The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-10-26
A MYSTERY OF THE WAR.
A Romantic Incident Of the Siege of
Atlanta.
Atlanta Constitution.

vi all tHe WelTU StOFleS WHICH
have been told of the siege of Allan
ia, one of the most tragic and sensa-
tional has never yet seen print.
1t was when Sherman was playing
hide and seek with the army of Gen
eral Joe Johnston, on the way from
Chattanooga, that woman of raw
ishing beauty made her appearance
at Atlanta. Where she came from
no one knew; of her people she new
er spoke; but it was surmised by
some of the ladies who had got near
her that she bore some secret sorrow,
perhaps the sacrifice of a loved one
on the bloody fields ofVirginia.
Day by day train loads Of wound
ed Confederates reached Atlanta
feom the front. The ladies of the
city engaged in hospital work with
a zeal worthy the sisters and wives
OF brave men. Jealous rs all were
in this work, Miss Emma, which was
the only name by which she was
generally known, became noted be-
cause of her endurance and fidelity.
AS she would pass from ward to
ward the dying men would turn their
eyes smilingly toward her. She was,
indeed, the angel of the hospital.
Notwithstanding all this, the eye
OF suspicion fell upon her. Was she
a spy? The question would have
been laughed at by most people, and
yet there were those who detected
in her manner something which they
did not like. But this suspicion
was hushed by the uniformly phi
lanthropic work in which Miss En-
ma was engaged.
At last Sherman's lines were
drawn around the city and the peo-
pie began to experience all the hor-
rors of siege The sick and the
dying were multiplied, and the ef-
forts of the noble women to relieve
them became exhausted. Bliss Emma
grew pale with her excessive work.
Rest she declined to take while
wound was to be bandaged or dy-
ing man longed for kind words.
The sound of revelry was often
heard amid the din of battle. Even
when the people were driven into
their bombproofs they sang and dan
ced, for they recognized the philoso-
ply of driving grief away by plea
sure. Balls, somewhat impromptu,
it is true, were given, and the ladies
looked more charming in their Con-
federate toilette than they could have
looked in silks. The officers were
always the beaus of such occasions,
for beauty is always attracted by
bravery.
To these gatherings Miss Emma
never went, but there came a time
when she was pressed to go. The
Colonel of gallant infantry regi-
ment had invited her to boom proof
ball. Miss Emma was urged to 90,
as relief from the pressing hospi-
tai work which was slowly killing
her. She at last consented, and was
soon in the whirl of the merry dam
GERS.
The kind lady with whom Miss
Emma lodged did not awake until
the sun was an hour high next day.
She had not heard Miss Emma en-
ter, but no dream of harm entered
her mind. She determined not to
disturb the poor lady, but to let her
sleep on, for did not her faithful SER
vice entitle her to rest?
There were excited crowds upon
the streets. Orderlies on horseback
dashed to and fro. The rear of
Sherman's artillery was becoming
more and more terrific. There was
something in the air which announ-
ced that crisis was imminent.
But still the lady slept!
The hour was growing late, and
the excitement of the people outside
was increasing. u
A knock at Miss Emma's door
brought no answer. When the door
was burst open a singular sight was
presented.
Reclining upon the sofa, Miss
Emma laid, as if in peaceful sleep.
She was dressed in white, with
yellow belt around her waist and
blue cape thrown carelessly across
her shoulder. Upon the finger of
one hand was an elegant diamond
ring. The other arm, snowy in its
whiteness, was thrown above her
head. She presented a beautiful
picture. She did not move upon the
entrance of her friend.
TO the touch she was cold.
If she breathed at all it was so
quietly that death could not still it
more.
The cape was lifted, when hor-
rible wound in the breast was dis
closed. 1t appeared as if a whole
load of bird shot had been lodged in
her bosom.
Poor Emma was dead-murdered!
But by whom?
The window overlooking the gar
den WAS raised. The footprints of
the several men were visible, and
the box upon which they stood in
order to reach the window was still
in place. 1t was evident that after
the poor girl had met her death her
body was quietly carried back, pass
ed through the window and the re-
mains arranged upon the sofa, with
an eye to every detail which might
have an effect. Not an article of
jewelry was missing. Everything
was in place.
But Sherman's men were entering
the city. The gallant Confederates
were retreating. Confusion reigned
supreme In the general stampede
which followed lesser sensations
were forgotten. When at last the
smoke of battle had cleared away
and people returned to rebuild their
fortunes the fate of the murdered
woman was recalled and three theo-
ries were maintained.
One was that during the ball a