Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 3.
Frank Moore, Ed.

A good Samaritan.--Private Job H. Wells, of Company C, was lost in the confusion of the troops at the battle of Bull Run. He got into the woods, and soon after the moon was shut in by a cloud. He wandered till he came to a rye field, where he encamped for the night. Tired and exhausted, he soon fell asleep, but awoke in the morning cold and hungry. He determined to make for a house he saw at a distance, and risk the consequences. He dragged his weary, stiffened limbs along, in a terrible uncertainty as to the reception he should meet with. Arriving at the house and entering, he was heartily welcomed by the lady occupant, who gave him a sofa to rest upon, and in the mean time directed her servants to prepare breakfast. The table was liberally supplied, and our friend told to be seated. The lady was a stanch Unionist, and declared that the National troops were welcome to whatever she had. She said that on the march out, some of the troops stopped at her place and took several ducks; these she cared nothing about, and if they had taken much more they would have been welcome. If they had not broken up her setting hens, she would not have said a word. The good lady did not like to lose her next year's flock. Soon after breakfast, a troop of secessionists [10] came in sight. The lady put Mr. Wells in a rear room, while she conversed with some of them. She feigned great ignorance of what had been going on, and learned from them the route they were going. After they had gone, Mr. Wells inquired how he was to get away. “That is easy enough,” replied the matron; “trust to me.” She ordered one of her servants to saddle a horse and bring it to the door. She then brought out a long overcoat, and told him to put it on. The pockets were liberally supplied with delicacies to serve him on the way. The horse was brought to the door, when the lady told Mr. Wells that the horse was at his service, and would safely carry him through. Said she, “Take the horse, and go to Washington. You may leave him with my son” --giving his name and residence. “If a secessionist meets you, shoot him; if there is more than one, shoot the first, and trust to the horse for the other, for he will soon carry you out of danger.” Mr. Wells mounted the horse, and safely reached Washington. He left the horse as directed, and was welcomed by the son as he had been by the mother.

While Mr. Wells was waiting, a Unionist of the vicinity came into the house, and said he was about to leave for Washington; that he had sent his family over, and had stayed behind to see if it was possible to save any thing. The lady asked him if he had any money. He said he had not. She then went up stairs, and returning with a purse of silver, gave it to the gentleman, remarking, “Take this; you may as well have it as the secessionists. They have already divided my property, and apportioned it among themselves; but the first man that makes the attempt, I shall shoot.”

Doubtless there are many such noble women in Virginia and elsewhere, who are now suffering daily and nightly through fears of the force and violence of the secessionists. It is for these we fight, as well as ourselves. Let the remembrance of this fact nerve our arms for the conflict, and impel us to speedily give them deliverance.--Providence Journal, Aug. 2.