His death had really never been intended, but it was necessary for the good order and discipline of the army, to make an impression upon not only himself, but the whole brigade; for which purpose the forms of the execution were regularly gone through with in its presence, and the reprieve arrived in good time, as intended.

It was sought by this means to solemnly impress upon the minds of the soldiers, the necessity of a strict observance of duty and obedience, under the penalty of an ignominious death. It was a fearful ordeal for the deserter, and it is questionable whether to him the completion of the tragedy would not have been better than the actual result.

STORY LXV.

DARING EXPLOIT,

ONE of the most daring and successful exploits of the war, was performed by four men, on Saturday night, May 1st, 1863, on Rock creek, in Wayne county, Kentucky. Benjamin Burk, a citizen; Hudson Burk, a discharged soldier; James Burk, of Wolford's cavalry, and a citizen named James Davis, having received intimation of a band of twenty-eight men, under command of Captain Evans, of the famous band of Rebel robbers, that infested Wayne and Clinton counties, known as Champ Ferguson's men, having stopped at the house of Jonathan Burk to spend the night, determined to attempt their capture.

Four men against twenty-eight fiends, who had reveled in the blood of innocent neighbors, for a yearthink of it! It seemed like madness, yet the attempt was made. Coming to a sentinel, who stood guard over their thirty-one horses, Davis ordered him to surrender his gun, which the coward did, and received in return a blow from it that knocked his brains out. The way was now clear to the house, where the remainder of the party were asleep. Surrounding the dwelling, they at once raised a hideous yell, crying, "Wolford! Wolford!" at the top of their voices.

The Rebels awakened by the noise, supposed that Wolford's cavalry, whom they dreaded as they did. death, was upon them, sprang from their beds, leaving their clothes and guns behind, and rushed for the doors.

Out they rushed with nothing on but their shirts and drawers, some without the latter even, to take leg-bail. Hudson Burk met Captain Evans at the door; both fired at the same time. Burk was slightly wounded in the head, but the infamous Evans was instantly killed. Four others were slain, and the remainder of the party escaped.

They abandoned every thing; all their horses, personal property, guns, and several thousand dollars in greenbacks, in addition to a considerable amount of Confederate money. Nothing remained for the victorious few to do, but to gather up the fruits of their victory, which they divided with William Milligan, a prisoner, whom they had released from the clutches of the marauders.

STORY LXVI.

ROMANCE OF THE WAR.-A HEROINE,

THE following narrative appeared in the Louisville Journal early in May, 1863:

A few weeks since, a captain, accompanied by a young soldier apparently about seventeen years of age, arrived in this city in charge of some Rebel prisoners.

During their stay in the city, the young soldier alluded to had occasion to visit headquarters, and at once attracted the attention of Colonel Mundy as being exceedingly sprightly, and possessed of more than ordinary intelligence. Being in need of such a young man at Barracks No. 1, the colonel detailed him for service in that institution.

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 war. Her wish was accordingly granted, and she is still at her post.

On learning the facts above stated, we took occasion to visit the barracks, and was introduced to "Frank Martin," (her assumed name) and gleaned the following incidents connected with her extraordinary career during the past ten months.

Frank was born near Bristol, Pa., and her parents reside in Alleghany city, where she was raised. They

are highly respectable people, and in good circumstances. She was sent to the convent in Wheeling, Va., at twelve years of age, where she remained until the breaking out of the war, having acquired a superior education, and all the accomplishments of modern usage.

She visited home after leaving the convent, and after taking leave of her parents, proceeded to this city in July last, (1862, with the design of enlisting in the 2d East Tennessee Cavalry, which she accomplished, and accompanied the army of the Cumberland to Nashville. She was in the thickest of the fight at 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, and General Rosecrans made acquainted with the fact.

She was accordingly mustered out of the service, notwithstanding her earnest entreaty to be allowed to serve the cause she loved so well. The general was very favorably impressed with her daring bravery, and superintended the arrangements for her safe transmission to her parents. She left the army of the Cumberland resolved to enlist again in the first regiment she met. When she arrived at Bowling Green she found the 8th Michigan there and enlisted; since which time she has been and is now connected with it.

She is represented as an excellent horseman, and has been honored with the position of regimental bugler to the regiment. She has seen and endured all the privations and hardships incident to the life of the soldier, and gained an enviable reputation as a scout, having

made several wonderful expeditions, which were attended with signal success.

Frank is only eighteen years of age, quite small, and a beautiful figure. She has auburn hair, which she wears quite short, and large blue eyes, beaming with intelligence. Her complexion is naturally very fair, though slightly bronzed at present from exposure. She is exceedingly pretty and very amiable. Her conversation denotes more than ordinary accomplishment, and what is stranger than all, she appears very refined in her manners, giving no evidence whatever of the rudeness which might naturally be expected from her late associations.

Frank informs us that she has discovered a great many females in the army, and is now intimately acquainted with a young lady who is a lieutenant in the army. She has assisted in burying three female soldiers at different times, whose sex was unknown to any but herself.

STORY LXVII.

SIEGE OF VICKSBURG-ADVENTURES OF A REBEL DISPATCH BEARER.

THE Mobile Register published the following interesting letter, from the "father of Lamar Fontain," (a pious old Rebel.)

Lamar is almost continually in the saddle, and employed in very hazardous enterprises. His last feat of arms was the most daring he has yet performed.

He left my house May 24th, 1863. under orders from