Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 May 1896 — THE LIEUTENANT’S ROMANCE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE LIEUTENANT’S ROMANCE.

N the midst of the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, ’G4, while the roar of musketry ebbed and flowed all along the line, and hundreds of bleeding soldiers lay gasping under the tangled undergrowth whioh extended for miles along what was known as the Plank road—in the midst

of this confusion and uproar, tbe company of which I had assumed command after my captain’s death was ordered to change its position from the spot near the road where it had been fighting for an hour to a point half a mile away. We obeyed with military precision, and when ■we reached our new point of vantage halted near the roadside for a rest. As we did so I heard from a thicket near by what seemed a groan from some one in pain. I determined to learn the cause. Thirty or forty steps from the road, in a perfect tangle of brush and vines, I espied a hlne uniform on the ground. Approachtag nearer, I discovered a Federal soldier lying face downwards, apparently dead. Pulling aside the brush, I knelt and turned the body over as gently as I could, to ascertain if life was extinct. With a groan and a shudder his eyes opened, while his lips moved as if to speak, but no sound came from them. Raising his head slightly, I placed my canteen to his lips, and in a few moments he seemed much revived. “What regimens?” T" asked. In a weak voice he replied, “Fifth New York Cavalry,” which was confirmed by the brass letters on his forage cap lying near. Hardened as I was by scenes of blood and suffering, my sympathies were deeply aroused as I looked in the face of the young soldier, for he seemed not more than 2d years of age—a mere boy, though taking a man’s place under man’s most trying circumstances; a fair, frank, blueeyed boy, dying, perhaps, far from home or friends. “How are you hurt?” I asked. , t»-his hipT*a" 3 iflfEr~reirt"and a blood spot or two told the story. Placing him in as easy a posture as possible, 1 left him for a short time to rejoin my company. Finding everything quiet, I called one of the men, and together we returned to the wounded youtn. With our pocket knives we cut away the brush and tangle for some twenty feet around him, and carefully swept up the leaves and rubbish, aa fire was raging in the woods' not far away. We then built a of green branches above his head for protection from the sun, filled his canteen from the creek near by, and divided our rations of bacon and bread with him. He seemed ▼cry grateful; offered his watch in return -» 'or our services, which I placed in his

pocket again, and, bidding him good-bye. promised to see him again, and went back Kor many hoars more the conflict raged •ad when the smoke and din had passed •way, thoughts of wounded boy in blue never again crossed my mind. of wfif. I had been captured at Hanover STXSU6 of soldier life. Arrived there I found existence almost intolerably monotonous. Discipline was strict and the only relief we had was when, on certain fixed days, * : BBwm'u'&i .Jn i'l * ‘ •

visitors were permitted to come and gaze upon us. Many came as a matter of curiosity, others to bring us food and bits of clothing. One day a ladjv accompanied by a very pretty girl, passed me and incidentally inquired what State I came from. Being civilly answered, the elder of the two asked if I needed anything for njy personal comfort. I forced a Up from my lips and replied that I needed nothing. My naqie and regiment were asked for and they eral days later the same couple appeared and greeted me cordially. After a pleasant chat they departed, the younger of the two placing in my hand a small copy of the New Testament. Opening it to sec whose name I should find, I was surprised to see, written on the fly-leaf, in a deli'cate feminine hand: ‘'Would you place

