As another Lame Cherry exclusive in matter anti matter.
I came across an American around Look Out Mountain during the American Civil War who gave more for America than anyone.
He has no name as knowing the name would have got him murdered. He was though a loyalist to the Union and living in the South. He was much abused by the Southern guerrillas and having enough of that, agreed when approached to spy out Braxton Bragg's Army for the Union troops.
He stated it would be a dangerous thing in he could not remain in that part of the country if he did this, as he would be murdered, if he was not hung by the Confederates if caught, so his deal was to have General Sheridan buy his meager livestock and secure a way for him to emigrate to the West and start a new life.
The General agreed to the terms and the scout left for Bragg's lines, where he was captured as a spy. He then escaped in the darkness and crawled through the Confederate lines on his stomach, and when noticed, he would grunt like a razorback to fool the pickets, so he would not be shot.
He made it back to the the Union General, Rosecrans, headquarters, where he reported what was suspected in Bragg was going to fight.
This was as vital of information as any in the war. It was priceless, but was purchased at the cost of some livestock and the risk of this American's life which had been terrorized for years by Confederate guerillas.
In reflection, it was not much of a deal really for the gentleman, but when revenge on those who had harmed him, his life seemed well worth the risk along with the meager purchase of some new stock.
For a moment in time, this nameless American was the most important person in world politics for the information he had hinged one of the many turning points of the war, but thee turning point of the war then in the South.
If the Southern guerillas has just been checked by their State. If this gentleman, had just been well treated by his State, then Braxton Bragg might have had a man who would have fed the Union false information where Bragg and Longstreet might have crushed the Union forces.
Such an event would have given more time to the Confederacy, and perhaps allowed Bragg to press General Grant in stopping the siege he was engaged in.
One abused farmer on a mountain, now overlooked and forgotten to all history.
Maybe he drown on the way to the west in a swollen river, maybe the Indians got him later, maybe a horse kicked him in the head, or maybe he built a nice farm or got rich as a teamster, no record remains, but this incidental spy risked all for his American reasons.
agtG
