^ Dis chil' glad to help yer," he replied,
in a tone of real pleasure, and with a
bright look in his eyes, and at once started
off at a rapid pace, leading me across the
fields, a distance of four miles, to the
house of another negro, to whom he ex-
plained my situation and wishes. Here I
was given something to eat, both the
man and woman treating me with the
greatest kindness ; and after a short rest
again set out, this time with my host
as guide, for the main road, from which
I had wandered. This was soon reached,
and parting with my Uack fiiend, I



burg, the goal of all his wanderings, but
not without passing through many and
perilous adventures.



Frankie Bra^ff, the Boy Patriot at Don-



In one of the Union hospitals at Padn-
cah was one of Birges's sharpshooters,
who did such excellent service at Fort
Donelson. He was a brave and noble
boy. There were several kind ladies
taking care of the sick. Their presence
was like sunshine. Wherever they walk-
ed the eyes of the sufferers fbllowed them.
One of these ladies thus spoke of little
Frankie Bragg: — Many will remember
him ; the boy of fifteen, who fought val-
iantly at Donelson,— one of the bravest
of Birges's sharpshooters, and whose an-



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THE BOOK OF ANECDOTES OF THE BEBELLION.



8wer to my questioning in regard to join-
ing the army was —

'' I joined because I was so young and
strong, and because life would be worth
nothing to me unless I offered it for my
country ! "

I saw him die. I can never foreet the
pleading gaze of his violet eyes, the brow
from which ringlets of light-brown hair
were swept by strange fingers bathed in
the death-dew, the desire for some one to
care for him, some one to love him, in his
last hours. I came to his side, and he
clasped my hand in his own, fast growing
cold and stiff*. He said :

*' O, I am going to die, and there is no
one to love me. I did not think I was going
to die till now ; but it can't last long. If



Tmnkie Bngg.

my sisters were only here ; but I have no
fiiends near me now, and it is so hard ! "

" Frankie, I know it is hard to be away
from your relatives, but you are not friend-
less ; I am your friend. Mrs. S and

the kind doctor are your friends, and we
will all take care of you. More than this,
God is your friend, and he is nearer to
you now than either of us can get. Trust
him, my boy. He will help you.**

A faint smile passed over the pale suf-
ferer's features, as he asked —

** Oh, do you think he will ? *•

Then, as he held my hands closer, he
turned his face more fully toward me, and
said :

^ My mother taught me to pray when



I was a very little boy, and I never forgot
it. I have always said my prayers every
day, and tried not to be bad. Do you
think God heard me always ? "

^Tes, most assuredly. Did he not
promise, in his good Book, from which
your mother taught you, that he would
always hear the prayers of his children ?
Ask, and ye shall receive. Don't you re-
member this? One of the worst things
we can do is to doubt God's truth. He
has promised, and he will fulfil it Don't
you feel so, Frankie ? "

He hesitated a moment, and then an-
swered, slowly: "Yes, I do believe it.
I am not afraid to die, but I want some-
body to love me."

The old ciy for love, the strong yearn-
ing for sympathy of kindred hearts — ^it
would not be put down.

" Frankie, I love you. Poor boy ! you
shall not be lef^ alone. Is not this some
comfort to you ? "

" Do you love me ? WiD you stay with
me, and not leave me ? "

"I will not leave you. Be comforted,
I will stay as long as you wish."

I kissed the pale forehead as if it had
been that of my own child. A glad light
flashed over his fi&ce.

"Oh, kiss me again; that was given

like my sister. Mrs. S , won't you

kiss me, too ? I don't think it will be so
hard to die, if you will both love me.*'

It did not last long. With his face
nestled against mine, and his large blue
eyes fixed in peifect composure upon me
to the last moment, he breathed out his
lifo. So he died for his country, and rests
on the banks of the beautiful Ohio.



All jBor Nothlziflr.

