General McClellan had completed his plans for the investment of the rebel capital, and the public mind was in a state of feverish anxiety and expectation for the forward movement of the troops. The popular cry of "On to Richmond," was echoed from lip to lip throughout the entire country. Every one, except those who knew and realized the danger and difficulties to be encountered and overcome, were filled with an enthusiasm which only regarded results and never considered the cost of their accomplishment. Extravagant ideas of a struggle which should be "short, sharp and decisive," were the only ones entertained by the great army of "stay at homes," and the question of caution, foresight and sagacity was left to the consideration of those who must brave the dangers of the field, and face the deadly fire of their determined enemies.
Added to this a feeling of dissatisfaction began to display itself in high circles at Washington. The delay, which General McClellan wisely deemed necessary for the perfect equipment and education of his army, was being used as a pretext by those who envied the young commander, to detract from his reputation, and to impair the confidence which a united people had reposed in his loyalty and ability. The President was besieged by importunate cavillers the burden of whose refrain was the defamation of the hero of West Virginia, and it is not surprising, however much to be regretted, that Mr. Lincoln gradually permitted their clamors to disturb him, and eventually partook of some of the distrust with which they endeavored to impress him. From a legitimate and wise desire to prevent an untimely divulgence of his plans, General McClellan had, up to this time, kept his ideas and opinions to himself and confined his military discussions to but a few of his immediate officers, and those whom he had known and trusted for years. This manner of proceeding was not to the taste of some of the leading men in high places at that time, who deemed themselves as competent to confer with and advise the commanding general, as those whom he had chosen. In order to soothe their wounded self-pride they had recourse to a species of revenge not admirable, to say the least. They plied the ears of the President with comments derogatory to McClellan, and with innumerable suggestions of pet schemes of their own conception, which would, in their opinion, undoubtedly end the war with surprising alacrity. The result of these onslaughts was, that McClellan was required by Mr.
Lincoln to unfold his own carefully arranged plans to a council of generals, for their consideration and approval. To this "wicked and ignorant clamor" he was obliged to yield, and it is not to be wondered at, that his proposed movements were betrayed, and that not long afterwards he was subjected to the mortification of having his army divided into corps, against his wishes, and their commanders appointed without consulting him, and without his knowledge. Subsequently he was compelled to submit to having the conduct of the war in Virginia placed in charge of inexperienced, irresponsible and jealous-minded officers, whose antipathy to him was as well known as it was unceasing and violent.
Notwithstanding all this, the general pursued his way. His army was organized, his plans prepared. The defense of Washington was provided for, as he thought, in the most complete manner possible, and in command of a n.o.ble army, which had grown up under his immediate guidance and control, the brave commander started upon his campaign.
During the month of March, 1862, the forward movement was commenced. By divisions the army was transported from Alexandria to their point of destination upon the Peninsula, and on the first day of April, General McClellan embarked, with his headquarters, on the steamer "Commodore,"
reaching Fort Monroe on the afternoon of the following day.
At this point we will leave the army, to follow the movements of my operatives, and detail their experiences in the rebel capital, although the facts were not reported to me until a long time after their actual occurrence.
Price Lewis and John Scully reached the city of Richmond without accident or delay, and at once established themselves in the Exchange Hotel, where they remained quietly for the night. The next morning they started out to search for Timothy Webster, and for the purpose of obtaining reliable information of him they went to the office of the _Richmond Enquirer_, for the proprietors of which Webster had frequently carried letters, and purchased goods while in the North. Here they were informed that Webster was confined to his bed at the Monumental Hotel.
Repairing at once to the place where they were directed, they were shown to Webster"s room, and here they found the brave fellow, lying a weak and helpless invalid, attended by Mrs. Lawton, whose attentions to him were unremitting. There was also in the room, a Mr. Pierce, a warm Southern friend, whose friendship for Webster was of long standing, and whose visits to the sick man were of daily occurrence.
The recognition between them was a most formal and undemonstrative one, and no one would have suspected that they were engaged in the same vocation, and acting under the same authority. During the short interview that ensued, Webster was fretful and ill at ease. Knowing the sentiments of the people as he did, and a.s.sociated as intimately as he was with the most prominent of the Confederate authorities, he was fearful that the precipitate and unheralded appearance of his companions might lead to their being suspected, as well as to attaching suspicion to himself.
The few words of conversation, therefore, that ensued, were marked by a constraint which was uncomfortable to all parties, and the visit was of short duration. When they called again upon Webster, they found with him a rebel officer from the Provost-Marshal"s office, who was a friend of Webster, and who visited him frequently.
Webster introduced his two friends to Captain McCubbin, for that was the man"s name, and after a few minutes, that officer inquired:
"Have you gentlemen reported at General Winder"s office?"
"No, sir," replied Lewis, "we did not think it was necessary, having fully reported to Major Beale, and received his permission to travel."
"It _is_ necessary for you to report to the Provost-Marshal here, and I now give you _official_ notice of the fact," said McCubbin, laughingly.
"Very well," returned Lewis, "we will do so as early as possible."
"Any time within a day or two will answer," said the officer.
Webster watched the rebel captain carefully while he was speaking, and he thought he detected beneath his careless, laughing demeanor, an element of suspicion, which he did not like, and more than ever he deplored the fact that my men had visited him so soon, or had appeared to be acquaintances of his. However, the mistake had been made, if mistake it was, and he resolved to give the matter as little concern as possible, trusting that his anxiety was ill-founded, and that all would be right in the end.
