Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-10-15
Oct. l4th, 1863
The Observation-Disclosures Narrative

The following narrative was found among the papers
OF Mr.. Mason, Secretary to the Duke of Cumberland
There was in the regiment two young soldiers above
Le common level both from the same place, town II
lancashire and each had much friendship for the her
They had enlisted together and were inhabitants OF E
same tent One, whom shall call the lover, bad en-
rolled his name through an uneaslness from beng dis
APPOINTED in what he thong BIT all his happiness
tered the carrying of q sweet girl OF his town
bv whom he was much beloved. Her relations was in
cxorable and his hopes in vain. The Other lad Of
spirit believing the soldiers life fine the recruit
mo officer had described it. willing to see wars, accom-
pany his friend and serve bis country likewise accept
cd the kings pictures, and called the volunteer
lie was the only son of bis mother, and she widow
sic was much grieVed at this step which be had taken
without her prlvity consent but being in al easy
situation and not wanting his assistance Tor her sup
port she lamentd only through affection for him. The
widow sent forth her with tears and blessings the
maid eyed her lover from distant window IA nearer
approach not being permitted0 and beat time to bis
steps with her heart, till he out of sight and then
she sent her soul after him, in deep sigh They had
not been long in the camp before volunteer had wotul
proof Of the wide difference between the ideal gentleman
and soldier which he had dressed up In his imagination
and the miserable half starved food for powder. As for
the lover lie was nsensibe TO hardshps OF the body
the agtatOns of his mind absorbed his whole attention
In vain had be endeavored to fly from the object of his
love he brought his person only, leaving his thoughts
and his heart behind him and absent from himself
il the uose and hustle of the day. silent midnight
watch or when stretched upon bis bed at !ght. They
communicated their situation to each other and took
the fatal resolution to desert. Thus winged by love
and urged by fear the bills of Scotland flew from their
heels and they had arrived st village within mile
u their own town, when they were OVertakea by q
horse pursuit, and reconduced to their camp court
martial was held and they were condemned to die but
the General ordered usuan such cases. that they
should cost lots and only one Of them suffer At the
pppOnted time the ring formed, the drum placed
the centre with the box and dice upon It's head and the
dcliLQuenls made to enter
The horrors which sat brooding on their souls the
preceding night and were now overwhelming them at
the awful crisis strongly painted in their ard
paid countenances Their friendship real and sin
cere but not of that fabulous and heroic kind to
wish to die for each other each wished II i've and
each was dSUueted at the thought that his safety must
be built on the welfare of his friend. They alternately
requested each other to begin. The lover looked car
nestIy at the little instruments OF DEATH took them in
his trembling hand, and quickly laid them down. The
Gfcer was Obliged to inUerp0Se, and commanded the
volunteer to throw he lifted the box IN the right hand
then shifted it into the left, and gave 1t to his right
again and as If ashamed Of weakness or superstition,
cast his eyes up for moment, and was IN the act to
throw when the shreks of female sorrow struck bis
1t burst from the opposite part OF the circle the
widow and the maid-thelr hair disheveled and their
garments by travelling, soiled and torn.
What sight this. the mother and son on one
side of the drum and the maid and lover the other
The first transports of their frantic Joy, at finding them
alive, were abated By the dreadful uncertainty OF
what must follow The officer was a man who did not
hurry the volunteer to throw He put his hand to the
box of his accord, his mother ieI PROSTATE upon
the earth as did also the maid and both with equal
cUnsancy and erYor, poured forth ;her different pray
eT5.
lie threw nine CLEAN of imperfect Joy lighted up
on the widows face and she looked you might sup
pose her TO have done if, standing o. the shore she
had seen her son shipwrecked, buffeting the waves
when presently he gains raft AID is padding shore
and already she thinks to feel his fond embrace but
still is anxious, lest even yet enviOus pillows
should snatch him from her eyes. Meanwhile the low
ts giving up all for lost locked in each Others
arms, and entreated to be killed thus together on the
spot. She was held from him by force He advanced
towards the drum with much the air as he would
have assembled a ladder for his execution. He threw
ten the maid sprang from the ground as if she would
leap to heaven ,he caught her in hsSarms they faint
Ell on each other neck, and recovered only to faint
again. The volunteer the least affected of the
four, and all bis attentions employed about his
mother whose head on his lap but she insen-
sibe OF his Soon after the women had rushed
into the ring, officer to the Dukes tent to in
form him OF the uncommon tenderness of the scene
lie accompanied the officer to the spot and standing
behind the first rank, anobserved spectator OF
the whole transaction. He could hold out no longer ;
he into the circle, raised the widow and echOing
her ear, he is pardoned, restored her life and to
happiness together. Then turning to the lovers be
commanded them to go Immediately to the chaplain to
be united by that tie which death only Dissolve
lie often declared he felt pleasure from this action
than from the battle of CallOden. He shed tears but
they were not those of Alexander when he Wept for
more worlds to conquer.