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"W5? sr- :Hi2sl!5i' . ;- 1 g- U5 "I i &?; az-s,r - Jjjic- -i-f-xt?" -- - .TO CARE FOR HIM WHO HAS BORNE THE BATTLE, AND FOR HIS WIDOW AND ORPHANS." a a, o ESTABLISHED 1877-2JBW SERIES. WASHINGTON D. 0., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1888. ?i viii-eo. lo-WHOLi m. m. jgSgftV y J - fttagw... Ji!BgMifWfeaQ55gR ''Mi ;. V E4 r1 fe-t Ex H not K t-ts S :? ri t Kb kfl 9h in Kjj P5J C " nicjk v x a.A res na t ntd ti. - Maa.B r m mr kv - .av- -.ht THE P ' , If Firmy, $U . .G i m Scouting and MgMing Adventures of . Two Boys IN MISSOURI A2?D ARKANSAS W 1861, 562. Fremont Pursues Price into Southwest Missouri. SIEGE OF LEXmGTON. BY THO&IAS V. KNOX, Author of "The Roy Travelers." "The Young jN'irorods." "The Vyee of the Vivian." "Fulton awl Steam 2favMortion,' "Decisive Ba&Ues Since Waterloo," "Marco Polo for Boys mid Girls," da, etc. iCOrnUOHTBD lSftS. All EIGHTS EESEBVED.J Chapter XYITL THE REBELS ON THE OFFENSIVE SIEGE OF LEXINGTON. H E mornjng after their arrival at Rolla, the prisoners taken through the instru mentality of Jack and I Harry were eent to St Louis, -where they -were held until an ex change-was arranged. Col. Wyman thought the interests of the service -would he ad- Tanced by keeping the captured Captain and his comrades in ignorance of how their seiz ure "was accomplished, and in ohedience to his orders the two youths kept out of the way of the prisoners, and nothing -was said in their presence that could enlighten them. It "was several months before the Captain foundoui how cleverly hehad been taken. At first he -was inclined to he very angry -with the hoys, and vowed vengeance upon them if he ever met them again; hut on reflec tion he remarked that all -was fair in love and war, and perhaps he -was not quite free from blame in talking so readily with two entire strangers. "Tney played the game weil," said he ; " splendidly, in iact, for a pair of youngsters, and if I can ever give them a helping hand -when they're in trouble I'Hdo it" He -wasn't at all a bad sort of fellow, that Captain, and you can be sure that after that he -wasn't quite so ready to confide in persons Tvhoin he had never seen before. Not only did the boys have a selection from the captured horses, but they had a choice of saddles and also of the pistols which formed the armament of the prison ers. All the pistols -were old, and some of them -were quite as likely to do damage at the rear as at the business end. The Cap tain had the best weapon of the lot a Colt's revolver, and there was another just about as good. Jack and Harry drew lots for the choice. The advantage fell to Jack, "who immediately picked up the Captain's re volver and handed it over to Harry. " I've got the Captain's horse, said he, " and you ought to have something to remember him by, so you must take this along." Thus the division was settled, and both were happy. Tbu6 armed and mounted, the hoys were what might be called "swells" in the. gar rison of Iiolla, and the envy of many of their associates. There -was not a great deal for them to do for a month or more, as the enemy did not make the attack upon the post they had been threatening to make, nor did they even make a feint of one. The boys went on several scouting expeditions on their own acceoiitt with the approval of the command ing oflioer of the post, and though they wade eome discoveries and obtained information that was of use, they did not succeed in mak ing captures of prisoners and horses. Becruiting for the rebel army was in prog ress in all the interior Counties of Missouri, and ilea almost under the eyes of the Union authorities. Now and then an expedition seized a sqaad or company of recruits and brought them triumphantly within the lines, but as a general thing the most of the men who wanted to join the Southern armies succeeded in doing so. The fact was, it was not possible to garrison every town and vil lage throughout the State, and it was thought best to allow those with Secession proclivities to get away to the field when ever they wanted to go, rather than remain and be a cau&e of trouble. Geo. Fremont had been assigned to the command of the Department of the Missouri ahorUy before the battle of Wilson's Creek, and it was to him that Gen. Xyon had ap pealed so earnestly and so vainly for rein forccmeets to enable him to hold out against the advancing rebels. After the retreat of the army to Eolla and the occupation of Springfield by the rebels, Gen. Fremont set about organizing a force to take the field early in the Autumn, with the hope of securing possession of the State and flying the Union flag all over its territory. After the battle of Wilson's Creek the un pleasantness which had existed between the rebel leaders Price and McCulloch in creased, and finally threatened to end in warfare almost equal to that which they were trying to wage together