Existing comment:
A Spy's Eye View of the Civil War:
The Civil War, America's bloodiest conflict, pitted brother against brother and forced West Point classmates to face off on the battlefield. In this brutal struggle, intelligence played a vital role. Before the Civil War broke out in 1861, a field commander could receive reports no faster than his ancient Roman counterpart. In this first modern intelligence war, however, the telegraph, the railroad, balloons, and an expanding free press gave generals a significant advantage. Battles were won and lost not only with technology and military might, but also with hard-won information from heroic slaves, cunning society belles, and daring scouts. |