The Portland daily press., 1888-01-19
FLORENCE couRTNEY's RIDE.
Brave Southern Girl Whom the
Government Should Remember.


A bill has been introduced in Congress fol
the relief of Mrs. Florence Cochenower Of
Hyde Park, Mass. The history of the case
is an interesting one, and is thus related by
General Rosecrans: Son late day in
November, 1862, while pushing my prepara-
tions for advancing on the rebel army al
Murfreesborough, Tenn, an orderly came to
my headquarters at Nashville, and told me
that young woman, drenched with rain,
had just come in from the South with infor-
nation for the commanding general of the
Union forces. She proved to be blue
eyed, brown-haired, medium sized young
girl of sixteen or eighteen years, with face
remarkable for its combination of frank
innocence, courage, enthusiasm and sweet
ness. told her was the Union commander
for whom she had some information. She
said, "My name is Florence Courtney. |
live with my mother in Franklin, Tenn,
twenty-eight miles south from here. My
family is inclined to sympathize with the
Southern troops, but am enthusiastic Tor
the Union. / came to tell you that the Texas
rebel cavalry have taken possession of our
town and are using our Touring mill to turn
out sixty or seventy barrels OF flour day,
most Of which is sent over to Bragg's army
at Murfreesborough."
L
got up about two O'Clock this morning, y
said she when it was raining so hard that
| thought nobody would be out to notice,
saddled my horse myself, mounted her and
started for Nashville in the pouring rain.
When l came to the ford the Harpeth River
was so swollen by the rain that the water
nearly covered my horses back. but | was
determined to cross at all hazards. |
got safely over, and as no cavalry
men were on the road to stop me-, |
reached here safely this morning by
daylight, and here | am, general"
questioned her carefully, and received an
swers so full, clear and exact that was as
much astonished at their accuracy as i was
fully convinced Of her courageous and thor
Oughly spontaneous loyalty. Having I'm
ished her story, and while waiting for break
fast, the poor child espied piano in one cor
ner Of the room. Opening the instrument
she played, with great feeling and skill the
'Star Spangled Banner" | ordered place
and protection for her until she could safely
return to her family. Meanwhile, upon the
information she had given, planned cav
airy expedition. which utterly routed or cap
burned the mill, which was furnishing daily
from 1900 to 1900 pounds OF flour to
Bragg's army. Subsequently, when our
troops occupied Franklin, special orders were
given for the protection of the Courtney fam
ily, which distinguished itself by its gener-
GUS services to our sick and wounded and for
hospitality to our officers. Florence Court
ney's subsequent history is sad one. Her
married life was filed with more than the
ordinary amount of trial and suffering. She
is now Ewing in Massachusetts in INDECENT
circumstances. She ought to be given pen
sion for her loyalty and devotion. to the
Union cause A number of influential per-
sons are interested in her behalf, and it is
their intention to push the matter vigorous
ly at the present session OF Congress.