Day was breaking when she reached the Confederate post. In her makeup she encountered difficulty with the men in gray in convincing them that she was not a Yankee spy. She was taken prisoner, but when ushered into camp, a member of General Lee’s staff recognized her and delivered her into the general’s presence.
“Molly Campbell? What in the world?” With a ghostlike expression on his face, the general continued, “What a clever disguise.” He laughed and laughed and laughed as he stood gazing at her. “I am totally surprised that you got through,” he added.
“I’m surprised myself,” said Molly. “But I didn’t have anything to lose either way. The road wasn’t so closely guarded the last time I was here.”
“That’s been more than three weeks ago,” said General Lee. “I’ve been worried about you, and every day I wondered if something had happened to you.”
“That’s just it, General Lee,” said Molly. “I’m a captive now, and I have come to tell you about it. I’ve been planning to come for some time but have found it impossible to escape the prison of my own house until tonight.”
“My gosh, child. Have they taken possession of your home?” the general anxiously asked.
“Yes, General Lee. They have,” answered Molly. She seated herself on one of the campstools and told in minute detail the subsequent happenings at the Pines. General Lee listened with attention and courtesy of a gentleman from the old South. Molly was completely at ease in the presence of this man, talking as if with her own father. So without hesitancy or confusion, she told him everything, and now she was ready to listen to his advice.
“It’s too—too bad! Molly, I’m truly sorry,” he said. “I must do something for our loyal friends down there. I’ve been planning to sweep those dragoons out of there for some time, but we’ve had so many things here. So many ugly things.” He paused, and for an instant his solemn expression showed signs of pain. “I just didn’t do it, but I will have to take care of it at once. You get some rest while I make plans.”
“Oh, glory be!” she shouted, springing up from the stool, throwing her arms around General Lee. “I’ll join the troops myself, as a scout. I know every foot of the way from here to the Gauley. First you must get me a Confederate uniform. I don’t want to wear this Yankee blue any longer. Oh, how I hate those damn Yankees.” She smiled and said, “All but one.”
“All but one?” said General Lee, looking at her out of the corner of his eye. “He isn’t a Yankee anymore, is he?”
“I won’t permit him to be,” replied Molly. “I’m going to make a staunch Southern Rebel of him, just like me. I want to change this Union blue uniform for a Southern one of the same size. When Andy is able, he shall wear it, and he shall enlist under the Southern Cross.”
“Molly, you shouldn’t expect that, if you don’t mind my opinion,” answered the general. “I don’t think you should wish for him to put on the gray and forsake his allegiance. Has he indicated to you that he is willing to do this?” asked the general.
“No, he has not!” snapped Molly.
“Let me give you a little advice,” the general spoke, raising his voice slightly. “That is an individual matter, and you cannot decide for him. His allegiance with either the North or the South in this war is a matter of principle. I would say a very deep principle. He would be branded by the North as a traitor and a deserter, and—and—I fear the South could never trust him. Would you want this for the man you love?”
“I, ah, I had not thought of it in that manner. Perhaps you are right, sir,” said Molly, emotion in her voice. She turned away from the general then turned immediately back to face him, pleading, “They are sure to convict him. He has already been branded a traitor. He is due to face court-martial soon. His enemies have made sure that the evidence is sufficient. They even took the maps and charts and shook them in my face and accused me of taking them to bring to you. God knows, General Lee, I had never seen them nor knew of their existence until that damn Yankee colonel Hayes held them before my face, accusing Andy and me of stealing them. Andy had not, even to this day, been guilty of a single act nor spoken a single word that could be construed as treason.”
“Frankly, my child, I must say, that sounds good for him, but any man who is weak enough to change his principles and change his uniform, in this war, is not worthy enough to be your husband,” explained Lee.
“He’s innocent, I swear it, General. That Millbaugh and LaCrosse set a trap for him. He hasn’t a chance. They plan to kill him. He has to come with us,” pleaded Molly.
“Molly, be still and listen to what I am going to say. I don’t want a word out of you until I finish my say,” demanded the general. “Your father was my best and truest friend. We rode many a mile side by side. Ate by many a campfire, but the campaign in Mexico is when I knew we were true friends for life. He has paid the supreme sacrifice for the South. Your brother, Levi, is now at the front with General Jackson. And you I consider as dear as a daughter. In past weeks you have performed an excellent service for the Southern cause, and they owe you a debt of gratitude. Many a day you have come to us with information that has proven very valuable. This was at great risk to yourself in spite of the fact that I have repeatedly warned and cautioned against taking such chances. So that is why I am going to say to you what I know your father would have me say. I am only going to give you a little advice, and I hope you will accept it in the spirit in which I give it. I understand, without question, the things you have experienced and have told me. I am not sure about the rest. I fear you are being deceived. I have experienced it before, and I am not surprised that these young troopers have lost their heads over you to the extent that they are fighting among themselves. There is no doubt you are charming and exceptionally beautiful. I’m not saying this as flattery. It is true, but I wish to bring to your attention that it is easy for the commonplace girl to avoid the pitfalls of innumerable temptations, but not for a girl of your qualities. There is a possibility that I am wrong, but I am suspicious of this Yankee lover of yours. I feel you are being deceived. Throughout my lifetime I have known many cases of young pretty girls like you, Molly, taking up with soldiers whom they knew nothing about. They fell for the sweet-tongued, honey orations of these men and always, almost always, left deserted and lonely, regretting that they gave what the soldier wanted and received nothing in return, except heartbreak and disgrace. For your father’s sake, and for yours, Molly, I speak this way because I have long cherished the friendship, which has prompted me to warn you in this matter.”
The general stood up. Molly immediately stood up, facing him. There was no answer, and the expression in her face did not indicate any reaction to his advice.
With a smile, General Lee placed his arm around her shoulder by way of dismissing the subject. “Daughter,” he said, “let us discuss those people down there.”
Molly placed her right arm around his waist as they turned and strolled toward his tent. The general began to speak again. “Molly, I promise you that we’ll clean out that nest of dragoons in a few days and drop some fire on those in Gauley Bridge and we’ll strike Ferry at the same time. Then we will keep sufficient troops east of the Gauley for about ten days to two weeks, but no longer. Then—we’ll.” The general hesitated, then continued, “What I am going to tell you is very confidential, inside information that must not pass your lips. I know I can trust you is why I do not hesitate to tell you, and—and I feel that you should know. Within two weeks and not more than a month, the troops now stationed here will withdraw to the Shenandoah Valley.”