As another Lame Cherry exclusive in matter anti matter.
In one of the oddities of war, the security of Washington DC, was hinged upon a Negro who had a permit to supply vegetables to the Confederate lines in Winchester Virginia and his contact was Miss Rebecca Wright.
The association began in General Phil Sheridan's Scouts finding the colored was sympathetic to the Union, and on General Crook having occupied Winchester suggested that Miss Wright would perhaps provide information to the Union as to what was the state of the Confederate forces.
The system was simple, in it involved an introduction on tissue paper by General Sheridan, wrapped in tin foil, to form a pellet, carried in the Negro's mouth. If the Negro was searched he was to swallow the pellet.
After some consternation, Miss Wright agreed and provided the information that Confederate forces were retiring back to Richmond and General Lee, with General Jubal Early's army which Sheridan was facing was not as numerous as suspected.
"SEPTEMBER 16, 1864. "I have no communication whatever with the rebels, but will tell you what I know. The division of General Kershaw, and Cutshaw's artillery, twelve guns and men, General Anderson commanding, have been sent away, and no more are expected, as they cannot be spared from Richmond. I do not know how the troops are situated, but the force is much smaller than represented. I will take pleasure hereafter in learning all I can of their strength and position, and the bearer may call again. "Very respectfully yours,"
Personal Memoirs of P. H. Sheridan, General, United States Army
The timely information brought on the battle of Winchester which was the victory of the Union military in the Shenandoah.
General Sheridan upon reaching Winchester would write his dispatch to General Grant from the home of Miss Wright.
"I expressed a desire to find some place where I could write a telegram to General Grant informing him of the result of the battle, and General Crook conducted me to the home of Miss Wright, where I met for the first time the woman who had contributed so much to our success, and on a desk in her school-room wrote the despatch announcing that we had sent Early's army whirling up the valley."
Personal Memoirs of P. H. Sheridan, General, United States Army
nuff said
agtG
