Perth Amboy evening news., 1913-01-20
THE WOMAN'S
BRIGADE
A Story Of A. D. 1916
By SUSAN YOUNG PORTER

ish man. The principal argument used
against them was: III you are citizens
In one respect you must he citizens In
all respects. II you are voters you
must be soldiers"
The womea triumphed. But their
securing the vote brought about that
which in the beginning they had not
intended. Having proved their cour-
age and endurance. they were forced
to do military service. The more deli
cate women could not be induced to go
to The polls. This gave the men a ma.
jority. and an act was passed by con
gress requiring military service from
women as well as men.
To the surprise Of every one, they
sprang forward with alacrity. That
aggressive spirit which had led many
Of them to smash windows led them to
enlist, and the womaD's brigade OF the
United States army was organized n
placed under the command OF women
officers. The corps had hardly beer
completed when the anarchic condition
of Mexico rendered Intervention neces-
sary, and the Mexican war OF 1916
was repeated. The woman's brigade
was sent with other troops by sea TO
Vera Cruz and began q rapid march
toward the capital.
Almost on the exact ground on which
was fought q century before the battle
Of Buena Vista another fight occurred
between the Mextcans and Americans,
in which the women took a conspicu-
u part. But, unfortunately for Gen
eral Polly wottle. the American COM
mander, 1t was his first fight with such
an auxiliary, and he was utterly igno-
rant Of certain provisions he should
have made TO guard against %contingen-
cies to which they were liable.
In this respect the Mexican com
mander, Antonio Rodriguez Busta-
nento. proved greatly the Americans
superior. The Mexicans were drawn
up In line Of battle to resist the ad-
vance of the Americans, who hurled
themselves against their enemy with
great vigor. The woman's brigade. be-
ing q part Of the reserve, stood under
arms. impatentiy waiting to be led
forward. Colonel Amanda Patterson
OF the First regiment sat her horse su-
perbiy, resplendent In a uniform cut
and decorated In a fashion that excited
the admiration and envy Of the whole
corps. Major Mildred Fortescue rode
over to Colonel Patterson to ask her
who was her tailor. Colonel Patterson
refused to give the information. This
led to hot words between the two, in
which many Of their subordinates join
ed. and before long their shrin words
could be heard above the singing bui-
let's and shriektng shells.
For heavens sake" roared the
commander to an aid. ''send
those women into the fight! Our men
can't hear the orders for the din they
make. and there'll be a panic. Order
their general to lead them against the
enemy's left nank and turn 1t If pos
sible. Should they succeed the battle
Is Won"
General Angelina De Lancy, a young
commander Of whom much was ex.
pected. as soon as she received the or
der. dra wing her sword, swung 1t ovef
her head. Unfortunately she severed
two ostrich feathers worth a hundred
dollars each. and 20 unnerved was she
that valuable time was lost. When
she recovered from the loss OF her
treasures she directed her bugler to
sound the advance.
Now, General Bustamento, as l have
said, had great experience with wo-
men, having been married seven times,
which Is once more than King Henry
WILL, and had prepared m expedient
for them which, on seeing their line
forward, he put into operation.
what ID that the enemy are firing
from those mortarsT' asked the Ameri-
can commander, raising his glass.
They look like paper Shells" re-
marked his chief Of STAG.
Great wads of paper rose In the air
and. breaking apart. were scattered on
the ground over which tho woman's
brigade was passing. Here and there
4 soldier in the ranks picked up one
and became absorbed in reading some
thing printed and looking at pictures
on It
"Great heavensr' cried General Pol
iywottle. "they are stopping to pick up
the papers. The advance Is delayed.
Precious time Il being lost"
Presently an of1csr from the wo-
mans brigade was seen riding full gal
lop toward the commander In chief.
When she came up she saluted and
said:
General De Lancy directs me to re-
port that the enemy have fred q volley
Of fashion plates With descriptive ard.
Giles among the troops. This has check
| ed tho advance and she n unable to
induce them to advance farther. They
are porting over the papers and are
insensibie even to danger. General
Dc Lancy respectfully suggests that
/ you send another force to turn the
enemy's flank"
Word that sounded Hike q volley
from fling gun left the generals
lips. Thee were nc other troops to
send In place Of the woman's brigade,
and General Rustamento. seeing his ad'
vantage, sounded a general advance,
The battle was lost. Within ten min
utes the American army was In full
retreat. The Mexicans passed the wo
mans brigade. strl intent on the fash
lon plates and cut them OF.