Well, this was rather awkward, sir, as doubtless you will say,
But the Major, who was chief of staff, resolved to have his way
Despite the watchful provost guard; so he asked his wife to send,
With a box of knick-knacks, a letter to her friend;
And the missive held one sentence I remember to this day:
"The thread is for your neighbor, Mr. French, across the way."
He dispatched a youthful courier. Of course, as you will know,
The Texans searched him thoroughly and ordered him to show
The contents of the letter. They read it o'er and o'er,
But failed to find the message they had hindered once before.
So it reached the English lady, and she wondered at the word,
But gave the thread to Major French, explaining that she heard
He wished a spool of cotton, and great was his surprise
At such a trifle sent, unasked, through leagues of hostile spies.
"There's some hidden purpose, doubtless, in the curious gift," he said.
Then he tore away the label, and inside the spool of thread
Was Major Nichol's order, bidding him convey to sea
All the arms and ammunition from Fort Duncan's battery.
"Down to Brazon speed your horses," thus the Major's letter ran,
"Shift equipments and munitions, and embark them if you can."
Yes, the transfer was effected, for the ships lay close at hand,
Ere the Texans guessed their purpose, they had vanished from the land.
Do I know it for a fact, sir? 'Tis no story that I've read—
I was but a boy in war time, and I carried him the thread.
Sophie E. Eastman.
On March 4, 1861, Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated President of the United States. In his address he stated that he had no intention of interfering with slavery in the states; but that acts of violence within any state against the authority of the United States were insurrectionary and would be repressed. In the Confederate States this announcement was construed to mean war.
[March 4, 1861]