A Coward in Breeches and a Heroine in Petticoats.
--We find a very interesting letter in the Memphis Appeal, of the 1st instant, from a gentleman writing from "Cypress Camp, near Moscow, Ky., Nov. 28," who accompanied the flag of truce party to Paducah to release from a reign of terror two sisters and a niece of Gen. A. Sidney Johnston, C. S. A., who sought, an asylum from the worse than Veres despotism of Gen. Smith, commanding at Paducah. The following paragraph from it we extract as another of the numerous illustrations this war has afforded of the patriotic fearlessness of woman, and, on the other hand, of the craven- hearted poltroonery of some of the stronger sex:‘ Some five miles beyond Blandville we halted at a farmer's gate, and asked the favor of a night's entertainment. It was a place well provided with everything for our accommodation, as was evident from the air of comfort and plenty that everything bore that was visible. An old gentleman answered to our call, and in explanation of his declining to accommodate us, detailed a raid of the Lincolnites, some three thousand strong, upon the town of Lovelaceville the day before, the arrest of a number of citizens, the destruction of property, and the threat that any citizen giving aid and comfort to the rebels should be "shorn of his substance, " and turned out, like Nebuchadnezzar, to grass. The old gentleman told his story with tears in his eyes, and while protesting his readiness to accommodate us under other circumstances, acknowledged his intimidation and his want off confidence in the purpose or ability of the Confederate forces to protect him. A further ride of about a mile brought us to another farm-house, and, riding up to the gate, our Captain's summons was answered by a lady. The same inquiry after rest and refreshments for man and beast was propounded, when the lady informed Captain Ballentine that her husband was absent having gone to Lovelaceville to investigate the rumors of the ravages of the savages at that place. Here was a fair excuse for her refusal to receive us under her roof during the absence of her husband, and we were about to ride on, when a sudden thought seemed to strike the noble woman, and it became her turn to question, and our Captain's to reply. "Before you go," she said, "allow me to ask which Government you serve, the Federal or Confederate?" "Madam," said Captain Ballentine, while his very tone and manner spoke his pride in the distinction of rebel, "we are humble tools in the hands of Providence for the vindication of the right of man to self-government and of course are enlisted under the Confederate flag." "Then you can stay," was the reply, uttered in a tone which told of resolution that rose superior to consequences and at the same time gesticulating with both hands in the most emphatic manner — at woman of the second revolution who is equal to the times. We were now invited to alight and our horses — which to a cavalryman is a second self — and ourselves received every possible attention. During the evening our host arrived and added his own to his wife's assurances of welcome. The evening was passed around a country fire, enlivened with country cheer, and broad daylight found us in our saddles and on our way to Paducah, still some sixteen miles distant.
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