yourself in the hands of a friend and assume the attendant risks? If so, tie a bit of white cord to the bottom button of your coat when we come next week. Confide in no one else and destroy this." InstantTyT" tore'"oui~the into pulp. There was no sleep for my eyes that night. What did it mean? Who and what were these people who thus interested themselves in me? And why? Was it a trap? No, surely these two ’women couldn’t entertain such a thought toward a poor devil of a prisoner. These and a thousand similar ideus occupied my mind all through the night, and when the reveille sounded I had decided to trust them. Within a week they came again. My bit of white ribbon was displayed’ and when my angel approached she put into au4 -Biitlwi,, most indifferent look, passed on. I held the tract carelessly for some moments and then placed it in my breast pocket. When I found myself alone I opened it tremblingly. On a blank page, pinned inside, was written: “Two' Weeks from this date a woman with-a red-bordered handkerchief in her belt, will give you a thin linen coat and vest, Carry them to your quarters, conceal them, and return immediately. An old man, with gold eyeglasses, will give you pants, shoes and collar. Do likewise with these and return. We will give you a hat, ip the lining of which will be found a permit, signed by the commandant, allowing William J. Pool, of Syracuse, to visit the prisoners. As soon as possible, put on your new suit and walk quietly to the exit, surrendering your permit to the guard. When*outside, walk slowly, straight away front the "'prison for 200 paces, when a young man will meet you. yourself to him, and ponfido in no one else. Should anything transpire endangering you or us cdt- the two bottom buttons‘ s from.your coat.” Having thoroughly memorized my .instructions, they were likewise chewed up, audJL began to have visions of freedom, conspicuous among them being the picture of the fairy who was taking this hazard on my account. The days went by as months do now and nervously, anxiously, I waited for the fatal day. I was fearful lest some one should read my thoughts, and I not only endanger myself, but' bring my fair benefactress to grief. At last the day arrived and with the numbers of visitors entering the prison came the woman with the redbordered handkerchief. She carried several goodly sijsed packages of what appeared to be food and distributed them indiscriminately. As I approached,, site gave' me a thin, hard-pressed bundle, which I placed in my pocket, and, shortlygoing to my quarters, hid it under a small wooden box which served the purpose of a seat, and immediately returned tojsthe crowd of visitors. 1 waited only a short ttaie for my old man. There he was, givIng out tracts and Testaments, with a package or two in his pockets. As I drew near him, he placed one of the packages in my hands, with a benediction, and, having lingered a short time, this was placed under the box with its companion, A tedious half-hour passed before I saw my two angels. Coming near, the young lady said to me: “Here’s a Yankee hat from h Yankee girl. Will a rebel accept it?” “No, miss,” I replied, “but s Southern gentleman will,” and, suiting the action to the word, I placed it on my head, and she unconcernedly went her way, * . f , , . ' ;

handing a pair of half hose to one, a handkerchief to another, until I lost sight of her. A Jittle later I was in my quarters, trembling all over. Should I try the risky experiment now, of later? “Now or never,” I thought, in desperation, and donned my new attire. Dressed as a citizen,' I paused a moment to collect myself, and stepped forth for freedom. As I walked across the grounds, iViy heart beat so loudly that I feared others would hear it. On 1 walked, mingling with the visitors, no one seeming to notice me. As I neared the gate, Walter White, one of my fellow prisoners! recognized me. He was in the net of speaking when I drew my knife from my pocket, and, speaking loud enough for,the guard to hear me, said: “Here, reb, take this to cut your beef with,” adding in a whisper, '“For God’s sake, say nothing.” Ho understood instantly. Passing slowly through the exit, I surrendered iny permit And was free. Following instructions carefully, I found a young man waiting former Wrth--out a word he took my arm and we ed away from the prison as if we had been friends for life. Finally my conipanion spoke. IJe told pie his name was Harry ('-hauncoy; the two ladies who first met me were his mother and sister; the woman with the red-bordered handkerchief was his aupt and the old gentleman with the tracts his father. Thus the whole family had been enlisted in securing my freedom. Why this kindness had been shown me, this dangerous risk undertaken in my behalf, he would not say. All that he could tell me now was that I was to be taken to his father's residence and secreted in a ,den in the attic, where I would be free from danger should the prison officials undertake to search for me. This program was carried out to the 4 still -wondering - what it meant and wishing that I might catch a glimpse of my angel, whom I had not seen on entering the house. In this den for four or five days I was kept a close prisoner. Young Chauneey was most attentive to me, visiting me Several times daily, but no one else was admitted except Chauncey, pere, who visited me twice. The old .geiUhm.um.-KWS..-Myjlne_ss it.self, assuring me that he would gladly do all liTE!s~power until such a time as I wished to return South. Both informed me that no effort had been made by the prison officials to capture me. One evening Avery crawled into my deti and said: “The ladies are expecting you in the parlor this evening, and we think there will be no risk.” I was rejoiced at this, for my confinement was growing irksome and I longed for the time when I might see my fair deliverer and thank her and the others for their great kindness, the reason for which I also longed to learn. When we descended to the parlor, the entire family Sarah Chauncey, the aunt, and Miss Esther, piy angel, to each of whom I was duly introduced. A general conversation followed. I was too deeply interested in Alias Esther to permit an opportunity for engaging in conversation with her alone to pass by; and -when- this-opportunity presented itself 1 seized it rapturously. During our conversation I broached the subject of my relense and inquired what had brought it about. She hesitated a' moment, her face flushing, and then she si*>ke: —* —;— ‘‘Last Spring brother Avery was badly wounded down in Virginia. A rebel—l mean a Confederate —officer was very good to Jlim, giving him food and water, and protecting him from a lire which

