Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1863-11-26
The Tory Women Of East Tennessee.

Inc Iory Women OF East Tennessee.
One of the Editors of ths Hendersonvills N.
carolina Times, who il in East Tsnae..es
"its MS regiment writes to that paper:
10 give an idea of the social status of ths II.
dies of this section, as well as the estimate they
place upon the protection afforded by our
troops will trouble the reader With an Incl.
Dent that occurred yesterday:
Being at leisure, 1t. Col. B., Maj S. and I,
went out chestnut hunting. After canvassing
the immediate neighborheed of our camps for
some time, and having become tired, we enter
ed grass plat near a large chestnut tree inside
field. Discovering no ehestnuts on the tree,
we lay down on the grass, thinking to rest
few minutes and then proceed on our journey.
We had not observed that we were within
twenty PAGES of house, within whose walls
resided living people, mean, though we had
observed the house, we had not recognized the
fact that it was inhabited. Bur we were not
long in being made eognzaEt Of that fact, for
We had scarcely taken our seats than we were
greeted by sharp female voice, with the ex-
preston.
"Oh! III be with yos, you eowardly, sneak
ing rebel sheep stealers.''
We felt a little confused for moment, when
turning in the direction from whence the
voice came We observed q huge female ad-
vancing with masculine step, and plainly indie.
ted something of an extraordinary character,
though we were unable at first to know what
it was. We kept quiet, though must confess
felt an inclination to efall back" for have
q natural and uncomfortable horror of being in
the presence of ga enraged virago. But we had
delayed rstreatng till il was tso late to do so
| aad the lady opened on us with a vins that
| showed that she was not lacking in earnest
ness.
What are you doing here-plundering my
property. yeu rebel thievess
We were astounded and shocked at the sud,
denness and vehemency Of the stack. But at
length Maj. s. took courage to reply:
Madam, we are not troubling nythiag.
The h'll you aint!-right here in my yard,
ready to steal my chiekens-evsry thing I've
got, retorted the woman.
By this time she had arrived within a threa>
ening distance Of US. noticed that she was
mad with rage, while fire seemed 10 flash from
Ther eyes.
We were only locking at that chestnut tree,
to see if there were any chestnuts on it, replied
the Colonel.
And you was going to steal my ehsstuuts,
was you?--get out o'here, Or I'll thrash the
yeth with your carcases!
At this junctsre suggested that we should
withdraw from the premises, but the other gen
tlemea thought proper to ascertain the lady 8
pelitleial notions before doing SO.
| Oh don't be alarmed, madam, we do not mean
to trouble any of your property, said tho Ma.
good naturedly.
! Alarmed!-do you suppose I'd be alarmed at
such trifing skulks as yos 'uns are, you rebe |
chicken stealers, quickly retorted the old vo-
man.
Speaking of chiokens-couldn't you sell Us q
few eh:ckens-we will pay You any price you
| NAV name said the Majer.
De you suppose I'd sell id rebel chick
sn-Pd see you in hill frst You've stole all
my chickens.
| The Major endeavored to convince the old We
man that we did not steal ehickeaS, sheep, and
so on.-that we meant no harm by being on her
premises. But she persisted in her declaration
that we were the vilest Of the vile. She an.
| nounced herself zealous advocate of "Link-
um," and the Union.
Her attitude being still more threatening, and
manifesting decided disposition to assume the
offensive, we suddenly became impressed with
the importance of retreating.
A day or two previous to the occurrence
above related, went into the country some
three or four miles to visit sick soldier whe
had been left at private house. On the way
II observed small chestnut tree, quite full Of
ehestnuts l concluded it would "pay"to fell
it, and sent private H., who was with me, to a
house that was little distance of, to borrow
an axe. He rode of, but soon returned With
the statement 'sThe gal won't let me have it. 2
Well, said /, let's beth go down, and | think
we ear persuade her to let us have it. We