Page 145 - Arkansas Confederate Women

126 Confederate Women of Arkansas

The escaped prisoners were taken in and hidden at the
home of the proprietor of a gents' furnishing house in Balti-
more. Col. Bell often expressed regret that the name of the family
escaped his memory, for after the troublesome times were over
he longed to write and thank them for their kindness. But he
was glad, after the surrender, on his return to Little Eock, to
find his generous hearted friend and returned the money which

proved so helpful.

Col. Bell afterward married Miss Mary Woodruff, daugh-

ter of the late Wm. E. Woodruff, Sr., of Little Rock. His

brother was sick at a Catholic hospital in Baltimore and the
two met at their home at Hamburg, Ashley county, Ark., their

first meeting since leaving Johnson's Island. What became- of
the other soldiers who escaped, they never knew.

SIGN OF THE STORK.

A young captain of our country, himself a married man,

read and wrote letters for many of his men unable to read or
write. He told me of opening a letter at the request of a sturdy
young soldier who had left a young wife at home. There Was
nothing of special moment in the letter, but the soldier blushed
and laughed when the captain held up a blue yarn string and
said, "What does this mean, Rodgers, a secret token from your
wife?" "Yes, captain, that means good news." Months after,

returning from a furlough, the young soldier came to his cap-
tain and said, "I left a young soldier boy at home, sir, 'and
we've named him Robt. E. Lee."

"Rodgers," said the captain, "was that the yarn string
token?" "Yes. captain, that was it."