
Filled with curiosity as to the identity of the man, Webster carelessly
observed to the landlord:
"That fellow seemed a little nervous, doesn't he?"
"Yes," replied the landlord, "and he has cause to be; he is a deserter
from the Yanks."
"Was he an officer?"
"He says he was a surgeon, and had served in the regular army on the
Pacific coast for a number of years. His family are Southerners, and he
says he concluded to throw up his commission and join our side."
"Which way is he going?"
"He wants to get to Richmond as soon as he can. He will be back shortly
and I'll introduce you to him; perhaps you can give him a helping hand."
"I'll do what I can," replied Webster, with a mental reservation. "What
is his name?"
"He gave me his name as Doctor Gurley: he brought a letter from a friend
of mine in Washington, and I believe he is carrying some messages to Mr.
Benjamin, the Secretary of War, which he is very anxious to deliver as
early as possible."
"Well, we may be fellow-travelers if he turns up in time to go over with
me," said Webster, who was already attempting to devise some plan for
intercepting the delivery of the dispatches which the titled deserter
was carrying.
"I have made all arrangements," replied the landlord, "and will send you
both down to-morrow in time to get the boat."
"All right," said Webster; "and now, as I have a little time before
dinner, I will take a short walk to give me an appetite."
Webster was intent upon finding John Scobell, if possible. He had formed
a plan for getting possession of the dispatches, and he required the
services of his colored companion in order to perfect it. Keeping a
sharp look-out about him, he strode on in the direction of the negro
quarters, where he felt reasonably sure of meeting with the man he was
in search of. As chance would have it, when within a short distance of
the locality, he saw, to his intense delight, Scobell approaching him
from the opposite direction. In a few words, he developed his plan to
the intelligent darky, and from the broad grin which overspread his
countenance, it was evident that he not only fully understood, but
highly relished, the propositions that had been made. It was arranged,
that Scobell should be in the neighborhood of the hotel during the
afternoon, and that Webster should endeavor to point out to him the
deserting surgeon, after which Scobell was to perform the duty which
Webster had delegated to him.
That afternoon, the Doctor, who was stopping with some friends, a short
distance out of town, made his appearance at the hotel, and Mr. Miller,
having first assured him of my operative's loyalty, introduced the two
men to each other. By reason of Webster's familiarity with the country,
and his evident and hearty desire to serve his new-found friend, he soon
won the kindly regards of the Doctor, who prolonged his visit until
nearly dark. At length, promising to meet Webster on the morrow, and
with a parting beverage, the Doctor started to go. Webster accompanied
him to the door, and with apparent good-feeling, bade him good-evening.
As Webster re-entered the hotel, he noticed with satisfaction that
Scobell was on hand, and had posted himself in a secluded position,
where, unobserved himself, he could watch the hotel, and notice what
transpired.
"There is going to be a shower, and the Doctor will have to walk fast to
escape it," said Webster, as he entered the bar-room.
He had been engaged in friendly conversation with Mr. Miller for about
an hour, when they heard the hurried stamping of feet outside; in a few
moments, the door was thrown suddenly open, and the deserting Doctor
stood before them. The appearance of the Doctor was most rueful. He was
without his hat; his clothing was disarranged, and torn and soiled; his
face was of a death-like paleness, while his lips trembled as if with
fear.
Webster and the landlord sprang to their feet, and rushed toward the
man, who was very near falling from exhaustion.
"What has happened!" inquired Webster, in a tone of solicitude.
"I've been attacked and robbed!" ejaculated the Doctor, weakly.
The landlord poured out a glass of spirits, which he gave to the
demoralized Doctor, and after swallowing it, he seemed to regain his
strength. After he had been sufficiently restored, he related his story.
After leaving the hotel, he had started to walk toward the house where
he was stopping. It becoming quite cloudy, and fearing a storm, he had
hastened his pace in order to avoid the rain. Suddenly, as he was
passing through a small patch of woods, he was stealthily approached
from behind, by some one, who struck him a fearful blow on the back of
the head. He was completely stunned and fell to the ground. When he
recovered consciousness, he found that he had been thoroughly searched,
and that his dispatches to the Secretary of War had been taken. Nothing
else about his person was disturbed, and the attack had evidently been
made by somebody who was aware of the fact that he had them in his
possession. The Doctor's anxiety about his loss was pitiable in the
extreme, but Webster could scarcely repress a smile of satisfaction, at
the success which Scobell had achieved in capturing the precious
documents.
"Never mind," said Webster, soothingly. "The loss of the papers won't
amount to much; when we arrive in Richmond you can communicate verbally
the nature of the papers you have lost."
"That's the devil of it," blurted out the Doctor. "I don't know their
contents; they were intrusted to me by men who are working in the
interest of the South, and as they were sealed, I have no more idea than
you have what they contained."
This piece of information was an additional source of satisfaction to
Webster, who had thus effectually prevented their transmission to the
Rebel government. He sympathized with the Doctor, however, most
sincerely, and although that individual was decidedly crestfallen at the
turn of affairs, under Webster's ministrations he recovered some of his
spirits, and finding that he was not seriously injured, he again started
for his lodgings. He took the precaution, this time, to carry his
revolver in his hand, and to keep a sharp look-out as he journeyed
along.
