Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-30
A CONFEDERATE HEROINE.
A North Carolina Girl who should b,
Known

AhOM0.
From the Neso Orleans Times Democrat.
In November, 1862, news was received
at headquarters, Kingston, N. c., that
two Generals of the Federal army, one of
them commanding in North Carolina,
would on a certain day pass from More
head City to Newbern. II was desirable,
in view of certain contemplated move
ments, TO capture the tram and secure
the officers. AT 10 O'Clock p. IN. / receiv-
ed orders TO proceed at once to Trenton,
take detail from Maj. Nethercutt's COM
mand, and, if possible, capture the train.
At a. N. reached Trenton, to find Maj.
Nethercutt absent on one OF his usual
scouting expeditions. Awaiting his re-
turn at daylight made myself comforta-
Bile, and was about to indulge in morn
ing's nap when the CHATTER of the feet of a
horse at full gaIlop caused me to step to
the door of the courthouse, of which l had
taken possession for the night. to see what
was in the wind. The sentinel uponsduty
had halted the rider and was receiving
from him paper to be delivered immedi-
ately to the officer IN command. To my
astonishment the note bore no address,
ana upon being opened the blank page of
half sheet of letter paper met my eye.
| The rider, an elderly countryman I'M
known to me, was breathing his jaded
steed, preparatory to return. He could
give me no other information than this:
about o'clock a. m. he was reused from
his SAUNDERS and going to his door found
a lady on horseback, who gave him the
note aud told him to take 1t with all speed
to Trenton and give it to any Confederate
officer he should find on duty there. as it
contained important information. The
rider was known to be good Confederate
and bis statements were entirely to be
relied upon. In a few moments thereaf-
ter | was in the private room Of citizen
of Trenton, and his kind wife was warm
ing an iron for my use. Applied to the
seemingly blank sheet of paper, heat soon
enabled me TO see what i desired. Gen.
Foster had returned to Newbern two days
sooner than anticipated, and was to
leave that very morning with a force,
most accurately detailed on the sheet
before me, on an expedition having, in my
opinion, the railroad bridge at Weldon
for its objective point. The object Of
my expedition being thus frustrated,
| returned Immediately at full speed
to Kingston, and gave the iniorma-
ton procured through the intrepid dar-
ing of one of Newbern's daughters TO
the officer In command. Steps were
promptly taken by the officer command
luE Tue uGpdA bhlGuts anu bAoh al ~ Ag Va
troops was placed in front aud on 5the
tanks of the Federal General as caused
him rapidly to retrace his steps. The
iady's name appended to that note has
never been toid-her secret has been lock-
ed In my breast; my superior officer,
respecting my motive in desiring TO keep
il, only required my pledge that the wri-
ter was worthy OF credit. am sure she
never knew into whose hands her note
fell, or the good il accomplished, till she
heard me. several years thereafter, relate
the incident. She was sitting In front Of
the speakers stand, and CLEAN of pride
passed ever her face as she heard the in
cident told, and knew the good work her
night ride had accomplished. When /
cay that she was young lady tenderly
reared, and then in che very morning Of
maidenhood, her ride at midnight, at
great personal risk, to convey such USE
full Information, can be properly appre-
ciated.