Standard [Clarksville], Tx,
July 20, 1861
The two loyal women who, at the peril of their lives from hired enemies and home traitors, escaped from the black republicans, at Grafton, to cry to our troops at Phillippi: “To your arms, O! Israel! the enemy are upon you!” are now at the Virginia Hotel, in Staunton, refugees from their homes. Had the commanders at Phillippi been made of such stuff as these fair ones are, the surprise and stampede which took place, and which nothing but fighting to the death on the part of the retreating troops can atone for, never would have happened.–Staunton (Va.) Vindicator.
The Richmond Dispatch, of the 17th instant, announces the arrival of these heroic ladies in that city. They had an interview with Governor Letcher, who requested them to make the Executive mansion their home during their stay in the city.
A letter received in this city also alludes to these heroines, and we have been kindly permitted to publish the subjoined extract on the subject. The spirit of ’66 is still alive, and the mothers and daughters of the South are as true, as patriotic, and as brave to-day, as their ancestors were in the “times which tried men’s souls.”
Who can doubt the result of this contest, when the women are emulating the men in deeds of daring and in devotion to their Southern homes? all honor to the daughters of Virginia–the heroines of Phillippi.
But to the extract:
Staunton, Virginia, }
June 14th, 1861. }
“There are many beautiful young ladies here, who add much to our pleasure–among them are two young heroines, who arrived day before yesterday. They resided in the northwestern part of the State. Nearly all the inhabitants were our enemies, and when the hirelings of Lincoln invaded the State, not a man who saw them moved to arrest their progress. These two young ladies, knowing that our soldiers at Phillippi were in dangers, mounted their horses, and alone in a heavy rain, rode forty-two miles to warn our soldiers of their approach. They then rode to this place, (Staunton,) riding on horse-back a distance of one hundred and fifty-two miles, and then gave their horses to two soldiers who were going to fight the enemy. The republicans have offered a reward of two thousand dollars for these two rebel ladies. A party was given them last night, and the officers of our regiment invited; we went and had a delightful time. The young ladies were there, and the officers of our regiment promised that they would defend the two young heroines, and elect them daughters of the regiment. I was surprised to find them well educated ladies–and not, as we supposed, plain country girls.”
The names of these ladies are: Miss Mollie McLeod and Miss Abbie Kerr.