Miller, the landlord, was somewhat alarmed at this adventure, but
Webster endeavored to reassure him as best he could. He suggested that
the attack was probably made by some one who was in the interest of the
South, but who was fearful that, as the Doctor had deserted from the
Northern army, he might not be as true to the good cause as he should
be. However this may be, Miller's fears soon disappeared, and by nine
o'clock he had recovered his usual good-humor, and set about making his
arrangements for the morrow. Feeling anxious to learn from Scobell,
Webster lighted a cigar and strolled out into the street. He walked
slowly along, and after he had gone some distance from the hotel he
turned around, and saw following him, at some distance behind, a figure
which he instantly recognized as Scobell's. He therefore went on until
he came to the outskirts of the town, and then awaited the arrival of
his companion.
Scobell came up with a broad grin on his countenance, and extending his
hand, said:
"Here dey is, Mister Webster. Dey is all right, an' I reckon de Doctor
don't know what hurt him by dis time."
Webster took the packet from the outstretched hand of the black man, and
complimented him warmly upon his success. Scobell seemed quite elated
over his exploit, and it was with some difficulty that Webster could
restrain him from breaking out into loud laughter.
Scobell informed Webster that he had already made arrangements for
forwarding the documents to me, provided they met with the approval of
the scout. He suggested that they be intrusted to an intelligent and
loyal colored man, who was to start for Washington on the following
morning, and whose honor and truthfulness could be implicitly relied
upon.
"I should like to see this man first," said Webster, when Scobell had
concluded.
"Werry well; cum along of me," answered Scobell. "I'll show you sumfin
you neber seed afore, I reckon."
"Go ahead, then," directed the scout.
Proceeding together a short distance, when the black stopped before a
dilapidated building that had evidently not been used for some time. It
was a low, two-story structure, the windows of which were boarded up,
and no sign of life was visible from without.
"Come this way," said Scobell, in a low voice, taking Webster by the
hand and through a low door, on which he rapped three times.
Webster had scarcely time to give vent to his astonishment by a low
whistle, when the door was noiselessly opened. They entered without
challenge and found themselves in utter darkness, while Webster could
hear the bolts and bars being replaced upon the door. Listening
intently, he thought he could hear voices overhead, and a noise as of
the shuffling of feet. Presently he heard a shrill whistle from his
conductor, which was replied to from above with the query:
"Who comes?"
"Friends of Uncle Abe!" was the reply.
"What do you desire?"
"Light and Liberty!" came the response.
Immediately a trap-door overhead was opened, revealing a dimly-lighted
room, and a rope-ladder was let down before them.
"Mister Webster, you go up first," said Scobell, "and I will follow
you."
Webster took hold of the ropes and, ascending easily, found himself in a
dimly lighted room and surrounded by a body of negroes, numbering about
forty. Some of them were young men who had barely attained their
majority, while others were middle-aged, with a goodly number whose
heads were as white as snow. The room in which they were assembled was
quite large and entirely destitute of furniture. An upturned barrel,
with an American flag draped over it, served as the desk of the
President, and his seat was made of a box, which had once been used in
packing merchandise for shipment.
It was not long before Webster realized that he was in a lodge of "the
Loyal League," composed almost exclusively of colored men, and whose
branches extended over the entire South. The trap-door being closed
behind them, Webster was introduced to the assembly by John Scobell, who
had already identified himself with the institution. His welcome was
most cordial and hearty. Shortly after they had become quiet, the
President, a tall, well-formed negro, about thirty-five years of age,
took his position, and in a deep, full voice, addressed the meeting. He
detailed the operations of the various lodges which he had visited, and
gave an encouraging account of the good work that was being done by the
colored men throughout the country. He was listened to intently, and
when he had finished he was greeted with numerous remarks of approval
and indorsement.
Scobell had meanwhile disclosed the nature and objects of the "Loyal
League." Although as yet prevented from taking up arms in defense of
their rights, these colored men had banded themselves together to
further the cause of freedom, to succor the escaping slave, and to
furnish information to loyal commanders of the movements of the rebels,
as far as they could be ascertained.
The President of the League, Scobell said, was about undertaking a trip
to Washington, and he was the person who had been selected to carry the
packet to me. Webster conversed with him for some time after he had
spoken, and finding him reliable and willing to undertake the task about
to be imposed upon him, he signified his willingness to trust him with
the delivery of the dispatches. Writing a hasty description of the
manner in which they had been obtained, he safely sewed the package and
his letter in the lining of the messenger's coat, and fully instructed
him as to how the papers should be delivered.
Webster was called upon before the meeting adjourned, and he replied in
a few words of encouragement and compliment, which elicited the most
sincere tokens of appreciation from his sable auditors.
After thanking the colored men for their kindness to him, Webster and
Scobell descended from the improvised lodge-room, and Webster made his
way back to the hotel, feeling quite relieved as to the safety of the
dispatches, and fully confident that they would reach their destination
in safety. He shortly afterwards retired to rest, fully satisfied with
the day's work, and slept soundly until morning.
The trusty messenger arrived in Washington in due time, and I received
from his hands the papers intrusted to him. They were of a highly
important nature, and conveyed information to the rebel authorities
which would have been very dangerous had they reached their legitimate
destination. As it was, through Webster's sagacity, Scobell's physical
power, and the exertions of the President of the "Loyal League," the
traitor surgeon was prevented from assisting the cause of treason and
rebellion, and as a bearer of dispatches, his first venture was far from
being successful.
[Illustration: A HOT CHASE.]