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The Secret Service (illustrated): The Field, The Dungeon, and The Escape
The Secrect Service. The Field, The Dungeon and The Escape by Albert D. Richardson
Early in 1861, I felt a strong desire to look at the Secession movement for myself; to learn, by personal observation, whether it sprang from the people or not; what the Revolutionists wanted, what they hoped, and what they feared.
But the southern climate, never propitious to the longevity of Abolitionists, was now unfavorable to the health of every northerner, no matter how strong his political constitution. I felt the danger of being recognized; for several years of roving journalism, and a good deal of political speaking on the frontier, had made my face familiar to persons whom I did not remember at all, and given me that large and motley acquaintance which every half-public life necessitates.
Moreover, I had passed through the Kansas struggle; and many former shining lights of Border Ruffianism were now, with perfect fitness, lurid torches in the early bonfires of Secession. I did not care to meet their eyes, for I could not remember a single man of them all who would be likely to love me, either wisely or too well. But the newspaper instinct was strong within me, and the journalist who deliberates is lost. My hesitancy resulted in writing for a roving commission to represent The Tribune in the Southwest.
Early in 1861, I felt a strong desire to look at the Secession movement for myself; to learn, by personal observation, whether it sprang from the people or not; what the Revolutionists wanted, what they hoped, and what they feared.
But the southern climate, never propitious to the longevity of Abolitionists, was now unfavorable to the health of every northerner, no matter how strong his political constitution. I felt the danger of being recognized; for several years of roving journalism, and a good deal of political speaking on the frontier, had made my face familiar to persons whom I did not remember at all, and given me that large and motley acquaintance which every half-public life necessitates.
Moreover, I had passed through the Kansas struggle; and many former shining lights of Border Ruffianism were now, with perfect fitness, lurid torches in the early bonfires of Secession. I did not care to meet their eyes, for I could not remember a single man of them all who would be likely to love me, either wisely or too well. But the newspaper instinct was strong within me, and the journalist who deliberates is lost. My hesitancy resulted in writing for a roving commission to represent The Tribune in the Southwest.
- GenresHistory
450 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 1972
3 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Albert Deane Richardson
21 books1 followerAlbert Deane Richardson (October 6, 1833 - December 2, 1869) was a well-known American journalist, Union spy, and author.
Richardson wrote for the New York Tribune owned by Horace Greeley, and traveled to battlefields during the American Civil War to report on the war, often with fellow journalist Junius Henri Browne.
Richardson and Browne were imprisoned for 20 months in seven different prisons, confined successively at Vicksburg, Jackson, Atlanta, Richmond, and Salisbury, North Carolina, prisons. On December 18, 1864, after 20 months of imprisonment, he escaped from Salisbury, along with Browne. They traveled together more than 400 miles through hostile country, and reached the Union lines on January 14, 1865. His list of Union soldiers who died at Salisbury, published in the Tribune, is the only authentic account of their fate.
Richardson wrote for the New York Tribune owned by Horace Greeley, and traveled to battlefields during the American Civil War to report on the war, often with fellow journalist Junius Henri Browne.
Richardson and Browne were imprisoned for 20 months in seven different prisons, confined successively at Vicksburg, Jackson, Atlanta, Richmond, and Salisbury, North Carolina, prisons. On December 18, 1864, after 20 months of imprisonment, he escaped from Salisbury, along with Browne. They traveled together more than 400 miles through hostile country, and reached the Union lines on January 14, 1865. His list of Union soldiers who died at Salisbury, published in the Tribune, is the only authentic account of their fate.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 25, 2025
Albert Richardson, writer for the Tribune in Cincinnati, records a wealth of interactions between himself and southerners of the Civil War. He includes the words of both Union loyalists and rebels, as he remembers them. This book is partly a journal and was published in 1865, just after the war ended. It's not too technical or deep and is easy to understand.
January 26, 2018
Truly an epic journey through the South during Secession
A Tribune Journalist who survives Prison and Escape who has been at many of the critical openings of the war. It was difficult to stop reading and he keeps you in suspense the entire time. It ranks as an equal to the Count of Monte Cristo. Historic and Inspirational well worth the read.
A Tribune Journalist who survives Prison and Escape who has been at many of the critical openings of the war. It was difficult to stop reading and he keeps you in suspense the entire time. It ranks as an equal to the Count of Monte Cristo. Historic and Inspirational well worth the read.
August 10, 2023
Fantastic first person account of battles, prisons and escape from the American Civil War. Read the 1865 original version.
January 20, 2015
This is an audiobook from LibriVox.
https://librivox.org/the-secret-servi...
https://librivox.org/the-secret-servi...
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews