The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-08-15
From the New Orleans Picayune.
The Heroine of Fort Brown,

u lIO AOl lOluO Va HOIL DISWuJ
More familiarly know in the Army Of
Occupation as "THE GREAT WEs-
TERM" was brought to the notice of the
public in few remarks by Lieutenant
Bragg, at the collation. given by the ar
my to the Louisiana delegation, at Gen.
Arisra's head quarters, in Matamoras.
He mentioned her gallant conduct and
noble bearing during the whole Of the
bombardment. A few of the incidents
OF the life of this extraordinary woman,
which have been able to pick up in
camp, will be read with some interest;
they prove that the sex has not been
unrepresented in the soul-stirring and
bloody scenes on the Rio Grande.
The Great Western belongs to class
known and recognized in the organiza-
tion Of the army as Laundresses,"
three of whom are allowed to draw ra-
tons in each company, and are requir-
ed to wash for the soldiers thereof, at
a price regulated by council of Off
GERS. She arrived at Corpus Christi
last autumn, with the 7th Infantry, to
one of the companies of which her
husband was attached. UP to the time
the army marched for the Rio Grande,
she performed all her appropriate du-
ties. and in addition, kept "mess"
for the young officers of the regiment.
When the army took up its line Of
march for the Rio Grande, the women,
with few rare exceptions, were left
to come by sea. A very few procured
ponies and followed their husbands on
their tedious and arduous march. Not
so with "The Great Western" Her
husband was sent by water, whethr on
duty or for disability | arm unable to
learn; but she, true TO her character,
declaring that "the boys'' (young off,
GERS Of her mess) "must have somebo-
dy TO take care of them," purchased a
mule and cart, packed her luggage,
cooking utensils and supplies, mounted
behind her donkey, with whip in hand,
and displayed upon the whole route
qualities and attalnments which the
best teamster in the train might have
envied. During the whole journey she
kept up the "mess," relief from the
burdens of which is the greatest boon
to an officer on the march. The Brl-
gade to which she was attached arri-
we'd upon the banks of the Sal Colora-
do as Gen. Taylor was preparing TO
cross with the Dragons and the lst
Brigade Infantry. The Mexicans up
on the opposite bank were making
great demonstrations by blowing bu-
giles, etc. etc. After calmly surveying
the scene from her cart, she remarked,
with great GOODNESS and determination,
that +" if the General would give her
good strong pair of tOngs, she would
,Dade that river and whip every scoun-
drel that dare show himself!' 1t may
be imagined that the men were not
backward in crossing after that.
When Gen. Taylor marched for
Point Isabel with his army; on the lst
of May, the 7th Infantry, and Of course,
The Great Western, remained to gar
rison Fort Brown. How that noble
Regiment and the two companies of
Artillery left in this work sustained
themselves, is already known, but no.
thing will more crafty them than to
have Justice done their gallant heroine,
of whom they speak in the warmest
terms. She, with all the other women
left behind, some eight or ten, moved
into the fort, where her mess was soon
put in operation, the position of her
tent and fire being near the centre of
the fort. The enemies fire opened on
the Sd, just as she was commencing
her arrangements for the "boys" break
fast. Every security that could possi-
bly, be provided was offered the ,oon,en
to whom the gallant soldier always
gives his first attention. The maga-
zines were the only "bomb-proofs" in
the fort, and as the government had
sent no ammunition to ill them, the next
most inflammabls material-the women
found perfect security in them. These
women, however, be it said to the ho-
nor Of the sex, were not idle. Most
nobly did they ply the needle in pre-
pairing sand bags out of the officers and
soldiers tents, wherewith to strength
en- the work, and protect the artillery
men when serving their guns. The
Great Western, true to herself again,
declined participating in this protection
or sewing, and continued her labors at
the fire, in the open air. From the
firing Of the first gun all hands were at
their posts, Lowd's and Bragg's artille-
~ speaking in tones Of thunder the in
dignation they felt at being thus saluted
on bright May morning. When the
hour arrived for breakfast, but few ex-
pected the luxury which awaited them.
Al q n -