The kind of woi^ which was accom-
plished by the noble women of the North
and West, through the agency of the
Sanitary Commission, during the war, is
well known. Here is an inddemt in
point : —

A Scotdi womfui, afier nursing lier



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616



wounded son until he was almost well, found
her money so nearly gone that she could
not remain with him; yet she could not
bear to leave him dependent only on the
ordinary hospital supplies, lest, as she
said, '^ he shouldn't be so well." A kind
friend took her to a storehouse, to procure
a few luxuries for her boy. He ordered
a supply of sugar, tea, soft crackers, and
canned fruit, then chicken and oysters,
then jelly and wine, brandy, milk, and
under-clothing, until the basket was fulL
As the earlier articles nestled under its
lids, her face was glowing with satisfaction ;
but, as the latter lots were being added,
she would draw him aside to whisper, that
it was too much — ^really, she hadn't enough
money; and when the more expensive
items came fiom the shelves, the shadow
of earnestness which gloomed her counte-
nance, grew into one of perplexity, her
soul vibrated between motherly yearning
for the lad on his bed, and the scant purse
in her pocket, until, slowly and with great
reluctance, she began to return the costli-
est of the tempting assortment.

"Hadn't you better ask the price?"
asked the guide.

" How much is it ? "

" Nothing," replied the storekeeper.

"Sir!" queried she, in the utmost
amazement ; " nothing for all this ? "

"My good woman," asked the guide,
" have you a Soldiers' Aid Society in your
neighborhood ? "

Yes, they had ; she belonged to it her-
self.

" Well, what do you suppose becomes of
the garments you make, and the fruits you
put up ? "

She hadn't thought ; she supposed they
went to the army ; but she was evidently
bothered to know what connection there
should be between their Aid Society and
the basket.

"These garments that you see, come
from your society, or other societies just
like yours ; so did these boxes and bar-
nels; those fruits from Boston; that wine



was purchased with gold from California ;
and it is all for sick soldiers — ^your son, as
much as for any one else. This is the
kind of work done by the United States
Sanitary Conmiission." This work, in-
deed, was a peculiar bond of union be-
tween the loyal and true-hearted women
of our country, enlisting, as it did, the act-
ive efibrts of such ladies as Mrs. Lincoln,
Mrs. Grant, Mrs. Halleck, &c., and reach-
ing to every family, however humble,
North and West



How to Take the Oath.
A former belle and well known young
lady of Louisville, Ky., — though not too
young to marry, was too rebellious to vow
the allegiance and fidelity of her heart to
the flag of the Union. Hymen h^ld out his
hand filled with tempting greenbacks ; but
military law is very severe and exacting,
making no discrimination in favor of the
softer sex. The God of domestic bliss
had to evacuate his position until the God
of war was appeased, and this could only
be done by the belle aforesaid taking an
oath to support the Union. While the
lady was modest enough to look for a
union of hearts, she cared nothing for that
political Union which a non-clerical law
exacted. Rather than forego the joys and
delights of married life, however, and
waste her sweetness in single solitude, the
little rebel beauty took the oath of alle-
giance to the United States Government,
and married — ^** a Yankee invader ! " The
joke was considered a good one, especially
on the part of the bride ; and could the
bridegroom be otherwise than a happy
man in the companionship of such a loyed
woman for a wife ?



General Bioe to hie Mother.
The following is an extract firom the
last letter written by General James C
Rice, just before the battles in the Vir-
ginia Wilderness, in one of which the
noble General lost his life. It was to his
aged mother, living in Worthington : —



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THE BOOK OP ANECDOTES OP THE BEBELLION*



We are about to commence the cam-
paign, the greatest in magnitude, strength
and importance since the beginning of the
war. Grod grant that victory may crown
our arms ; that this wicked rebellion may
be crushed, our Union preserved, and
peace and prosperity again be restored to
our beloved country. My faith and hope
and confidence are in God alone, and I know
that you feel the same. I trust that Gk>d
may again graciously spare my life, as He
has in the past, and yet one cannot fall too
early if, loving Christ, he dies for his
country. My entire hope is in the cross
of my Saviour. In this hope I am al-
ways happy. We pray here in the army,
mother, just the same as at home. The
same God who watches over you, also
guards me. I always remember you,
mother, in my prayers, and I know you
never forget me in yours. All that I am,
under God, I owe to you, my dear mother.
Do you recollect this passage in the Bible :
" Thou shalt keep therefore the statutes,
that it may go well with thee, and thy
children after thee." How true tliis is in
respect to your children, mother. I hope
you will read the Bible and trust the
promises to the last There is no book
like the Bible for comfort It is a guide
to the steps of the young — a staff to the
aged.

