The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1888-01-28
"A SICK SISTER,"
An EX-Confederate Soldier S
Story of the War.
Disguised as a Woman He
Obtains Valuable Information.

war story in the Detroit Free Pres, !:
While Sheridan's forces were lying in
camp, just previous to Esrly's move
ment and temporary victory by passing
along the base Of Masslnutton Mountain,
at Strassburg, Va, was sent into the
Federal lines by General Eirly to pick
up such information rs could be had.
The armies were 50 close together that
there was no neutral ground between
them for one to operate on. and the
task of penetrating the lines seemed 20
me the most perilous one had yet IN
dertaken. After casting. around for a
day, and holding interviews with some
residents in the vicinity who had come
into the Confederate lines for safety,
decided on a plan.
On the pike leading out of town and
running along the right flank and rear
of the Federal army, or at least part of
it, was a Confederate war widow who
could be depended on. A part of her
house was then occupied by Federal Of
ficers, and 1t was certain to be depot
for information. From a woman in
Strassburg l borrowed pretty COM
plete outfit of wearing apparel, had my
long hair trimmed as many of the
Southern women wore theirs during the
war, and at dark one night moved
along the right flank OF the Federal
army until two miles below the point
designed to make. Then l put myself
in female rig. arranged an extra bundle,
and struck the Middletown pike in the
rear OF the Sixth Corps. 1t wasn't five
minutes before l was challenged and an
officer called TO investigate, and this is
the story told:
''My name is Maywortn, my husband
was killed az Bull Run. / live in the
log house on the cross-road coming in
about mile from here, where YOU
people burned the big red barns. Ny
sister, Mrs. ARROW, lives in the double
log house just as you raise tho hill
mile and half ahead. l am sick and
worn out. and am going up to stay with
her until this is over.
Scarcely a question was asked me. I
was challenged twice more, but got Off
just as easy Having come in behind
portion of the army IN blue no one
could well suspect me. and as matter
of fact the women of that neighborhood
were shifting about good deal,
and there was no military reason
why they should be stopped.
I reached Mr.. Arrows with
out mistake. ] knew that the fronts of
both houses were occupied by officers,
and when | approached it was by the
rear. had to pass half dozen order
lies to get into the house, and though
some of them wanted to Jest with me,
40 ono interfered with my movements.
| found the woman just as she had been
described, intelligent, patriotic and very
observing. She had been doing cooking
and laundry work fo- some of the
officers, and had kept her eyes and ears
open. On two occasions she had been
through the SIX corps, and she knew the
lay of the ground clear down to the base
of the moultain and the force of cavalry
holding 1t.
l had passed for female very we'll at
light, but could not run too many
-nances by daylight. l therefore went
to bed to play sick. l was entirely
beardless then, but wo put poultice on
my cheek for neuralgia, tied cloth
over the greater share of my face, and
as lay in bed with my womans night
dress on the makeup was complete.
Indeed, an army surgeon came in and
prescribed for me, and two vivandiers
visited me on two different occasions
without the imposition being detected.
was in the house eight days and nights,
and between what l heard and what
Mrs. ARROW saw and picked up l re-
ported to Gen. Early on my return to
his headquarters the number of Federal
cavalry holding the advance position
within go, the number of field pieces
within three, the exact number of earth
works and length of breastworks, and