The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-11-11
CONFEDERATE SAL.

During the latter part of the war tho
Confederatas went into camp about Co
lumbia, on Duck river, in Tennessee.
The soldiers were half clad, half fed and
thoroughly desperate. They were in no
mood to be trifed with and when the
provocatien came they were a law unto
themselves
While they we're in camp at this place a
woman who had followed the army for
months gave the officers considerable trou-
bic.
She was utterly depraved and shameless,
and she was not pretty enough to cause
her escapades to be leniently regarded.
This woman did not even have a name.
She was known as a. Confederate Sal y and
was heartily detested by the soldiers and
citizens.
1t was impossible to tell where Sal
would break out next, or what new and
startling capers she held in reserve. One
week she would make her appearance in
Columbia elegantly dressed and conduct
ing herself like lady. A few days litter
she would be found covered with rags and
dirt, gloriOusly drunk and shOckingly pro-
fame.
Then the patience Of the officers would
give way and the brazen adventures
would be sent 20 miles away and left in
the woods in the hope that she would never
return 1t was useless to resort to such
mild methods After few days absence
Sal would return with a new outfit and
would remain until she got into disgrace
again.
Nobody ceuld Learn anything Of her past
history. She invented so many different
biographies that none of her stories could
be believed. Some said that she was sol
dier's widow, but others declared that she
had been we'll known as a disreputable
character in several Confederate cities. No
matter who she might have been in the
past, the soldiers looked upon her as a holy
terror, and her evil fame spread into the
Federal lines, where it was reported that
she had strayed upon more than one coca
sion.
In the course OF time Confederate Sal
became a vexatious problem to both
armies. Once a party Of Confederates
seized her while she was drunk and carried
her intO the Federal camps, where they left
her. The wretohed creature was discover
ed the next day by the Federals and was
promptly sent back to the other side.
They tried everything to get rid of her,
but she never failed to return. She was
looked in the guardhouse, whipped and
threatened with death, but all To no pur-
pose. Generals and colonies used to fly
from her as they would from cyclone
Her temper was furious beyond descrip-
ton, and the most hardened men could
not listen to her foul and profane tongue
She was dangerous too. Sometimes she
was remarkably well dressed, with plenty
Of money to spend, and the officers had
suspicion that she was a spy of the enemy.
There was no proof however, and she
could not be disposed Of upon this pretext.
Sal was not a beauty, but when she was
at her best she was a dashing woman,
daring rider, and when she was sober her
conversation showed that she had enjoyed
some educational advantages. She was
about 40 years old and her face bore the
traces of intemperance and exposure.
The reckless camp follower finally went
too far and presumed too much upon the
forbearanee of the brave men whom she
had annoyed beyond endurance.
She had been absent for about ten days,
and the officers and men were beginning
TO hope that they had seen the last Of her,
when the report cane that she had engag-
cd board with a respectable family some
distance down the river. She was dressed
better than ever, was well supplied with
money and claimed to be the wife of one
of the most popular generals in the army.
The people where she boarded did not
know her and accepted her statement that
she desired to be near her husband for
few weeks.
On the second night Of her stay the sup
posed wife Of the general came home roar
ing drunk in the company Of two rough
looking soldiers, who were driven off with
great difficulty by the family.
Mrs. General then got mad and turned
her tongue loose. She Mortified the in
mates Of the cottage by dancing the cancan
and wound up with the announcement
that she was Confederate Sal
When tho news of these high jinks
reached camp, there was unboundsd indig-
nation. 1t was agreed that Sal had in
suited the whole army by masq uerading as
the wife Of their favOEite general, and a
few determined men got together and held
q quiet consultation. That night a dozen
soldiers slipped cut Of camp and went
down the river to the log cabin in which
Sal had sought shelter after being elected
from the cottage.
As the visitors expected, they found the
woman sleeping OF the effects Of her heavy
rotations They awakened her rudely and
told her the object Of their mission
1t was s. hard fight. The captive fought
like tigress, but the men tied her hands
and feet and then fastened heavy stone
to her neck. They bore her screaming and
kicking to the river and threw her in, just
as they would have done a mad dog.
There was one splash, and then all was
silence The soldiers looked at one an
other.
Let US go back to camp, said the
leader
Suppose they find out about this joba''
asked one.
WHO oares2'' replied another. owe are
needed in the coming battle, and there is
no danger that any Of US viii be punished
for this nights work. an willing 80
have my share in it known
And he was right The story got out,
but there was no investigation. Confed-
crate Sal had no friends to protest against
her faIe.-kEOxville Tribune