The New York herald., 1862-03-17
The Flight Of Two Union Women from
Arkansas.


From the 81. Louis Democrat, March Ill
Union man named smith has resided about six miles
from Fayetteville al kansas, the owner of tract Of six
hundred OF and with comfortable dwelling stock
&c. Obnoxious to the rebels, bis property plum.
asred oy tne.r iorsgins anu other parties during the
headquarters. The family consisted OF Mr. Smith, his
wife and child his mother in law, and also brother in
law, James watkins and wife married less than yesr
ago. Besides ahese, Charley the slave OF Mr. smith
Upon news Of the approach OF Curtis forces Spring
aed the rebels began pursuing all the Union men %
their way to me Of the Union camps. The women thus
left in fear Of outrage and torture their husbands
account-f not dsath-eft their home the night OF
the sh Of February with Charley their guide AMI
protector leaving the aged mother and the child who
were unable 10 move On foot they wsnded their way
sleeping what they did sleep the open air upon such
or litter Charley could gather for them and
covered by the single blanket which he Carried and SUBJ
sistng upon the food which he carried in a pair OF
saddlebags. He would have been seized as marketa.
bic property bslongng TO Union man, and the women
regarded their own jeopardy as something moro than
that Of their lives met or caught by the secessions
They travelled, he thinks about eight miles the rst day
(the women being feeble and one Of them in delicate
situation) fordng creeks and avoiding the travelled
roads On one occasion, crossing creek npon log
OF the ladies' fell in and with difficulty exricatod by
Charley, who, az be SAID cooned 1t on dc log SO that
his mistress got hold Of him. and when she reached tho
bank he pulled her out Thus for nearly week, foot.
sore aud with short and painful journeys having shell
sions which Charley carried they slowly made their way
until they Grst met the advance guard OF the federal
forces at Midtown. Here the ladies' were at cared
on horseback to Mister Sigel, !" who examined him
great length, comparing his stories with his maps
Of the country he satisfied Of Charcy's truihful
ness, and gave him pass for bsef and the two la.
dies. From this point conveyance was given thom
10 Springfield and 20 Rolla, and they arrived in
Sc. LOUIS on Friday night by ral-ths faithful
Charley still their servant protector and friend.
He exhibited tue various passes furnished him He
speak. OF them with the utmost affection. 'l brought
dem children up, said he though not more than thirty
seven years old himself
Whether Mcssrs Smith aud watkins made their escape
or not, ths ladies' do not know. One Of them fed from
hs house ~ bis SHIRT sleeves, aud ntsigsn has
ECharicy preacher he says and seems intelligent
Tor his condtsn, aud manly in his bearing His wife
belonging TO anothsr master sold Off into Louisiana
months ago, when they began 70 rush tbs sIavss
Of from that section IN consequence Of the troubles
Charley is anxious pow 70 get into Illinois vbsrs ba
can find work to support these two ladies' saws he a
stout and has good trads"c9n lay brick or rock or
work on de farm, and airn enough TO keep them y
They are staying at the Refugee House. on Elm sreet
Charleys narrative is arsss aud exceedingly interest
ing. Speaking Of Mr. smith, ia answer 10 question he
SAID die was good master but don't know whether
he Ia alive or dead now" The noble friendship and
alm6st heroic devotion OF this slave 10 that family de
serves tho respect Of all right minded psrs6ns though
snssssd not the least OF any speosa