Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-02-04
LOVE AT SIGHT AND WITHOUT SIGHT


Corporal Merrill, in his letters to the Roches-
ter Express, relates the following romantic
story:
have before stated that some Of the private
soldiers, from the upper rooms, were employed
in the officers quarters-a service which they
gladly accepted as afording superior rations
Among these was Corporal Nh of New
York, young man Of wealthy parentage, Of
attractive manners, good intellectual endou-
ments-snd withsl handsome as Apollo"
At the request Of some Of his officers he was
occasionally permitted to visit the lower foor,
and on one occasion was permitted to leave
chasing supplies. While thus passing through
one Of the main thoroughfares, Nh was
accosted by little girl. who presented him
with bouquet, at the same time pointing to q
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 distance to his prison, and as
he entered IL she reciprocated his bow, and
leisurely walked away.
For some inexplicable cause the Corporal was
not gain permitted to 90 out, and negro-I
should have mentioned that quite a number of
servants were in prison-wss 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 a
package with which he returned to the officers
quarters. and delivered to Corporal Nh.
1t was found to con Iain a new suit Of clothes,
and upon one garment was pinned a small
card. neatly inscribed with the name OF his
benefactress-
'sOnly this, and nothing more"
Corporal Nh instantly addressed himself
to the task Of epistolsry composition, in which
be gracefully acknowledged his receipt of the
gift, and expressed his heartfelt thanks. This
was delivered by the negro on the day follow
ing, and he returned with package containing
g number Of pOcket-handkerchiefs, socks and
shirts!
As in the first instance, the only communi-
cation which accompanied the gift was the do
nor's card. The Corporal again acknowledged
his obligations by polite note, which was duly
delivered through the same medium.
Thenceforth the Corporal was in daily reaeip t
Of the choicest dsinties and regular episto-
larry correspondence was carried on until the
day of his release, which occurred on the Sd of
January. matrimonial engagement had
been made during the interval, with the un-
derstanding that the parties would meet in
Baltimore on the 1st of March next.
have omitted to state that the Corporal had
been sent back to his old quarters, but having
ascer' ined that his fair inamorata daily prom
ensded within view Of the officers quarters, he
obtained employment as q cook, and was there
after rnfailingly at his post to reciprocate the
loving smiles Of his betrothed.
She had sent him her daguerreotype, which
he frequently exhibited to me. 1t was q lovely
image, and one that would have required no
" collateral inducement to carry captive the
most frigid and lethargio fancy. learned
that she was Of a wealthy family, and Of as
good blood as was to be found among the F
z. VS., and her letters, ! was assured,
evincsd that she was no less Intelligent and
refined.
the name Of Corporal Nh was found in the
list. The intelligence was quickly conveyed
20 bis yearning admirer. We saw nothing of
her, however, as we marched through the
streets Of Richmond, though the Corporal q
longing vision was strained at every animate
object.
But when halt was ordered, a fine car.
riage, driven by negro, suddenly made its
appearance, and halted at q short distance
from our ranks. A lady descended-there
was a brief, but earnest colloquy among the
Confederate officers Of our guard, and the
next moment the enraptured twain Corporal
Mn and his sfisnced) were face to face. A
few words, the first they had ever exchanged
In person, were exchanged IN subdued, yet
melting tones; their faces were for q moment
lighted, as with hame-the engagement was
sacredly renewed-there was Q fervent, thrill.
ing pressure of their hands, and they sepa-
rated.
A circumstance is connected with the daguer.
reotype above referred to which deserves q
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 depositeS therein and the
dsguerreotype then replaced. It was safely
delivered to the Commander-in- Chief, meet
ing of the Cabinet was called, and the day fol-
lowing there was aleak stopped-a mysterious
leak. from high official circles, and which had
inestimably benefited the Rebels for many
months.