The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-03-13
From the Chicago Post, February ..
War and Romance.


War and Romance.
During the late movement against Vicks
burg the national transports wero fred upor
by rebel battery at Skipwith Landing
not many miles from tho mouth Of the Yasoo
No sooner was the outrage reported at head
quarters than the Admiral sent an expcdi'
tion to remove the battery and destroy the
place. The work of destruction was cficctu.
ally done; not a structure which could cover
robcl head was lott standing in the region
for several miles around. s
Among other habitatious destroyed wa
that Of Mrs. Harris. widow lady, young,
comcly, and possessed Of external attractions
in the shape Of hundred and fifty niggcrs,
which she had contrived to save from the
present opperation Of "the decree" BY send
ing them up tho Yazoo river. But Mrs.
Harris was rebel-intensc, red.hot In ad-
vocacy of Southern rights and her denucia-
ton of Northern wrongs. Although she
had not taken up arms against the govern.
ment, she was none the less subject to indis-
eliminating swoop Of tho proclamation" :"
her niggers, according to that document
were free, and II tho "Confederacy" failed,
she could only get pay for them by establish
ing her loyalty in Court Of Justice. Her
loyalty to the Yankee nation'-not sho!-
She was spunky, as a widow Of thirty can
be. She would see Old Abe and every other
Yankee in tho happy land Of Canaan before
she would acknowledge allegiance to the
Washington Government. Nevertheless, bo'
ing oil she possessed Of the Worlds valua'
bles. she would like to save those niggers.
"Nothing easier" suggested Captain Ed
ward W. Sutherland, Of the United States
steam ram Queen of tho West, who, attract.
cd by her swapping black eyes. engaged in a
friendly conversation with the lady, after
burning her house down. "Nothing easier
In the world, madam"
"How SO, Captain'-you don't imagine
will take that odious oath. do you? 1 as
sure you would not do it for every Niger
in the South. ..
"But you need not tako tho oath, madam
at least not that OATH"
81 do not understand you, Captain" said
the widow.
"I said you need not take tho oath Of OIL
legianco; you can establish your loyalt!
without it--at least" with q respectful bow
III can establish 1t for YOU" .lI-.F
"Indeed, how would you do II CaptainT
"Simply enough. lam in tho government
service. command ono Of the boats Of the
Western navy-technlcally denominatcd
ram, nadam--down here in the river. Ol
course my loyalty is unimpcached, and, mad
am, assure you, It is unimpcachnblc. Now,
II wo could only say to the Government those
niggers are mine"
Tho Captain waited moment to see what
effect ho was producing. "wcll." said the
widow, iupationtly tapping with her well
shaped foot ono Of tho smoking timbers oil
her late domicil.
"In short, dear madam, you can save the
niggers, save your conscientious scruples,
and save me from future l,fo Of misery, by
becoming my wife," ~.
The Captain looked about wildly as If he
expected sudden attack from gucrillas.-
The widow tapped the smouldcring timber
more violently for fow minutes, and then
turning her bright eyes full upon the Cap
tain, said III will do it." s
The last arrival at Cairo from Vicksburg
brings the intelligence that Captain Sutber.
land, Of tho ram Queen Of tho West, was
married few days since, on board tho gun.
boat Tyler. to Mrs. Harris, Of Skipwith Land.
ing. Several officers Of the army and navy
were present to witness the ceremony. which
was performed by Methodist clergyman,
and Admiral Porter gave away tho blushing
bride. Sho Is represented to bc woman Of
indomitablo pluck, and for tho present shares
tho wild life of her husband on the rum
Queen Of the West. " =,