Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-04-23

i that she loved her Drotner.
Hal Good news. George Is ssfe.-
| The Judge came home with an even'
ing paper, and handed IL to Nellie,
pointing with bis finger to the para.
graph she was about to read. She
read as follows: r1e -7-s sis4
Captain Preston, after being ex-
posed TO merciless fire for four con-
secutive hours, was the last to swim the
river. He made his way down the
bluff, and was assisting some OF his
wounded comrades, when the enemy
came pouring down upon him. He
WAS surrounded and would have been
slain, but for the heroic bravery and
devotion Of a sergeant of his company.
The sergeant, whose name was Wal
ter Evermond, seeing the Captain in
danger, sprang to his side, and with
his revolver shot down three who were
pressing upon him. When they gain
ed the water Captain Preston had re-
ceived wound in the shoulder, which
rendered it impossible for him to swim;
but Evermond did not forsake him.
The noble fellow clung TO bis Captain
like a brother, and succeeded in get
ting him safely over the river. We
are happy to state that Captain Pres
toms wound is not dangerous
'Oi Heaven bless that noble Ser
gesntl' calculated Nellie, as she I'm
ished reading the account.
And her father joined her with his
whole soul.
Later in the evening a curious
thought worked its way into Nellie
Preston's mind. She wished the man
who had saved her brothers life SO
bravely had been only corporal!-
And then she wondered where that
fair-faced. bright-eye6 soldier whom
she bad kissed in the depot was. She
wished that she knew his name. 1t
would be satisfaction to know how he
Jared. She hoped he was safe.
Ere long letter came from George,
in which he gave thrilling account of
the battle. He spoke of Sergeant
Walter Evermond as he would speak
Of a brother. 'he saved my life at the
risk of his own,' be wrote; and but
for him you would have no son living
to write this; and Nellie would have
no brother There was a postscript
to the letter as follows:
p. S.-Walter Evermond has Just
received the commission OF Second
Lieutenant
The winter wore away, and George,
in his letters to his sister, frequently
spoke of Walter EvermoDd as very
dear friend. At length came letter
with the following passage: my dear
father and sister, give me JOY. l am
Major, and my commission dates from
the day Of Balls Bluff. Ny dear
friend Evermond is Captain Of my old
company; and better soldier does not
live; and know there cannot be q
truer friend m
Once more the Judge and his
daughter wereianxious. The --th regI-
ment was before yorktown. Then
came the bloody field Of Williamsburg;
but George was NO: called into that
battle. At length however. came
tidings Of another bloody fray, in which
our regiment was engaged. FAIR
OAksl The list of the killed and woun-
ded Jagged; but a letter from George
was received. He was alive, but bad
ly wounded. .tf O.
Our Colonel was stricken down. he
wrote. early in the engagement.
had been acting as Lieutenant Colonel
for some time, and the command de-
Solved upon me. was following the
Head Of the gallant Howard. when bull
let passed through my thigh. Captain
Evermond was on the right OF the
regiment; and l had Just time to pass
the command over to him when the
final charge came. was faint and
dizzy; but l saw him dash on at the
head Of our noble regiment; and the
Stout of victory struck my ear as ]
was borne from the field. Late al
night Captain Evermond was borne
into our quarters severely wounded by
sabre cut on the shoulder. He hst
hand-to. hand conflict with the
enemy over battery; and he took il
ard held it.
Three weeks afterwards another let
ter came.
Dear Nellie, 1 am coming home.
have a furlough for forty days. Cap
tain Evermond is coming home will
me. Our wounds are doing well.'
The train arrived at three o'clock il
, the afternoon. Major Preston cam
I from the car upon bis crutches, and hi
Z, father was there, to receive him.
!, Nellie had not come down. Big proul
tears coursed down the old mans fac
: as be beard the glad shout that wei
Q coined his noble boy; and for a Will
bis son was moDopolized by the multi
e tude. - -
8 Where is your friend Evermondi
!. asked the Judge. as he move'
/; towards the carriage. -
$ 'Ob, he will be with us this evening
/; He had to stop to see friend on th
{ way, and will come 10 the next trsin.-
1 told him our carriage should be o
hand for him. "
: "a joyful moment was it for Nelli
Preston when she threw her arm
. around the neck Of her brother. O
e she knew now how very much sh
9 loved him. What numberless ques