October 11, 1864
Did I tell you of
the two spies, last night? There is a redoubt on our line which had no garrison
except a sergeant and two or three men. Towards sunset appeared two officers, who
attracted attention, the one by having three stars on his coat arranged
somewhat like those of a Rebel colonel, the other by being much concealed by a
high collar and a flap hat. They asked a number of questions about the work,
which so increased the suspicion that word was sent to General Meade, who
ordered a regiment at once to proceed to the spot, and the sergeant to be
arrested for not seizing the persons. Who do you think they were? Why, Captain
Craig and Rosencrantz, taking an evening stroll! Craig has no circulation and
turns up his collar whenever the mercury falls below 70 degrees. Rosie has a
Swedish coat with three stars indicating a captain; hence the alarm! This
morning arrived a passing visitor, Major-General Doyle, commanding in Nova Scotia.
He is a Pat and is favorable to us, for a wonder; gave up the Chesapeake to us,
you know. He looks as funny as Punch; indeed just like Punch — a very red
edition of him, with a stiff throttled aspect, caused by an apoplectic stock,
five inches high. He was a jolly old buck and much amused by a lot of
civilians, who also had come up from City Point. He called them T.G.'s,
signifying “travelling gents,” and, whenever we came on a redoubt, with a good
abattis, he would say to the T.G's: “What do you think, hey? How would you like
to attack that, hey?” Upon which the T.G's, whose pantaloons were
somewhat up their legs, would look dubious. As he beheld the wonders of the
land, he would exclaim: “Oh, bless my soul! why, you know, we have no idea of
this at home. Oh, bless my soul!” On the road we met a Rebel deserter, who
chanced to be an Irishman, whereat the Doyle was highly delighted and asked him
if he got much whiskey the other side. To which Pat replied with regret, that
that strengthening beverage cost $30 a quart in Secessia. After trotting him
all over creation and giving him a lunch, we put him on top of the Avery house,
and let him look at Rebs through a telescope; but I am sure he saw nothing,
though he exclaimed, “Bless my soul!” a great deal.
SOURCE: George R. Agassiz, Editor, Meade’s
Headquarters, 1863-1865: Letters of Colonel Theodore Lyman from the Wilderness
to Appomattox, p. 244-5
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