Willmar tribune., 1901-10-09


had no idea of securing informa ton,
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 bout
the purposes of Gen. Early, and an
swered numerous questions which I
asked, although the asking was mere
ly to keep up the conversation, with no
idea Oh my part that it was to be used.
Thus it happened that when the col
ored man returned I was able to give
him a reply which was comprehensive;
particularly as I 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 I 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 filled with
troops in the afternoon, and houses all
around US were on fire from the burst
ing shells. In the evening abers were
clattering against our steps, and when
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 informat ton.
I begged the general not to speak of
it, as my life would be in danger. He
assured me that the confedera tes would
not come back. He wrote brief re-
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 peo-
pie who had been loyal crowded about
the little heroine with many words of
praise, but the majority of the people
were intensely angry and were no
longer on friendly terms. Little boys
would spit at her on the street, and
people showed their enmity in many
ways. But no one dared to do her any
harm. Soon afterwards she came to
Washington to enter the government
service, and here she has been ever
since.
Mrs. Bonsal is quiet woman, and
thoroughly Quaker like. She has a
| sweet face, intelligent eyes, beautiful
hair, and must have been very hand
| some young lady when she rendered
! this conspicuous service to the union
cause. She goes to her Office regularly,
| and is hard at work at nine o'clock
every morning, remaining at her desk
| until four o'clock in the afternoon.
The letter which the colored man
brought to her is in glass covered
| little frame. The handwriting is very
| fine and must have been written from
dictation. Gen. Sheridan could not
have written SO much upon so small a
piece of paper. Although it has been
smoothed out for many years, the
wrinkles are still apparent, for it was
wrapped very compactly in the tin
foil.
Of course this comparatively un-
known heroine of the civil war will
| retain her position in the civil service
| as long as she lives. Some of her en-
emies at Winchester tried to secure
her removal when Mr.. Carlisle was
secretary of the treasury, but he would
not heed them. SMITH D. FRY.