MaineMilitia.com

I read way too much news online! One of the security and technology lists I read had this today and thought I would share it.

It's a little piece of how a crytpologist cracked a secret message that is 137 years old.

From Razorpoint Security Technologies, Inc

HOW I BROKE THE CONFEDERATE CODE (137 YEARS TOO LATE)
05.15.2006 by Dr. Kent D. Boklan

An Historical Artifact.
In the spring of 1999, I received a catalogue for a sale of Fine Books and Manuscripts Including Americana that Sotheby's was to hold in New York on June 22nd. Lot 79 was described as,

Kirby-Smith, Edmund, C.S.A. General Letter signed ("E.K.S."), 1 page (10 x 7 7/8 in.; 254 x 200 mm), n.p., 14 September n.y. [1862], to an unidentified recipient; the text of the letter in pencil, tiny chip to right margin.

A LETTER OF INTELLIGENCE, PARTIALLY WRITTEN IN CONFEDERATE CODE. The first eleven lines of this intriguing document are in undeciphered code, but the last paragraph provides pertinent information regarding the Union army and its movements. "... A part of Genl Grant's army is reported to have arrived at Louisville. [General] Buell was expected to come on in advance of his army, and to arrive there yesterday. Several old batteries have arrived there within the past few days."

Read the entire article here.

I admit that I don't know much about the history of espionage but I am shocked that the Confederacy only had three or four key phrases. MANCHESTER BLUFF, COMPLETE VICTORY, COME RETRIBUTION and BALTIMORE.

Interesting none the less.