Well, my dear mother, good bye. We
are going again to do our duty, to bravely
offer up our life for that of the country,
and " through God we shall do valiantly."

With much love, and many prayers,
that, whatever may betide us, we may
meet in Heaven at last, I am your very
affectionate son, James.



Suparfluitifis In War Times mnumg the Fair
Sex.

The Provost Marshal of Memphis,
Tennessee, one day took several ladies in
custody, some of whom were of apparent
respectability, suspected of having been
engaged in smuggling goods into the Con-
federacy. As is usual in all such cases



of dealing with the fair sex, some strange
and curious developements were made,
after a little manipulation by a female ex-
aminer — "for such cases provided and
prepared.** One had on a whole bolt of
the finest of linen — sufficient for a village
haberdasher's stock — ^adjusted to answer
the purpose of a bustle (an article rather
out of date in a modem woman's ward*
robe). Her corset was filled with tempt-
ing pieces of gold coin, quilted in, and
amounting to twelve hundred dollars.
Another had her form winsomly rounded
out with padding, made up of the best
dress silks, worth five dollars and upward
per yard— decidedly extravagant even for
so choice a place and purpose. Her hose
were found to conceal, besides nature's
pedal supports, a quantity of gentlemen's
cravats — these being swathed carefiilly
and ingeniously about her rebellious little
legs. The third lady's ample hoops were
found to cover a number of yards of
broadcloth — by no conceivable hypothesis
neces>'ary in such a climate : and her bust
was filled out to the largest possible ma-
ternal fullness with a museum of articles,
consisting mainly of jewelry, silk thread,
needles and medicine?. The fair captives
were worth a good deal " as they stood,"
and were well taken care of.



Woman as a Dernier Besort.

Women have always been employed to
persuade information out of unsui«pecting,
but not unsuspected persons, and they
bring a degree of tact and shrewdness into
play that hirsute humanity can never hope
to equal. Many a wasp has been caught
with their honey of hypocrisy.

Here is an illustration : A subordinate
Federal officer in a certain city had long
been suspected of disloyalty, but no proof
to warrant his arrest could be obtained,
and so as a dernier resort a woman was
set at him. She smiled her way into his
confidence, and became his "next best
firiend," but, finding that ears were of no
use, — ^for he could not be induced to say



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617



one word of matters pertaining to his of-
fice, — she changed her plan of attack, and
turned a couple of curious, and, it is said,
beautiful eyes upon him. Not unfrequent-
ly he would ride out of town into the coun-
try, and be absent three or four hours and
return.

For all the hours of the twenty-four
but just these she could account. Within
them, then, lay the mischief, if mischief
there was, and she began to watch if he
made any preparation for these excursions.
None. He loaded his old-fashioned pis-
tol, drew on his gloves, lighted a cigar,
bade her a loving good-bye — ^** only that,
and nothing more." Was he deep and
she dull ? Time would show. At last,
she observed that he put an unusual charge
into the pistol, one day, and all at once
she grew curious in pistols. Would he
show her some day how to charge a pistol,
how to fire a pistol, how to be a dead shot?
And just at that minute she was athirst,
and would he bring her a lemonade ? She
was toying with the weapon, and he went.

The instant the door closed behind him
she drew the charge, for she knew quite
as much of pistols as he, and substituted
another. She was not a minute too soon,
for back he came, took the pistol, and rode
away. No sooner had he gone than she
set about an examination of the charge,
and it proved to be plans and details of
Federtd forces and movements, snugly
rolled together. The mischief was in the
pistol, then, though none but a woman
would have thought of it, and so it was
that he carried information to his rebel
friends with rural proclivities. The wo-
man's purpose was gained, and when the
officer returned, his "next best friend"
had vanished like an Arab, or a vision,
and he had hardly time to turn about be-
fore he was under arrest.



A Toonff Woman Shoots a GhMrxUla to
Avenffe tha Xuxder of Her Iiov«r.

