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US Spy Colonel Consuelo Andrew Seoane Japanese Empire Espionage Mission Era Letters. Seoane is known as the first US Military Espionage Agent, traveling through Japan and the Far East from 1909-1911, mapping invasion routes and naval gun fortifications. After his espionage mission, Seoane remained in the US Army and served in various positions and locations until his retirement. In the years after the Philippine Insurrection, Seoane, was stationed at Camp Stotsenburg, Philippines. The letters are dated from 1907 - 1911, just before, during, and after his espionage mission. The letters are written from Seoane to his mother. (1) From Hong Kong. Dated December 6, 1910. The letter includes casual conversation, family matters and he mentions seeds he sent her. Written on Hong Kong Hotel letterhead paper. (1) From Seoul, Korea. Dated November 3, 1909. The letter details his experiences with the local citizens and their abuse by the Japanese occupation. Tells of kids and adults being executed, starvation, and lack of organized Government. At this time, Seoane was posing as a South African Nationalist mapping Japanese locations. (1) From the SS Asia. Dated June 27, 1909. He mentions trekking through the islands collecting insects and "all sorts of things". (1) From Manila, Philippines. Dated April 14, 1911.The letter contains mostly casual conversation. He does mention his experiences with Chinese culture and fishing. (1) From Manila, Philippines. Dated May 31, 1907. The letter tells of his time at Camp Stotsenburg and his work as a cartographer and casual conversations. He also states "I think I shall be sent to China to make maps in July". (1) Letter from Berlin, Germany. Dated January 26, 1909. Written in French to Mrs. Seoane. The author of this letter is unknown.
Consuelo Andrew Seoane was born in 1876 in Virginia. He enlisted in the US Army as a Private in the 3rd Cavalry, 5th Army Corps, just before the outbreak of the Spanish-American War In 1898. On June 22, Seoane landed at Daiquiri Beach, Cuba. By this time, he had been promoted to sergeant, and shortly thereafter, the Battle of Santiago commenced, beginning at Kettle Hill. While engaged in combat along the banks of the San Juan River, Sergeant Seoane was shot in the shoulder. He was evacuated to a hospital camp and subsequently transported back to the United States just four days after arriving in Cuba. Not long after returning to Virginia, Seoane embarked on August 17, 1899, as a 2nd lieutenant with the 41st U.S. Volunteer Regiment to participate in the Philippine Insurrection, studying cartography. Consuelo Seoane dedicated the next 42 years to the service of the United States. His most notable assignment was as the first U.S. Military Espionage Agent operating in Japan and the Far East from 1909 to 1911. Following the Philippine Insurrection, Seoane was transferred back stateside briefly, only to be stationed in the Philippines again at Camp Stotsenburg. Using his expertise in cartography, he contributed to mapping and water source identification efforts of the region. His years of service in the Far East allowed him to gain a profound understanding of the region and its key players, such as Japan. During this time, he formed a friendship with U.S. Navy Commander Joseph Cheesman Thompson, who was born to missionaries in Japan and had a background in Herpetology. In 1908, after hearing about the need for Intel on the Japanese Empire, Thompson and Seoane realized their skill sets would be useful and thus devised a plan. With the approval of the Commanding General in Manila, the duo began their two-year espionage mission against the Japanese Empire in 1909. To conceal their true intentions, the duo posed as South African Naturalists studying and collecting samples of coastal reptiles and amphibians. Thompson was known as Dr. Victor Kune and Seoane was his assistant, John G. Nurse. Together, they explored the coastal regions of Japan, Korea, Ryukyu, Taiwan, Manchuria, and China, mapping potential invasion routes, naval artillery placements, and military fortifications. Throughout their journey, they encountered a variety of civilians, missionaries, soldiers, and law enforcement personnel. On several occasions, they were followed by skeptical Japanese police and were even questioned by a natural history professor regarding their knowledge of herpetology. Despite these close encounters, the pair returned safely to Manila in the spring of 1911 with the mission regarded as a success. As the years went on, Consuelo remained in the Army until after the Korean War reaching the Rank of Full Bird Colonel. He published his biography, "Beyond the Ranges", in 1960 and passed away in 1964. These letters were discovered by the consignor during a recent home remodel, hidden behind the walls, in Cherokee County, North Carolina.
Condition: Good. Moderate wear.
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