River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-06-14
Richmond UniOnists III War
Times.
By Mrs Handy in Phil, Times.


There are few Unionists in the city,
who neither went north nor yet pre-
tended to espouse the southern cause.
These were, for the most part, people of
northern birth, prominent on account OF
their wealth. They were ostracised by
nearly everybody in town and left Sc
verely to themselves, treatment which,
it must be confessed, they did not APP
pear to mind very much. As rue they
we're cautious, and, although outspoken,
did nothing openly which could cause
their arrest. The wife of leading
merchant was detected in sending infor-
nation to the enemy and was arrested
in consequence, but no hing was done to
her beyond keeping her under surveil-
Ian in religious institution for few
months. Her arrest excited much as
constituent, since the lady had not
previously been among the number OF
suspected persons, and at the time of
her arrest was staying at the house
of a prominent Presbyterian minister,
then absent in Europe on mission for
the Confederate Government. She was
the intimate friend OF his wife, and
none of the household suspe ting her
the subject of his mission was freely dis
cussed in her presence. The intercept
ed dispatches contained, together with
other matters, information designed to
lead to the capture of the blockade run
ner on which the minister referred to
was expected to return home.
Chief among open Unionist5 ana most
cordially detested of them all were the
Van LEWIS. Everybody belle we'd, what
afterwards proved the truth, that Miss
Van Lew was a spy in the employ OF the
Federal Government, but so wary was
she that no tangible evidence was ever
procured against her. She was constant
and unremitting in her attention to the
Federal prisoners, often sending them
food and clothing. All such packages
were strictly examined; still she man.
aged to elude the vigilance of the keep
ors and aided many prisoners to escape.
The Van Lew mansion stood on the
brow of Church Hill N the eastern part
of the city, and large terraced garden,
full eff old-fashioned shrubbery, occu.
pied the steep slope of the hill behind
it. This garden was surrounded by a
high wall, partly brick, partly board,
and in the latter portion secret doors
were cut, so contrlved as to appear ike
any other part of the fence.
When, at any hour of the night, from
dusk TO dawn, a peculiar knock was CIV
en- at one of these doors, it opened at
once and the fugitive prisoner was safe
His uniform was exchanged for one OF
Confederate gray, not too new; he was
furnished with forged passes, and,
guided by negroes through swamp and
thicket, rarely failed to make bis way
safely to the Federal lines. Belated pc
destrians passing Mrs. Van Lewis gar
den in the small hours heard myster-
ious rappings and saw figures which van
ished on nearer approach. Thus the
report went forth that the place was
haunted, report which made many
shun the spot after nightfall, and SO
aided Miss Van Lew IN her work OF
mercy. The truth was suspected, and
once or twice search was made for flgl-
tives, but in vain; none were found. At
ter the close of the was President Grant
made Miss Van Lew Postmaster OF
Richmond, and she held the office dur
ing the eight years of his administration.