The following simple and unvarnished
story has hardly a parallel in the page of



fiction. Its strict truth is beyond ques-
tion :

MuRFREESBORO', June 28, 1864.
To the Editor of The Times:

The original of the following letter is in
my possession. The events so graphically
narrated, transpired in Overton county,
Tenn. I knew Dr. Sadler from a small
boy. The men who murdered him were
noted guerrillas, and killed him for no per-
sonal grudge, but on account of his senti-
ments. I have no personal acquaintance
with the young lady, but have the highest



A Young Woman Shoots a Querrilla.

authority for statmg that she is a pure,
high-minded girl, the daughter of a plain
farmer in moderate circumstances. It only
remains to state that Peteet was killed
January 30, and Gordenliire February 4,
1864, so that the vengeance they invoked
has overtaken all three of the murderers
of M. G. Sadler.

John W. Bowen.

Martin's Creek, April 30, 1864.

Major Cliff : According to promise,
I now attempt to give you a statement of
the reasons why I killed Turner, and a
brief history of the af&ir. Dr. Sadler
had, for two years previous to his death,
seemed equally as near and dear to me as
a brother, and for several months nearer
than any person — my parents not except-
ed. If he had not, I never would have
done what I did — ^promise to be his.

The men who killed him had threatened



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his life often, because he was a Union man;
they said he should not live, and after he
had taken the oath they airested him, but
Lieut Oakly released him at Pa's gate.
He staid at Pa's till bed-time, and I warned
him of the danger he was in ; told him I
had heard his life threatened that day, and
that I felt confident he would be killed if
he did not leave the neighborhood, and
stay off imtil these men became recon-
ciled. He promised to go ; said he had
some business at Carthage, and would
leave. He promised us he would leave
the neighborhood that night or by daylight
next morning, and we felt assured he had
gone. But for some unaccountable rea-
son he did not leave.

About 3 o'clock, p. m., next day, news
came to me at Mr. Johnson's, where I had
gone with my brother, that Dr. Sadler was
killed. I had met Peteet, Gordenhire,
and Turner on the road, and told my
brother that they were searching for Dr.
Sadler to kill him. Sure enough they
went to the house where he was, and,
strange to me afler his warning, he per-
mitted them to come in. They met him
perfectly friendly, and said they had come
to get some brandy from Mr. Yelton, which
they obtained, and immediately after drink-
ing they all three drew their pistols and
commenced firing at Sadler. He drew
his, but it was snatched away from him ;
he then drew his knife, which was also
taken away from him. He then ran
round the house and up a stairway, escap-
ing out of their sight They followed,
however, and searched till they found him,
and brought him down and laid him on a
bed, mortally wounded. He requested
some of his people to send for Dr. Dillin
to dress his wounds. It is strange to me
why, but Sadler's friends had all left the
room, when Turner went up and pnt his
pistol against the temple, and shot him
through the head. They all rejoiced like
demons, and stood by till he made his last
struggle. They then pulled his eyes open
and asked in a loud voice if he were dead.



They then took his horse and saddle and
pistols, and robbed him of all his money,
and otherwise insulted and abused his re-



Now, for this, I resolved to have re-
venge. Peteet and Gordenhire being
dead, I determined to kill Turner, and to
seek an early opportunity of doing it
But I kept that resolution to myself,
knowing that I would be prevented. I
went prepared, but never could get to see
him.

On the Thursday before I killed him, I
learned he was preparing to leave for
Louisiana, and I determined he should not
escape if I could prevent it I arose that
morning and fixed my pistols, so that they
would be sure fire, and determined to hunt
him all that day. Then sitting down I
wrote a few lines, so that if I fell my
friends might know where to look for my
remains. I took my knitting, as if I were
going to spend the day with a neighbor
living ' on the road toward Turner's. It
rained very severely, making the roads
muddy, so that I became fatigued, and
concluded to go back and ride next day, or
Saturday. But Ma rode my horse on
Satimiay, and left me to keep house.

We had compcmy Sunday a. m., so that
I could not leave, but the company left
about noon, and I started again in search
of Turner. I went to his house about two
and a half miles from Pa's. I found no
one at home and therefore sat down to
await his return. After waiting periiaps
one and a half hours, a man came to see
Turner, and not finding him he said he
supposed that he and his wife had gone to
Mrs. Christian's, his sister-in-law, who
lived about one-half mile distant

I concluded to go there and see, fearing
the man would tell him I was waiting for
him and he would escape me. I found
him there, and a number of other persons,
including his wife and her father and
mother. Most of them left when I en-
tered the house. I asked Mrs. Qiristiaa
if Turner was gcme. She pomted to bim



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619



at the gate just leaving. I looked at the
dock, and it was half-past four o'clock,
p. m.