against the Unioa. McCulloch refused to advance fur ther into the State, in gpite of the entreaties of Price. An appeal to the Confederate Government did not result in securing a peremptory order for McCulloch to advance as Price desired, and the result was a separa tion. McCulloch went back to Arkansas, while Price, whose forces had been strength ened by recruits from various parts of the State, marched northward in the direction of the Missouri Eiver. Price's openly-declared intentions were to ifncr , gMK capture Jefferson City, the Capital, and re establish Gov. Jackson in authority there. A State Convention had met there in July, and, of course, there was no Governor to welcome it, and no Commander-in-Cbief of the State forces. The Convention declared the office of Governor vacant, and chose a new Governor, Hon. Hamilton E. Gamble, to fill Jackson's place. It is needless to say that Gov. Gamble was a Union man, and from that time onward the power of the State was exerted in favor of the National Government and against the rebellion of the South. Jackson, the fugitive and rebel Governor, never saw the State Capital again after he left on the day of the memorable flight to Booncville. He continued with the rebel armies in southwest Missouri and Arkansas and died in the last-named State long before the end of the war. Gen. Price survived the war and afterward went to Mexico, where he was one of the founders of a colony of Americans who had sworn never to live under the flag of the United States. He died there in 1867. With 20,000 men in his command, and with his numbers increasing every day of his ad vauce, Price reached Lexington, on the banks of the Missouri, having two or three encoun ters with the Union forces on his way, none r0 WHY Fais of Hemp as Breastworks. of which were of much account. The su periority of his numbers gave him the ad vantage, and his opponents wisely retreated as he moved on. Lexington was garrisoned by about 2,600 Union troops, consisting of vol unteer infantry and Home Guards, under command of Col. Mulligan of the Irish Bri gade. A fortification had been thrown up around the college buildings, which stood in a commanding position between the new and old towns of Lexington, and about half a mile from the river. The bank of the river was a high bluff, and with theexception of a small supply from cisterns and springs, water for the garrison had to be brought by hand or hauled by team3 from below the base of this bluff. Col. Mulligan arrived at Lexington on the 1st of September, and the fortification, which he greatly strengthened, had been laid out by the commander of the troops already there. The spot was not wisely selected, as we shall presently see. As one of the offi cers said afterwards, "it was a very good place for a peace fortress, but very bad for warfare, especially when the warfare has to be defensive." The men worked night and day to com plete the intrenchments, which were 10 feet high, with a ditch eight feet wide, and capa ble of inclosing 10,000 men. Eumors of the advance of Price were in the air, and it was definitely known that he was moving to ward Lexington. Appeals for reinforce ments weresent to St. Louis,but they did not succeed in bringing troops to the aid of the garrison, for the simple reason that none could be spared from that city. On the afternoon of Wednesday, the 11th of September, the Union scouts and pickets were driven in by the enemy only a few miles out of Lexington. The rebels followed rapidly and attacked one of the angles of the fortifications, but not very vigorously. The fighting was kept up on the 12th and follow ing days, while the rebel army was coming up and making its preparations for the re duction of the fortification and capture of the garrison. There were nearly 3,000 mules and horses inside the fortifications, and as the rebel shotand shell fell amongst them they caused a great deal of trouble. Numbers of them were killed and their bodies lay rotting in the sun, the garrison being too much occu pied with defending the position to give attention to burying the dead animals or doing any other work of the camp. Fre quently some of the affrighted animals broke loose from their fastenings and ran wildly about the camp, and it was finally found advisable to allow some of them to run outside, as their value was not sufficient compensation for the trouble and danger of caring for them. The college building was within the inclos ure, and occupied as the headquarters of Col. Mulligan. Very naturally, it formed a fine target for the rebel artillery, and they blazed away at it with good effect. One night they fired hot shot at it, but did not set it on fire j had they succeeded in doing so it would have created considerable havoc among the garrison, as the ammunition for the defense of the place was stored in the cellar, where it was covered with dirt and sods. The rebels went to