Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-11-08
XXI.
WHERE LIES THE HEART


In the living-room of house on the
north side of the Tennessee river, OPP
posite Chattanooga, sat the silent SOL
der. Before him stood Gen. Heath, at
at window sat Margaret and Georgia
Beach, while leaned against the wall.
But l had no idea of stretching my
self or even seating myself in the pres
ence of the recommending general, though
it was his exalted position rather than
his commanding appearance that de-
tered me. He was sitting sidewise, one
arm over the back of the chair, his
hands clasped negligently, his legs
crossed, boots Undiscovered, the pri-
Yates overcoat he wore thrown open,
showing bit of wooden shirt under his
chin. In his mouth was the ever pres
ent cigar. He had come at Gen. Heath's
request to hear the evidence in the dis
puted question as to where Gen. Long
street had gone, and to decide what
should be done with Margaret Beach.
At signal from the general-in-chief
that he was ready to listen, Margaret
and Georgia came forward, and Gen.
Heath spoke:
ION the til of October yau directed
me to head an expedition with view
to determining the truth or falsity of
report that Gen. Longstreet's corps
was to be detached from Bragg's army
and sent to crush Burnside. followed
your suggestion to cut my way through
to the railroad, but was seldom per-
mitted to get near it, and never at a
time when the troops were passing. AT
last determined, as suggested by you
when / received my orders, to send a
small detachment with view to con-
cealment near the road to watch the
passage of trains. Lieut.. Hall COM
manded the detachment, and this girl'
pointing to Margaret-"acted as
guide. The party gradually became
t dispersed, Lieut.. Hall and Margaret
Beach returning to report that they
saw number of trains passing north
ward, loaded with infantry, artillery
and pontoon bridge, and body Of
4 5000 cavalry marching. Private Mel
lodew, who accompanied the expedi
: ton, returned with written testimony
indicating that Gen. Longstreet hat
I been ordered in an entirely differen'
direction. have suggested that 20,
= hear the evidence bearing on the cas-
here rather than in your own head
9 quarters for reasons of convenience, a,
o will appear as we proceed.
another matter claims your atten
i ton. Margaret Beach was caught witt
plans of Burnside's defenses in he
e hands, was tried for spy by drum
e head court-martial and condemned II
o death. Subsequently availed mysel
e of her services as guide, promising
: that if her efforts bore fruit the magni
! tude of the benefit to the union caus
D might warrant your interceding witt
b the president in her behalf for an par
Y don. Her life therefore depends upol
1 for your consideration and your sub
: sequent decision, either to approve tn
j, finding of the court or recommen,
n clemency."
Gen. Heath then gave his commando
a history of the case from the tim
t we first met Margaret Beach to on
t return to Chattanooga. When he ha'
s finished, Private Mellodew was called
t He came into the room with his usua
e grin, which it was now plain came iron
: overstrained nerves. He had begun b.
r q lie, and had no choice but to continu
] in lie. He asserted that no movemen
a northward of any large body of troop
n had taken place, and that Margaret AM
S I, in order to save Margaret, had con
:. spired to report the passage of a fey
S scattered bodies of cavalry as move
}. ment of Longstreet's corps. Not will
: ing to be a party to this fraud, he ha'
q left us to make his way back to tn
e plantation alone. Meeting messenge
: about to enter confederate camp wit
y dispatch in his belt, he, Mellodew
e had accosted him, won his confidence
!, stolen the message and brought 1t l.
9 for the information it contained.
At this point the general took pape
: from his pocket and read:
Headquarters Army of Tennessee.
|. November -th. 1868.
I "Col. Roger Archard:
"Colonel-You will watch your opportun
ity to rejoin with your command Ger
S Longstreet, who has been ordered t
: march through the gaps in Lookout Noun
O. ualIl, duu TAKE youF poslliou u VI ued
Browns Ferry, with view to cooperat
], ing in general attack on the enemy q
e Chattanooga on or about November I'll
;. You will doubtless be able to Cross tn
river from the north bank either opposit
or below the point of rendezvous.
: by order.
Assistant Adjutant General"
Gen. Heath handed the order to hi
commander, who read it carefully, the,
! without comment nodded his directio,
that the hearing should proceed.