The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-09-07

Lucy W. Hussetl. ttcevffesident Ladies Memorial Association of Winchester, Va. and Treasurer Turner Asaaby Chapter. U. D. c.
 A Southern Woman's Visit to the
 Firing Line.
 It was early in February. 1865, that q plan for taking a trip around the Con- federate lines in front of Petersburg was inaugurated Several officers, whose win- ter quarters were in our vicinity, were visiting our house. They assured us that while there was a minimum danger. 1t was more than probable there would be no firing at the time. Setting aside the few remaining objections we started on our trip. The party consisted of Miss Tabb Boiling, who afterwards married a son of General Lee. Miss Wilcox. who married g Virginia Congressman, a son of one of our State judges, my father and myself My father. who was not in the army on account of physical disability, was chosen to pioneer us, knowing as he did every inch of the ground. having lived in among it's haunts since boyhood. The day chosen happened to be the one on which the Confederate Peace Commission CTS, Hunter, Campbell and Stephens. were to go through the Union lines to Fortress Monroe for the purpose of interviewing President Liasoln In reference to a pos sible termination of the war, a consum- nation devo1tiy to be hoped for. None of us knew of this proposed conference, however. not even those high in author ity. for 1t was wise part In war tim s to withhold all such secrets A lovely morning, warmer in that section than usual in February, brought us to the be- ginning of our journey. Women in tho south had become quite accustomed to endure hardship and danger, Many of our women will recall how they were driven from their homes by bursting shells which sometimes entered the walls tearing to pieces furniture and other household valuables. Sometimes even a short horseback ride would take them near the batteries of the enemy, who SUD- posing them to be scouts or reconnoiter- ing officers, would send a shot towards them. causing stampede to some place of safety. Though confronted by a large hostile army they calmly trusted in the ability of their own soldiers to protect them. Our approach to the lines was de- cided upon at point least exposed to the conservation of the opposing army. Hav- ing reached and entered into the forti- cations. we followed along a circuitous route for distance of five miles We thus passed both infantry and artillery com mands The infantry was in charge of the main line. and the artillery manned the forts and salients. We were to be welcomed at one of the salients by n captain of artillery, who is now Presi- dent of the Cleveland High School in Vir ginia. The captain took us through the fort and allowed us to superintend the firing of the heavy pieces of artillery to- wards battery opposite This 6pened an artillery duel and we were glad to re- tire to spot where only an occasional shot from the pickets ana sharnshooter. could reach us. On we marched frop, there. passing command after command. getting good view of trench camp life. oomb- proofs and soldier life in general one soldier seemed to take a special aver. aon to my fathers garb, as he was wearing a coat of good quality, A relic Of by-gone days. That's the first swallow. tail coat I've seen since the war began 1" he sang out meaning that citizens dress was rare sight, and verifying the truth or Generai Grants aphorism that we had robbed the cradle and the grave" to recruit our army. I had an uncle at that tune III the trenches not 16 years old As we walked along we could hear occasional minnie balls "sizz" by us and cut througb the trees on the bank above our heads One of our party insisted upon raising her mead above the parapet to see what was going on in front, but one of the ofncers who had joined us objected, tell ing her 1t might mean instant death. At that time great deal of mining and countermining was going on by both ar- mics. The Battle of the Crater had been the outcome of the "springing' of one of these mines by the Union Army. and was illustrative to nice degree of the ac- Vxyftn
 lated by those accustomed to such work Each army. in hourly anticipation of a ruse of war, would endeavor to counter mine and is possible strike the one op- pos-te before 1t was completed. The min CTS engaged In this work were often so near each other they could hear the picks Of the other striking and digging out the earth. When these mines were com pieted, large quantities of powder were deposited in the further end, and into this was placed fuse extending towards the opening suff1ciently distant to be ig- nited without .dangsr When the favor able time arrived orders would be given to somH responsible soldier to light the fuse and the deadly work would be ac- complshed. Little thought those who were above them that they were living day by day in impending certainty of death. As part of the days undertak- ing we were to go into one of these mines and of course as good soldiers and true we were not to back out although we frankly admit that we were like the man who. when asked if he could eat crow, said he thought he might. but he didn't "hanker arter it." We entered the mine by what appeared to be the frame of a large doorway, The roof was supported by wooden pieces and at the bottom we walked over sills, which gave the mine very much the appearance of a railroad tunnel. though not so large and very much darker. We were preceded by man with a lantern, who was to show us the intricacies of the subterranean cham Der. and to lead us as near to the powder as was deemed prudent. Only one person could proceed at . time. We followed