The sun., 1897-02-14
WILLARD's REBEL WIFE.
A Romane- In tho Life OF the Eccestris
washingtou Capitalist.


washingtou Capitalist.
Iror, the #dshtrofon Fos,.
The death OF Joseph c. Willard OF this city
recalls the romance connected with his second
wife. who was q woman celebrated throughout
the OLD Dominion for her beauty and zeal In tho
cause OF tho Confcderacy. The com bination of
feminine loveiiness with military pluck and
dauntless energy makes her character one that
resembled Joan d'Arc in It's womanliness and
strength. II was about the second year of the
civil war when the little town Of Fairfax was
infested with large number OF Union troops.
In fact, that village, being only about sixteen
miles from tho capital, and In direct line TO
the heart OF Dixie. was generally in tho midst
OF turmoil. being ono day In the hands OF tho
Confederates and the next under martial law
OF Uncle Sam. 1t was typical Southern place.
aud as almost every one in the spot had been
born In the place. tho inhabitants were most
ardent secessloGists.
Among the prominent gentlemen OF the viii
laRe was q merchant, Mr.. Ford. whose young
daughter. Miss Antonia. was one OF the prettiest
girls in the county. Her style OF beauty was Of
the delicate sort. which one never associates
with deeds OF herotsm. but her adventures In
course Of time made her one of the most popular
women In the south. With a wealth OF light
eyes, and her whole appearance was strikingly
attractive and handsome. Like the rest OF the
ladies OF the town. she was heart ana soul In
the cause for which her kinsmen fought, and
her most enthusiastic sympathics were on the
side Of the Confederate troops.
II seems that about this time the Union COM
mAnderr had taken steps to discover any plot TO
Garry information from the town to any OF the
who was Ia reality Union spy, was brought to
the village. She went from house to house en-
listing the Sf .a. lsdS: By telling
him: sue displayed a phoiosTaph which she
Of the ladies recognized Il as that Of .
gentleman 70 whom the woman WAS to
out Of some house In AieTandris. where she OBJ.
ta,ned the true history OF some Southern soldier,
and was using It as means OF deceiving per.
sons. IL was by getting into the confidence of
tho people that she proposed to find out IL any
secret information was being sent out of town
1t was by means OF this woman that Miss Ford
was arrested AS Southern spy. At least that
is the story. rs far can be gathered after this
In the memory OF most Of the participants. 1t
s.a seems the young n and eeag!ifui Miss Ford
important information regarding the troops in
the vicinity. and this despatch she intrusted
cause OF the trouble. for the letter Of course fei
into the hands OF the enemy. Soldiers were sent
placed under arrest as "a military prisoner OF the
Union Government. She WAS placed in n car.
riage under nuard and brought down to Wash.
building. Here she remained for several months
and was at last released when an exchange OF
.ime and no. before many trials that she reached
ner country home. The building In which so
row Of houses and is near the Capitol '"''
II was while stationed At Fairfax and acting
as Major q the staff of Gen. Irwin Mcdowell
that Mr., Willard fell victim to tho charms OF
in March, 1864. the wedding was to take place
IN .ssn
10 Ihe village. out as there was no CLERK OF tho
esd. Sesr no ssnse so% could Be cetHned and was
So Major Willard. Mr Ford. and tho bride.
rapid rate for fear that some ' band bI ui Con.
iedeIate rangers would ponnce down and take
Union o,cer. his Capture ' would M"i BE- ong r4sas
feather In their cap. so II was with fear and
rsm6ilng Trembling that IN tho wedding party set out to
with Southern troops.
Just after the departure OF tho bridal pair
known AS the Chinquapin Guards. and com.
manded by kinchloe, entered the town and
a short time before. In few moments The
troop was galoping down the pike in pursuit Of
the happy pair, who were fleeing toward Wash.
ington as fast as q pair of swift horses wouid
the traditional one. was not case Of eiudinr aS
A lew miles out of the village the soldiers
came upon the carriage and ordered IL to hall. n
and the two gentlemen. who were in ordinary
citizens dress. stepped out to ascertain Tia
cause ofthe delay. On hearing that the troopers
were in pursuit Of n Union officer. Mr.. Ford.
who was we'll known to tho Confederates. said
that both he aud his frond were private gcntio.
men travelling en- entirely personal ousiness
Totally unconhected with any military mntIsr.
ana that they would like to proceed ON theIr
Journey. As to any Union onicer they had
half an hour before. and noticed thai in /, W.
seated a man IN tho uniform of A FcdsraI
MAJOR ts the wagon WAS Just then turning
INTO M q sluc road, IL would be by that time A.
ieast hNe miles III an opposite direction.
me rangers, never buspectIng that the nhia,,
or their search stood before them on his weIding
ttp took the bait. and. wheeling their horsnss
het ont again 10 trace up the suffers wagon nm
outhl which existed only in the Imagination OF
mr. n @ por"' Wh re-, turning to the town and learn.
ShhHrih was Intense. Vhe bridal party came
Gown 10 Washington Rt u full gnlIon he 80
riaee uhshihI through the mud NJ brcnkneck
sIeru nnn the driver plying his lash iii The
Ing ii;"nR brluse was reached. Once inside the
u . mon iln.s the party WAS safe and the mar
rlnRo was solemn niHpd, N ''' '""'-
,Snc,' WINS the fame OF the beautiful virginia
ETl hetolsm and sufterings In the cnus, OF The
tenant IN m Una. me was formally made Lieu.
me insEnta of her rank. Many are the inter- ,.r.
estlng stories told OF her Long aSys In
prison, and the trials to which she wna M
eI en In"y"u.nSu oyn'n while travelling 10 be ex-
Sir. W,sra ns prisoner of war, Unfortunately
marriage. and left but one son, io.ruh y VII
laid whose home IN Rt Fairfax where he ia ~,
ahrnru us one ~ the leading citizens of the com
anu where his energy and in;erest in
affection OF his neigh bors. Mr.. Willard Ma Mns
aepresented his native county In the LegIsin,uTe
ana " iS safe 10 predict that he IN destinnd 70
even higher political honors. N 'o'