The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-05-20
Major Annie Jones.

One of the personages about Wash
ington during the war was Annie
Jones, who originally professed tc
have run away from a boarding
school in Boston to follow the
drum and who attached herself to
the headquarters of General Stahel,
the commander of German bri-
gade. A aippant talker, she ingra-
tiated herself into the favor OF the
General, and received an honorary
appointment as a member OF his
staff, and as Major Jones" became
an institution in the army. She ate
with the General, drank with the
General. rode with the General on
all of his hazardous forays, chatted
with the General, nureed the Gener-
al when be was sick, fought the Gen.
erals battles when she heard hin,
aspersed by jealous understrappers,
and when night drew the starry flag
over the heavens, she slept with her
beloved colored maid in the next
little tent, which the General had
assigned her. She thus lived and
fourished. Her orders were won't
to be obeyed, because she was rec
ognized as staff officer. She al
ways had the countersign, and could
pass the pickets at pleasure. She
was said to be a girl Of great dash
and daring, and would frequently
venture out beyond the outposts and
for days watch the movements Of
theenemy, and bring in whole budg-
cts OF information from the rebel
camps as proof of her stewardship
and sbrewdness. Every one knew
Major Jones; officers would doff'
their hats, and privates would stand
at full present as she rode by in
military feminine dignity. The Wis
iting officers from other commands
were introduced TO Annie and ad-
mired her. and she reigned supreme
as the she-major ofcarslry."
When General Hooker lmarched
into Maryland and Stahel was re-
lieved, Miss Major Annie joined her
fortunes with the young and gallant
Custer, with whom she remained,
retaining her rank and title until
general order from army headquar-
ters rendered it necessary for him to
dispense with her valuable services,
and the Major was compelled TO
seek for a field of usefulness else
where. For few days she wander
ed about the camp, having no par
ticular abiding place or continuing
city, until Colonel Sharpe, then act
ing Provost Marshal General,
thought the interests of the service
required that she should be removed
to Washington. Accordingly, pass
was granted her to travel as far as
the military railroad would carry
her, and a sergeant of the Ninety
third New York was detailed to ac-
company her, to guard against any
accident on the way. Arriving at
w dculuSlOn cHt SbtDptu ab hhN
Kirkwood House, where she some
times appeared in staff uniform, and
then in fashionable female attire. 1t
was believed that she was a Con-
federate spy in the Union secret
service.
Another devoted friend of. the
Confederates, who resided just out
side of the Union lines in Virginia.
managed to fascinate General Slough
ton, Il young West Pointer, and one
evening while he was serenading her,
he, with his band of orderlies, were
surprised and sent as prisoners of
war to Richmond.
i don't mind losing the Briga-
dier, for they are easily made" said
Mr.. Lincoln, liz talking about the
capture, but there were twenty
horses taken which cost s125 EACH"
-Boston Budget