The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-01-16
Fort MANN, ARKANSAS RIVER, !
Nov. 8, l847.

NOV U, Ac1S'
Singular Incident ca rouie--A Female Soldier
again resume my pen, to inform you that our
battalion, on these wide and extended plains, is
not altogether devoid of little incidents, which
serve to amuse and enliven our dreary and mo-
notonous life. The most prominent, and, at
present. all-exciting circumstance which occu-
pies our more immediate attention, is a dis
covery of rather delicate and unsodier occur
renee. For some time past, surmises have been
ahoat, and pointed illusions directed towards
one of our youthful heroes-whose physiognomy
conveyed strong indications that the field OF
warfare was not exactly the proper sphere for
features delicate and form go fragile.
On the 18th of November, return train left
this place for Fort Leavenworth, and during the
evening, the observed OF all observers was
anon the missing; An immediate investiga-
ton, Of course, followed, and the result did
tale unfold, savoring of the romantic, love, and
glory detail was sent after the absent youth,
whom they brought back to the Fort, when
beyond doubt that this individual was actually
a female who had LETT the amorous field Of fe-
male conquests, donned the soldiers garb, and
sought for honor in the fe ID of glory. cannot
exactly understand that this meamorphosis had
originated from tender passion for an Adonls;
but rather a predlsposltion 10 intrigue, which
was concocted, and carried into effect, under the
auspices Of dandy lieutenant, belonging TO
Company ID. This officer had, | unders stand,
made several attempts To obtain distinguished
position in the service OF Uncle Sam, and when
this battsl ION was put under requlslton, he
snobbed himself among the UNASSIGNED of.
ficers but | suppose his amorous dispositions
were almost likely to supplant the chivalrous,
unul-being man fertile In expedients--he so
managed that he was enabled to prevent even
his amours from interfering with his movements
in the path of glory. Prior to his departure from
ST. Louis he had fixed his attention on a blue
eyed nymph so, by whispering soft and sweet
L.,
a wel-turned, hattering tale, he induced the frail
Caroline TO doff the female garb and don the
soldiers uniform.
II is worthy Of remark, that this devotee, both
of Mars and of Venus, had actually introduced
this female heroine under his paterna roof at
st. LOUIS, In her own proper garb, and there the
transformation took place, and tn inltlatory pro-
baton of assuming manhood, or man. like form,
was first adopted This feminine companion
was ultimately brought on to Fort Leavenworth
In the capacity OF personal servant to this hero
to which he belonged, being destitute Of one
man to make up the requisite complement for
muster In service, the pllable and serviceabe
Caroline was appealed to, aud, with becoming
compliance, again extrcated the lieutenant.
The examination before surgeon was certainly
a barrier, but this, by cunning manpuvre, the
amorous swain managed to avoid. Truth and
Justice compel me TO state, the movements were
done without the cOgniZance OF any other Of
fcer of the battalion, excepting the brother OF
our hero, who was also a lieutenant in the
same company. This hero had made himself
rather conspicuous during the march for,
determined was he to obtain distinction and
renown, both in love and glory, that he actually
shot himself in the leg which circumstance
he made available, and penned feeling letter
to his afiect onale and loving daddy, in filling up
which, as | understand, he drew largely on his
imag for the accidental ball from his own
piece, which he, bya trick of legerdemain, per-
verted into the effects of n dreadful rencontre with
the savage red skins. The wound, however, rem
dered him unfit tor duty, and gave him ample
opportunity for INDUCING In his amorous avoca.
tions--this female volunteer being his bed-fe-
low, with few to interrupt them, and none to
interfere.
On the investigation, the heroine, nothing
loathe, made full erpOse, and from her own
lips, have just ascertalned, she is pregnant, and
Will, IN due time, consequently give bitth to
child of the plains, of which the wounded officer
is, shedeclares, the undoubte1 father
The Lieutenant and his brother were put I'M
der Immediate arrest, and The frail has be-
come their bittcrest foe. She is experiencing
the utmost attention from our officers, who, as
gentlemen, overlook faults, when the cause of an
injured and deuded woman requires their inter-
position IL may be as well TO state, III conclu-
sion, that her proper name Is Caroline, N,
native OF Illinois; but the cognomen under which
she has passed the battalion, was William