The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1912-03-09
The DIARY OF A WOMAN SPY.

In Harper's for March, William Gil
more Beymer gives a graphic account
of the career of Mrs. Greenhow, the
heroic woman spy of the Confederacy.
She was imprisoned. with her little
I daughter in Washington and while a
prisoner wrote diary of her expert
ences which reads like oromance
An understanding of those bitter
days can be given best by extracts
from her diary:
January 25-I have been one week
in my new prison! My letters now
all go through the detective police,
who subject them to a. chemical pro-
cess to extract the treason. In one
of the newspaper accounts l am sup
posed to use sympathetic INK! II pur-
posely left preparation very conspi-
cuously placed, in order to divert at
tention from real means of communi-
cation, and they have swallowed the
bait and fancy my friends are at their
AiOA W. p Juhuhly 20 ulb udy dH
stood at my barred window the guard
rudely called GO way from that win
dow!" and leveled his musket at me-
1 maintained my position without con
descending to notice him. wnereupon
he called the corporal Of the guard.
l called also for the officer of the
puord x1,c gnfor,,oo5 ,,,o 3bot
must not go to the window. I quiet
ly told him that at whatever peril,
1 should avail myself Of the largest
liberty of the four walls of my prison.
He told me that his guard would have
orders to fire upon me. had no idea
that such monstrous regulations exist
ed Today the dinner for myself and
child consists of a bowl of beans swim
ming in grease, two slices of fat junk,
and two slices of bread. 80. q. / was
very often intruded upon by large par
ties of Yankees, who came with passes
from the Provost-MaFshal to stare at
me- Sometimes I was amused, and
generally cOntrived to find out what
was going on. %. qAfteTward re-
quested the superintendent not to all
low any more of these parties to have
access to me. He told me that num-
bers daily came to the prison who
would gladly give him ten dollars
apiece to be allowed to pass my open
door. March 3-Sinoe two days we
are actually allowed aohalf-hour's ex-
ercise lin the prison yard, where we
walk up and down, picking our way
as best we can through mud and ne
groes, followed by soldiers and cor
porals, bayonets finland. :. Last
night l put my candle on the window,
in order to get something. out of my
trunk near which it stood, all uncon-
scious of committing ANY effense
against prison discipline, when the
guard below called, "Put out that
lightl" gave no. heed. but only light.
ed another, Whereupon several voices
took up the cry, adding, II will fire
into your room!"- Rose was in a state
ofGgreat delight, and collected all the
ends of candles 10 add to the illumina-
tion. By this the clank of arms and
patter of feet, in conjunction with the
furious Tapping at nay door, with a
demand to open it, announced the adj
vent of corporal and sergeant. My
door was now secured inside by a bolt
which had been allowed me. asked
their business. Answer, "You are
making signals, and must remove your
lights from the window" said, but
it suits my convenience to keep them
there" I'VE will break open your
door if you don't open It," "You will
act as you see fit but it will be at
your PERIL" They did not dare to
carry out this threat, as they knew
that had very. admirable pistol on
my mantelpieoe, restored to me a
short time since, although they did not.
know that I had no ammunition for
itS EeAG N,t{SAS
<"The candles burned themselves out,
and that ended it, save that next day,
by order of the Provost Marshal, the
pistol was taken from the prisoner.
But it was notsall merry batting
of the guards-theie was hardship con
nected with this imprisonment. In