[ejonesie22]

Yes, and in the case of Davis slaves whilst there, that would hold true, but many of these slave spies were further out, deeper in the south. The point would be the timing of tactical information, and since the Civil war occurred in that very critical time in military history as we moved from “Continental” style combat to more modern methods, timing was becoming more important.

Not to diminish their role, but not to over play it either, and the issue would be for spies of all types on either side.

[Ditto]

I suppose the value of the intel would vary on a case by case basis.

It is well know that the slave society had a very effective grapevine. News and information tended to travel very fast.

[Tallguy]

Just knowing which Confederate senior officers were “in town” would have some value. If, for instance, Stonewall Jackson were reported to have passed through Jeff Davis’ office it could mean that the Army of the Valley was not in the Shennandoah Valley.

Confederate Newspapers would probably report that as well, but that kind of meeting might take place in the dead of night so to speak.