[Ditto]

But given the time it took to get the information into the hands of anyone remotely close to Union high command, I have serious doubts as to the worth tactically or strategically.

Even in the 1860s, that information could be in Washington in a day. They had the telegraph, you know.

[ejonesie22]

Yes, they did have telegraph, the issue would be getting to an intact line going North from that deep in the South.

Most lines especially in the South had been destroyed by both sides to prevent their use by the other. That is on top of the fact there were few lines running North to South to begin with.

Now once the information made it to the extensive Military only telegraph system put in place by the North, it was a different story.

[the OlLine Rebel]

“They had the telegraph, you know.”

Oh, yes, I’m sure he just traipsed down to the Richmond Western Union and gave the guy his messages to relay.

;-)

[Badeye]

‘Even in the 1860s, that information could be in Washington in a day. They had the telegraph, you know.’

For some reason I doubt the telegraph office in Richmond accepted telegrams to the North from a slave.....