CONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY: THREE SPIES CHASED AND CAPTURED *********************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Submitted by Doris Peirce - ginlu@charter.net 24 February 2002 *********************************************************** TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson THREE SPIES CHASED AND CAPTURED In the month of March, 1864, General Whitfield, commanding a brigade of cavalry in General Jackson's Division, was encamped for a time at Mt. Pleasant, Tenn. While there he decided to visit his sister, living at Centerville, on Duck river, some twenty five miles away in the direction of Fort Donelson. He took with him on this trip his son, Col. Thomas Whitfield, of the Texas Legion, and Captain, of the Third Texas regiment, with thirty three picked men, as an escort; all well mounted and equipped. The quiet little town was reached just before nightfall and soon it was known that General Whitfield and escort were in town and the citizens began to collect from every direction, each claiming the privilege of entertaining some of the visiting soldiers. The distribution commenced and ended long before all the applicants were supplied. Captain and two soldiers, in the distribution became the guests of Dr. Moore and his estimable family. After supper and some time spent in social intercourse, they all retired for the night, "not dreaming of war's alarms." About 2 o'clock in the morning hurried footsteps were heard approaching the house. The yard gate opened and shut with considerable force and noise. When the familiar voice of the orderly called Captain, in less time than it takes to tell it, all three stood in the door with guns in hand ready for business of the most serious nature. "What do you want?" demanded the officer. "General Whitfield wants you at once," was the quick reply. No time was lost, and soon the captain and his men stood in the presence of their superior awaiting his further command. "Captain," said General Whitfield, "about ten days ago three spies, well mounted and armed, passed through this place going in the direction of Waverly. They took dinner at the house of Mr. S., and after they had gone he missed a fine gold watch and chain, greatly prized by the family. The same men passed here less than an hour ago on their return, going in the direction of Fort Donelson. I want you, with eight or ten picked men, to pursue and capture them." The captain called for volunteers and Sergeant Smith and six men promptly responded to the call. Within fifteen or twenty minutes the little squad was mounted and making their way through the deep darkness to the ferry, only a few hundred yards distant. Fortunately the old colored ferryman, who had passed the spies over the deep, narrow stream, had not gone, though he was arranging to depart. "I want you to put me and my men across this stream just as quickly as possible," said the commander. "Well, boss," said the old ferryman, "but some of your men will have to help me pull the boat." "You shall have all the help you want," was the quick reply. Eight men and horses were soon aboard the flat boat and it was slowly moving to the opposite bank. "How long since you passed those three men over?" "Not long; something like an hour." "Were they well mounted and armed?" "As well as I could see they were well mounted and well armed." "Did they pay you for putting them over?" "Yes, boss; they give me this bill." (Producing and showing a $20 Confederate note by the dim light of a candle). "They said that they did not want any change; that they had no time for delay," added the negro. "Did they go on?" "Yes, sir, they took a drink from their canteen and said: 'Old man, we would give you a dram, but we have not got time,' and they hurried off in the darkness." It was with difficulty that the squad kept the road, watching meantime for a light or a surprise. At last to our great delight daylight began to dawn and soon as we could see sufficiently well we began to look for horse tracks, but none could be found. Having covered many miles over the stony road, we came at last to a point where the roads forked. "Now," said the captain, "here we must divide our force and separate. I will take Perry and Rice and pursue the right hand road and you, sergeant, take the remainder and go to the left and follow that way two hours, and at the end of that time you have discovered no trace whatever, then return to Centerville and upon your arrival at this point place a cedar top in the road that I may know of your return. Should I return first I will do likewise for your information." Soon after the separation, as the captain and his men were following the road down a ravine, he said: "Here are horse tracks and they are freshly made." With great caution did they pursue their course. As the little valley gradually grew wider the farms became larger and the houses better. At last we met a citizen in the road. "How long" said the captain, "since my three men passed this way?" "Not long," said he. "They are taking breakfast at the next house now," pointing to a house some two hundred yards ahead. "What kind of a house is it?" "It is a double log house with a passageway between." "How many doors to the house and where located?" "Three, one on either side and one in the hall." "In which room are they eating breakfast?" "The one this way." "Where are their horses?" "In the barn just this side of the house." "Is there a dog at this place?" "I am not sure, but I rather think not." The captain and his men quit the road, getting the barn between them and the house. Upon reaching the barn they made their horses secure and then in a whisper the leader told Perry to follow him to the door on the east side of the house, while Rice was to enter the door to the west and, if necessary, shoot to kill. The captain and Perry entered the door at the same moment, both with guns leveled and cocked. He commanded: "Throw up your hands or die." Just at that moment Rice thundered against the other door, partially open, and brought his gun to a level. Every hand in the room went up, not only of the three, but of the little awestricken family whose hospitality they were enjoying. The captain and Perry covered the prisoners, while Rice relieved them of their guns and watches, and amongst others the fine gold watch and chain belonging to Mr. S., at Centerville. The hostess, a small woman, was wild with excitement and screamed to the top of her voice. The captain told her to be quiet and she should not in any way be molested, and that restored order in the household. He turned to the host who stood like a statue, and said: "Bring me some plow lines, and do it quickly." He did it. Rice, who had had much experience on the Texas frontier, proceeded to make the arms of the prisoners perfectly secure. When marched into the yard, after looking around and seeing no other soldiers present, they asked: "Where are the balance of your men?" "We will go now and look for them," said the captain. "Well," said they, "if we had known there were only three of your party we would never have surrendered." "But," said the captain, "you are my prisoners and the incident is closed." With our captives placed on their horses and made perfectly secure, we at once proceeded to Centerville, and it was our privilege to place the cedar top in the forks of the road. General Whitfield was greatly pleased at the result and fell heir to a fine horse, something that he very much needed. The captain was ordered to carry the prisoners to Columbia, Tennessee, and delivered them to the provost marshal and report in person to General Van Dorn, who commemded the officer and men, and they returned to their command at Mount Pleasant, Tenn. According to an account subsequently published in the Chatanooga Daily Rebel, two of the spies were tried, convicted and executed, the third having turned State's evidence. CAPT. JAS. W. LEE.