All eyes were turned toward the West. The opinion had been spreading in
the Confederacy that the chief danger was on that line. It seemed that
the Army of Northern Virginia could take care of anything to the north
and east, but in the south and west affairs did not go well.
"It's a pity that General Bragg is President Davis' brother-in-law,"
said Randolph.
"Why?" asked Daniel.
"Then he wouldn't be in command of our Western Army."
"Bragg's a fighter, though."
"But not a reaper."
"What do you mean?"
"He wins the victory, but lets the enemy take it."
"It may be so. But to come closer home, what about the Yankee spy in
Richmond? It's an established fact that a man of most uncommon daring
and skill is here."
"No doubt of it, what's the latest from him?"
"The house of William Curtis was entered last night and robbed."
"Robbed of what?"
"Papers. The man never takes any valuables."
"But Curtis is not in the government!"
"No, but he carries on a lot of blockade running, chiefly through Norfolk
and Wilmington. I think the papers related to several blockade running
vessels coming out from England, and of course the Yankee blockading
ships will be ready for them. There's not a trace of the man who took
them.
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