The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-11-16
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"a COMPACT !.

SEE Auc ueAC udy NuISuIcU WAS GI1CuS tu0 n
court sitting in the very room where
the plans of Burnside's works had been
taken from her. The prisoner was pale,
but self-possessed. The general was
not present. An officer read the charge
and specifications in the formal, chop
py manner usual to the reading Of or
ders at dress parade. It set forth that
Margaret Beach did, on or about the
til day of October, 1868, have in her
possession plans of the defenses of
Knoxville, Tenn, with the intent to
transmit them to the enemy, and, hav-
ing given her parole not to escape, had
visited the enemy's camp. &" q
I, being cognizant Of every event re-
quiring proof, was the only witness
called for the prosecution, and Mar
garet made no defense. testified to
having interrupted the burning of the
plans, the parole Margaret had given,
and her disappearance from the planta-
ton. 1 intended to make the most of
her having assisted me to escape, but
on describing my meeting with her in
the enemy's camp a sense of the
enormity of her act swept over me with
such force that I hesitated, stammered,
and at last broke down, making it
plain that was trying to convince the
court of what I did not believe myself.
Margaret, being called upon to speak
in her defense, simply said: 1T would
be useless for me to assert my inno-
cence in face of such strong proof
against me-"
In view of the evidence and the alb
sence of any defense, there was nothing
for the court to do but to find the pris-
oner guilty. One circumstance only
was in her favor-her having assisted
me to escape, and her return to face
what must surely follow. But it was
suspected that had found favor in her
eyes, and her return was explained on
the ground that, being a woman, she
believed she could come and go unpun-
ished. When the case was closed the
officers composing the court with
drew, and after brief consultation re-
turned with verdict of guilty.
The general sent. for me and asked
me to give him an account of the trial.
|
him. After an oppressive silence,
which he did not seem inclined to
break, partly to escape from the gloom
that overhung us both and partly to
divert his mind, I ventured upon the
military situation.
us there any hope, general, of our
reaching the railroad?"
mo; they have cavalry enough to
patrol all the railroads in Tennessee"
''Why not send spy?"
II don't like SPIES"
"How would a small body of scouts
doc"
'tThey could not get through except
by unfrequented roads, and have nc
guide"
There was renewal of the silence
between us, which I, looking him
steadily in the eye, broke.
: margaret Beach knows the country
about here we'll"
How + dared make such a suggestion
is unaccountable to me to this day.
only know that possessed a certain
assurance at critical moments, which
proved of untold value on this occa
sion. Having fired my shot, waited
for it's effect. A train of thought was
started in the generals mind, but
where it would lead him I could not
} predict. Suddenly he said, in his quick
} terse tones:
! bring the prisoner to me-"
A faint hope sprang up within me
1 started to obey the order, and in q
: few minutes Margaret was standing
before the general.
, miss Beach," he said, do you know
any route by which a few men car
reach the railroad unobserved?"
"You have condemned me for giving
information to the confederates; DE-
you think me so base as to serve botl
) sides?"
, ''As you like" he said; then, turning
to me, ''Take her back"
II am ready to prove that I am tru,
to the union," said Margaret, proudly
The general showed no sign of faitl
in her assertion of loyalty as he re
piled: Every well. Do you know D
such a route?'
II do.''
"And do you know of any hiding
place near the track where the men cal
lie concealed to watch the passage O
trains?"
Margaret thought moment, the1
replied:
IT do"
. The general made no further remar]
for few moments. He was turnin,
something over in his mind. At las
he looked up at Margaret, and said
impressively, but still coldly:
''Perform this service, and may b
able to save you"
Despite his tone, 1 could detect loo]
Of intense relief in his face. Withou
waiting for any reply from Margaret
he turned quickly to, his proposed ex
;, petition. "Where is this hiding plac
you refer to-" he asked.
- "Near Charleston, just north of III
- Hiwassee." -,
;, "Hills on each side?
eyes, and a ravine, and in the rayin