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A. Lincoln
Published in the Southern Confederacy in
Atlanta, Georgia on July 15, 1863.
A few days ago a man calling himself Russell and claiming to be a correspondent of the Richmond Examiner, and an officer in the army, was in this city. His conduct excited the suspicion of some and he was placed for some time under arrest. Nothing, however, appearing positively against him, he was discharged and allowed to depart. A gentleman who hs been concerned with the whole matter from the first appearance of Russell in this city, gives the following particulars of his career in this city, and his subsequent arrest. If the facts are developed as the following statement would indicate, we suppose he will pull hemp: "This city was honored last week by the presence of a man hailing from Richmond, to whom it may be well to give a passing notice.--- He arrived on the evening of the 28th of June and immediately introduced himself to several as G.M. Russell, Captain CSA, Associate Editor and Special army correspondent of the Richmond Examiner. He made himself known to several of the editorial fraternity by calling at their offices and introducing himself as editor and correspondent of the Examiner, by which means he was courteously treated and allowed to look over their exchanges. He frequently expressed his opinion of certain military movements and sometimes plausibly criticized the ability of certain of our generals---all done so shrewdly and with such a natural air so as not to excite suspicion that a spy was among us. "The day after he called at the store of W.F. Herring & Co., and purchased a dashing Confederate uniform. Rigged out in this new suit, he represent'd himself as a member of the lamented Stonewall Jackson's staff. "This dashing major (or such was the style of his new uniform) next made a hasty trip to West Point, as he said, for the purpose of renewing his acquaintance with some old friends, returning to Atlanta the next day. After a day or two sojourning with us he was suspected and arrested, and his papers demanded. Papers however he had not, except passports from numerous Provost Marshals, which he had, no doubt, obtained by lying and impudence. "When arrested he voluntarily, and with perfect coolness gave his parole to remain 24 hours, till he could be identified by telegraph from his employers and friends in Richmond. At the end of the time no telegram had been received, and he gave himself up a prisoner, to be held till the desired information could be received. His boldness, frankness, and cool self posession were well calculated to deceive the most cautious. After being held for some time, and no charges appearing against him, he was discharged, obtained passports, and left the city. "Subsequent to his departure despatches from those whom he had represented to be his friends in Richmond, disclaimed all knowledge of him. Our military authorities at once took steps to overhaul him, and (thanks to the magnetic telegraph) he was caught near Knoxville. He had in his posession a pocket instrument, and is doubtless the rascal who rendered the line on the East Tennessee & Georgia Railroad such an enigma to its experienced operators a few days ago, and caused the people of this city to suppose the Yankees were making another raid through East Tennessee. "This same fellow introduced himself to Dr. Dennis in charge of the ambulance train from Tennessee as Maj. Seymour of the regular army. He is very intelligent and had notes describing our operations, position, strength, and resources in every military department.---Justice demands that he be strung up immediately." |
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