The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-01-19
MI.
WHERE LIES THE HEART.

In the living-room of a house on tht
north side of the Tennessee river, op'
posite Chattanooga, sat the silent sol
der Before him stood Gen. Heath, af
at window sat Margaret and Georgia
Beach, while | leaned against the wall
But / had no idea of stretching my
self or even seating myself in the pres
ence of the commanding 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 pr
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. IIeath'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 a signal from the general-in-chiet
that he was ready to listen, Margaret
and Georgia came forward, and Gen
Heath spoke:
"On the til of October you directed
me to head an expedition with view
to determining the truth or falsity OF
a 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
time when the troops were passing. At
last | determined, as suggested by you
when ! received my orders, to send a
small detachment with a view to con
ccalment near the road TO watch the
passage of trains. Lieut.. Hall com
maudcd the detachment, and this girl"
pointing to Margaret-"acted as
guide. The party gradually became
dispersed, Lieut.. Hall and Margaret
Beach returning to report that they
saw a number of trains passing north
ward, loaded with infantry, artillery
and a pontoon bridge, and a body of
5000 cavalry marching. Private Mel
lodew, who accompanied the eXpedi-
ton, returned with written testimony
indicating that Gen. Longstreet had
been ordered in an entirely different
direction. | have suggested that you
hear the evidence bearing on the case
here rather than in your own head
quarters for reasons of convenience, as
will appear as we proceed.
Another matter claims your atten-
ton. Margaret Beach was caught with
plans of Burnside's defenses in her
hands, was tried for a spy by drum
head court-martial and condemned TO
death. subsequently ! availed myself
of her services as guide, promising
that if her efforts bore fruit the magni-
tude of the benefit to the union cause
might warrant your interceding with
the president in her behalf for an par
don. Her life therefore depends upon
the evidence which is to be brought up
Tor your consideration and your sub
sequent decision, either to approve the
finding of the court or recommend
clemency."
Gen. Heath then gave his commander
n history of the case from the time
we first met Margaret Beach to our
return to Chattanooga. When he had
finished, Private Mellodcw was called.
He came into the room with his usual
grin, which it was now plain came from
oyerstrained nerves. lie had begun by
Il lie, and had no choice but to continue
in lie, He asserted that no movement
northward of any large body of troops
had taken place, and that Margaret and
!, in order to save Margaret, had con
spircd to report the passage of few
scattered bodies Of cavalry as a move
ment of Longstreets corps. Not will
ing to be party to this fraud, he had
left us to make his way back TO the
plantation alone Meeting a messenger
about to enter confederate camp with
dispatch in his belt, he, Mellodew,
had accosted him, won his confidence,
stolen the message and brought it in
for the information it contained.
Al this point the general took paper