Page:The woman in battle .djvu/564

504 He asked me how much money I would require for my journey, and I told him that I thought about six hundred dollars would see me through.

"Well," said he, "I can get that for you;" and going out, he soon returned with the amount, remarking, as he gave it to me, "We Copperheads can always raise some money for the cause, even if we have no men."

The old gentleman took me to the depot in his buggy, and bought me a ticket for Cincinnati. He also gave me a letter to the head of the Copperhead ring there. This document I had, however, no use for, although I accepted it, as I did the six hundred dollars. I had at the time the sum of ninety-three thousand dollars on my person, and had in deposit in several banks over fifty thousand dollars. The six hundred dollars I accepted as a contribution to the cause, and on the principle that every little helps.

Bidding my aged friend farewell, I took my seat in the train, and was soon on my way to Columbus—for I had no intention of going to Cincinnati. On reaching Columbus, I took rooms at a new hotel near the depot, and made some inquiries with regard to the prisoners; but before I could make any definite arrangement concerning them, I received a telegraphic despatch, directing me to go to Canada immediately. I, therefore, contributed three thousand dollars of the money which I had with me, and which I regarded as Southern property, for the relief of the prisoners, and for the purchase of necessary clothing. A Mrs. R. had charge. of this prisoners' relief fund, and I had every confidence that the money in her hands would be properly bestowed.

Proceeding as rapidly as I could to Canada, I had a conference with the agent there, and then hastened to New York. In that city I found a host of Confederates who were anxiously waiting to receive their instructions from me. One was to go to Nassau, as supercargo ; another was to sail by the next steamer for Paris, to receive opium and quinine; a third was to proceed to Missouri; a fourth to the north-western part of Texas, and so on. Giving each his proportion of cash for expenses, and telling them whom to draw on in case they were short, I bade them good by, and wished them success.

These matters being arranged, I went to see the broker