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Heroism Of A Widow

Heroism Of A Widow image
Parent Issue
Day
27
Month
December
Year
1895
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

t was on the first and secoud days of fiepsimber, 3 864, General Hardee of the southern forees, was sent to Jonesboro f rom Atlanta with 23,000 men to bead off a formidable flauk inovement oí the enemy whicb had ior its purpose to ent off southern eomrnunication and thereby compel the evacuatiou of the eity of Atlanta. The flank movement ■consisted of 40,000 or 15,000 men and was commanded chiefly by Major General John M. Sohofleld, together with General eclgwick, whowas also a corps oonimander, and consisted of the best flghters of the Federal army. As the two arniies confronted each Other two miles to the north and northwest of Jouesboro, it so happened that the little house and farm of a poor old widow was just betweeu the two lines of battle when the conflict opened, and having uowhere to go she was neceasariiy eatight lierween the fire of the two commanthng lines of battle, which were at comparatively close range and doing flerce and deadly work. Tho house and home of this old lady was soon converted into a federal hospital, and with the varying fortunes she was alternately within the liues of each conteuding army, when not between them on disputed ground. So the battle raged all day, and thewounded anddying of both anuies were carried to the humble shelter of this old lady until her yard and premises were literally strewn with the dead and dying uf both arinies. f During thewhole of this eventful day' this good and brave wnman. exposed aa she was to the ïncessant showers of shot anti shell from both sides, moved fearlessly abont ainong the and dying of both sidos ah'ke, and without makiugthe slightest distinction. Finally night closed tho seene with General Schofield's army corps in possession of tbe grouud, aud when the moruing dawned it fonad this grand oM ladystill at her post of dnty, kuowing, too, as she did, the fortunes, or rather misfortnnes, of war had stripped her of the last vestige of property she had except her little tract of land which had been laid waste. Now it was that General John M. Schofield, having kuown of her snffering and destitnte condition, sent her nnder escort aud arrus a large wagon load of provitiioiis and snpplies, and caused his a d ju tan t general to write her a long and touching letter of thanks, and wound ujj the letter with a special request that she keep it till the war was over and present tt to the United States govermneut and they would repa.y all her losses. She kept the letter and soou after the soïitlieru claims commission was established she bruught it to the wrifcer, who preseuted her claim in due form, and he waa awarded about $G00 - all she claimed, butnot beiug all she lost. That letter is now ou file with other proofs of the exact truth of this statement with the files of the southern claims coramission at Washington. Her uame was Allie McPeek and she

Article

Subjects
Ann Arbor Argus
Old News