_Activity in Washington.--Webster's Journey Through The South.--His
Return to the Capital._
During the month of January, 1862, I was actively engaged in the city of
Washington. With a part of my force, I was acting in conjunction with
General Andrew Porter, the Provost-Marshal of the district, while the
remaining portion was assisting General McClellan in obtaining reliable
information about the topography of the Southern country, and of the
number and disposition of the Southern troops.
Almost every day witnessed some incident of importance to the national
cause, and my time was fully occupied with the numerous and responsible
duties which necessarily devolved upon me. Mr. George H. Bangs, who is
now the general superintendent of my agencies, was detailed to the
headquarters of the army, while I remained in charge of my office on "I"
street, although I was kept fully informed by daily reports of whatever
transpired at both places. As may readily be imagined, my office was no
sinecure. Many times I was obliged to deprive myself of needed rest and
sleep, engaged in laborious duties from early morn far into the waking
hours of the succeeding day, and for weeks scarcely obtaining a peaceful
night's slumber. The capital was filled with suspicious personages, with
Southern spies, and their Northern allies, and frequently officers of
the government, holding elevated positions, would be discovered in
secret, but active correspondence with the rebel authorities. Arrests
were numerous, and the searching of suspected premises of almost daily
occurrence, while the large number of men employed by me required
constant and unceasing personal surveillance.
In the army it was astonishing what rapid progress had been made in
drilling and disciplining the large, and, for the most part, untried
force of soldiery. The commanding general was engaged in perfecting his
plans for a campaign against Richmond, and in order to do this
intelligently, much information was required of the condition of the
country through which the army must pass, and of the number of the enemy
he would be likely to encounter. The obstacles that must be overcome,
the defenses which would impede his passage, and all the minutia of
warlike particularities, were mainly left to be discovered by the men in
the secret service department, of which I was the authorized leader, and
responsible head. Engaged in these duties the month of January passed
away. Numerous operatives had been dispatched into the hostile country
before us, and had made their examinations, and returned, conveying to
me and to the commanding general items of valuable information which
could have been obtained in no other way.
We will now follow the movements of Timothy Webster, whom we left in
Richmond struggling with his old and relentless enemy, the rheumatism.
After a painful confinement to his bed for nearly a week, he was at last
able to move about once more, and in a few days thereafter was strong
enough to undertake a journey which he had been contemplating for some
time.
In company with one of the largest contractors for the rebel government,
he left Richmond for Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Campbell, the contractor,
was engaged in the purchase of leather and desirous of purchasing
directly from the tanner, instead of depending upon the dealers, who
might not be able to supply him in such quantities as he required.
Traveling with this gentleman, and armed as he was, with an all powerful
passport from the Secretary of War, Webster would have every opportunity
for making his observations without incurring the slightest suspicion.
During this journey he traveled through Knoxville, Chattanooga and
Nashville, in Tennessee, then to Bowling Green, in Kentucky, and then,
on his return, he passed through Manassas and Centreville, carefully
noting in his passage through the country the number and condition of
the various troops, the number and extent of batteries and
fortifications, and eliciting an amount of information that seemed
wonderful for one man to accomplish. He made the acquaintance of
commanding officers, and conversed unreservedly with them upon the
various matters connected with their divisions, and their movements,
present and perspective. He carefully examined the fortifications that
had been erected, and the number of guns they contained. He talked with
the private soldier and the civilian, and in fact, on his return to
Richmond, was as well informed with regard to the military resources of
the enemy as were the generals themselves. Rejoiced at his success, and
carefully noting what he had witnessed, Webster prepared to return
North.
Visiting the War Department and the office of the Provost-Marshal, he
received from Mr. Benjamin and General Winder a large number of letters
and several important commissions, which were to be delivered and
attended to after he should arrive in Washington and Baltimore.
Leaving Richmond, he safely passed the pickets and outposts of both
Federals and rebels, and reported to me. His trip had been a most
important and successful one, and the information he brought was most
invaluable. Webster seemed as well pleased at his success as were either
General McClellan or myself, and after a short rest announced himself as
quite prepared to make another journey to the South, whenever his
services should be required.