The Howard union. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1865-1866, 1865-09-07


her own carriage. Mrs. Benton's health
improved rapi lily, and she began to think Of
some way of escape. She had not heard
from her husband since she left home, and
she knew not whether he was living or
dead.
One day, when out riding with her rebel
| friend, she asked her if she would not drive
up TO head quarters, as she wished to speak
TO the commander Of the post. The lady
did So Mrs. Benton again asked to be
released, telling him of her husbands sick
ness, and with tears implored him to let her
CO. Her pleadings were in vain. All she
got was an order not to leave her room
again. But thank kind Providence who
ever rules our destinies, her stay there was
short.
Her rebel friend, who had heard her
request and refusal, told. her she would
assist her oil in her power to escape. She
told Mrs. Benton there was rebel soldier
boar ding with her, who was on duty that
day. She thought by telling him all about
the capture and her husbands sickness, he
would let her pass quietly out Her plans
were successful, and about midnight Mrs.
Benton left her prison and wended her way
10 her friends house. She found her bene-
facIress ready to receive her. They spent
the rest of the night in fitting out complete
suit of homespun for Mrs. Benton, and
about four in the morning she started on
foot for Fort Smith.
Who would have thought this delicate fe-
male, who almost shrank from any exposure
at home, could even think of starting on
such perilous journey afoot and alone
But she, like many others, had never before
S been tried to know what she could endure;
q but when the trial came, all her dormant
+ powers were aroused; and what at other
5 times seemed mountains, were now mere
J molehils.
J. 1t would be impossible here to recount
II all her sufferings. She avoided as much
as possible the villages and public high
Il ways. When questioned as to her bushes:
u she said she was going to Fort Smith &c
!" see her husband who was rebel in the
Of hands of the Federas. At one place where
az she stopped for the night, the man sent hi
boy to take her to the next town. distanc,
u Of twenty miles. The rest of the way she
o walked. Sometimes the cold, damp eartl
II was her bed, at other times she slept il
y barns, or vacant houses.
ie After wearisome march until the FRS
ut of October she reached our Union lines
" Her story was soon told. and everything il
u their power was done for her comfort.
- 81 was so overcome" said she, 'swhen
u, saw the picket, and was halted by him, tina
y" | could not Tor sometime speak, and sanl
10 to the ground. The soldier came to me an
raised me upon my feet. l threw my arm
IL around his neck and wept tears of JOY
ny Never did our national blue look SO per
~ fectly glorious BEFORE"
The next day she was sent 10 Fort Smith
!, On going to the hospital she learned tina
4 her husband had started for. Fort Scott tire
~ days before. His health was still yer
= poor, but the surgeon thought his goin
North would help him. A messenger wa
sent Immediately to overtake the train, wit
:, orders for Mr.. Benton 10 remain in Gibso
=: until his wife arrived. But again the
TOO lota Tho irnip ttrr Iavrs n,
! from Gibson. The messenger rode on on
overlook the train thirty miles from Gibson
Mr.. Benton was not able to ride back
-, Gibson on horseback, and, as no other cot
r. veyance was at hand he went on, sendin
49, word for his wife to follow on to Fort SEQ
III as soon as possible.
III Mrs. Benton had scarcely been able
n. leave her room since her arrival in Fo
az. Smith, and this last disappointment SCENE
,ot for while to crush her TO the earth, b
,on again she rallied, and in few days was {
The her way to join her husband. When with
w. twenty miles of Fort Scott the train WI
;be again attacked by some of Prices men {
she their retreat from Kansas. Mrs. BentC
ait was taken 10 Newtonia, where she was 81
at liberty, and got conveyance in an ambr
,rt lance with some wounded soldiers TO Il
oil. fort.
d Mr.. Benton's health seemed to fail all Il
ed, time, and on his arrival at Fort Scott t!
is surgeon pronounced his case hopeless
yas His greatest anxiety was for his wife.
ide "Tell her." said he, 81 have been true
vas my promise, and am fully prepared 10 me
IN. my God in peace. Oh, if could see h
and once more before die, just for one hour,
her even one moment ~
to That evening l closed his eyes in deaf
all The wearied spirit had at last found re
for where wars are never known; where pal