The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-12-08

girl at the window never. Margaret
had been stopped 10y us in the act of
carrying the plans. She had been in
terrupted by me in the attempt to burn
those plans Finding herself foiled. she
had eagerly given her parole, only to
break il i'm order to transmit what in
formation she could to the coufeder-
utcs She was a desperate, treacherous
woman without conscience.
When | dismounted | found that |
had dug my spurs into my horses
tanks with such force that the blood
ran in tricl<ling stream.
Y.
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
ply manner usual to the reading OF or
ders at dress parade. 1t 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 Ter parole not to escape, had
visited the enemys camp.
/, being cognizant of every event re-
curing 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 a sense of the
enormiiy of her act swept over me with
such force that hesitated, stammered,
and at last broke down. making IL
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: at would
be useless for me to assert my limo
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 prs-
oncr 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.
lie made no comment on what told
him. After an oppressive silence,
which he did not seem inclined to
break partly to escape from the gloom
that cyerhung MS both and partly to
divert his mind, ! yentured upon the
military situation.
"ls there any hope, general, of our
renchiDg the railroad?'
mo; they have cavalry enough to
patrol ull the railroads in Tennessee"
"Why not send a spy?"
81 don't like spies"
How would IA small body OF scouts
do?"
"They could not get through except
by unfrequcntcd roads, and have no
guide
There was a renewal of the silence
between us, which /, 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 n certain
assurance at critical moments, which
proved of untold value on this occa-
sion. Having fired my shot, | waited
for it's effect. \ train of thought was
started in the generals mind, but
where il would lead him | could not
predict. Suddenly he said, in his quick,
terse tones:
Bring the prisoner to me-"
A faint hope sprang up within me.
| started to obey the order, and in
few minutes Margaret was standing
before the general.
MISS behcn, ne Sald, 40 you know
any route by which few men can
reach the railroad unobserved?"
"You have condemned me for giving
information to the confederates; do
you think me so base as to serve both
sides?"
AS you like" he said; then, turning
to me, Take her back"
81 am ready to prove that am true
to the union" said Margaret, proudly.
The general showed no sign of faith
in her assertion OF loyalty as he re-
piled; Very well DO you know of
such a route?"
81 do"
"And do you know of any hiding
place near the track where the men can
lie concealed to watch the passage OF
! t,.af ,,.,