The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1901-10-11
MISUNDERSTANDING MISS WRIGHT.

ANTHANKING MISS WRIGHT.
from his mouth, he handed it to the
young lady who slowly unrolled it and
found there letter from Gen. Sheri-
dan written on tissue paper. The col
ored man said that he had carried it
in his mouth with instructions to
swallow it if molested by confeder-
-ates. The colored man then left, say
ing he would be back at three o'clock.
Mrs. Bonsal says: "The paper was so
wrinkled that 1 could scarcely read it,
but finally made it out, as follows:> I
learn from Gen. Crook that you are
loyal lady, and still love the old flag.
Can you inform me of the position of
Early's forces, the number of di-
visions in his army, and the strength
of any or all of them and his probable
or reported intentions. Have any
more troops arrived from Richmond,
or are any more coming or reported to
be coming? I am very respc ctfully
your obedient servant, P. H. Sheridan,
Major General Commanding.
"'You can trust the bearer
"Of course l could not keep this
from mother, and we were very much
perturbed by the danger we were in.
We concluded, however, to run the
risk. It was the risk of death. Civ
ing the information constituted us
spies, in time of war. Mother and I
had no idea of securing information,
and had no idea that we would ever
be called upon. But, only two days
previous, a convalescent confederate
officer had called upon me, spent the
evening at our home, and, having Moth
| ing else in common to talk about, we
talked of the war. He knew that we
were loyal, but he told me all about
| the situation, how many troops they
had, how many were coming and how
| they were located. He talked about
the purposes of Gen. Early, and an
swered numerous questions which L
asked, although the asking was mere
| ly to keep up the conversation, with no
| idea on my part that it was to be used.
Thus it happened that when the col
ored man returned 1 was able to give
him reply which was comprehensive;
particularly as told that some troops
had been called elsewhere just at that
time. The colored man put my note,
wrapped in the same tinfoil, into his
mouth and disappeared. On the fol-
lowing Monday morning I was awak-
ened by the booming of cannon and
the battle was on.
Mother and 1 were very unhappy
that day, for we deprecated war, and
there it was before our very eyes. Some
of the time we were in the cellar for
safety. The streets were filed with
troops in the afternoon, and houses all
around us were on fire from the burst
ing shells. In the evening sabers were
Gathering against our steps, and when
I opened the door two union officers en-
tered. One of them introduced him
self as Gen. Sheridan, and he thanked
me very earnestly for my information.
1 begged the general not to speak OF
lit, as my life would be in danger. he
assured me that the confederatesw would
port of the battle at my desk, and
then rode away, after most heartily
thanking me, and assuring me that his
victory that day was due to my in
formation"
The young lady lived quietly and un.
ostentatiously in Winchester until the
watch came in 1867. The neighbors
knew nothing of the service she had
rendered until that time. The few PEG
pie who had been loyal crowded about
the little heroine with many words o,
praise, but the majority of the people
were intensely angry and were nc
: Longer on friendly terms. Little boy.
would spit at her on the street, ant
people showed their enmity in man,
. ways. But no one dared to do her an,
. harm. Soon afterwards she came t.
Washington to enter the government
service, and hero she has been eve
! since.
II SMITH u FRY.