Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-08-22
Iila Mitchell-An Incident Of
the War.
by CAPTAIN JOHN TYLER CAMPBELL.

Sd
DY CAPTAIN JOHN TYLER CAMPBELL.
immediately after the fall of Vicksburg,
in 1868, portion Of the Federal army
under General Sherman marched in pur-
suit of the Confederates under General Joe
Johnston to jackson, the capital of Missis-
eippi. After siego of probably week s
and it was Immediately occupied by the
Federal forces. Tho Vicksburg campaign
was then over, any the tired army ut jack
son returned to tho Big Black River, crossed
over to the west bank and went into camp
about twelve miles from Vioksburg. This
was one Of tho oltposts Of Vioksburg, and
the lines woro arranged so as to guard tho
passage of the Big Black River, and pre-
vent the Confederates from attacking that
oity. do not think tho soldiers, Of tho
fifteenth army corps ever had moro pleasant
quarters or Jared more sumptuously. It
was to them harvest of rest and rccroa-
tion, and they spent their time beneath tho
shades of the magnolia, that blossomedj
around, in writing letters, reading books Of
fiction and in the sooial converse of tB
camp. Ono evening whilo was oiiiciati5 u
as officer of tho day, an incident ooourfdi
which shall now relate: gen
While at the guard post, about q quarter
of mile iu the rear Of tho pontoon bridge
over the Big Black, the sentinel at the
bridge reported that he had captured spy.
He said the person whom he had halted
had tried to give him the slip and get to
the enemy beyond the river. In company
with Sergeant Northaeet, who had charge
of the guard, I went down to the bridge to
see about the matter. Tho night was
exceedingly pleasant. Tho moon did not
chine; bnt tho million stars sparklcd in tho
heavens and mirrored themselves in the
clear, winding river OF our feet. Tho
prisoner said not word. could not help
gazing into his face; it seemed to me that
had never seen face 80 handsome or
eyes SO beautiful. And with long golden
hair partially covered up with felt hat,
at least two sizes too large, he stood
beofore us tho picture of Absolom.
He wore soldiers bluo blouse and black
pants.
"Where are you going7" asked.
81 want to 60 to jackson to 500 friend
near and dear to me" he repliod.
''Didn't you know that you must have
pass 10 get tnrouBn the ilneSl
"Yes, but I was afraid they would refuse
to give me pass and wanted to 60 so
bad. am stranger to tho officers at
headquarters, and did not have the cour-
age to ask for tho pass"
The young man began to CRY and begged
us to let him pass through, assuring us that
no harm could come Of it, and that God
would bless US all for it.
Sergeant NorthAeet called me aside and
told me that he had suspicious about that
young man. I told him thought the
young man was a spy. "No, sir; you are
mistaken" replied the sergeant. I then
called the young man usido, aud after being
seated upon log, on tho roadside, he asked
mo If [ would promise upon tho honor of
gentleman to keep the secret he proposed
to reveal. I told him would to the DEATH
Thereupon tho prisoner said:
"Although you behold mo hore as man,
Lam woman; my name is Ida Mitchell
My father is q Colonel in the Union army;
my mother, brothers and sisters are now 10
st. Louis, whore we have resided for the
past year. ran off from homo last week
and arrived at Vioksburg yesterday on the
steamboat Belle Memphis.'
fti Nho uo5"u WSoPAu6 aS"iu'
"Well, where were you goingY' I asked.
She replied: ri have friend whom
love better than life. His name is Harry
3 Deering, and he is Lieutenant in Loring's
division of the Confederate army. / hoard
+ he was wounded and started to go to SEQ
him. I must see him before he dies; and
NOW, my dear, good friend" sho said
q boseeohingly, "'3on't you let mo go2 Please
do"
L told her was SO astonished l did not
know what to cay; "but please toll me
all about Harry. and what you propose
DOING.
She said she and Harry had been SCHOOL
mates and were engaged to be married, and
that her fatherhad forbidden Harry seeing
hsr at all, and in his desperation he had
gono into the Confederate ermy, and that
ehe conla hayc mo peace Of mind untn she
{ could see him, and she had resolved To- 80
I tc him at The tiak ot her OWN lifo, for. slo