Page 85 - Arkansas Confederate Women

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76 Confederate Women of Arkansas

spy would mean death to her and imprisonment to all concerned.
THE OFFICER HOODWINKED

A hasty council of war was held by the ladies and they came

to the conclusion that there was nothing to it. One of the
ladies went to hold the horse and the another induced the officer

to enter the house for a lemonde, while the others were transfer-
ring the tin cups and frying pans to the other side from where

he would ride. How the young lady got well fixed in the buggy

before the officer came out, how they passed the time so that
there would be no jingling and how her little sister effected a
ruse by which Miss Mattie was enabled to make a safe landing

are all matters of local history.
SEARCHING REFUGEES

Another kind of heroism was brought into existence when
it became necessary in the eyes of the federal commander to send
the wives of Confederate soldiers or sympathizers beyond the

lines. An officer would come to the house with an old negro

woman. The trunks, traveling bags and even the clothing worn
were to be searched for contraband goods. The main point of
the lady friends of the refugees was to cajole the Officer, molly-
coddle him, and get the negro woman drunk. The residence of

the Miller family, one of whom, Miss Adelaide, married Wm. M.

Mshback, governor of the state at one time, was a favorite place
of departure. The ladies would never give out the secrets of

those occasions, and it was not for many years safe to do so, but it
is known that midst the sadness and sorrows of farewells there

were interesting events.

John C. Breckenridge tells the following joke at the ex-
pense of Humphreys Marshall, of Kentucky, who would have
been a promising candidate for president of a fat man's club

When General Pegram was preparing to march into Ken-

tucky, Marshall warned him not to come, and finally sent word
that any troops that attempted to enter Kentucky would have
to pass over his dead body. Pegram replied

"The feat that you suggest would be too much to expect of

my artillery, but if I find the obstacle in the way, I will be com-

pelled to tunnel through."