Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-11-12
WOMAN AS BRAVE AS MAN.
History Has Many Examples OF Fem
mime Heroism on Field OF Battle.

| mime ncFoiem OF Fieiu W c~s's'
But the question is interesting In
itself-could women defend their
country as soldiers? AS a matter OF
fact, every one knows that hundreds
Of individuals haze done so. and so
many OF them were identified by ac-
cident after years OF service. or even
after death. that II may be suspected
an equal number escaped notice IN
days when no one troubled much about
the common soldier
Some of them were distinguished
for bravery and martial qualities. but
is there record of one who finched
from her duty? In fiction the girl
dressed up. however bold in words,
proves to be an arrant little coward
on the terrain when she feels a sword
or pistol in her hand and sees an
other threatening her.
Is it so in fact? The case Of those
unsexed beings we read of sometimes
who fight for a lover Is not to the
point. But authentic history tells OF
good many duels between ladies
of birth and the highest social stand
ing. Very rarely did they show
want of courage when strung to the
lighting phh. On the other hand, such
fire -eating DANES would not repre-
sent the average
But nobody worth attention mas dis
puted that women are as brave as
men if duly aroused; some, indeed
have asserted that they are Drawer.
The question is whether they could,
if they would, serve as soldiers.
Perhaps it is not merely "academ-
ic." In a time which elderly recoi-
lect with ease it might have been dis
missed on the ground that such SER
vice is unfeminine-not only barred
by nature, but forbidden by the laws
of nature. We cannot urge that OBJ
lection with confidence now. so wide
ly have the bounds of feminine pro-
priety been extended.
From the nature of things women
soldiers can only be found. as class.
among barbarians-up to this time, at
any rate. The Dahomey amazons
made poor show against the French,
but Burton has been much impressed
with them forty years earlier-and he
was a Judge The discipline was ter
ribly severe in his time; he did not
doubt they were very formidable
troops. Relaxation of discipline ruin
ed them.
The mythical amazons claim WORD
since Prof. Sayce abduced such strik-
ing evidence to suggest that they
were the warrior priestesses of Hittlte
invaders. OF the American amazons 1t
| may be recalled that Humboldt thought
the legend not impossible, and he had
studied the original records.
Very few who have written on the
subject are thus qualified probably.
But Alfred Wallace has shown us
lately that Spruce, the great 5otan-
| list, looked into the evidence carefully
and formed a strong opinion that it
was trustworthy. But much more in
teresting are the shield maidens Of
| the vikings. Would that we knew
more about them personally.
The historical sagas alluded to
them, but always. so far as | remem-
Der, in a matter-offact way. as to
male personages. One OF the very
grandest poetic sagas is that of the
Shield Maiden Hervor, but even this
takes nearly everything We particu-
larly want to know for granted. She
dressed as a man and joined the
Vikings. Presently she gained the
command of her party-and the story
opens. true in the main, probably.
The circumstantial account Of the
battle of Bravoll between Siguard OF
Denmark and Harald Hilditoun OF
Norway mentions several sbieldmaid-
ems wao commanded troops. One even
bore Harald's standard. All fought
like heroes or demons. and ] think
that all died on the field. But 1t
seems that they were only women
who rose to command by daring and
military genius. Is there any author
ity for the legends of Viking bands
wholly feminine?
| The old Irish Book OF Lecan says
casually. for men and women went
alike to battle in those days" and the
| record OF tribal obligations called
"hoisting" reckoned women among
the fighting strength.
Moreover, the Life Of Abbot Adam