Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-06-03
A Patriotic Tennessee Woman.

West Tennessee has not a few patriotic
and brave women who deserve mention as
we'll as brave men, who suffered and fought
in defense of the old flag Among the
number which were devoted with all of w0-
mans passionate ardOr 70 the salvation Of
our government through its four long years
of awful struggle with intestine foes, and
who dared to stand up for its cause and de-
nounce it's enemies in the very face Of death,
was Aunt Patsy Cole, of Dresden. Weakly
county. Aunt Patsy, she Is never known
bv anv other name. is a widow Although
now past seventy years of age, her form Is as
erect and her eyes as penetrating rs years
ago-hcfore her expressive face WIS furrow-
ed with the deep lines of care and hardship.
or her hair whitened hv wears of widow
hood or dependence. Her kind and svmpa-
thetic heart has endeared her to the whole
community around her, and especially the
bows aud girls, who are as familiar with
her as with their own parents The
fearless and straightforward manner with
which she expresses her opinions Is one Of
her prominent traits. No one ever ques-
tions her sincerity and whenever a scoun-
drel or anv wr0ng-doer receives her re-
buke the boldness and directness with which
she always utters it leaves no chance for a
misunderstanding. Many 4 rebel neiChb7r.
and even the late Conservative candidate for
whose residence is within sight of her own
house, experienced the meaning Of this
statement within the past eight years
An incident illustrative Of the patriotism
and dauntless spirit of this noble woman
happened soon after Forrest : cavalry were
camped in Dresden, on their march from
Union City to Trenton. portion Of his
command located themselves close around
Aunt Patsv's house, and compelled her to
feed some of the number. She reluctantly
complied. but not without denouncinG them
as towards and thieves, to feed on an old.
defenseless. poor woman. who without
child or husband to assist her. They stav-
ed. nevertheless. and ate of her fpur and
meat till both were nearly exhausted, and
/ then took up their march.
In a few DAYS afterward, lust rs She was
sitting down to her supper of some biscuit
the last of all her four-up rode two guer-
rillas to her door. and demanded of her
where her husband was. 20 She at one re-
piled with earnest emn'asis, % He's de3d or
he would he in the Union army" s'Where
are your boys ?'' they next demanded
- They are alive, thank the Lord, in the
Union army she quickly answered. This
was kind of bravery and LOYALTY which
i these rufhans were not accustomed to. and
| instead of it's commanding their respect. as
such boldness from a defenseleSs woman
would have done if they had not been cow
ardly dogs, they became furiou-lv enraged.
and swearing they would shoot her. cooked
their revolvers to do so. She, without finch
ing dared them TO do the act. Bnt seeing
they could not intimidatc her hv threats,
they took their revenge by shooting her tur-
key and favorite dog, and greedily eating her
last morsel of food.
| She was driven to many an extremity du-
ring the reign of rebel terrorism. and the
consequent destitution but she survived them
all, and as in the above, so in every instance,
with exalted heroism, she advocated our
glorious banner-the red, white and hlue
There is On the farm of f. SAWYER, in
Leicester, willow tree over six feet IN d.
ameter, which grew from riding stick put
into TIE ground eighty years ago by Mrs Jo-
seph Woodman, who brought it from Con-
necticut.