Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-12-21
The Adventures OF a Girl Soldier who
Fought In she Battles OfshiIoh and
.

The Adventures OF q Girl So er WhO O
Fought In she Battles OF Shiloh and
PeFryville.
/ We have all read more than once during thi
rebellion the story of some femme militaiye
whose heroism In doing service for the Union
was only equalled by her intense devotion to q
comrade. And in the yet unwritten history OF
the war these women will form the heroines oi
many refreshing narrative, to lessen the to-
dium of marches and battles, and building OF
bridges. There was one of them at the Police
Court yesterday--a sad elimination of an ovor-
flowing cup OF suffering and self.denial. The
poor girl said that her name was Mary Francis;
she could not have been more than nineteen,
and was slender and blonde. She might have
been handsome before her military service COM
menced, but toilsome marches and sentry
watching, and exposure to wind and storm, had
robbed her of her charms. More than all she
chewed tobacco! But after all she 10 not to be
blamed for that. The dispiriting monotony Of
camp life has given many Of the stronger sex
to drunkenness and profanity.
The girl soldier was arrested near Camp
Douglas, In this city, day or two ago. A
guard had insulted her. she attacked the
guard and whipped him-brave defender that
he was! Thence her present sorrows proceed
ed. She was ironed, taken TO the armory, and
there arraigned at the morning session of the
court yesterday. Not at all downhearted, the
girl told her story in a few words, and
honestly.
She enlisted as O private in the SD Ohio
regiment at Columbus, Ohio; fought at Shiloh,
and again OF Perryville, where she was danger
ousiy wounded In the breast. After the latter
battle she was placed In hospital at Louisville,
and il was then that her sex was first discover
ed. Although the wound she had received was
of serious kind, yet Private Mary Francis,
who had fought in two battles, was still brave
of heart, and rallying from disease she speed
lily convalesced. Al soon as abe had recovered,
the military authorities gave her transpor tation
to Columbus, Ohio. She visited that place,
and was cruelty received by her step-tather.
Having several dollars left from her military
wages, she determined TO buy passage TO
Chicago, In the hopes Of securing employment
10 this great city. Arriving here the above
mentioned miahsp befoll her at Camp Douglas.
She was questioned closely several times on
ell these facts, but there was no difference In
the answer. Her statement was evidently the
plain unexsggerated truth, while book could
have been filed with the minor details of her
experience. She refused to assign any motive
for her enlistment--eimply said that che liked
the service, and that was oil. The girl then
ressated herself In the pEiHoner's box, emptied
another handful Of tobacco into her mouth,
and resigned herself to her fate.
Judge Miller, In consideration of her patr'
otto services, ordered the defendant to be dis
charged, bui expressed the hope that some peo-
pie In Chicago would be charitable enough TO
take in the erriDg girl and give her employ
ment. .-Chicsgo Iimss, 18Th