When Elizabeth Van Lew, a famous Northern spy during the Civil War, died on September 23, 1900, she left behind a powerful summary of what it is like to be a spy on her graveyard. It reads, “She risked everything that is dear to man- friends, fortune, comfort, health, life itself, as for the one absorbing desire of her heart, that slavery be abolished and the Union be preserved.” (Zeinert 147) This quote draws attention to the extent to what one does as a spy. It highlights the costs and sacrifices that must be made in order to be a successful spy. Elizabeth Van Lew is one of the hundreds of spies in the Civil War, a war in the U.S from 1861-1865. There were spies for the Confederates, Southerners, and for the Union, Northerners. They were
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Spies are often used to implement or be used as an advantage for a certain side. One example of this is on April 2, 1861, when Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S president, paid ten thousand dollars to the Army office to go on an expedition to Fort Pickens, Florida. ( 83-84) While there, they were to attempt to control the South more by sealing southern ports by using blockading warships. ( 84) Spies were also used to convey warnings to help protect their side or help them get ahead of their opponent. George Scott, a runaway slave, whilst running away, found two major Confederate forts. Before he could get caught, he went to find the nearest Union fort. Once he got there, he told them about the two Confederate forts. ( 91) The Union fort that George was at, happened to be where General Benjamin Butler was. Butler later realized the possible potential of slaves becoming spies and scouts. This was a turning point in the secret, or better yet, spy war. ( 93) In other instances, spies were used to protect important leaders such as Abraham Lincoln. One way spies protected Lincoln was during February in 1861 when spies were hired to protect Lincoln as he traveled to his inauguration in Washington. To summarize, the spies uncovered a plot to assassinate Lincoln as he traveled. Thankfully, he was able to change travel plans that guaranteed his safety (
Spies are often used to implement or be used as an advantage for a certain side. One example of this is on April 2, 1861, when Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S president, paid ten thousand dollars to the Army office to go on an expedition to Fort Pickens, Florida. ( 83-84) While there, they were to attempt to control the South more by sealing southern ports by using blockading warships. ( 84) Spies were also used to convey warnings to help protect their side or help them get ahead of their opponent. George Scott, a runaway slave, whilst running away, found two major Confederate forts. Before he could get caught, he went to find the nearest Union fort. Once he got there, he told them about the two Confederate forts. ( 91) The Union fort that George was at, happened to be where General Benjamin Butler was. Butler later realized the possible potential of slaves becoming spies and scouts. This was a turning point in the secret, or better yet, spy war. ( 93) In other instances, spies were used to protect important leaders such as Abraham Lincoln. One way spies protected Lincoln was during February in 1861 when spies were hired to protect Lincoln as he traveled to his inauguration in Washington. To summarize, the spies uncovered a plot to assassinate Lincoln as he traveled. Thankfully, he was able to change travel plans that guaranteed his safety (