Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-07-06

A correspondent of the Richmond Dispatch CON-
municates the following detailed account of the tri-
ais of a Baltimore lady in making her way to her
husband. How war brings out the noblest traits of
human nature! Consistency, fidelity, integrity, how
they shine amidst the disturbances and troubles of
hostlites If We got nothing else out Of it but these
proofs of the life and vitality of the better part
our nature, war would go far in them to compensate
for all its discomforts and affections
A lady who accompanied the party of Baltimore
ans to this place in order to join her husband who
Is now in Richmond, has had journey of as many
adventures and hairbreadth escapes any of those
our ancestors encountered in days of yore.
She left Baltimore in the steamer for Patuxeut
river, where she landed and Travelled rs miles in
carriage to farm house the shores Of the Po-
tomac, where, being joined by her friends who had
arrived by another route, they hoped to find means
to cross the river. small boat was engaged, with
TIVE free negroes to row it across. Just as they
were about TO embark, three Yankee ships hove in
sight, and away scaTapered the party up the beach,
and breathlessly watched the enemy from their
hiding places. But it was too late to start that
night and the farm house again received them. Be
ing but small tenement, it could not accommodate
the party Of five nevertheless the good hostess
used every persuasion to induce our heroine to re-
pose on her bed the latter, however had happened
TO find out that for three nights the kind lady had
periodically given up her room TO travellers and she
well as might be upon chairs.
The next morning the negroes could not be per-
suaded 10 cross the Potomac for any inducement-
The poor foolish fellows had been so "scared0 at
the Yankee guns, that the highest bribe could not
tempt them across to the second risk of return
ing alone. "Cross we must,v said the party: You
must sell US the boat and let us row ourselves" But
they were unwilling to part with their boat A raft
was then thought Of, but the slowness of passage
and immense risk was too great to be tempted. ave
W HrDsz a MIA 9
exclaimed our heroine. What was to be DONE they
were at loss to conceive. At last however by
dnt of urging, bribing and threatening the two ne
groes consented TO sell their boat and were told to
name their prlcs. when the poor towards positively
mined sum far beheath that which they could have
obtained for rowing the party over. when, with
little caution and courage, they would have real zsd
handsome sum and kept their boat into the bar
gain Therefore the four gentlemen, (whose names
prudence for6lds to make pubic egreed to take
turns, two at time, and pull tor dear lives. just
one hour were they on those devoted waters and
five miles across! The perspiration poured from
thor brows and rolled down their faces their hands
were blstered and bleeding, for they were unac-
customed to the work: never was such energy put
into force with straining eyes gazing in every d.
rectiOn, thinking every minute might be their last
This little craft dashed over those dangerous wa
ters, and the Eve were safely landed With what
feeling OF gratituC they stepped shore, may be
better imagined than described And oh what
1t was but retired nook where they landed; no
public conveyance was at hand-no vehicle could
be obtained. Another hospitable farmer again re-
ceiYed them. Their tale was told. and an ox-cart
provided, and in this light and Injurious vehicle
they were TO be jOlted and tumbled over twenty
eight miles Of rough country road. Another night
was passed in the woods. log for seat their
poor wearied frames found but little repose recln-
ing against the side of old school house By day
dawn they were on their way again, and when the
Oxcart had pitched and rolled them to its destiua-
ton, farm-wagon tooK up the march for eighteen
more miles, this mode of conveyance being little if
at all, superior to the team It. however brought
them safely to the banks of the Rappahsnnock over
which they were ferried in danger scarcely less
than that on the Potamac but Providence again IA
vOred them, and not Yankee ship appeared. Yet on
reaching the Essex shore they were in greater eop
ardy from true friends than they had hitherto been
from their acknowledged enemies. Bullets and
bayOnets were in threatening array to receive thm
They had forgotten the password or were igno-
rant that 1t had been changed but after repeating
Tirious names and signs they were permitted to
land, yet not without suspicion, and were marched
up the street through ranks of armed men, conduct
ed under guard to their hotel, and even to their
rooms. Soon Captain Thomas arrived with his
train of prizes. All was now clear and promisn
and under the Confederate flag they sailed up the
Rappanannock TO fredericksburg whence they ar
rived on Monday, per train.
On leaving Baltimore the lady had scarcely dared
to take leave of her father, who is known Sc
cessionist, and her party travelled in twes and
threes, meeting at various points strangers to
avoid suspicion. Our heroine could hear tidings
of her husband, therefore she came TO visit him
Two sweet infants are left in Baltimore to whom
this brave and noble woman intends shortly to re-
turn. Such heart sees no danger, and may Col
speed her on her mission and avert caamities from
her devoted head.