66 Interesting Contribution to a Sanitary Fair. was the inscription, "Wilson's Creek, man.' She replied she had; that she had Dec. 21st, 1861," and then some obscure a husband who was a soldier in the Union chirography, half rubbed out, that looked army, and that she had done only what like Found on the spot.' In answer to a she would wish others should do for him question where she obtained it, she replied in a similar situation. The other replied by telling when she got it. In answer to that she had no husband in the army, and another, as to whether she knew what it was glad of it. "Well," retorted the true was, she answered in the affirmative, American wife, "I would rather be a solthat she knew it to be a portion of the dier's widow than a coward's wife.” skull of a Union soldier. When inquired of why she kept it, she replied, "For a memento,”—an unaccountable and perverted taste for a lady. She was committed nati Sanitary Fair consisted of a letter to the female department of the prison, from Thomas Clay to his father. When after an examination, and the pleasant the great statesman, Henry Clay, was livsouvenirs were retained by the officials. ing, he purchased a farm for his son Thomas, and stocked and prepared it thoroughly Clever Dogs, but both sucked Eggs. for his use. After a few years' residence During General Birney's raid through on the farm, Thomas wrote to his father Florida, a bright little girl was found alone for more money, that his farm needed in one of the houses, her parents having important improvements, and he had not 'skedaddled.' She was rather non-com- the wherewith to procure what he needed. mittal, for she did not know whether the troops were Union or rebel. Two fine dogs made their appearance, while a conversation was being held with the child, and she informed one of her questioners that their names were Gillmore and Beauregard. "Which is the best dog?" asked a bystander. "I don't know," said she, "they're both mighty smart dogs; but they'll either of 'em suck eggs if you don't watch 'em." The troops left without ascertaining whether the family, of which the girl was a hopeful scion, was Union or rebel. Rather be a Soldier's Widow than a Coward's Wife. One day a poor wounded soldier on crutches entered one of the New York Mr. Clay replied to the effect that as he (Thomas) had squandered the means he had given him in preparing the farm for his use, he might now go to. Thomas replied in a brief letter to his father, as follows: "MY DEAR FATHER: Your kind letter of instant is before me. I have perused and digested its contents, and am obliged to return you my warmest gratitude for the kindly admonition, it contains. The destination you direct me to go will be strange to me, and I have deemed it the part of a dutiful son to request of you a letter of introduction. Hoping to hear from you, I remain your most obedient and dutiful son, Taste. THOMAS CLAY General Viele's method of dealing with secession and its abettors was that of the city railway cars, which on this occasion Confederate Brooches not to General Viele's happened to be occupied mainly by women. One of them considerately arose and gave the wounded man her place. Her neighbor, seeming to be scandalized suaviter in modo, fortitur in re. For inby this abdication of feminine privilege, stance, a lady went into his office to conasked her if it were possible that she had sult him or demand some favor. He revoluntarily resigned her seat to that ceived her with his usual politeness, but suddenly noticing that she wore the Con-[ Annie left with her regiment for Kenfederate colors prominently, in the shape tucky, passed through all the dangers and of a brooch, he mildly suggested that it temptations of a camp-life, endured long would, perhaps, have been better taste to come to his office witho at such a decoration. "I have a right, Sir, to consult my own wishes as to what I shall wear." "Then, Madam," replied the General, "permit me to claim an equal right in choosing with whom I shall converse." The dignified lady thought it best to make a speedy exit from his presence. Whoever would read more of these sparkling morceaux, will find a rich feast in Dawley's admirable series-the "Camp and Fireside Library." Annie Lillybridge and Lieutenant W-. Annie Lillybridge, of Detroit, was for 'Union,' and in favor of the hardships and dangers of war, if need be, to secure that end. She courted, rather than shrank from, those hardships, and bared her breast to rebel bullets. marches, and slept on the cold ground— all without a murmur. At last, before the battle of Pea Ridge, in which her regiment took part, her sex was curiously discovered by a member of her company, upon whom she laid the injunction of secresy, after relating to him her previous history. On the following day she was under fire, and from a letter in her possession, it appears she behaved with marked gallantry, and by her own hand shot a rebel Captain who was in the act of firing upon Lieutenant W. But the fear of revealing her sex continually haunted her. After the battle, she was sent out with others, to collect the wounded, and one of the first corpses found by her was the soldier who had discovered her sex. Days and weeks passed on, and she became a universal favorite with the regiment; so much so, that her Colonel, Stephens, frequently detailed her as regimental clerk— a position that brought her in close contact with her lover, who, at this time, was Major, or Adjutant, of the regiment. According to Annie's account, her parents resided in Hamilton, Canada West. In the spring of 1862, she was employed in a dry goods store in Detroit, where she became acquainted with Lieutenant W-, of one of the Michigan regiments, and an A few weeks subsequently she was out intimacy immediately sprang up between on picket duty, when