would soon have burned him to death. When he was able to, move-’we brought him home, and he often said that when he recovered he would return the kindness to some Southerner. He has never regained his strength sufficiently to return to the army, so he decided to psy his debt by releasing one of the prisoners, ail of us promising to help him. The selection of the victim was left,to me, and I thought you—you looked—nice, and I felt more sorry for you than any of the- others, and——" I did not permit her to finish. A light flashed through my mind at that instant and I turned to Afery, who had just returned after a temporary absence from p the room, sad said:

“Were you ever in’Virginia?” “Yes, ami 1 carry very undesirable proof of the fact in my hip now." “Got it at the Wilderness,'! guess?” “Yes, sister told you, I suppose.” “Fifth New York Cavalry, I imagine?” "Yes.” “Lay in the bushes and came near being burned?”, “Yes.” “Fellow came along and fixed you up in some sort of way?” ~ l "fes.” “Brought you some water and left a niputhful of rations, and took your watch for pay?” “No. I gave it to him, and he refused it.” “Would you know the fellow again if you met him?” Gazing at me fbr a moment, he sprang forward, throwing his. arms about me and saying: • “Well! well! well you are the very man, old fellow! Since the first time I saw you I had.a notion?! had seen you somewhere. What a fool I wasf not to have known you!” -« No need to tell the rest. In the weeks that followed Esther listened and her eyes gave me my answer when I whispered words of love. Thirty years ago she became my bride; and the union of blue and gray has been a blessed one. —Blue and Gray Magazine.

With all the fifes awailin’ an’ a roar o’ muffled drums. Art’ tattered flags a-flnttertn’ on high, A-windin’ slowly down the road, the long procession conics, WliliflJilie ftp’ Luey watch ’em marehin' by. With heads erect the veterans step,'though mem’ry’s tears may flow, An’ bearded lips may tremble jes’ a bit. They do not mourn their dead alone—their woe’s a common woe They know, an’ are rejoicin’ over It. They’s wagon loads o’ flowers sheddin’ sweetness everywhere, An’ Lucy sniffs their fragrance eagerly. An’ gray, disabled soldier chaps a-hrtbblln’ here an' there, Rut jes’ cz proud an’ spunky ez can be. An’ lots o’ little fellers tramplu’ by their fathers' side, Ez peart ez though they'd fought in ’6l— so .they pass until the dust the ragged bunrrersrhlri-e'"- , ■ An’ faint an’, fainter sound the fife an’ drum. An’ then we turn an’ start fer home across the fields, while I Jes’ have to gulp somehow an awful lot. An’ Lucy’s sort o’ gaspin’ like she’s goln’ to start to cry. An’ I ain't carin’ if she does or not. Then as we reach the house there comes borne on the balmy breeze A rumble from the distant hpryin’ ground; Three times we hear the volleys, then there’s silence ’cept the bees An’ Other hugs ft-t)u7,zirr’ all around. T. L. S.

A FEDERAL SOLDIER LYING FACE DOWNWARD.

I SURRENDERED MY PERMIT AND WAS FREE.

HE STRANG FORWARD, THROWING HIS ARMS ABOUT ME.