The Shasta courier., 1863-04-04
An Incident of the War.


/ Within few days an incidant of the war
h7seen Within our knowledge, which might
be expanded by a competent hand into q
thrilling volume.
Zine or ten years ago, citizen of one Of
the towns in the eastern part OF Massachu-
sets, was unjustly suspected of crime which
the statue cannot easily reach, but which de-
seryedly brings upon him guilty oft, the in.
dignation ct 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 repu-
tation. His sensitive nature could not face
thsyss, triqls; and he fell into a condition of
body "isd j nd which alarmed his family.
At sength having invested his property where
1t could be easily managed BY MS wife. he
suddenly disappeared, leaving her comfort
able home ana the care OF two bays, ten and
twelve years old. The frstfe that he had
sought viodeath was partly dispelled by
fhe orderly a.rap cement of his affairs, and
|fhe discoYs Rasa da gnerseetype of the FAM
fIy group sT;Ts n sing from the parlor table.
Mol N ags1 etfeEf was made to trace the fuei.
tive. When, afterwards, the facts were def
yeloped which established his innocence O.
ihe cruel deSge.. it was found impossible to
l4municaFsWith him and as the publica-
lion of the story in the columns of several
widely circulated journals failed to recall him,
&c VASES erally supposed to be dead.
At the outbreak of the present civil war.
his eldest son, now a young man, was induc-
ed by friend, captain in O western regi-
ment, 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 lieuten-
ants commission. At the battle of Murfrees-
boro' he was wounded in the left arm bat so
slightly that he was still able to take charge
of squad of wounded prisoners. While
performing this duty he became aware that
one of them, middle aged man, with full,
heavy beard, was looking at him with fixed
attention. The day after the fight, as the of
fcer was passing, the soldier gave the mill
tary salute. and said
remind me of an old friend. Are you from
New England ?'
q Frop, Massachusetts ~
(" Yes"
I" And your namc?"
The young lieutenant told his name, and
why he came to serve in a Western regiment.
- thought So +" said the other, and turn
ing away he was silent. Although his curl
osity was much excited by the soldiers man.
ner, the officer forbore to question him, and
withdrew. But in the afternoon he took oc-
casion TO renew the conversation, and ex-
pressed the interest awakened in him by the
incident of the morning.
g knew your father" said the prisoner,
" is he we'll p
!" We have not seen him for years We
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 clear
that his innocence had been established
% knew your mother, aiso," continued
the soldier. Il was in love with her when
she married your father
. | have a letter from her dated ten days
ago. Ny brother is a nine months man at
New Orleans"
After little desultory conversation the
soldier took from under his coat leathern
wallet, and disclosed dagqerreotype case.
The hasp vas gone, and the corners were
rounded by wear.
VIII you oblige me, - he said "by look
ing at this alone in your tent" Agitated al
most beyond control, the young officer took
the case and hurried away. He had seen the
picture before 1t represented 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 youth furlough;
and both father and son reached home last
week. Worcester Spy.