Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-10-11
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA OCTOBER II. 1879.

ton at the battle Of Shiloh. Thers
Lieut.. Harry was badly wounded
and was left on the field in the hands
Of the enemy. There, for the frs,
time, the surgeon who cared for hel
wounds ascertained her sex, and sht
was sent to New Orleans, where she
remained under medical attention
until her wounds were healed and he1
health was recovered. When she wal
fully restored to health, she left New
Orleans and came up to the COnfed.
crate army, near Corinth, and re-.
quested to be reinstated in her cav.
airy company. The commanding gem
elal, who had learned then that she
was uncertain what to do, and refused
her request, and sent her under escort
to Richmond, that the authorities here
might decide the matter. And, In.
deed, it seemed that they were az
much puzzled what to do in the prem.
Uses as was the general at Corintl,
for they allowed some months to pass
by before q conclusion was reached,
During that time she was under oul
charge at the Castle. She wore lel
uniform all the time, and, although
she was good-natured and amiable,
she chafed a good deal at her confine-
ment, and somewhat indignant that
the President or Secretary of War
did not send her back tG her COM
mand. She had committed no Of
Tense, she was charged with no crime,
and her only fault was that she was {.
woman who had had the independ-
ence and the courage to step out Of
the sphere In which her sex, it was
presumed, ought to fill, and had
played the role of q soldier in mans
attire. True, all said she had acted
the part she had assumed with fidel-
ity, courage and efficiency, and she
thought it hard that she should he
cooped up in prison and not be per-
mitted to play it out to the end.
While she remained at the Castle full
liberty was given her to go about the
prison as she pleased, and we gave
her employment as clerk in the office
whenever her services as pensman
was needed. She was not allowed to
60 out on the streets without being in
charge ofan officer, because the ordi-
nances Of the city forbade a woman
in mans clothing going out in large
about the city. l recollect CONVEX
sation l had with my much esteemed
and highly-respected friend, his honor,
Joe Mayo, about Lieut.. Harry, which
l will relate, as it was very charac-
teristic of him.
Mr.. Mayo, all of our older citizens
know, was a Virginian intus ct in cute.
He not only loved every inch of Vir-
ginia's soil, but especially towards
Richmond, every fibre of his heart
chung to it with the strongest tenacity.
His whole being was interested in it's
prosperity, and, as its Mayor, his
whole time and energy were devoted
to the duty of having all of its ordi-
nances carried out and obeyed. No
man ever lived in Richmond who had
her interests more at heart, and no
man ever served her with more fideli
ty and efficiency. For forty years he
was her commemorative attorney,
her member Of the Legislature, and
her Mayor, and in every position of
trust and importance which she be-
slowed upon him he met its require
ments with honor to himself and with
benefit to the city. During this long
period ofpublic service no man ever
uttered a word against his integrity
and honesty, and all accorded to him
ability and knowledge suitable to dis
charge well his public duties.
Lieut.. Harry wanted the privilege
Of walking about the streets of Rich
m0nd free and without being under
the charge of an officer. l told her it
could not be permitted, because if
'he were to be seen going about in
male attire the city police would ar
est her. One day, meeting Mr..
Mayo, l told him Harry's history,
md said that, as she was in prison
or no crime, and had been a good SOL
lier, | thought it hard upon her that
The should not be allowed OCCASION
lily to walk about the streets, and
lsked him if he would permit her to
10 so.
He threw himself upon his dignity,
md replied: "You ought to know
hat would be in violation oflaw, and
hat /, as mayor of the city, cannot
permit any Infringement of it's ordi-
lances," l replied: "That is true,
'ut this is an exceptional case, and
ye are living in exceptional times,
md l did not think any harm would
'ccrue to anybody if the permission
we're granted" He said: "My Off
ers must do their duty, and if Gen.
Ninder wanted any Of his prisoners
appear on the streets. in violation
# the city ordinances, they must be
lnder the charge one Of his officers of
ny police would arrest them"
md so the matter ended.
Mr.. Mayo, from the beginning, was
ealOus Of Gen. Winder's authority,
nd, during the existence of martial
aw,. he fought against it until he fin
lily succeeded in establishing clear
inc of demarkation between the au-
hority the General could exercise and
lis powers as a civil magistrate, and
70 never permitted that line to be
rossed by the General without his
arrest protest it in behalf of the
lberties of the people.
Finally it was determined that
lieut.. Harry should not be allowed
n rntoin hnr commission 90 1ioufon