The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1913-01-31
THE WOMAN'S
BRIGADE
A Story Of A. D. 1916
b. SUSAN YOUNG PORTER

III 0SOAy Va y III
By SUSAN YOUNG PORTER
During the first and second decades
Of the twentieth century the women.
Of England and America determined to
wrest the vote for themselves from self
ish man. The principal argument used
against them was: III you are citizens
in one respect you must be citizens in
all respects. II you are voters you
must be soldiers
The women 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 o be induced to go
to the polls. This gave the men q ma
jority. and an act was passed by con-
gress requiring military service from
women as well al 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 woman's brigade Of the
United States army was organized and
placed under the command Of women
Officers The corps had hardly been
completed when the anarchic condition
Of Mexico rendered Intervention neces-
sary. and the Mexican war OF 1916
was repeated. The w0man's brigade
was sent with other troops by e to
Vera Cruz and began q rapid march
toward the capital.
Almost on the exact ground on which
was fought :: century before the battle
of Buena Vista another fight occurred
between the Mexicans and Americans.
in which the women took a conspicu-
Gus part. But. unfortunately for Cen
eral Pollywottle. the American COM
mander. it was his first fight with such
an auxiliary. and he was utterly igno-
rant of certain provisions he should
have made to guard against contngen-
cies to which they were liable.
In this respect the Mexican COM
mander. Antonio Rodriguez Busta-
mento. proved greatly the Americans
superior. The Mexicans were drawn
up in line of battle to resist the adj
vance Of the Americans, who hurled
themselves against their enemy with
great vigor. The woman's brigade, be-
ing u part of the reserve, stood under
arms. impatiently waiting to be led
forward. Colonel Amanda Patterson
of the First regiment sat her horse su-
perbly. r%esplendent 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 shrill words
could be heard above the singing bull
let's and shrieking shells.
For heavens sake" roared the
American commander to an aid, send
those, women into the fight! Our men
can't hear the orders for the din they
make. and there'l be a panic. Order
their general to lead them against the
eniemy's left flank and turn It II pos
sible. Should they succeed the battle
is won."
General Angelina De Lancy. q young
commander of. whom much was ex-
pected, as soon as she received the or
der. drawing her sword, swung It over
her head. Unfortunately she severed
two ostrich feathers worth a hundred
dollars each. and so 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. ssf
Now. General Bustamento. a. I have
said. had great experience with wo-
men. having been married seven times,
which 10 once more than King Henry
WILL. and had prepared an expedient
for them which. on seeing their line
move forward, he put into operation
What b that the enemy are firing
from those mortars r asked the Ameri-
can commander, raising his glass.
They look like paper Shells" re-
marked his chief Of stan. 4. :. ii 81:
/, Great wads OF paper. rose in the ailFe
and. breaking apart, were scattered on
the ground over which the woman's
brigade was passing. Here and there
a soldier In the ranks picked up .
and became absorbed in reading soms-
thing printed and looking ct pictures