Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-08-22


ffederate uniform. A court-martial is or
dered for Miss Beach.
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 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. l 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 sense OF the
enormity of her act swept over me with
such force that hesitated, stammered,
and at last broke down, making it
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
eyes, and her return was explained on
| the ground that, being 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
He made no comment on what I 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 to
| divert his mind, l ventured upon the
military situation.
SIS there any hope, general, of oul
reaching the railroad?"
"No; they have cavalry enough tc
patrol all the railroads in Tennessee
"Why not send a spy?"
II don't like Spies"
"How would a small body of scout:
do?"
"They could not get through excep1
by unfrequented roads, and have nj
guide"
There was a renewal of the silence
between us, which /, looking hin
steadily in the eye, broke,
Margaret Beach knows the countr,
about here WE'LL"
How I dared make such suggestion
is unaccountable to me to this day.
only know that possessed certain
assurance at critical moments, which
proved of untold value on this occa
sion. Having fred my shot, waited
for its effect. A train of thought wa
started in the generals mind, blu
where it would lead him l could no
predict. Suddenly he said, in his quick
i 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 Beach," he said, "do you know
any route by which a few men cal
reach the railroad unobserved?"
"You have condemned me for givin
information to the confederates; d
you think me so base as to serve bot
sides?"
"As you like" he said; then, turnin
to me, "Take her back"
II am ready to prove that am tru
to the union," said Margaret, proudly
| The general showed no sign of fait
in her assertion Of loyalty as he re
nliad. stVerv wall Ia ya,s knaSv {