work leisurely, as be fore stated. They planted some of their artillery on the river bank, where they stopped every steamboat going up or down. They seized the ferryboats that connect Lex ington with the opposite bank of the river, and thus prevented the crossing of reinforce ments which were moving from Kansas to join the threatened garrison. Several steam boats were thus taken, and for a while, at least, Gen. Price was certainly master of the situation. The country around Lexington grows a large amount of hemp, and thousands of bales of this article were stored in the ware houses of the town. The rebels rolled out this hemp, and with it constructed moveable fortifications, with which they proceeded to reduce the earthworks of the Union army. And this is the way it was done: The hemp was thoroughly wetted, so that there would be no danger of its taking fire, and then the bales were rolled toward the Union works, one after another, until they formed a breastwork; and all the time not ahead of a man could be seen. Then other bales were brought forward and rolled on the top of the first layer, and in this way the assail ants had a defense that no bullet could penetrate. Even the four or five pieces of light artillery which Col. Mulligan possessed could do but little against such a bulwark as this. The first of these hemp brejistworks was thrown up to the west of the fort; another on the north, where it was partially shel tered by timber, followed it very quickly. In the night they were pushed forward, so that they were within very short range, and from the spaces between the bales the rebels kept up a fire upon every Union head that was shown on that side of the "earthworks. It was a repetition of the trick of Gen. Jack son with the cotton bales at New Orleans in 1S15. There were several houses within range of the fort, and these were speedily occupied" by the rebels. Then from every rock, ele vation, fence, gully and tree bullets were steadily whizzing, the great numbers of the rebels enabling them to keep their lines of attack fully manned at all times. Eations were growing short in the fortifi cations, and the men were worn out with hard work and the necessity of being almost constantly on duty. The stench from the dead animals within the lines was fearful, and threatened to breed an epidemic; some of the Home Guards were demoralized and wanted to surrender, but the commander refused to entertain the idea of giving up the place. Chapter XIX. SURRENDER OF LEXINGTON PRICE'S RE TREAT AND FREIIONT'S ADVANCE. To the lack of ammunition and provis ions, the stench of the dead animals, the immense preponderance in numbers of the enemy, the abundance of hemp with which the rebels could construct breastworks, the beleaguered garrison had to face an addi tional horror that of thirst As before stated, the fortification was at some distance from the river, and within the limits of the fortification there were two cisterns, which were soon exhausted, and just outside the lines were two springs, which afforded a scanty supply, the rest being taken from the river. As eoon as the besiegers ascertained this state of affairs they proceeded to cut off the supply of water, which they were able to do with their greatly-superior numbers. All communication with the river wa3 severed, and then a force was posted in a position to fire on anybody who went to get water at the springy. Men can fight under great privations of food and with short sup plies of ammunition, but they cannot fight against thirst. So determined were the men to hold out, that during a heavy rain on the second night after the siege began every tent and wagon cover was spread to catch as much water as possible; in this way a good deal was secured, and more was obtained by spreading blankets, and afterward wringing them out. Twice a white flag was raised on the ram parts without the authority of Col. Mulligan, and immediately hauled down as soon as he learned of it. A third time it was raised, also without his authority; but when he considered the sufferings of his men and found there was no prospect of relief, he consented to surrender, and negotiations were begun immediately. Unconditional sur render were the terms demanded by the be siegers, and under the circumstances the be sieged were forced to accept them. They piled their arms and handed over their col ors. Col. Mulligan wept as ho gave up his command, and many of his men fairly rolled on the ground in their rage at having been defeated. But it was practically impossible that they could hold out any longer, and the surrender was certainly in the interests of humanity. The losses were less than might have been expected in a fight that lasted from the 11th to the 20th of September, though it must be remembered that for the first few days it was not very energetically pushed by the besiegers. Tho water supply was cut off on the 17th, and from that