Page 238 - The Lost Ways

- By Jimmy Neil -

“The two words ‘information’ and ‘communication’
are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite
different things. Information is giving out;
communication is getting through.”

- Sydney J. Harris

During the American Revolutionary War in the 1700s and the Civil War in the

1800s, technology was not as advanced as it is today. Confidential messages and top
secret information had to go by word of mouth or ciphered documents.

Spycraft was a must, and certain skills were required in an effort to protect vital messages
that could end the war. Connections, networks, relationships, and knowledge were
required of potential spies. They played an important role in carrying and delivering
information as it decided what the next move would be and how they would carry it out.
Thus, different methods were developed to protect the messages in case they were

intercepted.

Rectal Acorn, Silver Ball, and Quill Letters

In 2009 a woman whose ancestor was a Confederate in the American Civil War visited the
Museum of Confederacy with an acorn-shaped object in her hand. It was a little over an
inch long and was made of brass. There were no inscriptions or markings on it. She told
the museum that it was a device that her ancestor had used to carry, protect, and deliver
secret messages to destinations both near and far.

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