The Portland daily press., 1863-09-29
Tuesday Morning, September 20, 1863.
An Incident in the Tour of Gov. Curtin.


The panorama of life, in t.es like these. is
thrillingly varied, intensely enthusiastic, won
derlully attractive and decidedly interesting.
In thus speaking, we allude particularly TO
that class oI public men who occupy an exal-
ted and proud position in State or National
affairs OF this class, Governor Andrew g.
Curtin has prominent place before the peo-
pie of his State-in fact may say the
world. In his present tour an Incident ccur-
ed that caused the tear of sympathy to start in
tine eye OF the Governor. He had addressed
large meeting at Catasauqua, in the mountain
region. As the sun was fast recedng behind
the mountaln-top, and casting long shade in
the valley, the Governor took passage in the
train bound for more level regions. He arrived
in Philadelphia in due tipe, having been met
halfway by Colonel W. r. Mann, and by him
and two other warm admirers was conducted
to the Continental where he sought re pose.
His nature was well-nigh exhausted. The
want of sleep, the fatigue OF travel, the event.
ful scenes OF his life, the universal hand-shak-
ings, the surrounding crowds, the vivacity and
vociierations of the thronging multitude, all
OF which he had so recently passed through,
made 1t necessary for his retirement.
He was to start the next day on some busi-
ness relative to the defence and protection of
the State, in case of another rebel raid which
seemed 10 be projected.
About ten o'clock in the morning there ap-
peared in the vestibule of the Continental
well-dressed young lady. Her face betokened
hard usage, that had added to her appearance
ten years 10 her natural life. She attracted
rather more than ordinary attention of the
throng moving to aud fro through the main
avenue Of that palatial building. She main
tained her silence aud appeared wrapped in
deep thought.
Presently Col. Wm. b. Mann came down
the large winding marble steps; slight tap
on his shoulder caused him to stop. The
young woman stood before him and said "Sir
you are VIM. b. Mann, believe.
81 am, madam, what do you wish? 2"
II desire to see Governor Curtin"
"Well, madam, he is very much engaged at
present; is your business pressing-is it of a
public nature?"
II desire TO see him; | have come all the
way from Ohio for the purpose. have been
to Catasauqua, but the train was too late;
arrived in the city this morning and must see
him; he is the only dear friend / have on
earth.'
Such an appeal was resistless. The gallan-
try of Colonel Mann, as well as his business,
could brook no delay. He retired for a mo-
ment, and presently ushered the strange lady
into the presence OF the Governor.
"Ohl Governor, am glad to see you"
said she, as she placed her left arm upon his
shoulder and imprinted a kiss upon his manly
forehead,
MADAM" said he, quite overcome, "to what
am ! indebted for this unexpected saluta-
tion?'
'Sir. do you not know me?"
take chair" said the Governor, blandly,
at the same time extending one of the hand
soonest in the parlor.
Colonel Mann and the few gentlemen pres
ent at once became interested in the scene,
and silently looked on.
sShorflv after ha hattla nf Antiatau, vo,,
were upon that bloody field" said she to the
Governor.
81 was, replied the Governor, thoughtfully,
with sigh, as the fearful scenes OF carnage
were thus Unexpectedly brought to his meni-
ory. .
'You Administered to the wants of the
wounded and the dying"
at was my duty, as feeling man."
"You did your duty well. Heaven alone
will reward you, sir. for in this life there is no
reward adequately expressive of the merit due
you You, sir, impaired consolation and re-
viyed the hopes OF dying soldier of the 2sth
Ohio. He was badly wounded in the arm;
you lifted him into an ambulance, and the
blood dripping from him stained your hands
and your clothing. That soldier was as dear
TO me as life ITSELF"
"a husband" !" said the Governor. ''No, SIR"
"a brother. perhaps?" mo, SIR" "A ia
ther?' mo, SIR" "A son?' mo, sir" "a
loyer?" "No, SIR"
The little party around were more interest
ed than ever. If not husband, father, brother,
son, or lover, who, then, could it be?
my dear madam" said the Governor, at
length breaking the silence, "this is an enigma
TO me. Please explain more about the gallant
soldier of Ohio"
well, sir, that soldier gave you a ring-C.
Il. ID. were the letters engraved on the interior.
That is the ring now upon your little finger.
He told you to wear it and carefully have you
done So"
The Governor pulled the ring off and sure
enough the letters were there.
The finger that used to wear that ring will
never wear II any more. The hand is dead.
but the soldier still lives, thanks to your kind
attention on that bloody feld.'
The whole scene was yet a problem that
even the sagacity of Col. Mann could not
solve.
The Governor was now more interested than
ever. well, madam" said he, tell me about
IT. Is this ring yours? Was it given 10 you
by soldier whom you loved?p
Il loved him as loved my life: but he never
returned that love. He had more love for his
country than for me; honor him for it. The
soldier who placed that little ring upon your
finger stands before you." So saying, the
strange lady arose from her chair, and stood
before the Governor.
Imagination of the reader. A happy hour
passed. The girl who had thus introduced her
sell was Catharine z. Davidson of Sheffield,
ONO. She was engaged to be married, but
her future husband responded TO the call of
the President, and she followed him by Joining
another regiment. He was killed in the same
battle where she fell wounded She is alone
in the world, her father and mother having
departed this life years ago. She was the SOL
dier OF the 28th Ohio who had placed the ling
upon the finger of Governor Curtin, for the
Kind attention given her upon the bloody field
of Antietam
The right arm had been amputated about
hall way between the elbow and the shoulder.
The Interview finally ended, and having at
last seen her benefactor, she babe him and his
friends adeu, taking with her an order, bear
ing the bold signature of A. G. Curtin, for one
of Palmer's patent arms
We had an interview with the heroine She
was modest, although she had led the life of a
"bold soldier boy.' She was loud in her praise
of Governor Curtin, and is firm in the belief
that through his hardworking energy. movers
of physical endurance, and great courage. he
saved the lives of ten thousand soldiers. many
of whom still lire to bless his name as one of
the STEW immortal, not born to die"
EARL RUSSELL ON NEUTRALITY.-In his
speech at Dandee, Earl Russell thus replied
to congratuatory reference to his foreign
policy.