The Portland daily press., 1863-02-21
MISCELLANY.
From the Worcester spy.l
An Incident oil the War.

War Is the nursery of romance. Though
worked for the greater part of a century, our
revolution is a mine not yet SO nearly exhaust
ed, that every year does not transfer from oral
tradition to the printed record, fresh illustra-
tons of the heroism of our fathers. The pres
ent Is equally rich In materials for the future
annalist and romancer; and for a century to
come, our manners and customs, our habits of
thought, our dialect, our philosophy, will be
the subjects OF infinite study and dsquisition.
Within a few days an incident OF the war has
come within our knowledge which might be
expanded by competent hand into thrilling
volume.
Nine or ten years ago, a citizen Of one OF
the towns In the eastern part of Massachu-
sets, was unjusuy suspected of a crime which
the statute cannot easily reach, but which de-
servedly bring upon him guilty of it, the in
dignation Of upright men. There were cir
cumstances which gave color to the suspicion
and the unfortunate gentleman suffered the
misery of loss of friends, business and reputa-
ton. His sensitive nature could not face
these trials; and he fell into condition Of
body and mind which alarmed his family. At
length having invested his property where II
could be easily managed by his wife, he sud-
denly disappeared, leaving her a comfortable
home and the care of two boys, ten and twelve
years old.
The first fear that he had sought a violent
death was partly dispehed by the orderly ar
rangement of his affairs, and the discovery
that daguerreotype Of the family group was
missing from the parlor table. Not much ef-
fort was made to trace the fugitive. When,
afterwards facts were developed which estab-
lished his innocence of the cruel charge, 1t was
found impossible TO communicate with him:
end as the publication Of the story in the col
umns Of several widely circulated Journals
failed to recall him, he was generally suppos-
ed to be dead.
At the outbreak the present civil war, his
eldest son, now young man, was induced by
friend. a captain in a western regiment, 10
enlist In his company. He carried himself well
through campaigns in Missouri and Tennessee;
and after the capture of Fort Donelson. was
rewarded with first lieutenant's commission
At the battle OF Murfreesboro he was wound
ed In the left arm, but so slightly that he was
still able to take charge of a squad of wounded
prisoners While performing this duty he be-
came aware that one OF them, midde-aged
man, with full, heavy beard, was looking at
him with fixed attention.
The day after the fight, as the officer was
passing, the soldier gave the military sa lutte,
and said:
"A word with you, II you please, sir. You
remind me of an old friend Are you from
New Enggland9'
"From Massachusetts, ?"
"Yes.v
~And your namepu
The Young lieutenant told his name and
why he came to serve in a western regiment
II thought So. said the other and fnrnng
away he was silent. Although his curiosity
was much excited bv the sold;er.s mannar IN.
officer forebore to question him, and withdrew.
But In the afternoon he took occasion to re-
new the conversation. and expressed the in
terest awakened in him hv the incident Of ,ha