Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-02-11


Yorktown. Then came the bloody field of
Williamsburg; but George was not called in
to the battle At length, however, came It'd
ings of another bloody fray, in which our reg
irnent was engaged. FAIR OAKS The list
of killed and wounded Jagged; but the letter
from George was received. He was alive
but badly wounded.
"Our Colonel was stricken down " he wrote
" early in the engagement. | had been act
ing as Lieutenant Colonel for some time, and
the command devolyed upon me. | was fol-
lowing the lead of Tie gallant Howard when
bullet passed through my thigh Captain
Evermond was on the right Of the regiment,
and | had Just time to pass the command over
to him when the clash of the final charge
came. | was faint and dizzy; but I saw him
dash on at the head of our noble regiment,
and the shout of victory struck my ear as !
was borne from the field. Late at night Cap
tain Evermond was borne into our quarters,
severely wounded by a sabre cut on the shout
der. He had hand-to-hand conflict with
the enemy over a battery; and he took it,
and held it."
Three weeks afterwards another letter
came
"Dear Nellie, am coming home I have
a furlough for forty days. Captain Evermond
is coming with me. Our wounds are doing
we'll"
The train arrived at three o'clock in the
afternoon. Major Preston came from the car
upon his crutches, and his father was there
to receive him. Nellie had not come down
Big, proud tears coursed down the old mans
face as he heard the glad shouts that welcom-
ed his noble boy; and for while his son was
mOnOpOlZed by the multitude.
Where is your friend, Evermond ?" asked
I-,yls l.
riage.
40, he will be with US this evening. He
had to stop to see friend on the way, and
will come in the next train. | told him our
carriage should be on hand for him."
A joyful moment was it for Nellie Preston
when she threw her arms around the neck of
her returned brother. o, she knew now how
much-how very much she loved him. What
numberless questions were asked, and how
eagerly were the answers listened to.
By and by Nellie asked after Captain Ever
mond
"Oh, she cried, "I hope he is not old and
ugly, for | want to love him."
I" Not very old" said George, with smile;
" and not very ugly. But there is a curious
circumstance connected with his experience
as soldier, which is worth relating He told
the story with tears in his eyes. After the
affair at Balls Bluff we were like brothers
Evermond is an orphan; without father and
mother, sister or brother. He has splendid
education which he owes to an old aunt, who
intended him for a minister: but his DISPOSE
ton did not lead him that way, and he started
to study law. His aunt withdrew her favor
and he was left to struggle alone He was in
danger of becoming dissipated, when the
thought struck him that he would enlist He
enlisted as a private in the company Of which
was captain While we were waiting at the
depot, on the morning when we left for the
teat OF war, Evermond stood alone, gazing
upon the scenes Of weeping and blessing
aud as the thought passed through his mind
that he was relieved from the pain of parting
with friends he felt thankful, and expressed
himself to that effect. Yet he said, he felt
that it would be blessing to bear away one
friendly kiss that he could remember as com
ing from sister. He said this aloud, and in
a moment young girl-he says the most
beautiful girl he ever saw-put her hands up
on his shoulders, and kissed him upon the
cheek. He says he had just time to bless the
angel, when the order came to fall in. [
think the girl that gave Walter Evermond
that kiss did glorious deed. He says that
the memory of that sweet face has led him to
high and holy resolves; and that he had
sworn within himself that he would never do
deed that could cause thatgir to blush that
she had kissed him, even were she the daugh-
ter of a king.
You said he was a private then ?" re-
marked Nellie.
"No,-he was q corporal then. He was
made corporal very shortly after he enlist
ed and before we had been in camp week
| in Maryland, he was made a Sergeant But,
my sister, what is the matter? Mercy you
look pale"
co." whispered Nellie, hiding her face
| with her hands, "what dreadful things r
my, | thought the story of Eyermond
would attract your thoughts from the darker
themes"
$50 it does, in a measure, George; but
can not help my feelings"
George Preston never mistrusting, never
I dreaming that his sweet sister had ever seen
| Walter Eyermond, drew his arm about her
and gave her brothers kiss.
| At eight o'clock in the evening the coach
was sent to the depot, and at half-past eight
1t returned. Nellie left the parlor, and sped
away to her own room. Her heart was in a
tiutter, and her face was burning 1t might
be possible that she had never seen Captain
! Evermond; but she did not think it proba-
bic. What should she do? How should she
meet him? Twice had she attempted to tell
her brother of her own adventure at the de-
pot on that memorable morning; but she
could not.
Major Preston, upon his crutches. went to
the door, and welcomed Captain Evermond
who carried his right arm in sling. The old
Judge welcomed the hero as another son :;
and he was surprised when he found that the
Captain was a fair-faced, handsome youth Just
upon the opening stage of manhood.
| But where was Nellie? The bell was rung,
and servant was sent in quest of her. At
| length she came, trembling at every point :;
but her father and brother did not notice it,
"Nellie, my sister," cried George, "here
is our dear friend, Walter Evermond!"
The captain advanced with quick step,
and had half extended his hand, when he
stopped as though he had been shot.
" Good angels !" he gasped; "what is this?
This your sister,"
With mighty effort Nellie smiled, and
put forth both hands.
4" Aha!" exclaimed George, lifting his
clutches from the floor, and standinl them
down with wonderful energy, 81 think see
it now Say, Walter-tell me-tell is this
your angel" "Ten thousand blessings on
| her head y murmured the brave youth,
while the tears started down his cheeks 81
did not dream of this"
Then he dashed the tears away and extend
ed his hand.
Lady" he said, "you will excuse my left
hand, | know"
Goodness mercy on mel" exclaimed the
old man, who began to see through it. "Is
this the soldier you kissed in the depot
5ilie ?"
Again the poor girl came very near losing
herself; but she made one more struggle and
was successful.
Yes, sir" she said. Captain Evermond
and | have met once before"
1t was curious position for both the Cap
tain and the maiden.