time to the 20th the garrison had no water beyond what they caught in blankets, tents and wagon-covers in the rain, that has been mentioned. Less than 200 were killed and wounded on the Union side, and about the same number on that of tho rebels. Each side claimed to have inflicted a greater loss on the enemy than it sustained itself, a circumstance which has been more or less intimately connected with warfare since the world began. Immediately after the surrender the reb els swarmed around the prisoners, and while some treated them kindly others heaped abuse upon them, and if the Unionists had not already laid down their arms there would have been a good prospect of a renewal of the fight. The prisoners were paroled not to lake up arms against the Confederacy until regularly exchanged, and then they were set across the Missouri Eiver and marched to a point near the Hannibal & St. Joseph Eaiiway and told to go where they pleased. During this march they wero in charge of Gen. Eains and his brigade, and most of them testified to the kindness of the soldiers of Eains's Brigade and of tho people along tho road they traveled. After the surrender Lexington was a lively place. With nearly 30,000 victorious rebel soldiery in the town, and many of these sol diers filled with whisky, in addition to being flushed with victory, the streets were any thing but quiet and orderly. The officers of the Confederates were gentlemanly enough, but as for the soldiers they wero anything but well-behaved. It required all the au thority of the officers ?x keep the men from breaking loose and setting tho town on fire or committing somo other folly or barbarity. In somo instances it became necessary to order the men out of lown and form camps three or four miles away, which no ono could leave without express permission. There was the same lack of uniforms that had characterized the trpops at Wilson's Creek, only a few hundreds of all the army under Gen. Price having been able to obtain the Confederate gray. Some of the Generals and Colonels wero uniformed, but many were not, and wore their civilian dress, with cloth shoulderstraps to indicate their rank. Many of the soldiers fought quite indepen dently of all command, and took their posi tions wherever they were best suited. An eye-witness of the Biege said that the mode of fighting was well illustrated by something that came under his observation. There was an old Texan, dressed in a buck skin suit and armed with a hunting-rifle of the kind in use on the plaius before the war. About 7 o'clock every morning this Texan used to go to the Confederate breastworks, carrying his dinnerjn a tin pail. He hunt ed around for a good: position till he found one, and then he fired away whenever he saw a head until the sun showed the me ridian. Promptly at noon he knocked off for an hour and ate his dinner. Then he went to work again and kept at it till 6 o'clock? when he went home toapper and to spend the night in peaceful sleep. Morning saw him at his post again; and thus he contin ued at his daily task till the surrender took place. There wero a good many independ ent warriors of this sort, and if they did not kill many of their adversaries it was be cause the latter kept their heads out of range. As soon as Lexington was surrendered Price turned his attention to gathering sup plies and recruits from the rich and popu lous Counties along the river. While he was engaged at this business, Gen. Fremont assembled an army at Jefferson City for the purpose of heading him off. A portion of Fremont's army marched from Jefferson City to Tipton and Syracuse, while the bal ance was scut forward by railway to the same point. It was intended to march from these points to Springfield and reoccupy the place, which Lyons array had been com pelled to give up in August after the re verse at Wilson's Creek. At the same time the garrison of Eolla was strengthened, and a column was order ed to move from that point to join the main force at Springfield. This movement prom ised to give occupation to Jack and Harry, who had been chafing at their inactivity while preparations wefu in progress. True, they had scon ting expeditions occasionally, but as they did not succeed in finding any enemy, except in a very few instance?, there was not enough to make the life of the camp at all exciting. Movements were delayed by a lack of sup plies and transportation, and it was not till the middle of October that the Union forces took the offensive. ' In the main column from Tipton and Syracuse, Gen. Sigcl's Di vision had the advance; while the other commanders were waiting for transporta tion Sigel scoured the country and picked up everything that could be of use. His wagon-train when he started was one of the funniest things of thokind ever known; there were some army wagons of tho regula tion pattern, but there were more emigrant wagons, such as are used by pioneers