Another War Heroine – Alice Wright of Missouri
A little known story about a very patriotic brave Confederate Lady from Missouri,
Jerry Watkins, Quartermaster
Capt James V. Knox Camp#2022
Nahunta, GA 31553
Another War Heroine – Alice Wright
October 1908 – Confederate Veteran Magazine
By E. Louise Strother, Sherman, Texas
Mrs. A. W. Clinton (née Wright) presented a Confederate flag to the first company organized in Missouri for the Civil War, in Col. J. R. Boyd’s command. From that time each moment of her life through the entire war was given with heroic devotion to the "Rebel cause." Enthusiastic, aggressive, and devoted, she seemed inspired, and performed services worthy to be remembered. She was the bearer of important dispatches at times and under conditions when it would have been impossible for a man to succeed. She hid soldiers in the woods far away from civilization, took them food, and then rode alone under the cover of darkness back home.
A price was set upon her head by the Federal authorities, but dauntlessly she continued to contribute to her country’s cause. Quantrell, the noted guerrilla, trusted her, and many valuable services she rendered him. She was active on the battlefields of Glasgow, Independence, and Lone Jack, ministering to the wounded and dying.
At one time a number of Confederate recruiting officers from Price’s army were captured; and although they were in possession of papers showing that they were entitled to be treated as prisoners of war, they were shot. Among them were her brother-in-law and two intimate friends, Col. B. G. Jeanes and his brother. She went unattended except by a Cumberland Presbyterian minister who was seventy-five years old, identified the bodies, and brought them one hundred miles in a wagon to their homes to be buried.
Her brother, Dr. W. S Wright, chief surgeon in Col. A. E Steen’s command, was captured and placed in the Myrtle Street Prison, in St. Louis. Into St. Louis went Miss Wright. For a whole year she worked, and by her courage and diplomacy she secured his freedom, although he had been condemned to die.
She was generous as well as brave. Upon one occasion a man whom she had regarded with friendship, but who had espoused the Federal cause and was a known reporter of news against her side, was to be killed, and the plan was known to Miss Wright. Late in the afternoon of the fatal day she saw him passing her house. Mercy and tenderness impelled her in his behalf. She could not bear to know that a man was to be killed in cold blood. She went out, stopped him, and suggested that it would be better for him to take another route, which he quickly understood, and thus she saved his life.
Time and again fire in the hand of the enemy destroyed her property; and when the surrender occurred, she was without means. She went to Montana seeking health. There she met and married Judge J. H. D. Street, a prominent lawyer and gifted orator. Once child blessed this union. Later as Mrs. Street she married a Mr. Clinton, who died about ten years ago. Mrs. Clinton is now the guest of honor in the North Texas Female College, in Sherman, Texas. Still unconquered, she is the heroic, delightful woman of "Secesh" times.
Heroine Alice Wright-Clinton
December 1908 – Confederate Veteran Magazine
By I. F. Pendleton, Adjut. Com. A. S. Johnston Camp, 644
Another war heroine on page 500 of the October Veteran, giving an account of the flag presentation by Miss Alice Wright, interest me. I had the honor of being one of those present. It took place in front of an old theater building in St. Joseph, Mo. There were two companies present, one commanded by Captain Carson, from Easton, Mo., and one from DeKalh, commanded by Capt. George Buck.
The lady was a very pretty girl, and I can see her now as she made her address to the two companies.
Miss Alice Wright presented the first Confederate flag in Missouri. The presentation took place in front of the old theater building. It stood on a high eminence in St. Joseph, Mo. The staff officers were at her side and the command below playing "Dixie. " It was the most glorious moment of her life. She had to flee in a short time disguised, accompanied by her little four-year-old nephew, J. H. Wright, who now lives in Mansfield, Tex., and Charles Slaybock, of St. Louis, a younger brother of Gen. Lon Slaybck.
Being a guest at Mr. Ashbury’s, near Plattsburg, the Federals passed, entered the house, and searched for Miss Wright. Being hid in an old lumber-room, she escaped detection. She followed in the rear of the army, and went to Liberty, Mo., the guest of General Doniphan. Her brother, Dr. Wright, came and escorted her to Jackson County to her sister, Mrs. Jeanes. She was then banished by order of General Stein, commander at Fort Leavenworth, Kans.
We were camped near Agency Ford, Buchanan County, Mo., and had gone to St. Joseph and captured a Federal recruiting officer. We remained some time in St. Joseph, but returned to camp the same evening. It was soon after the Camp Jackson affair. I had forgotten all about the affair until I read the Strother paper.
