Preface 23
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
An Unwritten Page of History.—A Political ResumÉ.—Abraham Lincoln is Elected President. 33
CHAPTER II.
Opposition to Mr. Lincoln's Inauguration.—A Plot to Assassinate him.—The Journey from Springfield, Illinois. 45
CHAPTER III.
The Conspirators at Work.—Detectives on their Trail.—Webster as a Soldier. 58
CHAPTER IV.
The Conspirators in Council.—My Operative Joins the Conspiracy. 74
CHAPTER V.
The Presidential Party Arrives in Philadelphia.—Independence Hall.—The Departure from Harrisburg.—Telegraph Wires Cut.—Through the Lines of Treason.—Safe Arrival at Washington. 81
CHAPTER VI.
My Connection with the Rebellion.—Timothy Webster Accepts a Mission. 104
CHAPTER VII.
Webster on his Way to the Capital.—Wrecked Trains and Broken Bridges.—An Adventure with a Cavalryman.—A Rebel Emissary.—President Lincoln and Timothy Webster. 114
CHAPTER VIII.
Timothy Webster in Washington.—The Return to Philadelphia.—I go to the Capital.—An Important Letter. 131
CHAPTER IX.
An Adventure in Pittsburg.—A Mob at Bay.—An Explanation.—Good Feeling Restored. 142
CHAPTER X.
General McClellan in Command of Ohio.—I am Engaged for the War.—The Secret Service.—A Consultation.—Webster Starts for Rebeldom. 151
CHAPTER XI.
Webster Fraternizes with the Rebel Officers.—A Secession Hat.—A Visit to a Rebel Camp.—"The Committee of Safety."—A Friendly Stranger.—A Warning.—The Escape. 168
CHAPTER XII.
I Take a Trip to the South.—Danger in Memphis.—A Timely Warning.—A Persistent Barber.—An Unfortunate Memory.—Return to Cincinnati. 182
CHAPTER XIII.
East and West Virginia.—Seceding from Secession.—My Scouts in Virginia.—A Rebel Captain Entertains "My Lord."—An Old Justice dines with Royalty.—A Lucky Adventure.—A Runaway Horse.—A Rescue. 203
CHAPTER XIV.
The Rebels Attempt to Occupy West Virginia.—General McClellan Ordered to Drive Them Out.—Early Battles.—The Federals Victorious.—West Virginia Freed from Rebel Soldiers. 227
CHAPTER XV.
General McClellan is Called to Washington, and Placed in Command of the Armies after the Battle of Bull Run.—The Secret Service Department.—Its Duties and Responsibilities. 237
CHAPTER XVI.
A Female Traitor.—Suspicious Correspondence.—A Close Watch under Difficulties.—I am Arrested.—Exposure of the Treason of a Trusted Officer.—A Disgraced Captain. 250
CHAPTER XVII.
Timothy Webster in Baltimore.—An Encounter with a Fire-eater.—Webster Defends Himself.—Treason Rampant in the Monumental City. 271
CHAPTER XVIII.
Webster Makes a Journey to the South.—A Secret Organization.—The "Knights of Liberty."—Webster Becomes a Member.—A Sudden Intrusion of the Military.—The Conspiracy Broken Up. 283
CHAPTER XIX.
Suspicions in Washington.—"Uncle Gallus."—Property Searched.—A Rebel Family sent South.—Webster Starts for Richmond. 301
CHAPTER XX.
The Spy at Richmond.—Earthworks Around the Rebel Capital.—An Unexpected Meeting.—Pistols for Two.—A Reconciliation.—Safe Return to Washington. 314
CHAPTER XXI.
Again in Baltimore.—A Warning.—The Spy is Arrested.—And Escapes. 326
CHAPTER XXII.
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. 343
CHAPTER XXIII.
A Negro Spy.—Passage on a Steam-Packet.—Lyrical Melodies.—Scobell Deserts the Ship.—His Tramps Through Rebeldom. 358
CHAPTER XXIV.
A Perilous Ride.—A Suspicious Peddler.—Uncle Gallus Again.—Scobell Investigating.—Doubts and Suspicions. 367
CHAPTER XXV.
The Journey Resumed.—A Midnight Pursuit.—A Brave Woman.—A Deadly Encounter.—Scobell Defends Himself.—Death of a Rebel Spy. 381
CHAPTER XXVI.
A Woman's Discoveries.—An Infernal Machine.—The Shipping in Danger.—Discovery and Destruction of the Submarine Battery. 394
CHAPTER XXVII.
"Stuttering Dave."—His Tramp Through the Rebel Lines.—An Ammunition Train.—"Dave's" Plan Succeeds in its Destruction.—A Man who Stuttered and "Had Fits." 404
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Another Trip to Richmond.—A Rebel General Taken In.—Curtis Makes Valuable Acquaintances.—"The Subterranean Headquarters." 414
CHAPTER XXIX.
A Virginia Home.—Unwelcome Visitors.—Mr. Harcourt Arrested and Released.—Dan McCowan makes Forcible Love to Mary Harcourt.—The Girl in Peril.—A Timely Rescue.—The Villain Punished. 429
CHAPTER XXX.
Curtis Again on His Travels.—A Loving Episode.—Dan McCowan Again Turns up.—The Capture of Curtis.—A Fight for Life.—And Escape.—A Bit of Matrimony. 445
CHAPTER XXXI.
McClellan and his Enemies.—The Peninsula Campaign.—The Rebel Forces Before Richmond.—The Union Forces Outnumbered by the Enemy, and their Commander Hampered by Superiors.—An Honest Opinion. 457
CHAPTER XXXII.
Webster's Expedition.—His Gallantry.—A Stormy Passage.—A Mysterious Package.—Treason Discovered and Punished. 468
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Activity in Washington.—Webster's Journey Through the South.—His Return to the Capital. 481
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Webster's Last Mission.—Anxiety at his Long Absence.—No Tidings of the Faithful Scout.—Operatives Sent in Search of Him.—Webster Ill in Richmond. 485
CHAPTER XXXV.
McClellan and the Government.—Lewis and Scully Arrested as Spies.—An Attempted Escape.—Trial and Conviction.—Condemned to Die.—Before the Gallows their Mouths are Opened. 498
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Webster Arrested as a Spy.—A Woman's Devotion, and a Patriot's Heroism.—Webster is Convicted.—The Execution.—A Martyr's Grave. 530
CHAPTER XXXVII.
The Defeat of General Pope at the Second Battle of Manassas.—McClellan Again Called to the Command.—The Battle of Antietam.—A Union Victory.—A Few Thoughts About the Union Commander.—McClellan's Removal from Command, and His Farewell Address. 561
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
General Burnside in Command.—My Connection with the Secret Service Severed.—Reflections upon Important Events.—Conclusion. 579
APPENDIX. 587