seek ing new homes in the far West beyond the lines of railway and where steamboats are unknown. Then he had stage-coaches, family-carriages, drays, hay-carts, in fact all the kinds of vehicles lenown to that part of the coun try, and whenever a" pack-saddle was found it was taken along. T And the motive power Tnu Texan Eifleman. was as varied as .the Vehicles to be moved; it comprised mules and horses as a matter of course, and it also included oxen, and even cows where the latter were found docile enough to bo yoked or harnessed. There was a rumor that some of Sigel's men at tempted to harness up a drove of pigs; that they took the pigs along there can bono reasonable doubt, but probably for some other purpose than breaking them in as draft animals. However burdensome to carry a pig may be, he has never been found a satisfactory beast of burden. Before Fremont could get his army in motion, Price had taken tho alarm and evacu ated Lexington. He was too wily to wait till his enemy could get in front of him to cut him oil and the most that Fremont could hope for was that Price would make a stand in the neighborhood of Springfield and give chance for a battle. Fremont did hot encounter any enemy on his southward - marcli until he was in the neighborhood of Springfield. When within 50 miles of that placehe sent forward two com panies of his body-guard, comprising abont 150 men, under the command of Muj. Zagouyi, ISftt- . L $ wac WfWM V' (( J$mA and composed of most excellent materials for a cavalry squadron. The members of the body-guard wero from the best class of young men of St. Louis and Cincinnati. From the completeness of the body-guard's outfit and the dashing appearance it .pre sented, it was derisively known as the kid gloved regiment. It consisted of four com panies of cavalry, and the intention was to increase it to a full regiment of 10 com panies, an intention never carried out. After the removal of Fremont tho famous or ganization was sent to St Louis and dis banded. Well, the body-guard got within eight miles of Springfield without seeing the ene my, but at that distance from town it found a brigado of infantry, with some cavalry, drawn up to receive them. Maj. Zagonyi ordered a charge, and it was made in gallant style. It was like the charge of the Light Brigado at Balaklava it was magnificent, but it was not war. The enemy was routed and. the town was occupied only to be abandoned as soon as night came on, for the very natural fear of a surprise, which might easily have been disastrous to the 70 or 80 men that remained of Zagonyi's command, the rest having been killed, wounded, or scattered in the fight. Fifteen were killed and 27 wounded, and fully 50 horses were killed or rendered useless by reason of wounds and over-riding. Jack and Harry discussed the affair, when the news reached them, with the coolness and critical air of Major-Gencrals. "What was the use of such a charge as that?" said Jack, with his eye fixed on Harry as though he would pierce him. " It was a splendid fight," was the reply, " and did great credit to the men that made it." " Nobody says it didn't," responded Jack ; " but just look at the waste of life, and nothing to show for it. The rebels were preparing to leave Springfield ; in fact, the 2,000 that Zagonyi says he encountered were only the rear-guard of Price's army, and when our army came along it could have occupied the town, as it afterwards did, with out any opposition. The lives of those sol diers were just thrown away, and it isn't the only time men have been sacrificed just to enable somebody to show off." Harry nodded assent, and the conversa tion shifted to other topics. I To be continued. i "SHJKHLDAN." In Memoriam. BY JOHN KEVKTOK-. Hnrk! Down tho lines a solemn cry Sweeps on tho night winds hurrying byl A Nation's sad and pitying high Proclaims the soldier and the man 1 Halt! At the somber ates of Death, " Who coea there?" nnd in mournful breath The answer conies "Phil Sheridan I " Not nt the po-jtof dnlv, where-. Amid the battle's lurid glare, In other years 'twas his to share, "With sword to do, with nerve to plan; Yet honored by n deathless fame, A glorious and peerless name. He goes to Death our Sheridan I What ardor all our being thrills, What glory each heart-fiber flils I Forget tho deathless day who can, When spurring onward, in his might, On that black steed he won the fijfht At Winchester Phil Sheridan ! Oh, pallid is that daring brow ! Oh, nerveless is that strong arm now; Death, who makes mighty heroeBbow, For him has done all that Death can 1 But powerless it eVr ahull be To dim ids loyal memory I He lives with us Phil Sheridan. He lives with us unto all time Until Eternity shall chime! A living, breathing, fame sublimo That ages shall not scathe nor banl Where'er a hero's love is sung, While falls a word from heart and tongue, Thy praise 'twill speak Phil Sheridan! O, gates where