The Indomitable spirit of the Women of Baltimore.
The following simple incident of
General Dix's reign in the city of
Baltimore, sent to us by a lady exile from that city, who vouches for the substantial correctness of the facts parroted, is an instance of the determined spirit which prevails among the true-hearted maidens and matrons of the downtrodden but still glorious old city of
Baltimore:
A young lady of
Baltimore, daughter of an Englishman; was presented by a friend with a Confederate flag.
She immediately hung it from her second story window, telling her sister as she did so, that she would defend that flag with her life.
It remained unmolested account hour, when the door-bell rang violently.
The waiter, an old negro, was soon at his post, where he found six Yankee soldiers.
They asked ‘"who had hung that traitorous rag out of the window?"’
‘"Beautiful red silk, gentlemen,"’ said the negro; ‘"any of you would like to have it for a vest?
My young mistress hung it out; gentlemen, she is very innocent; don't say anything about it"’
‘"Go to your mistress,"’ said the commander of the brave set, ‘"and tell her to take it from the window, or we will come and take it away for her."’
‘"Why, gentlemen, my little mistress would never put up with that; she is a brave one; can kill the six of you with her revolver."’
‘"Do as you are bid, you impudent negro, tell your mistress to take the flag from the window immediately."’
Accordingly, going to the young lady, he said:
Lord, little mistress, six great soldiers down at the door to take away your flag.
Let old
Phil hide it for you."
‘"No, Uncle Phil, let it alone.
I shall not touch it, nor allow any one else that privilege."’
‘"But, mistress, they say they will come up if you don't put it away."’
‘"Let me settle it, Uncle Phil."’ Going to the window where the flag was hanging, she said: ‘"You have sent to me to take my flag from this window.
I must tell you I have no intention of doing any such thing.
I am not breaking any of the laws or by-laws of the
Constitution.
I have read it attentively, and nowhere can I find even the mention of a Confederate flag."’
‘"But your city is under martial law, and, therefore, we can compel you to obey." ’
A woman has nothing to do with military matters; so I am exempt.
I assure you I shall not remove my flag."
One of the
Yankee soldiers, thrusting his hand into his pocket, drew forth a pistol-- ‘"This,"’ he said, ‘"will make you take it in."’
‘"Ah,"’ said the young lady, with perfect
noncha ‘"you would shoot me, would you?
Allow me to give you a lesson.
Take aim at the house opposite; in so doing you may possibly shoot me; as you Yankees generally hit where you do not aim, and, little boy,"’ she said to one of dwarf statue standing by, ‘"change your position, for, in attempting to shoot me, he might shoot you. I shall not remove the flag; if you want it, you must come for it. You are armed and so am I,"’ (showing a pair of tongs, which served as her weapon.) ‘"Do come up for the flag.
I assure you there are no masked batteries
on route for this window.
Come up; but, understand, I shall defend this sacred emblem of Liberty with my life."’
The
Yankees, amazed at the bravery of the young girl, vacillated some moments, and then left, saying, ‘"if they had an armed woman to contend with, they must let the flag alone. "’ The mere mention of masked batteries seemed to have depicted terror in the countenance of every one of them.
After they had proceeded a few paces, the young lady sent old
Phil in haste to ask them to step back to the door for a moment.
‘"Gentlemen,"’ she said, ‘"I forgot to ask you if you would like to know my employment.
Like most Yankees, I imagine, you are curious and inquisitive.
I am knitting socks for the
Confederate soldiers."’ So saying, she exultingly displayed a pair.
Then looking towards the corner of the next cross street, she saw about fifty Yankee soldiers marching very irregularly.
‘"What does this mean?"’ she inquired, ‘"it is now my turn to be curious"’
‘"An order I suppose,"’ said one of the
Yankees, ‘"to arrest another traitor."’
‘"Quite impossible!
It takes twelve hundred at midnight, on the sly, to arrest one of our brave Southern citizens.
I'll tell you what has happened; some little secession dog has barked at a Union man, and
General Dix, in his efforts to suppress everything like treason; has sent a company of soldiers to arrest the little rebel.
I shall write a petition to the
General, soliciting the privilege of exercise within the enclosure for the little patriot.
I shall also beg that the he be decently subsisted.
I am glad it was not my precious
Gyp.
I dress him in
red and
white ribbons every day; but the
Yankees will never get him, and yet I make him bark at every Union man that passes the house."’
‘"The brave soldiers skulked off like so many poltroons without spirit, and without courage."’
