Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1864-02-12
(From the Charleston Courier.
A Triumph Over Red Tape.

The appearance of letter from Miss
Emma SAMSON, of Cherokee county, Ala,
recalls to mind her patriotic services to
! Gen. N. B. Forrest, while in pursuitiof the
Yankee raiders under Straight. Tie Incl
! dent is worthy Of attention, as showing
what may be done when two persons, su-
perior to red tape and conventional etiquette
find occasions Of duty.
Forrest. in eagor pursuit, finds himself
brought up all standing by creek. He
knew there was ford, but did not know
the ford Had he recognized only red
tape and yellow kid gloves. be would have
stopped called in an engineer and assis-
tants, and impressed as pole carriers, all
the negroes in the county. The ford would
have been sounded and marked and staked
but the Yankees would have escaped
/ 1t was a critical and crucial occasion, end
a West Pointer, who had nothing but the
books to guide him, would have been sadly
| perplexed.
A negro passing by is hailed by Forrest,
and asked as to the ford. He was little
dubious about 1t himself he said
There's cid Mrs. SAMSON lives down be
low, has datter that knows all about It."
An exquisite West Pointer would have
scorned The assistance Of d country maiden,
but Forrest was General in earnest. He
rode up to the house indicated and stated
his case.
The good mother, with mothers APP
prehensIon, suggested some doubt about
what "Mrs. Grundy would say" or what
would be thought by tom" Tom was
the son Of an old widow over the creek
was in service, and wrote often letters to
his mother, making special inquiries about
the neighbors, and about Miss Emma
She went ever to read the letters and to as
sist the mother in getting UP packages for
Tom and his messmates. Young eyes are
best for reading soldiers letters.
Taking her cue not from any boarding
school code Of manners, but from the I'M
failing instincts of pure maidenhood, the
girl replied. MA, I'm not afraid to 60
with Gen Forrest"
Blessings on her pure and noble heart
and on the officer whose character as an
officer and gentleman justified her in this
confidence, Many girls educated OF forced
under the hot house processes Of Yankee
schools would never have gone to ride with
a gentleman without an introduction
many Of the same girls after an introduce
ton merely. would waltz all night with q
notorious rake or BLACKBOARD in broadcloth
The girl hastily done her sun bonnet,
kisses her still hesitating mother, calculates
a prayer to God, and goes forth
Gen. Forrest reins up his charger to the
! old horse block, and she takes a seat be-
hind him-a mode of economical convey
ance in great vogue and favor in many
parts Of the country, although if horses had
votes they would say ''say' to it,
/ Trusting in her own pure heart and the
justice of her cause, and the favoring pro-
lection of God, she throws her arm for se-
curity around the manly Waste Of Forrest.
Like gentleman as ne was and is, he pro-
poses only such topics of inquiry andscon~
versation as would put her at ease and self
assurance. The creek is safely crossed, the
ford noted and the Yankees soon aftet
overtaken and captured.
There are Generals IN Confederate uni
form-we regret to say it-tEere are Gen.
erals u whom 10 good, pnre maiden. could
properly offer the sefyice periodically vol
un'eered this brave, good! gIrl-of Alabama
We are thankful that Forrest was not Of
that Sort and that critical occasion
brought together two patriots-a General
and good maiden-who could rise above
the sentimentality Of etiquette and dare to
do their duty. Tie young men who have
stayed in the field through evil report and
good report. deserve just such wives as
this brave, pure daughter Of Cherokee,
Ala and we should deem it almost per
sonal offence if any such girl is deludedl i: u
to marrying a skulker, OF acsaager, or an
invalid.