Bisbee daily review., 1903-02-20
,Nggr1 Der TS
roriginal1

ttandipg some twenty paces from them, thus addressed them:
 Three Coufederates taken in what your Yankee general over there Ooint. hg) calls illegiumate warfare are to be shot this evening at sunset In rctalia- iion am ordered to shoot three of your number. You will begin to count from right 70 left, and every fifth man will step four paces 10 the front"
 A shudder passed along the line All understood that those men who were 10 step to the front must die.
 Begin, you man on the right there," said the officer.
 A young girl emerged from a door leQding from the commandants guar ters and came toward the soldiers. She wore an apron and a cap, denoting rhat she was a nurse. She had made both herself, for in those days there were nc uniformed nurses. Lucia Clarke was a northern girl who had gone south to find her brother. Allen Clarke, who was an invalid prisoner of war Having gained permission to nurse him, she had devoted herself to the sick in the hospital attached to the prison, includ. ing COnfederates, for in this case the blue and the gray were mingled, till she had won the admiration of all and the love of the Confederate commandant. She came forward with quick step. She had just heard of the order and knew what was going on.
 one" Two Three" Four" No. 5 said nothing, but tottered forward.
 Six" Seven" Eight" Nine" No. 10 stepped forward with as steady tread as if ordered to meet a human en- emy.
 Eleven" "TweIve," Thirteen" Fourteen"
 While the men had been counting Lucia Clarke had glanced ahead anu seen that her brother Allen would be the fifteenth man. He had only been discharged from the hospital the day before and now, infrm and with one in five chances of death before him, could scarcely stand
 Fifteen"
 A feminine voice rang out firm and clear. Lucia. who had wedged herself in between No. II and her brother. stepped four paces to the front. Al len, seeing what his sister had done. moved forward to contest the place with her. but. overcome by his infrmi, ties. fell on the ground behind her. Lucia stood rigid while two COnfeder- ate attendants carried him away.
 As Major Clarence Fitz-Hugh, the cOmmandant, looked at the girl stand ing there in the rank of death his eye was wet with sympathy.
 Miss Clarke he said gently, but firmly, "all must appreciate the sacri- flee you would make, but it cannot be permitted"
 Then 1 win die with my brother if I cannot die for him."
 What can you do:"
 T will stand before him when he is shot, and the same bullet will end this fearful struggle for us both"
 Sergeant said the oeHcer, march the prisoners back. Separate those who are to be shot from the rest.'
 You on the dead line" said the ser geant, right face.'
 The five men and the woman turned to the right.
 Miss Clarke" said the major, you can't go to the mems prison"
 'T will" she said firmly. T take my brothers place. Where he would go go."
 A vexed look crossed Major Fitz- Hugh's face.
 Sergeant" he said, ''send Miss Clarke to my office under the care of q corporal and two men" With this he turned and went into the building. A few minutes later Lucia Clarke was es- corted into his presence. lie directed the men who brought her there to with draw. Then he said 10 her:
 If I promise you that when your brother is led out to die you shall be notified and permitted to go out with him, will you go to your room and re, main there ill you are called?"
 Yes"
 every well; you have my word"
 Lucia left the office and, going to her room. threw herself on her couch and buried her face in a pillow. Gradual ly her sufferings gave place to sort Of stupOr. How long she was there she did not know. She was reused by 6 knock at the door, and Major FitZ Hugh's orderly told her to come. She started up with moan, but gradually mustered strength to go with q frn. step to the prison yard with her guid2 There, standing in line. were the three men who had been drawn by lot fOi execution, among them her brother She was about to spring toward hin whOn Major Fitz-Hugh called to her to wait. Then, drawing a paper from his pocket, he began to read: Special Order No. -:
 ''in recognition of the services Of Ms Lucia Clarke in hospital and her kindues to many sick and wounded Confederate the lives of thGse Union prisoners draw for execution in retaliation are spared
 Sergeant added the officer. mare! the prisoners back
 When the sergeant and the thre men entered the prison and the dOa closed behind them. the major turne. to the girl, who stood mute beside h.l