Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-10-21


TANKS with such force that the blood
ram in trickling stream
So. X.
A COMPACT.
The next day Margaret was tried, the |
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. 1t set forth that |
Margaret Beach did, on or about the
---th day OF October, 1863, have in her
possession plans of.tbe 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
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. / intended to make the most of
her having assisted me to escape, but
on describing my meeting with her in
the enemy's camp n sense OF the
enurmity of her act swept over me with
such force that hesitated, stammered,
and at last broke down, making II
plain that was trying TO convince the
court of what 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
ewes, and her return. was explained on
the ground that, being q 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 a verdict of guilty.
The general sent for me and asked
me to give him an account of the trial
He made no comment on what / told
, him. After an oppressive silence
, which he did not seem inclined tc
break, partly to escape from the gloom
: that overhung us both and partly &c
, divert his mind, 1 ventured upon the
, military situation.
us there any hope, general. OF oul
! reaching the railroad?"
"No; they have cavalry enough t.
: patrol all the railroads in Tennessee.
"Why not send a spy?"
81 don't like spies"
GLOW would a small body of scout
: do?'
"They could not get through excep
I. by unfrequented roads, and have n
: guide"
There was a renewal of the silenc
between us, which l, looking hir
steadily in the eye, broke.
= Margaret Beach knows the countr
about here we'll"
= How l dared make such suggestio
is unaccountable to me to this day
only know that 1 possessed n certai
assurance at critical moments, whic
proved of untold value on this occi
sion. Having fired my shot, waite
- for its effect. A train of thought wa
- started in the generals mind, br
'e where it would lead him l could M
% predict. Suddenly he said, in his quicl
terse tones:
sBDng the prisoner to me-"
. A faint hope sprang up within m
- I started to obey the order, and in
- few minutes Margaret was standir
before the general.
Miss Beach," he said, ''do you kno
any route by when n few men ca
reach the railroad unobseryed?"
You have condemned me for giviI
information to the confederates; {
YOU think me so base as to serve DO
TO sides?"
he 'As you like" he said; then, turnil
en- to me, ''Take her back"
i'm 81 am ready to prove that 1 am TT
ed to the union,' said Margaret, proud
Up The general showed no sign OF fai
ed in her assertion of loyalty as he !
to piled: very well. Do VOW know
re- such a route?''
II do"
"And do you know of any hidi
ly, place near the track where the men c
lie concealed to watch the passage
zas trains?"
ON Margaret thought moment, til
lty replied:
Till II do"
nn- The general made no further rems
,rit for few moments. He was turni
of something over in his mind. At j
lad he looked up at Margaret, and 50
Id incressixelx.- but still soldlx: