American Civil War spies

The most useful military intelligence of the American Civil War was probably provided to Union officers by slaves and smugglers. There were, however, conventional spies working for each side.

Confederacy

Thomas Jordan, a former U.S. Army officer who became a Confederate colonel, started an embryonic spy network in Washington, D.C. as early as 1860. He turned over control of the network to Rose O'Neal Greenhow, in the summer of 1861. Much of the valuable intelligence she gathered came from her suitor, Henry Wilson of Massachusetts, who was the chairman of the Senate Military Affairs Committee.

Related Topics:
Thomas Jordan - U.S. Army - Confederate - Washington, D.C. - 1860 - Rose O'Neal Greenhow - 1861 - Suitor - Henry Wilson - Massachusetts - Senate Military Affairs Committee

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Major William Norris was the head of the Confederate Signal Bureau, a secret spy network that extended as far north as Montreal. James Bulloch from Georgia was the Confederate agent in Britain. The most famous female spy, Belle Boyd, was employed by the Confederacy and worked in Washington D.C., where she solicited military intelligence from Union officers. Many spies operated out of Canada, including Alexander Keith, Jr. in Halifax.

Related Topics:
Major William Norris - Confederate Signal Bureau - Montreal - James Bulloch - Georgia - Britain - Belle Boyd - Washington D.C. - Alexander Keith, Jr.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In November 1863, Sam Davis was sentenced to death by the Union for spying at Pulaski, Tennessee.

Related Topics:
1863 - Sam Davis - Pulaski, Tennessee

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~