I then walked out into the yard, and as
Turner was starting, called to him to stop.
He turned and saw I was preparing to
shoot him ; he started to run. I fired at
the distance of about twelve paces, and
missed. I fired again as quick as possi-
ble, and hit him in the back of the head,
and he fell on his face and knees. I fired
again and hit him in the back, and he fell
on his right side. I fired twice more, only
one of ^ese shots taking efiect; Bj this
time I was within five steps of him, and
stood and watched him till he was dead.
I then turned round and walked toward
the house, and met Mrs. Christian and her
sister, his wife, coming out. They asked
me what I did that for? My response
was:

" You know what that man did on the
13th of December last — murdered a dear
friend of mine. I have been determined
to do this deed ever since, and I never
shall regret it"

The J said no more to me, but commenced
hallooing and blowing a horn. I got my
horse out and started home, where I shall
stay or leave when I please, and say what
I please.

L. J. W.



BoahwlutolLen Kept at Bay by a Brave
OlrL

While Brigadier- Greneral Brown was in
command of the Federal forces at Jeffer-
son City, Missouri, an attempt was made
by three bushwhackers to enter the house
of Mr. Schwartz, twelve miles distant, but
who, being resolutely resisted by a young
lady of only fifteen years, undertook to
break down the door. It appears that on
being thwarted in their purpose to enter
the house, they declared they waidd oome
in, at the same time trymg to break down
the door. While Uiis was going on, the
other inmates of the house, viz., Mr.
Schwartz, John Wise, Captain Golden,



government horse dealer, and a young man
in his employ, all left, taking with them —
as they supposed — ^all the arms and am-
munition. In their hasty retreat they lefl
behind a revolver, which Miss Schwartz
appropriated to her own use. She went
to the door, and on opening it, presented
the pistol at the leader of the gang, telling
them to ^ come on if they wanted to, and
that some of them should fall, or she
would." They threatened to kill her if she
did not leave the door. She replied :

'^ The first man who takes one step to-
ward this door dies, for this is the home
of my parents, and my brothers and sis-
ters, and I am able to, and shall defend
it."

Seemg that she was determined in her
purpose, and after holding a consultation
together, they left.

Here is one of the many instances of
true and brave-hearted courage ; — a young
girl of but fifteen fresh and tender sum-
mers, after all the inmates of the house,
even her fiither, had fied, leaving her
alone to her fate, — with the courage wor-
thy a Joan of Arc, boldly defending her
native home against three blood-thirsty
and cowardly ruffians, and by her coolness
and heroic daring, succeeding in turning
them at their peril, from their hellish de-
signs. All honor to the heroism of that
truly American girl !
»

Sknll-Bone Memento Kept by a Lady. .

Information was one day communicated
to the Provost-Marshal of St. Louis, Mis-
souri, that the wife of a well known Con-
federate officer, Warrack Hugh, — Captain
and Assistant-Inspector-General on Gen-
eral Leonidas Polk*s staff, was in that city
and preparing to go to Jefferson City.
Orders were immediately issued for her
arrest, and carried out. In her possession
were found a number of secession articles,
a package of letters, and a piece of the
skull of a Union soldier^ about two inches
square, and so thick that it must have been
a pordoi^ qf the oqcipital bone, on whidi



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was the inscription, ""Wilson's Creek,
Dec 21st, 1861," and then some obscure
chirography, half rubbed out, that looked
like ' Found on the spot' In answer to a
question where she obtained it, she replied
by teUing when she got it. In answer to
another, as to whether she knew what it
was, she answered in the afiirmative, —
that she knew it to be a portion of the
skuU of a Union soldier. When inquired
of why she kept it, she replied, " For a
memento^^* — an unaccountable and pervert-
ed taste for a lady. She was committed
tq the female department of the prison,
after an examination, and the pleasant
souvenirs were retained by the officials.



Clever Do^, bat both sucked Bnrs.
During General Bimey's raid through
Florida, a bright little girl was found alone
in one of the houses, her parents having
'skedaddled.* She was rather non-com-
mittal, for she did not know whether the
troops were Union or rebel. Two fine
dogs made their appearance, while a con-
versation was being held with the child,
and she informed one of her questioners
that their names were Gillmore and Beau-
regard. " 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 as-