those immortals dwell, Soldiers who in Life's conflict fell. He comes to you who loved him well ! No blot upon that sword yu scan ! Mourned by the mighty hearts of those Who knew him. sinks he to repose, He Jives in Death Our Slicridaul nc comes, oh, heroes grand, to you I Give him a welcome fond intd true, The grasp of brotherhood renew! And, as that laureled brow ye scan, We know that in each hero-heart He bears of love a gentle part, A brother, friend Phil Sheridan 1 He lives 1 Tho' fallen in the strife! His is not death, but breathing Life! Willi all its love and honors rife! Deatli can but crown tho peerless anan! Lay him to rest! lay him to rest! His sword upon his pulseless breast! Peace, soldier-heart Phil Sheridan I One comrade more in that brave roll That column vast that ncars the goal ! One comrade more, for him we toll The burial chime; God's nobleman! O, tuuflled drums, your mournful sound Proclaims the hero, honor crowned. Rest, peerless heart Phil Sheridan. WAITING FOR THE BUGLE. TJtomas Wentworlh lligginson in the July Century. Wo wait for the bugle; tho night dews arc cold, The limbs of the soldiers feel jaded and old, The field of our bivouac is windy and bare. There is lead in our joints, there is frost in our hair, . The future is veiled and its fortunes unknown As we lie with hushed breath till the bugle is blown. At the sound of that bugle each Comrade shall spring Like nu arrow released from tho strain of the string: The courage, the impulse of youth shall como back To banish the chill of tho drea bivouac, And sorrow and losses and cares fade away When that life-giving signal proclaims tho new day. Though the bivouac of ago may put ico In our veins, And no fiber of steel in our sinew remains; Though the comrades of yesterday's marcli are not here. And tho sunlight seems palo and tho branches are tear, Though tho sound of our cheering dies down to a moan, We shall find our lost youth when tho bugle is blown. BUAYE SHERIDAN. BY MRS. EMILY SI. GIlirr-KN, KIMBAIX, DAK. Again our Nation's called to mourn And bow in deepest grief, For death has called, this time to take, Her Army's honored Chief Brave Sheridan! No coal-black charger dashed and foamed As on that historic day He carried forward, mile on mile, To Winchester away Brave Sheridan! At evening's calm and pensive hour, As loved ones gathered near, The dark-winged angel quickly called The man who knew no fear Brave Sheridan l Rest, soldier! rest! for spirit forma Will guard the heavenly way, And lead thy spirit in its march To realms of brighte-it day, Rest, Sheridan I if I YON MYa If "PD 1 i. u, Some Exceptional Instances of Wooing and Winning. EST A HOSPITAL. A Comrade Found His "Wife Among the Visitors. CAPTURED BY LETTISH A Pennsylvanian's Romance Came After His Discharge. IN AN ATLANTA HOSPITAL. An Hllnolsan Woos and WIruv a Fair Ansel of Hcrcy. Editok Natio2AL Tribune. TWAS one of the many participants in one of participants 1 uic grauuesb umiuuea Y on record Sherman march to the sea ; be- 'M. ing a bigh private in the rear rank of the 89th 111. Sherman's army had been fight ing almost continu ally for nearly four months, when we captured Atlanta, Gx Here at this place was the turning-point of my life, for in the battle before Atlanta I was severely wounded in the left knee (thank fortune it was not one of my arms, as you will see farther on that I could use both my arms to advantage). My wound was not at first considered severe, but it would take some little time before I would be able to use my leg again. I was cared for at first by the Surgeons of our command, but they had more cases than they could well attend to, and a great many of them were worse than mine; so I did not fare the very best at first, but later on received better treatment. I had been suffering pain that pen nor word cannot describe for nearly two weeks, when I commenced to fall off in flesh very rapidly. My mind had also begun to fail, and my case was beginning to look serious indeed. It was but a few days before I had A MlNISTERIXG AQEL. wasted away to a skeleton, and my mind failed me altogether. By the untiring work of the skilled physicians and the aid that the ladies of the city lent them, I was soon restored to ihy mind. It was the custom of some of the South ern ladies to visit the hospitals, and some times even help care for us, and I think it is a wrong idea that a great many have who say the Southerners were all rebels, for I think differently about the matter. I hold that there were some very kind-hearted peo ple in the South, more especially a certain Southern lady. I REMEMBER THE DAY VERY DISTINCTLY that my reasoning powers were restored. It was one of those hot Summer days known only in the South, when the mercury was ranging from 110 to 125 in the shade. About the first thing that I remember was the beautiful face of a lady, who was dressed in neat attire. She was busily