Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1865-04-21
For the Delaware Gazette
THE or PH a N s.
\ A TRUE STORY.

a wagon at the door Of a residence IN
citv Of Northern Tennessee. Although
it was far south enough to be called
sunny south, y yet at this season OF the
year it was cold and chilly, and required
extra clothing to protect one in travelling
through the hills and valleys OF that part
of Tennessee, and particularly 50 at this
early period of the year. A large box
and two trunks were placed IN the wagon,
great care being used to have them occu-
py as small u space as possible. From
the dwelling came forth three little chill
dren, the fourth, an infant two and half
months old, was in the arms of lpe, IN
teresting and intelligent young lady, who
had kindly volunteered to accompany and
assist her father in his arduOus under
taking. Before they were placed in the
wagon. a few warm friends gathered
around them to take a last farewell
Among that little group there was none
that seemed more affected at the parting
than an aged couple, who had been ser
wants not only in the family of the chill
dren's father, but of their grand parents.
As their turn came they took each child
by the hand, and with tears streaming
down their sable cheeks, they bade them
last farewell, saying goodbye chil'ren,
the good Lor viii take care Of you, and
carry you safely to the Norf, among the
seated, the team moved slowly away
Mr.. H, a teamster, and the family
dog constituted the whole escort.
In order that the reader may under
stand our sketch better, we viii go back
a little.
In July, previous to the commence
ment of our story, the father of these
little children, met with a serious acci-
dent on railroad, which terminated his
life. After having suffered in a very
helpless condition three long months,
death came to his relief, Although the
ravages of war and protracted sickness,
had exhausted nearly all of his property,
his family in the very jaws of reheldom
and not one kindred friend near theme
yet an eyewitness said that it was tn
most triumphant death he ever witness
ed
s'ReIgion made his dying bed
Feel soft as downy pillows aren
In short time after the death of the
father, the mother also died, leaving a
young infant, the eldest child being but
nine years old. immediately after the
funeral ceremonies we're over, Mr.. and
Mrs. H (Who are spoken of in the
commencement of our story came for
ward and kindly took the children under
their care, until some preliminary ar
rangemeRts could be made and traveling
become safe, when he designed starting
with them to find their friends in the
North.
It is at the commencement of this
journey where the reader is first intro
duced to this unfortunate family. We
will stop few moments and take notice
of the Kindness and benevolence of one
Captain, very kind and humane man.
Others were willing to do all they could
for them, but the condition of the conn
try was such that it was all man could
do to provide for his own household
This Captain was also the Provost Mar
shal of the city, and learning of the cir
cumstanees of this family, and himself
being Free Mason, he GOULD not permit
the family Of a Mason to suffer. so he
had and was still literally providing for
them. When the city was attacked by
Forrest, that great guerrilla chief. our
gallant Captain and his little band fought
long and desperately against force twice
their own. But reinforcements not
reaching them in time, they were oblioed
to surrender on the 24th of March 1891
Before the Captain was conyeyed Sonrb
he procured the privilege, acoompanied
5yZ Dy guard TO once more see the children.
This was an affecting SIGHT. He was now
a prisoner of war; his liberty was saaa.-
and he was soon Co be incarcerated in a
Southern dungeon, there perhaps to die.
The children were in few weeks to leave
for the Nerth-the fate of both Law in
the deep mysteries of the future. The
last account we have of our friend. he
was on his way to Macon, Georgia. Poor
fellow, does he still live, suffering the
horrors of a life in a dungeon? or has
death long since come to his relief and
now few clods OF the valley cover the
form of one that was once so noble. SO
good?
We have seen that the wagon moved
slowly away. The journey was tedious.
on account of the weather being cold for
travelling in an open vehicle. Thev
sought the most secluded bv-roads. in
order to avoid the numerous bands Of,
guerrillas that were prowli1g through
the country.
Near the close Of the fourth day, they
reached the Mississippi river, having met
with much delay In being transported
over the streams where the BRIDGES had
recently been burned. After some de-
lay here, steamboat came in sight ON
her upward trip. A passage for all was
and all We're soon placed ON
board, except the family dog. who had
guarded and followed the wagon 40 faith
fully for so many days. Poor Carlo. there
was no room for him on the boat. and as
it moved off, he ran to and fro on the
wharf setting up the most piteous cries.
So he was doomed to remain in Seeessia'
At Cairo they changed boats, and were
again fast sailing up the Ohio. Nothing
had occurred to change the dull monoto7
ny of the journey until after they had
entered the Ohio river: when one dav The
supply of milk being exhausted, and
could not be replenished, Gas there urars
no landings near) other nourisbmant vac
used for the infant. It soon took veTv
sick, and every symptom was Hpfavora-
Bile. All the passengers now felt deem
for the orphan baby. and there
appeared to be but one opinion, and that
was, that II must soon die; that the kind
gentleman and his daughter would SOON
be relieved of at least part of their bnr-
den; and the little one would find an nm
known grave somewhere on the hanks oF
the Ohio, among strangers, At lenrtb
however, it began to improve. and con
tinued to do 50 until they reached Gin
cinnati.
At this place they took the cars and
it was not many hours before they reach
ed their place Of desti nation, in the cen
tral part of the State of Ohio.
Their few friends CAV them a hearty
welcome, and felt than kful that Kind
friends had protected and provided far
them and had now bro ugbt all ofl
them safely to the. North. I say few
friends. Yes, very few, for deaf h had of
late claimed one relative after another
until nearly all were gone.
IT was for this reason that aftar . I;4tIo
time it was found necessary to find homes
for two-there being four of themNaniai1nTs9,
A Gip1 l. LII Z :