she received a shot them. They corresponded for some time, in the arm that disabled her, and notwithand became much attached to each other. standing the efforts of the surgeon, her But during the ensuing summer season, wound grew worse from day to day. She Lieutenant W. was appointed to a position was sent to the hospital at Louisville, in the Twenty-first Michigan Infantry, then rendezvousing in Ionia county. where she remained several months, when she was discharged by the post surgeon, as her arm was stiffened and useless. Annie implored to be permitted to return to her regiment, but the surgeon was unyielding, and discharged her. Annie immediately hurried toward home. The thought of parting from the gay Lieutenant nearly drove Annie mad, and she resolved to share his dangers and be near him. No sooner had she resolved upon this course than she proceeded to act. Purchasing male attire she visited Cincinnati she told her secret to a benevoIonia, and enlisted in Captain Kavanagh's lent lady, and was supplied with female Company, Twenty-first regiment. While attire. She declared she would enlist in in At camp she managed to keep her secret her old regiment again, if there was a refrom all; not even the object of her at- cruiting officer for the Twenty-first in tachment, who met her every day, was Michigan. She still clung to the Lieutenaware of her presence so near him. ant said she must be near him if he fell, or was taken down sick-that where he went she would go-and when he died, she would end her life by her own hands. Frank, the Pretty Female Bugler of the In the spring of 1863, a Union Captain, accompanied by a young soldier apparently about seventeen years of age, arrived in Louisville, Ky., in charge of some rebel prisoners. She was in the thickest of the fight et Murfreesboro,' and was severely wounded in the shoulder, but fought gallantly, and waded Stone river into Murfreesboro', on the memorable Sunday on which our forces were driven back. She had her wound dressed, and here her sex was disclosed, General Rosecrans being made acquainted with the fact. Frank was accordingly mustered out of service, notwithstanding her earnest entreaty to be allowed to serve the cause she loved so well. The General was very During their stay in Louisville, the young soldier alluded to had occasion to visit head-quarters, and at once attracted favorably impressed with her daring brathe attention of Colonel Mundy as being very, and superintended the arrangements exceedingly sprightly, and possessed of for her transmission to her parents. She more than ordinary intelligence. Being left the Army of the Cumberland, resolved in need of such a young man at Barracks to enlist again in the very first regiment No. 1, the Colonel detailed him for ser- she met. When she arrived at Bowling vice in that institution. Green, therefore, she found the Eighth Michigan there, and enlisted, and continued to share its fortunes, being honored with the position of regimental bugler. She was an excellent horseman; saw and bravely endured all the privations and hardships incident to the life of a soldier; and gained an enviable reputation as a scout, having made several remarkable expeditions, which were attended with signal success. A few days subsequently, however, the startling secret was disclosed, that the supposed young man was a young lady, and the fact was established beyond doubt by a soldier who was raised in the same town with her, and knew her parents. She acknowledged the corn,' and begged to be retained in the position to which she had been assigned; having been in the service ten months, she desired to serve during the Her wish was accordingly granted, and she remained at her post. war. Frank was born near Bristol, Penn., and she was raised in Alleghany City, the place of her parents' residence, highly respectable people, and in good circumstances. She was sent to a convent in Wheeling, Virginia, at twelve years of age, where she remained until the breaking out of the war, having acquired a military education, and all the accomplishments of modern usage. Of only eighteen years of age, quite small, and a beautiful figure, Frank was a decided attraction. She had auburn hair, which she wore quite short, and large blue eyes, beaming with intelligence. Her complexion, naturally very fair, became somewhat bronzed from exposure. In fine, she was exceedingly pretty and amiable. Her conversation denoted more than ordinary accomplishment, and, what was stranger than all, she appeared very refined in her manners, giving no evidence whatever of the rudeness which might naturally be expected from her camp and field contacts. She visited home after leaving the convent, and, after taking leave of her parents, proceeded to Louisville in July, 1862, with the design of enlisting in the The pretty bugler stated that she had Second East Tennessee Cavalry, which discovered a great many females in the she accomplished, and accompanied the army, and was intimately acquainted with Army of the Cumberland to Nashville. one such-a young lady holding a commis sion as Lieutenant in the army. She had "Bill," said George to his host, speakassisted in burying three female soldiers ing out of a full heart and a full chest, at different times, whose sex was unknown" Bill, you are a boy after my own heart; to any but herself. whatever request you make I grant." 