On the following morning my two operatives presented themselves at the office of the Provost-Marshal, and meeting Captain McCubbin there, they were soon introduced to General Winder, who occupied that position in the rebel capital. After they had been formally introduced to General Winder, that officer made very minute inquiries, as to the antecedents and the business of the two men before him, although no word was mentioned, that led either of them to believe that they were suspected of being other than they seemed. They informed the Marshal that they were natives of England and Ireland, that Scully had been in America nearly three years, while Lewis had arrived only eighteen months before; that one of them had been connected with a prominent dry-goods house in New York city, and the other represented a London publishing firm, whose office was located in the same city. They also stated that in Baltimore they had become acquainted with W. H. Scott, who had informed them of great opportunities for making money by smuggling goods into the Confederacy, and that this visit had been made to afford them the knowledge requisite to embarking in such an enterprize. They had agreed to deliver the letter, which Mr. Scott gave them, to Mr. Webster, which they had done, and further than this their intimacy with either gentlemen did not extend.
This interview was conducted in a very pleasant manner by General Winder, and after they had fully answered all the questions which had been propounded to them, they took their leave, being politely invited by the General to call upon him whenever convenient.
Congratulating themselves upon the fortunate outcome of a visit which they had looked forward to with more or less solicitude, they repaired to Webster"s room to give him an account of what had transpired.
They had not been seated very long, when a detective from the Marshal"s office made his appearance, and after apologizing for his visit, inquired from what parts of England and Ireland the two men had come; stating also, that General Winder desired the information.
After this man had left, Webster turned to his companions and in as firm a voice as he could command, said:
"Get away from Richmond immediately! There is danger brewing. You are certainly suspected, and it may go very hard with all of us, unless you leave the city at once!"
"Why do you think so?" inquired Scully, in a skeptical tone. "We certainly cannot be suspected, and I am confident that you are alarming yourself unnecessarily."
A spasm of pain prevented Webster from replying immediately; but when the agony had somewhat subsided, he answered:
"I tell you that man never would have come here with that question unless there was something wrong. You must, indeed, get away, or the consequences will be serious."
Scarcely had he uttered these words, when there came a sharp rap at the door, which, upon being opened, revealed the forms of two men, one of them being George Cluckner, a detective officer attached to the Provost-Marshal"s office, and the other no less a personage than Chase Morton, a son of ex-Governor Morton, of Florida, whose house in Washington my operatives had at one time a.s.sisted in searching.
The consternation of Lewis and Scully may well be imagined, and the latter, without uttering a word, walked rapidly towards the open doorway and disappeared, leaving Lewis, filled with astonishment and apprehension, to pa.s.s the ordeal of an introduction. The salutations between them were, as may be conjectured, not of a very cordial character; and after the merest form of politeness, Lewis bade Webster good-evening, and left the room. At the top of the landing he found Scully awaiting him, and they were about to descend the stairs, felicitating themselves upon having escaped a threatened danger, when the door of Webster"s room was opened, and the Confederate detective again stood before them.
"Are your names Lewis and Scully?" he inquired.
"Yes, sir," answered Lewis, promptly, resolved to put as bold a face upon the matter as possible.
"Then," said the officer, "I have orders to convey you to General Winder"s office."
There was no help for it, and they signified their readiness to accompany him at once, intending to make an effort to escape when they reached the street. This hope, however, was dashed to the ground; for, as they descended the stairs, they found three other officers awaiting their appearance, who immediately took them in charge, and accompanied them to the Provost-Marshal"s office.
Several times, during their journey, Lewis noticed, with increasing apprehension, that the gaze of young Chase Morton was riveted fixedly upon them, and he had no doubt whatever that they had been recognized, and would certainly be apprehended. This prospect was far from being a cheerful one; but they mustered up all their latent courage, and conversed good-humoredly with their escort, as they walked briskly along.
Arriving at the General"s headquarters, they learned that that functionary was absent upon some urgent business, but would shortly return, and had left orders that they should await his appearance. Lewis and Scully were accordingly admitted to a private room, and requested to make themselves comfortable until General Winder should desire their presence. The door closed upon the retreating forms of their escort, and left them in a most uncomfortable condition of mind indeed. There was now no doubt of the correctness of Webster"s suspicions, and they bitterly regretted their haste in visiting him, and also not having taken his advice at once. However, this was no time for regrets, and they resolved to firmly adhere to their original statements, and await the disposition of their case by General Winder.
While they were conversing together, the door was opened, and young Morton entered the room, accompanied by an officer. Stepping directly up to Price Lewis, he addressed him:
"Don"t you remember me?"
"I do not," responded Lewis; "I do not remember to have seen you at any time before to-day."
He looked unflinchingly into the eyes that met his, and the determined tones of his voice betrayed no trace of the emotions that were raging within his bosom.
"Don"t you remember," continued young Morton, "coming to my mother"s house, in Washington, as an agent of the secret service of the Federal government, and making a thorough search of our premises and its contents?"
"You are mistaken, sir," replied Lewis, firmly. "I know nothing of what you are alluding to."
"I am not mistaken," said the young Southerner, "and you are the man!"
"Perhaps this gentleman will say that he recollects me, next," said Scully, resolved to be as bold as possible, under the circ.u.mstances.
Chase Morton gazed at him a few moments and then answered, decidedly:
"Yes sir, I recollect you also; you were one of the men who a.s.sisted in searching my mother"s residence."
Both men insisted strongly upon their ignorance of any such proceeding, and indignantly repudiated the charges that had been made against them.
At this juncture General Winder came in, and walking up to Lewis he greeted him cordially, warmly shaking him by the hand, saying:
"How do you do, Mr. Lewis, and how is Mr. Seward?"
"I do not know what you mean," replied Lewis.
"Perhaps not," said Winder, with a disagreeable smile, "but I am inclined to think that you know a great deal more than you are willing to admit."
"I do not understand you."
"Very well," said the Provost-Marshal, "you will understand me, and all in good time. Do you know gentlemen, I suspected you were all wrong from the start, and you were not keen enough to impose your story upon me?