Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-02-27
A Thrilling Incident Of the War.

- AhshAiAiA AuSiuSAl Vi INV w uts
Nine or ten years ago, citizen of one of
the towns in the Eastern part Of Msssachu-
sets was unjustly suspected Of a crime
which the statute cannot easily r, ach, but
which deservedly brings upon him guilty o..
it the Indignation of upright men. There
were circumstances which gave co,or TO the
suspicion, and the unfortunate gentleman
suffered the misery of the loss of friends
business. and reputation. His sensitive ma
ture could no. face these trials, and he fell
into condition of body and mind, which
alarmed his family. AT length, having in
vested his property where il could be easily
managed by his wife. he suddenly disap-
peared. leaving her a comfortable home
and the care of two boys, 10 and II years
old. The first fear that he had sought a
violent death was partly dispeled by the
| orderly arrangement of his affairs, and the
discovery that deguerreotype of the family
group were missing from the paror table
Not much effort was made TO trace the f1-
gitive. When, afterwards, facts were de-
veloped which established his innocence of
the crime charged, it was found impossi-
BILE to communicate with him and as the
publication of the story in the columns of
several widely circulated journals failed to
recall him, he was generally supposed TO be
dead.
/ AT the outbreak of the present civil war
his Oldest son, now young man, was in
duced by friend, Captain in a Western
regiment, TO enlist in his company. He
carried himself well through campaigns in
Missouri and Tennessee, and after the cap
ture of Fort Donelson was rewarded with
/ First Lieutenants commission. At the
/ the battle of Murfreesboro he was wound
ed in the left arm, but so slightly that he
was still able to take charge of squad of
wounded prisoners. While performing the
/ duty he became aware that one of them
middle-aged man. with full heavy beard
was looking at him with fixed attention.
The day after the fight, as the officer was
passing, .he soldier gave the salute, and
said:
"a word with you if you please, sir ;
you remind me of an old friend. Are you
from New England? :"
/ {" | am"
From Massachusetts
Yes, sir"
"And your name -
The young Lieutenant told his name, and
why he came TO serve in Western regi-
ment.
81 thought so,' said the man, and turn
ing away, he was silent. Although his Gu
riosity was much excited by the soldiers
manner, the officer forebore TO question him,
and Withdrew. But in the afternoon, he
took occasion to renew the conversation,
! and expressed the interest awakened in him
by the incident in the morning.
:" knew your father" said the prisoner.
I" Is he wel?"
"We have not seen him for years. We
think he is dead"
Then followed such an explanation Of the
circumstances of his disappearance, as the
Young man could give. He had never
known the precise nature of the charges
against his father, but was able to make it
quite clear that his innocence had been es-
tabshed.
Il knew your mother, also" continued
the soldier. 81 was in love with her when
she married your father"
81 have a letter from her, dated ten days
ago. My brother is nine months man at
New Orleans"
After little desultory conversation, the
soldier took from under his coat leathern
wallet, and disclosed a deguerrotype case ;
the hasp was gone, and the corners we're
rounded by wear.
evil you oblige me-" he said, I" by look
ing at this alone in your tent =" Agiiated
almost beyond controle, the young officer
took the case, and hurried away. He had
seen the picture before 1t represented a
man and woman. sitting side by side, with a
boy at the knee Of each.
The romantic story moved the command
er of the division to grant the youth fur
louch: and both father and son reached