The Portland daily press., 1883-01-26
Virginia Heroine.
The Treatment She Receives from the
Government. Compared with It's Treat
ment of Female Rebels.

Washington Cor. Cincinnati Commercially
Having the honor of an acquaintance with
one OF those heroines, woman now earning
her bread in the Treasury but who during the
war performed an act which entities her to the
homage Of every loyal heart, want TO tell her
story to the world. 1t may have been familiar
to some, long years ago, but we are SO busy re-
membering the evil things that are done, the
brave deeds are for gotten, unless their story ia
oft repeated.
There is no portion of all the South in which
centers more of historic interest than in the
Shenandoah valley of Virginia, and to no point
does memory turn as quickly as to Winchester,
which was captured and lost SO many times.
The old town seemed to be the plaything of
fate, and loyal hearts sank little lower each
time the old flag was hauled down.
Winchester and Sheridan are names forever
linked together. The people who hated the
stars and stripes then do not love Little Phil
now. Those who were loyal to their country
will keep his memory green as long as those
days of alternate hope and despair are remem-
Dered. His prompt courage gave them conf.
dence in him, and his success imbued them
with hope.
On the main street Of Winchester, just where
it commences to climb up the hill toward the
place on which General Washington used to
camp, where little and big children still go to
drink from the deep, deep well, dug by his Or
ders, stands plain twc-story white house Like
ell the neighboring houses, it not only glands
on line with the pavement, but its front
porch and cellar door, by a sort of squatter's
sovereignty, occupy part of it.
When the war commenced that house was oc-
cupied by Amos M. Wright and his family,
members OF the society of Friends. Like most
OF their sect, they remained loyal to their coun-
try, in spite of oppression, abuse and suffering
The father was dragged from his home and
subjected to such harsh treatment that his
health was ruined, and death followed close in
his footsteps on his return. They saw desola-
ton and ruin all about them; the day of re-
ioiciDg seemed to move farther and farther in
to the dim future, but their fidelity never wa
vered.
In September, 1864, Early's forces occupied
Winchester, controlling that portion of the val
ley. Gen. Sheridan's command lay some miles
away, waiting favorable opportunity to make
an attack. Information was wanted concern
ing The position and strength of the enemy, and
all the usual methods of obtaining it had been
tried aad failed.
In endeavofing to find some means of obtain
ing this information, Gen. Sheridan was re-
minded of the devoted loyalty of this family,
and be believed that those who could be So
luz bOulQ alSO 10 DIdN6 enough 10 lake some
risks. Deciding upon the elder daughter,
MISS REBEccA L. WRIGHT,
as the one best calculated to assist him success.
fully, he addressed the following note to her,
writing it upon tissue paper, rolling it in tin
foil, and entrusiing its delivery to faithful
colored man, who carried it all the way in his
mouth
learn from Maj. Gen. Crook that YOU are a loysl
lady and still love he old flag.
Isl all you inform me of the position of Early's
forces the number of visions in his army aud The
strength of any or all of them and his probable or
reported Intentions? Have any more troops ar
rived from Richmond, or are asy more coming or
reported to be coming?
am very respectfully, your most obedient SER
want, P. II. SHERIDAN
Major General Commanding
You can trust the bearer.
Enemies were on all sides of her; her own
sister was believed to sympathize more strong
ly with the South than with the Union; perse-
cutlon had brought them sore affection, and
she had only her woman's intuition to tell her
whether this note was what it purported to be,
CT decoy sent by the enemy to set her and
her father into difficulty. If it should be the
latter she would be arrested as spy. 1t was
time which tried her courage and devotion to
Its limit She took her life in her hands as
much as ever did any soldier who went into
Daitle. She had no means of proving the gen.
uineness OF the note, she had everything TO
risk. That she did not falrer should enritle
the honor of all who recognize and appreciate
true courage.
Gathering all the information possible, she
wrote q full statement upon tissue paper, gave
the little foil-wrapped packet to the negro who
put il in his mouth and went his way.
Who Can measure the anxiety she felt dur
ing the four days intervening between sending
the note and the commencement of the battle
the 10Th of September, 1864?
When that fight ended Earlys forces were
driven, and Winchester was ours, never again
to be retakeH by the Confederates. Gen. Sheri-
dan came to the house at the foot of the hill,
and in the room where the loyal little Quaker
girl taught few children to help exc out
living, rote his report of the battle, and, TAX
ing her by the hand, thanked her ia earnest
words for the service she had done her country.
IL was JOY enough for her that the old flag
again hoated over Winchester town, ard she
buried her secret i'll ler own bosom.
In January, 1867, package came to her.
1t contained very handsome gold watch and
chain, accompanied by the following auto
graph letter:
HEADQUARTERS Dept OF THE GULF
My Dear Miss Wright =
You are not probably aware of the great service
you rendere the Union cause by the Information
you sent me by the colored few days before
the battle OF the Opequan on September 10, 1854.
fought and probably won.
The colored man gave the note rolled M in the
untoil, to the scout, who awaited him at Wildwood
lhe colored man had carried it in his mouth 10 this
point and delivered it to the scout who brought it TO
me.
By this note became aware of the true condition
OF affairs i side the enemys lines and gave direc-
tlols for the attack will always remember this
courageous and patriotic action of yours with graft
tude, and beg OF you to accept the watch and chain
send to you by Gen. j. w. Forsyth, as memento
Of September 10, 1864.
l am very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
PHIL H. SHERIDAN,
.M,ss p,,n,,oo, 1u Major General
Winchester, Va.
Tho uuo rob ho,rc ~, 10 s,,,on;...:...