Michael Burgan - Spies of the Civil War: An Interactive Espionage Adventure

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You are living through Americas massive Civil War. You have chosen to join in the fight as a spy. That means using secret codes, wearing disguises, gathering informationand trying not to get caught.

In this book youll explore how the choices people made meant the difference between life and death. The events youll experience happened to real people.

Chapter One sets the scene. Then you choose which path to read. Follow the links at the bottom of each page as you read the stories. The decisions you make will change your outcome. After you finish one path, go back and read the others for new perspectives and more adventures. Use your device's back buttons or page navigation to jump back to your last choice.

YOU CHOOSE the path you take through history.

You are living in the United States in the spring of 1861. Fighting has broken out between Northern and Southern states over slavery and the rights of states to make their own laws.

Abraham Lincoln was elected president in November 1860. Before he was elected, he supported keeping slavery out of new U.S. territories and states. But as president, he said he would allow slavery to exist where it had for years.

Southern leaders made it clear that if Lincoln won the 1860 election, Southern states would secede.

Owners of African-American slaves didnt trust Lincoln to protect slavery in the South. That was one reason 11 Southern states Confederate States of America.

Lincoln believes the Southern states have no right to secede. He recently called for 75,000 volunteers to fight the Confederacy. The Confederacy is determined to fight for its independence. The nation is now involved in a civil war.

At the start of the war, the U.S. military didnt have a spy agency. But Lincoln sees as a way to learn the enemys plans. Confederate leaders also consider spying important.

When it comes to spying, the Confederacy has several advantages. Many Southerners work for the Union government in Washington, D.C. Those supporting the Confederacy can keep their views secret and keep their jobs. They can then gather information to pass to Southern leaders.

Citizens of Charleston, South Carolina, watch the Civil War begin on April 12, 1861, as Confederates fire on the Unions Fort Sumter.

The Union doesnt have a similar ability to collect information in the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. Also, four slave statesDelaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouriremain in the Union. Some people in these border states support the Confederacy. Confederate spies working in the North can count on them for help. Fewer Southerners support the Union, so Northern spies working in the South cannot count on much help.

Both sides are building networks of spies. You decide to join them. You know the importance of learning what the enemy plans to do. But you also understand you risk prison or execution if you are caught.

You did good work back in February. Now I have another important job for you.

You listen to your boss, Maryland. Thanks to your group, Lincoln safely reached Washington, D.C.

You enjoy being a detective. It was the first job you took after moving to the United States from England five years ago. Now youre curious about the new job Pinkerton has for you.

Allan Pinkerton was chief of intelligence for Union General George McClellan during the Civil War.

General George McClellan wants my detectives to spy on the Confederacy.

Im ready, you say. You want to help the Union stay together.

Pinkerton explains that he has several missions. He needs someone to join a secret group in Baltimore called the Knights of Liberty. Its members want Maryland to secede from the Union. They are stirring up violence in Baltimore. Pinkerton also needs someone to travel through the border states.

We need to know what Southern troops are doing in those areas, Pinkerton explains. And we want to know which Northerners might try to help them if they invade us. Which job would you like?

You take a train to Baltimore. You rent a room there and call yourself Jacob Smith. You tell people that you came from England to start a clothing business, and you support the Confederacy. Over time you meet a number of men who belong to the Knights of Liberty. They arent sure if they can trust you at first. But you convince them that you want to help Maryland secede.

Some of the leading Knights members want to go to Richmond, the capital of Virginia. They fear they could be arrested if they stay in Baltimore. You know they will be arrestedbecause youre telling Pinkerton about their plans. One member, William Cooper, wants you to come to Richmond too.

The Stars and Stripes of the Union flies in Baltimore in May 1861. On April 19 Confederate supporters had rioted against Union troops.

Were not safe here, he says. Im sure there must be Union spies around.

You have important work to do in Baltimore. But you might be able to do some useful spying in Richmond. Traveling with the Knights will convince Confederate officials that you can be trusted.

I have business here in Baltimore for a week, you tell Cooper. Maybe Ill join you later.

You spend the next few days traveling to Washington and meeting with Pinkerton. Back in Baltimore, you eat dinner at a restaurant with several Knights. Another Knight, Jesse Douglas, approaches the table. He strides up to you with an angry look on his face.

Smith, who are you?

What do you mean? you ask, trying to stay calm.

Is that your real name? Douglas says, pulling you to your feet. I think youre a spy! I saw you in Washington the other day.

I havent left Baltimore in weeks, you say. Maybe you saw someone who looked like me.

You were hanging around government buildings, Douglas snaps. Youre a Union spy.

How dare you accuse me! you shout as you push him away. Douglas comes back at you with a knife in his hand. You pull a small gun from your coat pocket and point it at him.

I am not a spy, and I will not let you ruin my honor with that kind of talk, you say. I support the South, just as we all do. Douglas stares at you coldly. He puts down his knife and stomps out of the restaurant. Your heart pounds as the other Knights applaud your courage. You were just reminded of how dangerous spying can be. But youre not going to stop. Maybe its time to go to Richmond.

You tell Pinkerton about your new plan.

Thats a good idea, he says. We wont arrest the men traveling with you. But there are some other Confederate supporters in Baltimore we can nabincluding the mayor.