Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1896-11-19

Old Soldiers q Sailors Relate Rernis
niscenccs Of Life in Camp and ON
the field-1rcidcnts Of the War.
"COnfederatc Sal"
During the latter part Of the war the
Confederates went into camp about
Columbia, on Duck River. in Tennes-
see.
The soldiers were half-clad, half-fed
and thoroughly desperate. They were
In no mood to be tritled with, and
when the provocation came they were
a law unto themselves.
While they were In camp at this
place q woman who had followed the
army for months gave the officers con-
siderable trouble. She was utterly de-
PRAYED and shameless. and she was
not pretty enough to cause her esca-
pades to be leniently regarded.
This woman did not even have a
name. She was known as Confeder-
ate Sal, 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 re-
serve. One week she would make her
appearance in Columbia elegantly
dressed and conducting herself like
a lady. A few days later she would
be found covered with rags and dirt,
gloriously drunk and shockingly pro-
fame.
Then the patience Of the officers
would give way, amt the brazen ad-
ventures would be sent twenty 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 a few days absence Sal would
return with a new outfit and would
remain until she got into disgrace
again.
Nobody could learn anything of her
past history. She invented so many
different biographies that none of her
stories could be believed. Some said
that she al a soldiers 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 re
ported that she had strayed upon more
than n occasion.
In the course of time Confederate
Sal became a vexatious problem to
both armies. Once a party of Confed-
crates seized her while she was drunk
and carried her into the FaGela III
camps, where they left her. The
wretched creature was discovered the
next day by the Federals, and was
prcnptly sent back to the other side.
They tried everything to get rid Of
her, but she never failed to return. She
was locked In the guardhouse, whip
ped and threatened with death, but
all to no purpose. Generals and col
onels used to fly from her as they
would from a cyclone. Her temper
was furious beyond description, 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 q suspicion that she
was q spy in the pay 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, a 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 trace of
intemperance and exposure.
This reckless camp follower finally
went too far and presumed too much
upon the ~forbearance of the brave
men whom she had annoyed past en-
durance.
She had been absent for about ter
days, and the officers and men were
beginning to hope that they had seer
the last Of her, when the report came
that she had engaged board with a re-
spectacle 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 hus.
band for q few weeks.
On the second night Of her stay the
supposed wife Of the general came
home roaring drunk in the company OF
two rough-looking soldiers, who were
driven OF with great dif1culty by the
family.
Mrs. General then got mad and turn.
7 "a laaa kanraaa GooAo ClAo la~~l0.a A.