Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-04-20
An Interesting Story of the War-Faets
that are Stranger than Fiction.

There is now living in the City of Cincin-
natl family. the history Of which forms
something so romantic as to constitute most
interesting story:
In the summer of 1859, Charles Geroux,
became q graduate Of College in the South
ern part Of this State He was the descen-
dant of an aristocratic family who lived in
Louisiana, and, to be brief, he was then
full embodiment of the" chivalry," just hay
ing entered his majority. While attending
college he had formed the acquaintance Of
Clara c., who attended college for
young ladies in this city, which acquaintance
ripencd into attachment and love, and, just
before the breaking out of the rebellion, they
were married, and removed South. Miss
c. was an orphan, possessed Of a consid
cradle property, which was held in trust by
her uncle, a Southern minister, who had
raised her from infancy, and personally SUI
perintcnded her education. In addition to
the endowments of collegiate education, she
was possessed Of a strong character, border
inc almost on the masculine, but tempered
with sweetness and nildness not often COM
bined in the same person. She was at once
handsome and womanly
Within year after their marriage and set
Element in the South, came the fierce, wild
blasts of war from Sumter's parapet, and
there was none more ready to enter the dead
ly fray than Charles Geroux. His political
tutors were practical sccessionists, and he en-
tered upon the war with fervor and zeal to
command the admiration Of his friends, and
which secured him majors commission. =
His wife opposed his mad scheme with all
the power of woman's eloquence, but to no
avail She openly espoused the cause ofthe
Union, and steadfastly refused to cooperate
with her new friends and neighbors. Not
understanding her love for the old flag, and
open Unonism, her husband loved her, and
while her husband was at home the neigh
bors respected her. Geroux invested all his
ready property, which included his wife's for
tune in Confederate bonds, placed them in
her hands, gave her kiss for a short fare
we'll, assuring her that the war would soon
be over, and, marching at the head Of a VIC
torious column Of his country's defenders, she
would be proud to welcome him. After his
departure, her treatmentb by his relatives and
neiohbors became almost intolerable because
Of her hatred of secession.
After two years of servicee in the Confed-
crate army, he was captured d prisoner by
the victorious Sherman, in his march to At
lanta, and sent to Camp Douglas.
This was good news to his wife, who could
no longer endure the prosecutions she receiv-
ed at the South, and she resolved to make
her way North and rejoin him in his prison
home, and if she could not secure his pardon
to at least stay near him. Her Confederate
bonds were worthless, and she was penniless
she made her way to the Mississippi River
and took passage on the ill-fated steamer Sui
tana for the North; she sold some jewelry
for money sufficient to carry her to Chicago
Arriving at Memphis, her child was taker
very i'll, and by the advice Of the captain o
the Sultana, she remained there to secure
medical aid fer the child Within twenty
four hours thereafter the boiler Of the Sulta
ma exploded and twelve hundred lives were
lost.
Geroux Jared i'll at ease in Camp Douglas
and made many stratagems to escape. Ill
finally succeeded in bribing a raw sentinel t
let him pass, and to avoid pursuit a resort t
| deception became necessary. A conradc Q
his was on the point Of death. His mes
dressed the dead soldier in the majors uni
! form, and conveyed him to the dead-housc
and gave his name as q Major Charles &c
| roux, Third Louisiana Regiment, G. S. A.
/ The next morning the body was taken ava.