The National tribune., 1898-10-06
Nurse and Spy
The Adventures of Woman in Hos
pitfalls, Camps and Battlefelds.
BY S. EMMA E. EDMONDS.

myself. Mr.. and Mrs. B accompanied
me. We were ushered into the presence
of Gems. Nc, NJ. and H., where ! was
| questioned and croSS-questioned with re.
gard TO my views of the rebellion and my
motive in wishing to engage in SO perilous
an undertaking My views were freely
given, my object briefly stated, and had
| passed trial number one.
Next I was examined with regard to my
| knowledge of the use Of firearms, and IN
that department | sustained my character
IN a manner worthy Of a veteran. Then
was again cross questioned, but this time
/ by a new committee of military stars.
Next came a chronological examination
! and finding that my organs of sec1etive-
ness, combati.encsS. etc, were largely
developed, the oath of allegiance was ad
ministered, and | was dismissed with a
few complimentary remarks which made
the good Mr. B feel quite proud of his
protege.
This was the third time that had taken
the oath of allegiance to the United
our soldiers do, that profanity had become
a military necessity.
DISGUISED AS \ CONTRABAND.
had three days in which to prepare for
my debut into rebeldOm, and commenced
at once to remodel, transform and meta
morpho5c for the occasion. Early next
morning | started for Fortress Monroe.
where | procured number Of articles in
diSpenSahly necessary TO complete dis
GuiSc. In the first place | purchased ii
suit of contraband clothing, real pIanta-
ton style, and then | went to u barber
and had my hair Sheared close to my
head.
Next came the coloring process-head,
face, neck, hands and arms were colored
black as any African, and then, to com
plete my contraband costume, | required
a wig of real negro wool. But how or
where was it to be found? There was no
such thing at tie Fortress. and none
short OF Washington. Happily, | found
the mail boat Was about TO start. and
hastened on board, and finding a post
master with whom l was acquainted,
stepped forward TO speak to him, forgetting
my contraband appearance, and was
saluted with
We'll, Massa Cuff, what will you have?'
Said l. "MasSa send me TO you wild dis
yere money fer you TO fetch him darky
wig from Washington
What the -- does he want of darky
wig? asked the postmaster.
No matter, dat's my orders; guess it's
for some 'noiteTin' business.
"Oh, for reconn pitering, you mean; all
right. old fellow; ! will bring it, tell him.
| remained at Fortress Monroe until the
postmaster returned with the article
which was TO complete my disguise and
then returned to camp near Yorktown
On my return / found myself without
frieHds-a striking Illustration of the
frailty of human friendship-I had been
forgotten in those three short days.
went to Mrs. B--'s tent and inquired j.
she wanted to hire boy TO take care OF
her horse. She was very civil to me-
asked if came from Fortress Monroe. and
whether / could cook. She did not want
to hire me, but she thought she could find
someone who cid require boy.
HIRED as COOK.
OFF she went TO DR.. E and told him
that there was a smart little contraband
there who was in search OF work Dr.
E came along, looking as important
as two-year-old doctors generally do.
We'll, my boy, how much work can you
do in day?'
oh, ! reckon i kin work right smart: