The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-06-18
WHOLE NO. 296.
Love at Sight.

Love At Sight.
Corporal Merrill, in his letters to tn,
Rochester Express, giving his experience a
Richmond as a prisoner, relates the follow
ing romantic story:
| have before stated that some of tn,
soldiers from the upper rooms were EN-
ployed in the officers quarters, a servic,
which they gladly accepted as affordins
superior rations. Among these was Corp
NJ, of New York, young man of wealthy
parentage, Of attractive manners, good in
tellectual endowmentsAand withal hand
some as Apollo.
At the request Of some Of the officers hi
was occasionally permitted to visit the
lower floor, and upon one occasion to leave
the prison on parole, for the purpose o
purchasing supplies. While thus passing
through one Of the main thoroughfares, NJ
was accosted by little girl, who presented
him with bouquet, at the same time point.
ing to young lady on the opposite side
Of the street as the donor. The Corporal
acknowledged the gift by polite bow, and
proceeded upon his mission. The lady,
apparently fascinated, followed him at a
distance to the prison, and as he entered
it she reciprocated his bow and leisurely
walked away.
For some inexplicable cause the Corporal
was not allowed to 60 out, and negro-I
should have mentioned that quite number
of servants were in the prison. was dis
patched 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 a pack
age, with which he returned to the officers:
quarters and delivered to Corporal M. 1t
was found to contain suit Of new clothes,
and upon one garment was pinned small
card, neatly inscribed with the name of the
benetactress-"Only this and nothing
more"
Corporal NJ. instantly addressed himself
to the task Of epistolary composition, in
which he gracefully acknowledged the re-
celpt of the gift, and expressed his heart
felt thanks. This was delivered by the
negro on the following day, and he return
ed with package containing a number of
pocket handkerchiefs, socks and shirts.
AS in the first instance, the only commu-
nication 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 dantics, and a reg
ular epistolary correspondence was car
ried on until the day of his release, which
ocurred on the Sd of January. A matri-
monial engagement had been made during
the interval, with the understanding that
the parties would meet in Baltimore on the
lst Of March.
l have omitted to state that the Corporal
had been sent back to his old quarters, but
having ascertained that his fair inamorata
daily promenaded in view of the officers
quarters, he obtained employment, and was
thereafter unfailing at his post to recipro-
cate the loving smiles of his betrothed.
She had sent him her daguerreotype,
which he frequently exhibited to me. 1t
was lovely image, and one that would
have required no 'collateral'' inducements
to carry the most frigid and lethargic fancy.
l learned that she was of wealthy family,
and as good blood as was to be found
among the F. F.'s. ", and her letters, was
assured, evnced that she was no less int |.
lgent andrefned
When the glad tiding Of our release came,
the name Of Corporal Nj was in the
list. The intelligence was quickly convey
ed to his yearning admirer. We saw moth
ing OF her, however, as we marched thro'
Richmond. The Corporals longing vision
was strained at every animate object.
But when the halt was ordered, fine
carriage, driven by a negro, suddenly made
its appearance, and halted at a short dis
tance from our ranks. A lady descended
there was brief but earnest colloauy
among the Confederate officers of our
guard, and the next moment the enraptured
twain Corporal Nj and his affianced)
were face t. face. A few words--the first
they had ever exchanged in person--were
exchanged in subdued and melting tones :;
their faces were for moment lightened as
with fiame-the engagement was sacredly
renewed; there was fervent, thrilling
pressure of their hands, and they separat.
ed.
A circumstance is connected with the
dagu: rreotype above referred to, which de-
serves passing notice. Before it left the
prison, the picture was taken from the case,
and small slip Of paper. closely written
and addressed to Gen. Mcclellan, was de-
posted therein, and the daguerreotype then
replaced. 1t was safely delivered to the
commander-in.c chief, meeting of the Cab
met was called, and the day following
there was a leak stopped--a mysterious
leak, from high official circles, and which
had inestimably benefited the rebels for
many months.