National Republican., 1885-12-19

sex bns not arisen TO collate and record In
cidents Of the bravery, the patient en-
durance, the heroism Of women, on both
sides, during the late unpleasantness. Such
book II carefully compiled and edited,
should think would be not only very in
terestiug to the general reader, but OF great
value from historical point Of view. For
there were many instances where the bray
cry and endurance exhibited by the weaker
sex are as worthy Of remembrance and record
as the exploiDts Of the far.famed Maid OF
Saragossa, or Of Joan OF Arc herself.
don't mean TO say that any American
woman buckled on the sword and led ar
mics to victory Such proceeding would
have been repugnant to this age and this
civilization. But for enthusiastic courage
and patient defiance Of danger and depri-
walton, l do not believe the American
women have ever been surpassed or even
equaled by those OF any other nation in any
war OF which history makes mention,
Doubtless the right American woman
will yet arise to do justice TO her country
women in the war Of the rebellion.
FEW INSTANCES or FEMALE HEnoIsM.
My space will only permit me to give a
few instances from recollection and hearsay
of the deeds OF women on the confederate
side, because i was q confederate, aud II
the screed serves to call the attention OF
some women Of ability to the subject,
ehall be well satisfied. Those who are old
enough will recollect with what frantic
enthusiasm the women on both sides, and
especially those OF the south, were imbued
at the breaking out Of hostilltles in 1861.
II has been said, perhaps with some de-
gree of truth, that the sections might
never have come to blows had II
not been for the earnestncss with
which the southern women threw them
selves into the cause. However, that may
~ L. hat ott al al Ni,,oa
made uniforms and flags, sent their most
valuable jewels to the confederate treasury
80 increase the fund, and urged their hus-
bands, brothers, and lovers to go at once
into the ranks, to swell the confederate
1egions. The young man who was at all
dilntory about volunteering was at once
placed under social ban; they would
neither permit him to visit them nor would
they speak to him on the street, unless with
derisive contempt. He was completely os-
tracized, and is IL to be wondered at that
the confederate armies sprung up like mush-
rooms in mighty man can stand almost
anything better than the scorn OF hiswom
folks.
Soon after the war actually began and the
advance on Bun Run was made many of
the southern women showed their mettle.
Some time before the battle was Joined
Gen. j. L. Il. stuart, commanding the cav
airy, was very anxious to obtain certain In
formation as TO the position of several fed
eral brigades. He was acquainted with
highly educated, quiet, and refined young
lady Of Fairfax Court House, aud he doubt
less had discovered that she was possessed
of great nerve and spirit, and OF an en-
thusiastic devotion to the cause OF the
south. lie managed to get note to her,
requesting her to obtain such information
as she could, little thinking that she would
not only obtain IL, but bring it herself in
stead Of sending messenger. His sur
prise was great, then, to see her ride into his
headquarters on the eve OF the battle
thoroughly posted as to what he wanted to
know. She had undergone much hardships
and danger, having been shot at many
times in running the gauntlet OF the pickets,
but she gamely persevered until her mis-
sion was accomplished.
A YOUNG LADY WITH A COMMISSION.
In recognition Of her bravery and intel
igence, Stuart commissioned her as lieu
tenant and aid-de-camp on his staff, and
this appointment was actually recognized
by the confederate government. Miss f.
was perhaps the only female commissioned
officer In either army. This lady was after
ward captured and locked up for many
months in the old capitol prison, think,
and, after her release, truth compels the
statement that, in the latter days of the
war, she was married to a federal major,
then and now prominent and wealthy cit
izen Of the city Of Washington.
BELLE BoYD's BRAVERY.
OF Belle Boyd, the well-known confeder
ate spy, | need only to refer to here, but
IL her adventures were written out they
would read like a romance, and would show
that her services at one time were simply
Invaluable to the cause she espoused. She
is now a staid matron, quietly residing IL
her Texas home, and resolutely shuns tht
notoriety she acquired In time Of war.
Mrs. Greenhow, too, was a famous con
fcderate secret agent, and she had us mucl
nerve and daring os any man living. While
running the blockade at Wilmington, N. g..
as bearer of dispatches TO England, In th,
third year of the war, the steamer was SUM
by shot from federal rrnboat, and Mrs
Greenhow was among the drowned. He
loss was severe blow to the confederate
authorities, particularly at the time 1t oc
CURED.
have heard soldiers of the army of th
west speak enthusiastically OF an inciden
well known In that army. During one o
Gen. N. b. Forests campaigns In Tennessee
he was anxious TO beat strong force of TIL
enemy which was posted and intrenched OF
the opposite bank of deep stream, tn
bridge over which was the objective point
Forrest brought up his artillery, and charse'
again and again with his dismounted cav
airy, but his every attack was bloodily re
pulsed. Toward nightfall, in a final des
perate charge, Col. Forrest, the brother o
the general, fell dead at the head of hi
command. Gen. Forrest, who was mos
tenderly attached to his brother, was mad
dened by his death, and resolved to whip tn
enemy or lose his command. He selecte
picked squadron and single piece OF al
tillery, and directing the remainder Of hi
command to skirmish briskly to hold tn
enemy at the bridge, he moved off to find
ford, but he could get no information OF one
Finally, he inquired at farmhouse and
la1 1u al n t,1I him pf a ford
miles away. There were no men about th
house and Forrest asked the young lad
(whose name l have forgOtten) IL she wa
afraid TO guide him thither. She reptile
promptly In the negative, and, despite tn
pleadlngs Of her widowed mother, she spran
up behind Forrest and after hard rid
showed him place where he could safel
cross his guns. While winding along tn
river bank the command was several time
under heavy fire and several of the of
GERS and men were killed and wounded, bu
the girl meyer flinched. She was sent safel
home under escort and, as a consequence {
her pluck, Forrest was enabled TO strii
the flank of the enemy at daybreak and
route them completely. After the war wa
over and Forrest had some what recovere
his fallen fortunes he sent the little heror
handsome and valuable testimonial of b
respect and admiration.
THE uERoINEs OF BELEAGUERED CITIES.
But there was another class of heroine
In the war no less worthy OF remembrant
than such as those have referred to in Il
instances above narrated, and whose chee
full endurance OF privation and danger WI
remarkable. The soldiers Of the armies @
both sides noted with admiration ii
heroic fortitudc with which the womG
of Vicksburg and Petersburg behave
when those cities for long mont
were subjected to a fiery rain OF dead
missiles, which might well have appalle
the soul of the most seasoned veteran su
iected To Il under the same conditions, th