The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-06-21
Love AZ sight

Corporal Merrill, in his letters to tAs
Rochester Express, giving his expsrieDea
at Richmond as prisoner, relates the fols
lowing romantic story,
/ have before stated that some Of the
soldiers from the upper rooms were employ
ed in the officers quarters, a service which
they gladly accepted as afording superior
rations. Among these was Corporal H.,
ofN. Y. young man Of wealthy parent,
age, of attractive manners, good intellesta.
al endowments--and withal HANDSOME n
Apollo.
AT the request Of some Of the officers ~
was occasionally permitted to visit the
lower floor, aud upon one occasion, to leavs
the prison on parole, for the purpose Of
purchasing supplies. While thus passing
through one Of the main thoroughfares,
NJ. was accosted by a little girl, Who pre-.
sented him nice bouquet, at the same
time pointing toa young lady on the oppo-
site side Of the street a. the donor. The
Corporal acknowledged the gift by 20.
lite bow, and proceeded upon his mission.
The lady, apparently fascinated, followed
him at distance to the prison, and as he
entered it she reciprocated his bow and
leisurely walked away.
For some inexplicable cause the Corpo,
raj was not again allowed to 90 out, and
negro--I should have mentioned that quite
number of servants we're in the prison
was dispatched in his stead. The negro
had not proceeded far, when he was met
by the young lady referred to, and the
sequel to the interview was developed in
package with which he returned q the
officers quarters and delivered to corporal
NJ. 1t was found to contain suite Of new
clothes, and upon one garment was pinned
small card, neatly inscribed with tAs
name Of the benefactres Only this end
nothing more"
Corporal NJ instantly addressed him.
self to the task of epistolary composition,
In which he gracefully acknowledged tho
receipt ofthe gift, and expressed heart
felt thanks. This was delivered BY the
negro on the following day, and be return
ed with package containing nuubsv of
pocket handkerchiefs, socks, and shirts.
As in the first instance, the only COM
munication which accompanied the gift
was the donors card. The Corporal again
acknowledged his obligations by a polite
note, which was duly delivered through
the same medium.
Thenceforth the Corporal was in daily
receipt of the choicest dainties, and reg
ular epistolary correspondence was carried
on until the day of his release, which oc-
ourred on the Sd of January. A matrimo.
nial Engagement had been made during
the interval, with the understanding that
the parties would meet in Baltimore the lst
Of March.
have omitted to state that the Corpo.
raj had been sent back to his old quarters,
but having ascertained that his fair inamo.
rata daily promenaded in view Of the ofa.
Gers quarters, he obtained employment and
was thereafter unfailing at his post 10 re.
ciprocate the loving smiles Of his betfpth.
ed"
She had sent him her daguessso.ype.
which he frequently exhibited to me. Il
was lovely image, and one that would
have required no collateral" inducemeut
! to carry the most frigid and lethasgio fam
cy. ! learned that she vas ola wealthy
family, and as good blood As uas to be
found among the F. F.'s v. and her letters
I was assured, evinced that she was no less
intelligent and refined.
When the glad tidiugs Of our release
came, the name of Corporal Nh was
in the list. The intelligence was quickly
conveyed to his yearning admirer. We
saw nothing other, however, ~ We march
ed through Richmond. The Corporate
longing vision was strained at every api-
mate object. 49,
But when halt was ordered, 6ns eas.
riage, driven by a negro, suddenly made
its appearance, and halted At . short dis
tance from our ranks. A lady descended
there was brief but earnest colloquJ
among the Confederate officers ofsar guard
and the next moment the enraptuysl
twain Corporal Mn and his aflaaos
were face to face. A few words ~ 4
they had ever exchanged in perez -
exchanged in subdued and melting tan
their faces were for moment ighte
as with flame-the engagement ve2
eredly renewed-there was .
thrilling pressure of their hands,
separated.
A circumstance is connected
daguerro,ype above referred 70,
sssses passing notice. Refor(