engaged iu dressing my wound. The first thought that entered my mind was that she was one of the angels, who had descended from Heaven to care for the dying Union soldiers who so bravely bared their breasts to the balls of the Southern Confederacy. On looking closer, and mustering all the reasoning fac ulties that were then at my command, I "saw as through a glass darkly, but now face to face," that it was the form of a well-to-do Southern lady, performing the duties of a nurse to one of the enemies of her home, if not her cause. I was too weak or could not command words to speak to her then, and after she had finished bandaging my wound she cast a sympathizing smile toward me, AND GAVE MY HAND A PARTING CLASP; but before she could release her hold I drew her lily-white hand toward me and pressed it to my lips, as I breathed a silent prayer, wishing that she were mine. However, she did not tarry long this time, but passed on to the next ward to care for the wants of other suffering comrades, By the time that the hour of 1 had rolled around the next day I had gained wonder fully in strength, so much so that I could talk intelligently, and was greatly cheered at the sight of this lady, who had cheered me so wonderfully the day before. As soon as Bhe entered the room she seemed to throw a halo of light and peace around her. After exchanging a few kind salutations she be gan her labor of dressing my wound, which site said looked a great deal better. I found on questioning her that her name was Miss Maud Jackson, and that she lived with her mother, her father having died HO1 v- O "W&iWW. IM? ' WFl 1 11 t J J. 9 1 when sho was bub six yeis eW,bnt lfi enough to comfortably sepprt Mis. Jack son ami her daughter, who raovad in the beat society of Atlanta. I ako learned, to my heartfs content, that she had charge of the section in which my ward was located. She mado her daily rduade, supervising and helping with th wrk, ag she had 25 nnraea under her instructions. She stayed a little longer this time than the previous visit, and on leaving she promised to call again as soon as her duties would permit She did not seem to be so busy that day fer some reason, for she was around again in about an hour, and we had a very pleasant aad agreeable talk. From this time on " I began to gain in strength very rapidly, and at the end of an other week was able to sit up in bed ; in lesa than a month I was able to walk around, with the aid of orutches. About this time I moved my headquarters. I was now sta tioned at the Jackson mansion, located en West Fourth street, and everything being agreeable Miss Maud and I consolidated oar fortunes. I soon afterward obtained ray dis charge, and led a retired life until after the war, when we came "West to seek our for tunes on the Western prairies. WiLLlA3 Goodsiax, 89th Hi., Abilene, Kan. A SUCKER'S STORY. He Win Ul Wife Vilth His Pea. Editor National Treboxs: CnSG on your sug gestion to the bq js to write for publication in Ths Natiostai, Tribune the story of the wooing" and' win ning of our "help meets," I submit the following Ietier,whicrx Vf-s waa written on the -- - icCS historic battlefield or Chickamauga. and wa3 addressed to the lady whom I married soon after the close of the war, and with, whom I have lived in happy wedlock for nearly 23 years: Qoudos's Mnxs. Q.c. April 28 1364 3Iisa Mary Ass Chatpei.ear, Bloominston HI. Madam: My esteemed friend, Robert Lewis, haa gpticrouily contributed to-my cwp of pleasure by pivinjj your name and address, accompanied by your photograph and a permission to opea a cor respondence with you. I regard this as a great privilege, and for Ibid net of kindness on the part of your worthy couaiu Robert I shall over feel truly grateful. To you, lady, who proposes to send a word of sympathy nnd cheer to a stranger soldier while so fur from kindred, home, and all its thousand endearments. I tender my warmest thanks. Permit m? to say that I commend your judgment, and receive thw seneroua exhibition of your na ture a conclusive evidence of your feelings of re spect for tho soldiers of our common country and ttie patriotic devotion you feel in the great and honorable cause in whieh we are engaged. The name of such, a lady will be written on every sol dlerVbeart. and though never seen, will be cher ished while reason and memory hold their seat. Am highly deiiuhted with this novel mode of commencing an interchange of friendly communi cations, nnd sincerely hope that we may enhance our ociaI enjoyment and derive instruction and profit through the medium of the pen. Though I have little faith in the proverb that "the pen is mightier than the sword" at this par ticular period in our Nation's career, yet I have an ardentuission for letter-writing, and am hanny I that Robert's proposition came so opportune. Letter-writinjr affords to the soldier much real enjoyment. His pathway would indeed be dark: ami cheerless