Year: 1862

and devotion. More than three weeks she
labored to obtain permit to visit the hospital,
but without avail, and was forced at last to
return without having accomplished her mis-
sion. On her way back the purpose was born
in her brain upon which hinges the wild ro-
nance Of this narrative, and she executed it
with a promptness and success that are the
more wonderful in view of recent character
and former quiet life. Avoiding Buffalo, she
proceeded to Detroit direct, sought the gen.
tleman whom she had seen on her former
visit, with whose kindness Of manner she was
much impressed; told him her story without
coneealment; told him, also, of her unaltera-
bls purpose, aud begged his assistance. He
received her with courtesy, heard her tale
the proofs Of which she showed him-with
deep feeling, but at first utterly refused to
lend his countenance to her intention.


On her assuring him before heaven, that she
should carry it out at any hazard, and that his
help would only renderit less difficult, he per-
force consented, conducted her to hotel, pro-
cured her a suit Of male apparel, and had her
taken to her room. The next morning found
her transformed into a pale-iaced youth, Of
downcast look and retiring manner, and by
noon Of the same day she had e-ls'ed in a
company belonging to a regiment in the same
brigade with that OF her lover. Fortunately
a squad Of recruits left to join the regiment
the following night, and Margaret calm with
out but tremulouS within, was among them.


Gaining confidence during the jou ney, she
was enabled on arriving at the Potomac, to
endure the presence and eyes Of crowds Of
soldiery, and the repulsive characteristics Of
the camp, with some degree OF frmness. 1t
may be believed that she lost no time in learn
ing the whereabouts of the Lieutenant and
that she was ove1oyed to find that instead Of
lying sick, he had quite recovered and rejoin-
ed his company week before. We say over
joyed-that was the first feeling unundoubt-
edly, but with it came another, as unanticipa-
ted as it was full of modification. What
excuse was left for her present situation? A
course what had been noble when its object
was a woman's ministry at the bedside of a
dying lover, now seemed, reckless, unmaiden-
ly, and pure as she knew herself to be, she
could not but feel tainted and regretful at the
thought Of her venture and the worse thought
Of possible discovery.


To the friend, Of whom we obtain these par
ticulars, she wrote: Ny heart sank down
like lead; I could not sleep all tie next night
for thinking Of my trials past, and Of what
might be coming. "God only knows" she
wrote further, what I suffer here among all
these soldiers, who are, however, more order
ly and gentlemanly than had dared to hope.
I bought me patent tent during the few
hours we spent in Washington, and am thus
permitted to slumber by myself, though the
men regard the proceeding with jealous eyes,
and call that fellow almighty particular l
long to return, but how can l. dare not
desert; I dare not entrust any of the officers
with my secret and beg them to procure my
dismissal; 1 dare not feign sickness-that
would surely lead to discovery; and above all
1 dare not I cannot disclose myself to Robert
under The present circumstances. I am near
ly heart-broken, and can only beg that you
will forward the letter to him which enclose,
so that it will have the Buffalo postmark, and
send his answer, when it arrives, to my ad
dress, "Henry--, Co., Regiment
Mich. Volunteers, BIS Brigade" I
shall have to remain for the present, and I
don't know how long hence. At all events,
keep your knowledge within your own breast,
and know me as ever your true friend.


MARGARET


Other letters there were to thissame friend,
but we need not dwell or them, farther than
to add that up to the beginning Of April last,
they made known that the young heroine was
still with her Regiment having meanwhile
obtained the post of hospital steward; that
her health remained stronger than she had ex-
pected; that she saw her lover-now become
Captain-hequendy, but had succeeded in
avoiding recognition, and that she had come
to regard her lot with comparative cheerful
ness, and that it would afford her opportunity
to watch over him in case Of serious illness or
disaster by battle. Many white-winged
messenger," passed, via Buffalo and the hands
of this devoted friend, between the young
Captain and TIE mistress whom he supposed
far northward, aud the courage Of the maiden
soldier was made stronger by the conscious
ness that all the old affection burned in the
breast of her idol.


After the march OF the army upon York
town. the letters ceased to reach this city, and
only last Tuesday long epistle came from
the surgeon Of the Regiment in which Mar
garet belonged feighted with the intelligence
that enables US to proceed with this history.


On the evacuation Of the peninsula by the
rebels, BIS brigade joined in pursuit of
their flying army. The march was terrible,
butundaunted through rain and chilling winds,
keeping pace with tie robust soldiers in the
ranks the glorious girl marched on, upheld by
the near presence Of and the certainty ofcom-
ing danger to him she loved The brigade
was in the rear and did not reach Williams
burg until nearly five o'clock in the afternoon
of Monday, when the battle had been raging,
over four hours. During only half hour of
rest and preparation, Margaret had opportunity
to reflect. In the fight she need not join, but
Robert would, and she could not fail, after
watching over him through months of camp
life, to be near him in the hour OF peril.-