The Lost Dispatch

by Anonymous

He was a particularly shrewd and intelligent old negro, and I well knew that I could trust him to any extent. He would die rather than betray me or any secret information I might find necessary to entrust to him. His intelligence, quickness of wit and caution would likely enable him to get out of any ordinary danger or emergency that presented itself. To have him along would somewhat lessen my chances of escaping observation on the way, but he would add much to my disguise when among the Confederates.

Few, if any, outside the two families knew but what he belonged to the S—— plantation. He had made several trips with my aunt and cousin during the past two years and had been with them at the Springs. I knew that Captain DeLacy would recognize him again and that it would seem quite proper to him, or any person whom we should meet, that he had accompanied his young mistress.

I did justice to the dinner which Ned, with great pride in his exhibition of culinary skill, had ready for me when I went down. I then told him where I was going and for what. He was horror struck at first and went off into lamentations, bemoaning these troublous times and prophesying that I would never get there and back alive. But he gradually became used to the idea and was soon begging me to take him along. As I had already decided to do so, I was glad to have him get around to the proposition himself, and readily gave my consent.

I gave him a minute account of all that had occurred since I left the Capital. I thought wise to do this in order to make him familiar with what he would be likely to meet with after we started, and I explained fully to him what I wanted to do, how I wanted to do it, and how I might have to do it, going into full details. I was much pleased at the correct grasp he seemed to get of the matter and felt I could dismiss all apprehension on his score.

We were to go on horseback. If possible we were to keep together, but if necessary we were to separate at any time without any delay and neither was to pay any attention whatever to the safety of the other. I explained to him that, except when I was personating Salome, any display of concern on his part about me would only increase my danger, and that in case we unexpectedly fell in with any troops on the road, he must act as if I were a total stranger whom he had just met, unless he first heard me make a direct statement to the contrary.

Ned knew, as well as I, that he run but slight risks of being interfered with. At that time the Confederates paid but little attention to the coming and going of the negroes. They were allowed to move from place to place, and run in and out the lines without question or detention, and their queries made from curiosity excited no distrust. Ned also was aware that he would have no trouble in getting a pass on any slight pretext if he should need one.

I gave him a number of places along the way, where we were to meet after any enforced separation if we could, but if by so doing either of us incurred the slightest risk or delay, we were each to make our way separately to a point which I named and which I felt confident was beyond the invading troops. I was to wait there until as late as nine o'clock that night for Ned, but in case he reached there first he was to stay until I came, unless I did not get there for three days, thus allowing for my possible capture, detention and escape. I also told him on what points I wanted him to get information, by observation or in any other way possible.

From my entertainer of the night before, I had learned enough about the movements of Luce's army to enable me to block out my plans with a considerable degree of confidence. If I did not know exactly where the particular division I wanted to strike was, I knew where it was not, and that was a good deal.

Events sometimes follow each other with startling rapidity, but if no unusual hurry had occurred I felt quite sure my destination would be between two points, and not more than twenty miles back from the river. More explicit information as to their precise location must be obtained on the way, also exact knowledge as to Captain DeLacy's whereabouts.

All the preparation Ned made was to hide his few valuables and securely close the house. This done, he was ready to follow me to the ends of the earth if need be.