The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-06-25


LOCAL MATTERS. -
THE DISPATCH on THE RAILROADS .-Messrs
Cole & Turner deliver the DiSpdtch every morning
on all the railroad cars leaving Richmond and as
they are also our authorized agents TO receive SUP
scriptions 10 the Stmi- Weekly and Weekly Dis
patch, our friends along the railroad routes can
avail themselves Of the messengers OF these enter
prising news dealers in forwarding their orders.
A ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE-ELorEMENT
OF LADY WITH AN EX-CoNFEDERATE
OFFICER STRANGE DENOCENENT. -
In the autumn OF 1864, Captain -,
from Abbcvillc District, S. c., was com
manding company in one of the infantry
regiments in Kcrshaw's division of the
Confederate army. lie was great favor
ite with his command, and had served
throughout the war with fidelity and dis
tinction. In General Early'S last great
disaster in the lower Valley, Captain -
was badly wounded, and was shortly after
wards removed to one of the hospitals in
this city. His condition was Il very pre-
cariouS one, and the patience and cheer
fulness with which nc bore his SutteringS
attracted the attention of a lady who was
visiting the wards. The lady in question,
the wife of an eStimable citizen, was then
about twenty-five years of age. She had
been married for some years, and had one
daughter, then about five years old. Mrs. -
was exceedingly fascinating and attractive,
and an ardent Southcrncr, having labored
increasingly in contributing to the comfort
of our soldiers. All her sympathics were
awakened by the sad condition OF the
| 4 Il, ,N,l~ "a
her own especial care. 1t was some weeks
before Captain - could again be moved
with safety, and he was then, with her
husbands consent, taken to Mrs. IS
house. Day after day passed, and Mrs.
- was indetatigahlc in her attentions.
Mr.. was engaged the greater part OF
the dav in his business, and, having implicit
confidence in his wife, saw without any
fear the strong :" friendship" which ap-
pcared to exist between her and Captain
-. Up TO this time Mrs. - had acted
with great candOr and sincerity. She was
attached to her husband and devoted to
her child, and apprehended no danger in
finding herself becoming more strongly
attached to her patient, and more depend
cnt for happiness upon his society. The
relation was simply Il tratcrnal one,
and with this assurance she quoted any
! doubts that were excited by the occasional
| demonStrativencSs Of Captain IS man
ner.
This condition Of affairs lasted until the
beginning OF ISG5. Mr.. - thought that his
witc's friend recovered but slowly, but his
charitable and generous heart would not
allow him 10 make any remark or express
| I,GriSl IN Il low arti 1, how
ever, was somewhat neglected, and the whole
of the mothers time was spent in the com
panv of the wounded officer. At last, in
January, lS6j, Captain - was GONZALES
cent and rcjoincd his command. Mrs. -
seemed relieved by his absence, but soon
became dull and low-Spirited. Still She
received letters regularly from Captain
-, and to this her husband made no
objection.
In April, 1865, on the retreat of Gene
raj Lees army, Captain - was again
wounded, and afterwards taken prisoner.
1t was stated in the papers that he had
been killed, and Mrs. - seemed almost
crazy with grief; but this was still attri-
butcd to nothing more than friendship"
and "sistcrly regard" After some time
it was aSccrtained that Captain - was
at Point Lookout. He was ultimately re-
leased, and, without coming to this city.
went to his home, in South Carolina. Mrs.
- gradually recovered her chccrlulneSS,
and was all that her husband could desire
until few weeks ago, when Captain -
arrived in Richmond, and went immcdi-
atcly to call'upon her.
Mr.. - was unieigncdly glad to meet
| Il al al tl
stay at his house. Then the plot thickcn-
ed, There was no need for Captain -
to remain constantly in the house, but he
continued to do So. He declined all in
Productions that were offered him, and
would not go ut all into general society.
At every hour of the day he was found III
the company Of Mrs. -. They played,
sang, read poetry, and walked together,
until Mr.. - became fairly annoyed and
his fears aroused. He had no doubt of the
wife who had promised to Glove, honor
and obey him." but he did fear for the
peace Of mind of the young officer.
The manner and appearance Of Mrs. -
gradually changed. Her face became palcr
and thiuncr-at one moment her cheeks
would be flushed with excitement, and at
the next colorlcss as snow. At one time
she would be wildly gay and joyous, and
then, few hours later, be gloomy and
despairing-hcr conduct towards heI
husband being characterized by the
strangeSt contrasts of warmth and cold.
ness in word and expression. The great
. struggle between duty and inclination was
being fought in her heart, and she knelo i
! nOt Her husband was trusting and conf
dcnt-unSuspiciou in his devoted love
rhile his honor and the integrity Of his
name lrere threatened and jeopardized. Peo
pie at length began to talk, and some un
pleasant rumors reached the ears of Mr.
-. He then hinted to Captain thai
( his visit had been long one, and on Mon.
3 day, the llth instant, the Captain left his
| house with the expressed intention of re.
, turning to his home in the south.
Mrs. - became moody and reserved
She would not allow her little daughter t.
, be near her, and treated her husband with
I coldness and contempt. 1t was noticed
: that she went out great deal in the eve.
I ming, but no particular attention was paid
,, to this, and her husband cndeavored il
every way to soothe, by his love, the sorrow
whose cause he did not then suspect OF
comprehend.
On Monday last Mrs. - told her hus
+ band that she was going out to spend the
evening with friend, and he promised tt
! call there for her at about o'clock. He
hurried up town, and was punctual to the
hour, : found to his surprise that hi:
wife had. / been to the appointed place