THE FEMALE VOLUNTEER; OR THE LIFE, AND WONDERFUL ADVENTURES OF MISS ELIZA ALLEN, A YOUNG LADY OF EASTPORT, MAINE.
ELIZA ALLENBeing a truthful and well-authenticated narrative of her parentage, birth and early life—her love for one whom her parents disapproved—his departure for Mexico—her determination to follow him at all hazards—her flight in man's attire—enlistment—terriffic battles of Mexico—her wounds—voyage to California—the shipwreck and loss of her companions—her miraculous escape—return to her native land—meeting of the lovers—reconciliation of her parents—marriage, and happy termination of all her trials and sorrows.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, by H. M. RULISON, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Ohio.
PREFACE.
IN presenting the following narrative of the varied and wonderful incidents of my eventful life to the public, it cannot be expected that in my delineations of history I can always be accurately correct as to all the details of every minute incident: for to do this would require a much more retentive memory than can be expected from one who was constantly involved in the most exciting and thrilling adventures; and whose mind and heart were occupied with her own personal desires and feelings too much to allow her to take note of, or interest in, the varied scenes around her, unless they were in some degree connected with her own private life; moreover, my design is not to write a history of the Mexican war, but simply to give a plain unvarnished detail of the most strange and wonderful adventures, scenes, and incidents connected with my own life, as they occurred.
Some may question the propriety and utility of my laying before the public a series of events entirely of a private nature; to such I would say, that I should have forborne this intrusion on the public sympathy—if I had not felt that it was my imperative duty to give something in the nature of a warning to parents to be more cautious than many are how they trifle with the peace and happiness of their children in the most momentous of all relations, the choice of a page: 8-9[View Page 8-9] partner for life. All are willing to admit that on this choice depends the happiness or misery of a life—it is therefore of the most imperative importance that children should consider well ere they take so important a step, that they should weigh well the opinions and advice of those who, by their experience and age are capable of advising and directing them in their choice of a companion. It is no less imperative on parents to pause and reflect ere they attempt to sunder the ties which bind two loving hearts together—for if they do attempt to exercise the authority given to them over their children, beyond a proper limit, the only result will be disobedience and misery.
If I succeed in averting sorrow and repentance from one loving heart—if I, by the story of my sufferings, should prevent a single instance of unjust and unfounded opposition on the part of parents to the peace and happiness of a child—I will not have suffered and written in vain.
