The National tribune., 1884-09-25
"JOHNNY."
Another Girl Who Wa. discovered Wearing tn.

Another Girl Who Was Discovered Wearing the
Biae.
Johnny was apparently about IL years old,
slight in FORM clear, fair complexion, brown
eyed and attractive. Who he really was We
never knew. We first saw him while on the
march to Green River, KY; it was afternoon,
and very hot. when he quietly fell in by the side
of an orderly of one of the companies, and after
short conversation said in q pleasant voice,
.You look SO tired Letme carry your knapsack;
it will rest you" The Sergeant, being glad to
get rid of his load, gave him the knapsaek as
requested. He knew that the boy, who said
his name was Johnny, did not belong to our
regiment, and could only learn that he was 3
citizen, and that his home was III Pennsylvania
Towards night we came to body of timber,
through which a creek ran; here we halted
to camp, and when the boys broke ranks
Johnny was in his element,-fuil of fun, throw
ing sticks in the water TO spatter the boys who
were trying to wash the dust from their heated
faces, singing snatches of songs, and making
merry generally. Soon the fires were blazing
all about the camp The smell of fried bacon
and the aroma of coffee was rapidly sharpening
our appetites The Sergeant and Lieutenant of
his company were patiently waiting the slow
movements of their cook, dilapidated old
darkey, when Johnny, taking in the situation,
asked permission to help get supper. Without
an answer Ia look from the Lieutenant being
suficient), he rolled up his sleeves, washed his
hands and arms, and in short time had some
splendid light biscuits baked the bacon was
fried to q nice brown, some eggs was cooked
| and temptingly placed on the bright tin plates,
washed and frightened while supper was cook
| ing. For weeks after johnny cooked for this
mess and always had everything neat and tidy.
In a few days we arrived at our destination By
| this time the whole detachment had become
acquainted with Johnny, and all liked him. Yet
L. -<fa L.
| conversations carried on in groups here and
there, showed that the boys suspicioned him OF
something. At last it came out; Johnny was
believed to be a girl, and, on being taken to
headquarters and questioned, admitted, with
/ tears streaming down her cheeks that she was
and begged that she might be allowed to stay
with u.s. A fight with the enemy was
liable to occur at any hour, and no time was
| to be had now to send her out of the lines. The
next morning at aybreak, the expected bat
tie began and ragged furiously for three hours
During all this time Johnny was on every por.
tion of the field, reckless of danger, between
the contending lines, giving the wounded
/ water or such attention as they most needed
tenderly caring for all, Union and rebel alike
4 When the battle ceased her clothing and bare
arms were red with blood. Seeing the Colone
| just then, she touched herca and said: Didn't
we whip them nicely. Three cheers for oul
brave Colonel" The next day the command
started to join its brigade, and when we reached
| Lebanon Johnny was left behind.
Months passed. Sherman's victorious army o
which our regiment was part, had surrounded
/ Atlanta; fighting was constant and furious, anG
one Of our men, among many Others was badly
| wounded and conveyed to hospital at Mari
eta. While there, half delirious with pain, hi
was awakened bya hand laid gently in his anG
awoman's voice saying, Don't you know me
am Johnny" At first he did not recognize
her; she was now dressed in woman's apparel
But when he looked again he knew she iHdeet
was Johnny, and to that poor boy, sick in bod,
and in mind from the loss of limb, it was lik
meeting long lost sister. It is needless to sa,
that from thence on until he was able to e
home he had every care that it was possible 4
give, Johnny was with him nearly every hour
as tenderly nursing him as a mother. The.
had many conversations regarding her life, bu
he could never learn anything definite abou
her. She was one of those mysteries of whicl
army life was full. Perhaps some great wrong
some great sorrow drove her from home. o
this We may never know but we do know tina
many brave boy who was wounded or sic
will never forget Johnny"