did not these tokens of remem brance and love come to divert his mind and en- courage him in his trying; duties. None can more fully appreciate such favors than ! the soldier boy who has left mother, sisters, home, frieuds all, and staked everything on the ultar of his country. And the influence on our minds is incalculable ; while it contributes to our pleasure it also retruius from wrong doing, and prompts to actions that comport with moral integrity and vir tue. Woman, you know, is said to be "the re deeming portion ofhuuianity." We readily admit the truth of the adage, for history demonstrates the , fuctthut from her hunds we receive all that ennobles j and dignities man. These are not words of idle llattery, but expres sions of our true sentiments in regard to the salu tary aud elevating influence that women ever wield, over the minds of men. Probably you are aware tiiut much of the time of army life is leisure, which accounts for the many evil habits contracted by the defenders of the dear old flag'. If a soldier has no letter to write, no book or paper to read, he will do something-, and that something is pretty sure to be demoralizing in tendeucy. whieh fact illustrates the truth of the saying tliat " an idle brain is the devh's workshop." Life in camp becomes very monotonous without some healthful and enliven ing pastime, and our taste seeks amusement in the sweetaof an epistolary correspondence rather than wasting time over the card-table. Our experience and observation have taught us that the army is no school of moral-; hence it is that we so highly prize letters from the pure hearts of " the girls wa left, behind us." During our inactivity in the Win ter m.uiths the prolific brain of a baebelor of our conip my suggested the following; plan to obtain, correspondence: Each sohtier wrote the name of some lady friend on a slip of paper, wbieh we styled "lottery tick ets." and dropped into a hat held by a trusty boy iu blue. After the tickets bad been thoroughly mixed we each drew one with our eyes closed with the understandimr that we would address by letter the lady indicated by the name drawn. I can truly say that I have been exceedingly fortu nate iu these novel drawings, having drawn some valuable Drizes." Our object is intellectual and moral improve, ment aud mutual pleasure. We have realized aEf the rich and loity outgusmngs of reciprocal joy that the pens of the good ladies can inspire nude; the promptings of the most generous impulses. I hope that our acquaintance may prove as pleas ant. Our Chaplain is holding a series of religiouT meetings, which are being attended with much, profit. vVe have a beautiful "church," 40x50 feet, and an organized association of those who feel an intere-st iu the promotion of the cause of Christian ity. Quite a revival has blessed these protracted efforts and a number of happy conversions have occurred, while others are seeking the way of sal vation. There seems to be something peculiarly touching iu this awakening at tins particular time aud place. Last Sabbith four young soldiers nobly distinguished themselves by confessing their sins and joining the great army of Ziou. They were baptize.! in the Chickarnauga, with whose water blends the blood of our fallen heroes. The scene was deeply impressive and calculated to elicit seri ous reflections. Tlte memory of the precious blood, shed on Chickauinuga's banks, the thousands of gallant dead whose bones are bleaching in the sun shine aud the storm, and the sanguinary conflict before us all rendered the occasion one of peculiar interest and solemnity. May the good work go on, and to God be all the glory. Expect to uiuve soon, with a view to the opening of the Spring campaign. With Gen. Sherman at our head, we expect to mnreh, 1G0.C0O strong, into the heart of Georgia and the so-called Confederacy. We arc confident that we shall ere long succeed in, our praiseworthy object the suppression of tho rebellion and the preservation of onr cherished Republic With a soldier's best wishes and kindest regards, I am, your friend, most respectfully, L. A. Ross. "Mary Ann " whom we now calFMollie for short answered my letter immediately, and wo kepc up a pleasant interchange of epistles during onr march to the sea and through the Carolinas, Virginia, and on to Washington. Soou after our muster-out at Chicago I called on her, near filoomington, and at this first meeting I surrendered to her personal charms und her bewitching black eyes. I "popped," and she said "yes"; but we were not married until Aug. 9, 1386, over 22 years ago. It is with pleasure that I testify that our matrimonial union ha3 been a happy one. Onr attachment for each other has grown with tho passing years, and will not be broken even in, eternity. We have two lovely daughters- Abhie, who staid with U3 12 years and the went to Heaven, and Maud, who is with n ? s-tysi. A j YtSb Jrt -tfitiEU-, tKB