Page 84 - Arkansas Confederate Women

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MISS McSWEENY AS A CONFEDERATE SPY,
OF FORT SMITH.

By J. M. Lucey.
When the federal general, Blunt, occupied Fort Smith late
in 1863-4 and General W. L. Cabell retired from the city to

Devil's Backbone, .18 miles distant, the intermediate territory

became the raiding ground of both armies. A family named

McSweeney lived near the public road, about half way between
the two places. It was composed of a widow, her two daughters,
Mattie and Mollie, aged about 18 and 12, respectively, and a son,
Peter, aged about 20. The last named was in Cabell's brigade.
Miss Mattie visited Fort Smith twice a week at irregular inter-
vals, according as her escort, a young federal lieutenant, could
arrange for an absence. She was under suspicion at Blunt's
headquarters , but confidence was placed in the detective powers

of the lieutenant.

SOMETHING ON HIS MIND
One instance of her tact will be narrated out of several. On

this occasion there seemed to be something on the lieutenant'^

mind which he was anxious to get off. There was two things
on Miss Mattie's mind, tin cups and frying pans. News had
been brought to her from Cabell's camp that tin cups and frying
pans were badly needed. The gold that- had been concealed
for months in soldiers' belts was brought forth, so that there
might be no delay on the score of money.

On this trip Miss Mattie stopped at the home of the writer^

father, where his sisters and other ladies quickly arranged to
make the purchases, as it would not do for Miss Mattie to buy
the articles. In a few hours everything was secured and deftly
fastened to her underclothing. Miss Mattie had made a special
request that a negro driver would take her home, the lieutenant
riding on horseback as an escort until the pickets were passed.
What was the horror of all concerned when the buggy was driven
up by the lieutenant

Could it mean that a discovery was made? Captured as a