Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-02-04
she FOUGHT LIKE A MAN.
KApY BRowNELL EARNED FAME ny
BRAVERY IN BATTLE.

BRAVERY IN BATTLE.
A chhery little woman IL Mrs. kady
Browptll OF New York, who has won the
distinction Of being the only woman on
record ks having been regulaly enlisted
In the war.
In appearance Mrs. Brownell suggests
nothink Of the Valkyria, although she Is
one OF The very few women who have
been II active battle and was not afraid
TO fon4w her hero to the front. She IL
smsll III stature, unobtrusive In manner
and hal soft, sweet voice.
Kadt Southwell had an English father
and French mother, who died when she
was b1rn, In South Africa, where her
father.Ia British soldier, was serving In
the ARMY. Colonel Southwell returned
soon alterwsrd to England with his baby
GIRL. aid the body OF his wife. which was
buriednear their old home. Three years
afterw krd the colonel followed his wife.
The thild was named for o friend OF
her father, Sir James kady, also an OIL
Ger. These two men had promised who
ever hid child first should give 1t the
name t|f the other and should train II AS
a soldilr.
ut rbust have been disappointment TO
my father" said Mrs. Brownell, ITO find
a girl baby instead of soldier boy, but
he gavt me the ugly name, and so have
gone through life with IT,"
Aftet the death of her father kady
went 10 New Orleans with Scottish
friendJ, and until she went North To
RhodeI Island her life was uneventful.
Even though very Young girl when the
war brbke out, In 1851, she had met and
marie handsome young Bob" Brown
ell. When the news came OF the firing
on Foh Sumter the young husband en-
listed h the First Rhode Island Nolun-
teers. (which went out under Colonel
Burnside, sfterward general aud United
States senator from Rhode Island.
IL mky have been the result OF Inherit
ed soldier blood that decided the little
woma1 to accompany her husband To
the frdnt. and she was soon named the
Daughter OF the Regiment by the de-
voted BOYS OF Burpside's command. She
hecamk a skillful shot, and no soldier 10
the REGIMENT Was her equal at siashing
saber stroke. She asked no favors or
consolidation on account OF her sex. and
alwayi wore all the accoutremenis OF q
soldier. marching beside or near her hus-
band the ranks.
Her uniform was blue flannel blouse
ard lull skirt falling TO her ankles. On
the mJrch she wore boots, and always
her bit and saber. At the first battle OF
Bull nIun Mrs. Brownell stood fire, :"
and when the regiment was swept bsck
kady ,ktired with them but was seriously
wounded In one leg,
Thil she bandaged as we'll "a she could,
hut aslshe could not walk, horse Was
found (which she rode Tor 81 miles 10 u
small Town near Washington and there
carriage was procured which, with
much hrging. she was persuaded to take.
Young Brownell's time Of enlistment
cxpireh after three months, and he re-
turned 70 New York with his soldier
wife. There he tried 10 raise battalion,
OF wItch he was promised command.
His plkns were not successful, and the
coupll returned TO their Rhode Island
home. 1.-The Fifth Rhode Island Volunteer
EeyIulnt was about To start for the
SOUTH and Mr.. Brownell went with it,
nccombained by the heroine OF Bull Run.
who Would not stay at home.
IL wis nj the battle OF Newborn, ;. C.,
that tlts little color bearer saved so many
lives Nv her presence OF mind aud for
whlchlshe has received "a high recogni-
ton frbm our government az any veteran.
TheEompany TO which she had attach
ed herlelf was charging battery OF Con-
federale guns, and had almost succeeded
In dri,tng the gunners from their posts,
when another command OF Union forces,
comjnk upon the flank OF Rhode Island
bows. histook them In the excitement OF
battleI for the enemy. A terrible cross
fire wJs begun before the mistake was
DISCOVERED, and the gallant soldiers were
fallind around Mrs. Bfownell. without
a tboukht of fear she seized the stars
and fipes from the sergeant, who had
fallenJ and rushed into the fire OF The
advancing command.
The soldiers ceased firing when they
DISCOVERED lone OF their own" holding
high the colors. and the company was
saved. From this point the story u bet
ter tolh In her own words.
II siw nv husband fall, said she, ''in
this alful moment. but as We had gone
10 thJ war expecting to he killed. |
Thought he had gone first, and | began
10 cut hwav the trousers from young
man. leg, that II might be properly at
tended TO. After this | found nv hus-
band. He was not dead, but suffering
terriblE from wound made by bullet
cutting through one leg and burying IL
self inI the other.
"AsIsoon "a II was possible we return
ed Moth, and for 20 years We have lived
In New York city. Ny husband can work
aud Is entirely well, except when his
wounds become angry and give him
trouble and suffering"
Mr.. lBrownell Is stalwart looking
man, With soldierly figure. Standing
six feet tall. Il il hard 10 believe the
strengthening legs are liable TO give way
AZ apylmom-nt. With a look Of tender
! ness t,,ward his companion, he said:
"Evtry night and morning for more
than ID wears she has bandaged these old
legs. and. although ! do suffer hard at
times II have become used to II, and then
she's lways with me. We've gone up
the hip together"
"Yel." interrupted the little woman
.sin J.Dy wears we nave never DttH sep
aratedI2i hours, and have never had even
one little quarrel.
~ Nh show you my toad sticSer,
which was presented me by Governor
Spragke Of Rhode Island, OF which am
very ptoud," said Mrs. Brownell, as she
exhibited a handsome sword, but it is the
saber which hung at her side which she
prizes more. IL has seen hard usage, and
| ia shekth and trimmings are rusty with
age. although It's blade is kept bright.
"Hete's the dear old flag that no
money could buy" continued the little
womaI|. shaking out the torn and bat
tered Niece of silk that had gone through
those struggles with her. III must keep
il tied hp. else IL would fall TO pieces.
"AhE Kady. dear" said the soldier
husband. syour flag is full Of holes like
nv old legs, but 1t will go through our
long march of life to the end"
By special act of congress Mrs.
Browuell receives pension OF IS a
MONTH and Is in possession OF the only
set of bapers issued for actual service TO
| har Ia