Allan Pinkerton, The spy in the rebellion; being a true history of the spy system of the United States Army during the late rebellion, revealing many secrets of the war hitherto not made public, compiled from official reports prepared for President Lincoln , General McClellan and the Provost-Marshal-General .

[187] entire colored element, or that it should be greedily accepted by these down-trodden blacks as the harbinger of a freedom for which they had been praying. In conversation with one of the leading men of Bowling Green, I was thoroughly impressed with the importance of this phase of circumstances.

“Mr. Allen,” said he, “you have no idea of the danger we are apprehending from the blacks. We know that the moment that Lincoln sends his abolition soldiers among our niggers, they will break out and murder all before them. Why, sir,” continued he, “we cannot sleep sound at nights for fear of the niggers. They think Lincoln is going to set them free.”

“ Why,” I interrupted, “what can they know about Lincoln?”

“They know too much about him,” he replied; “there has been so much talk about this matter all through the State, that the niggers know as much about it as we do.”

“You should not talk before your niggers; it is not safe, and I never do it.” As I never owned a negro this was perfectly true.

“I know we should not, but it is too late now; they know as much as we do, and too much for our safety or peace of mind. Why, sir, we are compelled to mount guard at nights ourselves for mutual protection, and though there has been no outbreak as yet, and I believe that this is the only thing that keeps them in check.”