Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1861-11-02
A Sisters Affection.

When the army of the Potomac made
its advance, = few days since, member
of the Twenty-tirst New York Regi-
ment, picked up, in place just vacat-
ed by the rebels, copy of the Rich
mond Examiner of the previous week,
from which we clip the following touch
ing incident:
zone OF those affecting incidents oc-
Cured at the departure Of the Yankee
prisoners for New Orleans, that wheth-
er concerning friends or foes, must
move the stoniest heart. A young lady,
of Northern birth, who has been some
time resident of this State, and. hav-
ing lucrative occupation, preferred to
remain here after the war broke out,
discovered by some means, that her
brother was among the prisoners in the
city. Size had made several ineffectu-
al applications to see him.-Owing to
the necessity of military law in such
case, her most urgent request had been
refused. For some weeks the poor girl
had been too unwelI to leave her home,
bnt was recovering, and sitting at her
window just as the prisoners passed by,
on their way to the depot.
An impression seized her that her
brother was among them, though sep
Grafton of several years and the differ
ence of dress and circumstances render
ed recognition difficult. A misgiving,
however-one of those impulses of the
heart that are not to be stihed--caused
her to start to her feet, and hastily
throwing on her shawl and bonnet, she
summoned friend and hurried to the
depot There the guard was so watch
full and the line SO strict shat she was
unable to approach within ten yards ;
but, with straining eyes and anxious
love, did the poor girl endeavor to
scrutinize each probable form until a
mutual gaze met hers, and revealed the
object of her search. Her brother re-
cognized her. Darling forward
but repulsed by the guard, each
precious moment threatening to
sever them, perhaps, forever, who can
judge of the agony of the poor, strick-
en- sister Some of the bystanders, b.
coming interested in the scene, used
their influence to permit a message to
be conveyed to the prisoner. oh! is
there anything | can do for him, any.
thing he wants p she exclaimed. But
the wants of the prisoner were few
With loss of liberty, what else could
avail him? Take hin this said she,
'it is all | have in the world And she
handed hnm small, a very small pack
ct. So they passed to the prisoner a
few dollar bills, with some small change,
not knowing whether the poor boy
would ever find any need for it, or any
opportunity of spending it.
Soon the cars were ready. Open
cars, with seats arranged upon them,
and boarding round the edge for Sc
curity. He took his seat with the rest,
in full view Of his sobbing sister, and
the cars began to slowl Y move. With
an irresistible impulse she darted for
ward. Sympathy governed stronger
than law the crowd who were watching
the departure; an opening was made
through the guard, and she reached his
hand. One grasp, so firm, so tight,
was fastened upon the hand, that she
was drawn along the track, as the quick
ening motion of the engine was bearing
her long absent brother yet further from
her presence, and not until her arm was
well-nigh strained from her body, and
the poor prisoner as he leaned himself
towards her was in danger Of being
dragged from the car, could that long,
loving grasp be loosened."