The National tribune., 1886-10-28
A WAR MYSTERY.
Romantic Incident or the Siege OF Atlanta
4 fu9ofo NouSffftl5o, I

Romantic Incident or the Siege OF Atlanta.
Adantd Constitutional
OF all the weird stories which have been told
OF the siege of Atlanta, one of the most tragic
and sensational has never yet seen print Ii
was when Sherman was playing hide and seek
with the army of Gen. Joe Johnston, on the
way from Chattanooga, that woman OF ravish-
ing beauty made her appearance in Atlanta.
Where she came from no one knew; of her
people she never spoke; but il was surmised by
some of the ladies who had gotten near her that
she bore some secret sorrow, perhaps the sacri-
fee of a loved one on the bloody fields of Yir-
ginia.
Day by day train-loads of wounded Confed-
crates reached Atlanta from the front. The
ladies of the city engaged in hospital work with
a zeal worthy the sisters and wives of brave
men. Jealous as all were in this work, Miss
Emma, which was the only namely which she
was generally known, became noted because 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 in
deed the angel of the hospital.
Notwithstanding all this, the eve of suspi-
ciOn fell upon her. Was she spy? The ques-
tion would have been laughed at by most peO-
pie, and yet there were those who detected in
her manner something which they did not like.
But this suspicion was hushed by the uniformly
philanthrOpic work in which Miss Emma was
engaged.
At last Sherman's lines were drawn around
the city and the people began TO experience all
the horrors of a siege. The sick and the dying
were multiplied, and the efforts Of noble women
TO relieve them became exhausted. Miss Emma
grew pale with her excessive work. Rest she
declined TO take while q wound was TO be band
aged or dying 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 bomb b-proofs they sang and
danced, for they recognized the philosophy of
driving grief away by pleasure. Balls, some
what impromptu, IL is true, were given, and the
ladies looked more charming in their Confed-
crate toilets than they could have looked in
silks. The officers were always the beaux of
such occasions, for beauty is attracted by brav-
cry.
To these gatherings Miss Emma never went
but there came a time when she was pressed to
go. The Colonel of a gallant infantry regiment
had invited her 10 a bomb-prOof ball. Miss
Emma was urged 10 go. as a relief from the
pressing hospital work which was slowly kill
ing her. She at last consented, aud was soon
in the whirl of the merry dancers.
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
service entitle her to rest?
There We're excited crowds upon the streets.
Orderlies or horseback dashed TO and fro. The
roar OF Sherman's artillery was becoming more
and more terrific. There was something in the
air which announced that a crisis was immi-
nent. But still the lady slept! The hour was
growing late and the excitement of the people
outside was increasing. A knock at Miss
Emma's door brought no answer. When the
door was burst open singular sight was pro-
sented.
Reclining upon the sofa, Miss Emma lay as
If in peaceful sleep. She was dressed in white,
with a yellow belt around her waist, and a
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 a horrible wound
in the breast was disclosed. 1t appeared as il
a whole load Of bird shot had been lodged in
her bosom.
Poor Emma was dead-murdered! But by
whom2
The window overlooking the garden was
raised. The footprints of several men were
NlhlDlc, anu inc DOA upon WHICH LucN StOOu 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, passed through the window, and the re-
mains arranged upon the sofa with an eye Ia
every detail which might have an effect. Not
an article of jcwelry was missing. Everything
was in place.
Sherman's men were entering the city. The
/ gallant Confederates were retreating. Con.
fusion reigned supreme. In the general STAN
| pede which followed lesser sensations were for.
4 gotten. When at last the smoke Of battle had
cleared away and people returned 10 rebuild
their fortunes the fate of the murdered woman
was recalled and three theories were main
| tanned.
One was that during the ball shrapnel shell
had penetrated the retreat and, exploding
killed Miss Emma. The second was that on
her way home she had been outraged and
murdered by her escort. The third was thai
she was a Federal spy that she was tasked
with her identity, and that she had all along
been furnishing Sherman with important in,
formation. Enagcd by her treachery the mel
sentenced her TO death and executed the sen
tence. Her body was then hurriedly returned
TO the room from which she had emerged tn,
evening before joyous aud beautiful. But 4
| was too late 10 investigate. After awhile th,
whole matter was forgotten, and even now he
| grave in Oakland is unknown.
| s---------