The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-27

she returned again to the army. Not until
twenty years later was 1t known by her most
intimate comrades in the service that the
Frank Thompson" whom they had known
and loved a woman-a truly wonderful
case OF concealed identity
The peculiar mental and physical charae-
terfstics that rendered such a role possible
were in large measure the natural outgrowth
of the circumstances surrounding her child
hood and youth. Sarah E. f. Edmonds flor
such was her maiden nance was born on
farm in Maguadanick, New Brunswick, not
far from St. Johns river, where she lived I'M
til about 20 years of age.
Her constant companion from infancy was
an older brother; and as little Sarah ad-
vanced in years she failed to develop any de-
cided taste for household work, for any
of the young lady. pursuits of that day. but
was passionately devoted to out-of-door life,
and spent the most Of her time roaming over
the farm with her brother, helping him In
his iabors and joining in all his sports. With
him she rode, drove, skated and hunted
chopped down the trees Of the forest hsAad
in the streams, or on snowshoes tracked the
wild deer. Naturally keen, fearless alert
she became superb horsewoman, fine shot.
and strong and skilled in the various forms
OF outdoor labor, so that later in camp ard
field she could handle ak, gun spade with
the best. All this open-air exercise gave her
an unusual physique for the women of her
day She was broad-shouldered, vigorous and
athletic with muscle OF iron and nerves of
steel
II was quite natural upon approaching
womanhood that the desire should come to
Miss Edmonds to make career for herself;
but there were few vacations open TO wo-
men in those days that could appeal to one
of her peculiar powers and equipment. One
day however. a copy of the newly revised
edition of the Bible fell into her hands. Miss
Fdmonds was an earnest Christian, and had
an Unsuitable desire for an education, and
the idea came TO her that she might lay the
foundation for broadening her life by can
wasting for subscriptions for this new Bible.
partly from the love Of adventure, and
partly from the business prestige 1t would
give her. she determined 10 take advantage
tune. and. under the name OF Frank
Thompson" carry on the business of agent
for the revised edition of the Bible. She met
with no difficulty in the disguise, and was
remarkably successful in her undertaking.
She worked her way selling Bibles down
through Nova Scotia ard the states until in
the fall of 1860 her route brought her TO
Flint Mich.
Miss Edmonds was at this time with so
many others greatly agitated by the din
culties between the North and the South.
Though not an American, and not obliged
to remain IN the country during a conflict,
she espoused the Federal cause with ardor
and when, Immediately following the firing
on Fort Sumter. and the presidents call
for troops the Flint Union Grays asked for
recruits. Frank Thompson was among the
first to present himself.
Although volunteers IN those days were not
subject TO the strict examination OF our re-
cent recruits Frank felt rather nervous and
spprehensive over this part of the pro
gramme particularly when he noted how
the man ahead OF him in the line was treat
into the frank. honest face took hold OF the
Arm, strong but fair hand, and asked:
We'll, what sort OF living has this hand
earned2'
With the dash native to her, Frank replied:
well. up to the present that hand has bean
chiefly engaged in getting an education.' And
the examiner passed
Within a short time Frank was with the
Army Of the Potomac, deyoting every pos
| sible moment to caring for the sick and
| consoling the dying. After the terrible de-
| feat at Bull Run, she fingered on the field
ministering 10 the wounded; though repeatedly
| warned that 1.-THE febs were coming" until,
| finding herself quite alone, she proceeded TO
make her way to Centeryille. As the Con-
| federates had net then arrived she could not
| make up her mind to continue her retreat
| without first going Into the "Stone Church,
| crowded with Spuneed and dying Union SOL
| diers She rHnai1ed. giving them water.
| until the tramp OF cavalry was heard at the
| very door When she darted out and as the
| night was exceedingly dark. and the rain
/ coming down In TORRENTS managed to elude
| observation. Seeing that there was no escape
/ BY the street. she climbed a fence, ran
across lots coming fsut on the Fairfax road.
| and started on the double-quick for Wash
/ ington. She arrived. at Alexandria at noon
\ next day, her shoes literally worn on her
! feet and neariyAexAeuted having walked the
4 whole distanceSfh tn rain without food.
ons nernisH when the troops were So