66 "It is only a trifle," said Mr. Polk, "which you can easily grant, and which will please you." "It is granted," interrupted the grateful Sanders. "I may be arrested," continued Mr. Polk, "within a few minutes, for disagreeing with some measures which Gov. Harris has urged upon the people." Eating up the Stars and Bars. Notwithstanding General Butler's vigilance in terrifying secessionism in the Crescent City, there was revived, in March, 1863, the novelty of an openly avowed secesh lady in the streets. Miss defying the celebrated order “ No. 28," made her appearance on the pavement with a handkerchief round her neck, on the corner of which was contemptuously displayed, in conspicuously wrought colors, a rebel flag. It is not probable that any particular notice would have been taken of the circumstance if the fair owner had not "Bill Polk," said George, gravely but defiantly flouted said offensive symbol in firmly, "you are a man I love; I love the face of a naval officer, who then very you, and I love your wife and family; promptly escorted the lady before General but if ever I go back to Nashville may 1 Bowen. "Never mind that," said the impetuous Sanders, "I'll stand by you." "All I want," continued Mr. Polk, "is for you to return to Nashville as a hostage for my wife and family.” While the examination of the be -!" case was going on, the young lady, in her indignation and rancor, absolutely tore the material of the symbolized flag out of the handkerchief with her teeth, and ate it up, so she literally put the blessed "Stars and Bars" very near her heart. The handkerchief was confiscated and the young lady was ordered to report once a day, for one month, to Captain Kilborn, Deputy Provost Marshal,—during which time, it is innocently intimated, the Captain had several applications for positions of head clerks. Of course there was no reply to this, and the redoubtable and wife-and-familyloving George, with the Provisional Government, were soon on their way to the dixiest part of Dixie. Major BSome of the domestic and extra-personal experiences of the war will, at no distant day, furnish the staple of many a finely-wrought novellette-such, for instance, as the following, narrated by an officer of the Twenty-seventh Corps of the Union Army. Hear him: en route with the Spanish Widow. Hostage Wanted for his Wife and Family. When the so-called Provisional Gov- We had (says the narrator,) a very ernment of Kentucky was on its hegira pleasant trip down to the Crescent City, southward, they stopped and made a po- with some political prisoners from the Delitical and social call at the house of partment of the Missouri, and persons who Colonel Wm. H. Polk, the party being were allowed to pass into the Confederate under the convoy of George N. Sanders. lines to see their relations, look after their Just before leaving, and after receiving property, &c. the most hospitable treatment at the hands of the Colonel, the latter addressed Sanders, and said that he had a particular favor to ask. Among the exiles was Ashton P. Johnston of St. Louis, Marmaduke, late of the Convention, Rev. Father Donnelly, of St. Joseph, and others of less import. Among the voluntaries' were young of time deemed proper, she resolved to maids and old maids, wives and widows. qu't the place where each familiar object Among the young maids was one who con- reminded her of the time spent in conjufidentially told me she was going to Mo-gal felicity with the dear departed one; bile to be married. It looked to me very that one gone to a ranch from which much like sending supplies to the enemy; there was no return;' so all the personal but I couldn't help it, so let it go. They property, with the exception of some unnearly all came to this place in charge ruly mustangs, who refused to be 'cotchof Captain Dwight, Assistant-Inspector ed,' and some colored individual, who, General of the Department of the Mis- having heard of the Proclamation, refused souri. to be considered personal property, and wouldn't be 'cotched neither,' was converted into Confederate tr-cash, and the ranch vacated. In the party was a young widow. 'Pretty!' In my judgment she was interesting-when was a young and pretty widow not? Being young, pretty, and a widow, is it strange that a young officer, to whose care she was entrusted, should extend to her all the courtesies and atten Major B, en route with the Spanish Widow. tion and consistent with his official proper position? It was not strange; nor was it strange that in return for his kindness, and at his solicitation, she should confide to him the tale of her woes. She was from Mexico; her husband had been conscripted in Texas, into the rebel army; had died, leaving her the sole proprietress of numerous droves of mustangs, and the mother of two small children, (mostly boys and girls.) Her spirits and her person, draped in the habiliments of mourning, for the length At Matamoras the Confederate money was exchanged for gold, and passage secured on a Spanish vessel to Havana, which was soon bounding across the Gulf. Tears were shed, as on leaving one's native land they will always be; but it was all for the best- -a residence upon the beautiful island of Cuba, a place in the affections and family of the dear relations who anticipated her coming-quiet walks beneath fragrant orange groves,-the air of that delightful and salubrious climate-would go far toward dispelling the gloom which shrouded her young and ardent soul. But, alas! for the orange groves and ambrosial atmosphere, a storm arose, the ship was driven into an inlet off the coast of Florida, was taken by our blockading squadron off Key West, for a blockade runner, and sent to New York, where, after an examination, she was released, and sent away. The fair widow, having escaped the dangers of the sea, resolved not to venture again, till her nerves had regained their wonted firmness. Having friends at St. Louis, she resolved to visit that city. Arriving there-there she remained until the fall of Vicksburg and Port Hudson, and the consequent opening of the Mississippi river, when she resolved to attempt Havana, this time via New Orleans. Major B. was on the boat. The Major, you must know, is a very gallant man. The ladies, dear creatures, would fall in love |