The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-07-31
IDA MITCHELL.
AN INCIDENT OF TIE WAR.
BY CAPTAIN JOHN Tyler CAMPBELL.

BY CAPTAIN JOHN TYLER CAMPBELL.
Immediately after the fall Of
Vicksburg, in 1868, a portion of the
federal army under General Sherman
marched in pursuit of the confeder-
ates under General Joe Johnston to
Jackson, the ca pital of Mississippi.
After a siege of probably weeks
duration, Johnston evacuated that
city, and it was Immediately occu
pied by the federal forces. The
Vicksburg campaign was then over,
and the tired army at Jackson re
turned to the Big Black river, crossed
over to the west bank and went into
camp about twelve miles from Vicks
burg. This was o2e Of the outposts
of Vicksburg, and the lines were ar
ranged so rs to guard the passage Of
the Big Black river and prevent the
confederates from attacking that city.
I do not think the soldiers of the
Fifteenth army corps ever had more
pleasant quarters or Jared more
sumptuously. 1t was to them a
harvest of rest and recreation, and
they spent their time beneath the
shades of the magnolia, that bloomcd
aud blossomed around, in writing
letters, reading books of fiction, and
in the social conv rse Of the camp
| One evening while | was officiating
rs "oilicer Of the day" an incident
occurred which Ishall now relate
| While at the guard post, about q
quarter Of mile in the rear Of tho
pontoon bridge over the Big Black
the sentinel at the bridge reported
that he had captured a spy. HI
said the person whom lie held lat
tried to give him the slip and get te
the enemy beyond the river. II
company with Sergeant Northfleet
who had charge of the guard, I went
down to the bridge to see about The
matter. The night was exceedingly
| pleasant. The moon did not shine
but The million stars sparkled in the
heavens and mirrowed themselves
in the clear winding river at our feet
The prisoner said not a word.
could not help gazing into his face
lit seemed to me that I had neye
seen a face so handsome or eyes 81
beautiful. And with long colder
hair partially covered up with a fel
hat, at least two sizes too large, h.
stood before sthe picture of Absa
lom. He, wore a soldiers b,lu'
blouse and black pants. 4a asz
"Where are you goihg?" / asked
81 want to go to Jackson to see 4
friend near and dear to me,'' b
replied. t5s H- baa s8ss
|
didn't you know that you mus
have a pass to get through th
lines2" #1s ~ 81 s5ja5 5s
ayes, but I was afraid they woult
refuse to give me pass and want
ed to 60 SO bad. / am a stranger t,
the officers at headquarters, and !.
did not have the courage to ask 70
a pass"
The young man began to cry an
begged US to let him pass through
assuring US that no harm coul
come of it, and that God would bles
us all for it.
| Sergeant Northaeet called me asid
and told me he had suspicious abou
that young man. / told him
. thought the young man was spy
"Np, sir, you are mistaken" reptile
the Sergeant. I then called th
young man aside, and after bein
seated upon log, on the roadside
he asked if I would promise upo
the honor of a gentleman to keep th
secret he proposed to reveal. I toll
him | would to the death. There
upon the prisoner said
"Although you behold me here q
q man, I am woman; my name
Ida Mitchell. My father is colo
mel in the Union army; my mothe
brothers and sisters are now in S
Louis; where we have resided fc