The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1863-03-07
A THRILLING WAR INCIDENT.

Nine or ten years ago citizen of one of
the towns in the eastern part of Massaohu-
sets, was unjustly suspected of crime
which the statute cannot easily reach, but
which deservedly brings upon him guilty
of it the indignation of upright men. There
were circumstances which gave color to the
suspicion, and the unfortunate man suffered
the loss of friends, business and reputation.
His sensitive nature could not face these
trials; and he fell into a condition of body
and mind which alarmed his family. At
length, having invested his property where
it could be easily managed by his wife, he
suddenly disappeared leaving her COM
Portable home and the care of two boys Of
ten and twelve years. The first fear, that
he had sought violent death, was partly
disks,.sd by the orderly arrangement of his
affairs, and the discovery that daguerreo-
type of the family group was missing from
the parlor table. Not much effort was made
to trace the fugitive. When, afterward,
facts were developed which established his
innocence of the crime charged, il was found
impossible to communicate with him; and
as the publication of the story in several
widely circulated journals failed to recall
him, he was generally supposed to be dead.
Al Tie OubUTSdh VI ZIG pISSSut civil Wal
his eldest son, now young man, was IN
duced by friend, who wasa Captain in a
western regiment, to 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 wounded
in the left arm, but so slightly that he was
still able to take charge ola squad of wound
ed prisoners. While performing this duty
he became aware that one of them, a middle
aged man, with a full, heavy beard, was
looking at him with fixed attention. The
day after the fight, as the officer was pass
ing, the soldier gave the military salute.
and said:
"A. word with you, if you please, sir.
You remind me of an old friend. Are you
from New England 2" sa.faa
s 81 am g-.r,
. 'sFrom Massachusetts, %
-xes" a
"And ycciur lame
!. The young man told his name, and why
he came to serve In a Western regiment.
81 thought SO" said the other, and turn
ing away was silent Although his curios
ity was much excited by the soldiers man
ner, the officer forbore to question HIM
aud withdrew. But in the afternoon b,
took occasion to renew the conversation
and expressed the interest awakened in him
by the incident of the morning. sss1>
/, 81 knew your father" said the prisoner:
els he well %
. .'"e have not seen him for years. We
E 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 Gear that his innocence had been
established.
81 knew your mother, ALSO" continued
} the soldier. Il was 10 love will, Ler When
she married your father" 80
1 81 have letter from her, dated ten DAYS
ago. My brother is nine months man in
New Orleans.'
After little desultory conversation. the
soldier took from under his coat leashern
wallet, and disclosed daguerreotype case.
Inc hasP was gone and the corners were
rounded by wear.
! Agitated almost beyond control, the
young officer took the case and buried away.
he had seen the picture before 1t repre-
sented man and woman, sitting side by
side with boy at the knee of each.
The romantic story moved the COMMANDER.
| of the division to grant the Young man q
furlough, and both father and son reached
home last week Worcester Spy.
he cost Of a.. 81 =