Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-11-27
Gen. stoe1ham Challenged BY a Woman.

General james B. Steedhan, of the Northwest
cru volunteers, is brave in battle aud up To ad-
ventures in seceshdom. A letter from Camp
near the Tennessee linen 10 the Commercial
relates the following:
Riding along to-day, l caught up with Gen
Steedham, who in his province as commander
OF tins brigade, had called at dwelling on the
roadside, to see about sick soldiers lett in the
houses. The General knocked nj the door. and n
voice within yelled out, "C0me 10 Oheying
me Injunction he opened the door unt inquired
now many men were there, and also ii they had
the requisite attention shown them. After a few
minutes talk with the soldiers, Gen. s entered
INTO conversation with MIR. Reynolds, the owner
OF the property, who, among other things, asked
tho General when he thought the war would end
Ito which the General replied
Mot till the rehcls lay down their arms, or
the secessionists get perfectly tined Of having
their country thoroughly devastated"
This reply brought in third party Old Mrs.
keynolds-a regular spit tre-a she secessiuuist
ol the most rabid, tantaukerous spsces--a tiger
cat IN petticoats. This she specimen Of the
spirit Of the South, of the demon Of dssolatoD,
had bottled up her venom during the oonyersa.
ton ot her son, but could hold in no longer her
pidl OF wrath busted the cork flew out aud the
way she came at the General was caution to
the wayarers over this road at any rate.
20 yes and that's all you nasty Yankees
oome here for, is TO destroy our property invade
our sile, deserAtin our homes This ere whole
war Is nothin but Yankee speculation, goueu
up by the North, 81 that they can steal niggers.
aud drive us from our homes"
"Weil madam, it is not my provinces to quarrel
with u woman; shall not talk to you. You get
excited and don't know what you're talking
about"
"Oh but Ill talk to you as much rs please,
VIM a. AL aAsu
just take yourself cur of my house, YOU dirty
pup You're drunk"
heGeneral very pheidily listened to the old
le'maglnt, aud merely remarked it WAS too cold
to 60 out OF the holse just then. he guessqd he'd
warm himself first.
Oct out quick, sail she, opening the door
"lll let yon know I'm llnruey yea. l'm a
grand daughter q leu llarney, ii REVOLUTIONARY
fame.
"well, have before told you, d,n't want t.,
quarrel with woman, bat it you have ANY II
the male Ilarneys about the house who will give
me tue tenth part Of the in-olcnee that have
listened 10 from this lips Of one .ol enough IL
know better, ! Will show him Of what metal am
made"
"Jeems give me your six sboojero fairly
shrieked the old woman. "ll scum show htl.
FHHghl yoH al ten PAGES, sir"
The General laughed at her last remark, see
lug Whcl sue Deeane perfectly utious, her SOFAS
aud daughters begged her to dosist from such
tnls' but the more they cried DON'T, the less abC
''donfed."
The family by this time hal been made aware
that ii was real General at whom this iusole &c
OF tongue was being hurried, and the tribGlatou
Of the son was great
The General, after thoroughly warming him.
self quietly walked ont with his staff. the son
followed to the door, making all sorts OF np3,o.
gies Tor his mother-that She bad been sick, WI.
10 wish, and at times cut Of her head. sug-
gcsied 10 him that dilt think she would D. so
apt fogo oat gf her head y Join Morgan had CON,
along, instead Of II Union man. Lucky for tbnl
house and its inmates that the Oh Ohio, or any
OF General Steedmans command, we're not IN,
priced of their proceedings. The General, in tie
klnless of his heart sud for the sake of the sol
diers quarieted there, placed guard around
her house to prevent ber being troubled in tht
least, while the regiments were passing.