Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-12-24
Written For the Cincinnati Daily Pressl
ROMANTIC LOVE STORY
or the Three Months, Campaign.


W nen the Ohlo troops (t1ree months SOl-
! diers) were encamped near Lancaster, Penn,
the young ladies of this city were made
aware of the, perhaps not very pleasing in
telligence that the Cincinnati "boys' were
being captivated by the pretty angels of that
portion of the Keystone State. Letters to
some of the journals here, and the return of
private individuals, who visited their csraps
there, betrayed the lamentable fact. There
was weeping and wailing, and nights of rest
less slumber among the sweet angelic daugh-
ters Of the Queen City. Soon letters began
TO arrive from the "girls they had left be-
hind them;" some written in g threatening
manner, others in an affected style of
naughty pride, and extremely independent,
which were received with as good grace as
possible. AT night when, after "tatoo" the
young and gallant defenders Of our country
retired to rest on their beds of straw and soft
| pine boards, with spiders and other insects
of different species, crawling about here and
there, and with feelings of perfect security
| from the would. be listening ear of their fair
| new.found damsels, they would pair off in
| twos, and recount to each other the contents
| Of their letters, to receive coincidence and
| sympathy from one another.
would be the attraction for miles around,
and on Sunday, such a gathering of crino-
| line from the Misses who were not free from
short dresses, to the elderly young lady of
thirty.fve, never was seen in that vicinity
before, so the ''Oldest inhabitants" said. -
Upon one of these occasions, young man
of this city, well and favorably known, who
had resisted all attacks of female lovelness
CHANGED to observe lady, of progressing
appearance, clothed in figured purple silk
| dress, with very pretty bonnet on her head
watching the maueuvers of squad of SOL
diers, in bayonet exercise. Sergeant Whit
ney, now Lieutenant in the regular army,
was conscious the squad was attracting no
little attention, and he determined to show
the visitors what coud be done with the
bay onet, if necessary. The lady in the pur.
pie silk dress seemed highly pleased, and
with her delicate white uugloved hands ap-
plauded with extreme delight.
Our hero, who was then known by the
not very euphonious sobriquet of "Sleepy
Jack"-a name acquired under peculiar cir
cumstances while in camp there, but for the
sake of his sensitive feelings soon after dis.
carded-approached the lady, and, introduc-
ing himself in pleasant speech, was soon in
conversation with the occupant Of the purple
dress. The bayonet exercise over, the squad
dismissed, Jack and his friend promenaded
the camp ground, attracting the united at
|
was decidedly the handsomest and most
fsshonably dressed of any in camp.
Dress parade at five O'Clock was grand
| sight TO the visitors, for both the First and
Second Regiments had their requisite mum
Der of ne en-, and when stretched far across the
grassy plat inside the race track circle, with
their elitteripg bsyonets and uniform ap.
pearance, presented such a military array
that EXPLANATIONS such as, "The rebels will
: suffer il these fellows get at them," "a fue
, | set of soldiers" They'll do good work "
we're heard among the vast assembly of look
| ers on. Our hero and his friend were among
the spectators, for Jack had asked and OBJ
, taiptd excuse from appearing on parade.
After the ceremony was over, the lady was
escorted to the exit gate by her admirer,
and, bidding him adieu with promise to
again visit the camp on specified day, was
soon lost to view. Punctuslly on the desig-
: mated afternoon the lady was in az.
tsndar ce-ths time dressed, were il
POSSIBLE, with even greater taste and care
? but still the occupant Of the purple silB
dress. She was soon after discovered in
i tete a tete with Jack, seated on the stand
a | overlooking the race-course Nothing haC
passed between them but subjects of
J general character. The afternoon was speu
. discussing the works of celebrated authors
r a theme on which both were we'll informed
ar d although frequently differing in opin
/ calculated to unite the growing friendship
' stronger. Again the lady departed, and
' again our hero stood at the gate, with &
4 sentinel on each side, gazing after the re-
/ treating form of his angel-like visitant
g Jack was beset on all sides by those wearing
IS red sashes and epaulets, for an introduction
,r TO his "cousin," as he had wisely informed
: irquirers she was; but none were ever pre-
sented to the lady.
Two days passed, but the purple silk dres
= and its occupant were not seen. Our here
was in quandary, and his appetite was be
ginning to show signs of his feelings. II
watched with expectaRt eyes, but she di
not come. The next day was an eventful on
. to all in camp, for early in the morning
y orders came to pack knapsacks, and prepar
e e to leave for Philadelphia. The scene wa
= grand. The camp presented bustling aI
- pearance, soldiers running to and fro wit
= faces Of joy, and exuberance Of spirits
= others busy with their knapsaeks in from
:, of them on the ground, packing, and buck
W ling, and sweating over the work as thoug
W it were an herculean task. Here was blu
= boused defender, engaged in cleaning b
e gun, and there another with the philosoph
% % of Diogenes, sitting on his packed knaI
" sack, surrounded by haversack filled
= such an extent that it was impossible to kee
!. its mouth closed, gun rejecting the ray
~ of the hot sun from its glistening barrel an
= | Uh1OuclI us hll0u Win pure COl
~ water, while ever and anon he elected froI
+ his mouth perfect stream of tobacco juict
70 Groups of soldiers stood in different parts
- the camp, talking and laughing as if the OF
e cason was the happiest event Of their live
% Finally every thing was ready for leavinI
70 the companies were in line, and one reg
* ment had almost passed out of the gate, Q
% the march to the depot. Jacks face locke
p soTroWful, yet, even then, there was ray
" hope depicted in his countenance, but it SOC
after disappeared, and disappointment r
=, NAMED predominant. This was, howeve
- speedily removed, for as his company WI
= passing out Of the gate, bis eyes met those
Z: the lady in the purple silk dress. Instal
- ! recognition passed between them but ho
~ ~ was he to get out of the ranks to bid h
on ~ good-by. He applied to the Captain for pc
- mission to leave for a moment, but it W
~ refused. They were fast leaving the can
:. behind them, and our hero determind to L
N another plan, and telling one of the Lie
~ tenants he had forgotten something
~ camp, was allowed TO go back after it. wi
p. the admonishinR Injunction " TO hur
'" up." He hastened back, and found b
/ friend seated in q carriage, on the poi
az of starting He was gladly welcome
y. and invited 70 take a seat in the Vehie
H. and ride TO the depot. The lady inform
n. him she had been III, and nothing but I
n. news of their departure would have brouR
ms her TO camp that day. She had hurried
inc picked up aud brought with her three Doc
which she insisted upon his taking, addi
,jnthaJ she would be in Philadolphia In A 4