Vaughan
Perfectly, sir——
Lincoln
That's your first job. Your next will be to get a special message through from inside the Confederacy to General Sherman, who is laying siege to Atlanta.
[Takes up telegram.]
This message from him, received this morning, says that he has as yet been unable to locate and count up Hood's second line of defense which he must fight in a flank movement. Take the train from Richmond to Atlanta. Keep your eyes open every foot of the way. Find out from inside, the position of this second line, and the number of regiments holding it. Make no mistake about it. Break through to Sherman, and report to him——
Vaughan
A tough job, sir—but I believe I can do it——
Lincoln
That's the way to talk, my boy——! When you reach General Sherman, you will deliver to him a verbal message—I'll give you a sign that will identify you. This is the big thing I'm sending you to do. I could telegraph my order direct to Sherman, but it would have to be filed in the War Office, and might offend General Grant. As an officer, you understand that——