Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-05-20
A Jubilee Frustrated.
A PATRIOTIC WOMAN CONDEMNS
DESERVING SON.

A PATRIOTIC WOMAN CONDEMNS A
DESERVING SON.
In farm house in Castleton, Vermont
an exciting and affecting scene was en-
acted between a mother and her son, ii
which was exhibited the patriotism Of
the women of this country in &c, and
the Cow boy spirit of the same age. In
the village resides a widow lady, named
Smith, who had sent four sons to the war,
two Of whom were minors, leaving be-
hind them only two sisters. Early il
the week two OF them returned home,
Nathaniel Smith, n member of tho figh
teenth regiment. and the other a member
of the Seventh Artillery, the latter Oh q
Ifurloueh On Thursday night there wa
to have been a jubilee at tic house OF
their uncle's, given in honor Of the boys
return, and they had set Of to meet their
companions, when, unexpectedly, officer
Burt stepped up to Nathaniel aud arrest
ed him as a desertcr. This was SO IN
expected that be almost tainted on the
spot 1t appears that Nathaniel deserted
the regiment just previous to the Second
Bull Run battle, and since that time be
has been lettering about Washington and
Alexandria, wholly unknown to the au~
thorities in those places, He enlisted at
the breaking out Of the rebellion, and
had he remained with his regiment he
would have been mustered out of service
last May, But he deserted eight months
before his time was out, and consequent
ly is compelled to make good that loss.
After parley with the officer who ar
rested him, the latter consented to 20
with him back to his mothers house
A scene subsequently ensued of which
ne can only give faint outline. When
AIKEN back to bis mothers house as a
Ieserter, and she being informed of it,
he burst into tears aud said:
Il have sacrificed four sons to my ,
minors / have buried my
usband and children; but never knew q
that trouble and grief was before. To a
ave one brought back rs deserter is t
lore than ! can stand. do not blame
le officers for doing their duty, but l do a
1u for deserving. Go my son, you are o
me Of my bone and flesh of my flesh. Il
would rather see you brought hona as C,
corpse, than to find you alive branded tC
a deserter. But go, my son; do your
ty as a man and soldier, remember b,
g that your mothers prayers are with W
u, and not come home again until you b,
a come home as a man who has moth NJ
; to fear. +
While his mother was still engaged in 60
king to him in strains Of sorrow and -,
gret, his aunt came in, apparently in 90
bile health, but strong in feeling. She r,t
peared to be even as much mortified 70
his mother, in hearing that he had de- -
ted his comrades. She appealed to ta
q as a lover of his country and in
mber of the family to 60 back to the "
ny and do his whole duty as a soldier, h
not return again until he had served ca
time out. The officers who made Of
, arrest describe the scene as very af- W
ting. in
The mothers and nunta tears were r.
} much for the soldiers, for they both =
'pt tears of regret. With their bless -.
:, the soldier left the mother and aunt,
omising them hencaforth to be a man, '
true soldier, and not to return home ~
til discbarged,-AUany Journal. r.