Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-07-03
In the autumn Of 1864, Captain

In the autumn of 1864, Captain -,
from Abbeville District, s. c., was command
ing company in one of the infantry regi-
ments IN kersha~'s s division IF the Confed-
crate army He was great favorite with
his command, and bad served throughout
the war with fidelity and distinction. In
General Earlys last great disaster in the low
er Yaiiey, Captain was badly wound.
ed,and was shortly afterwards removed TO one
OF the hospitals in this city His condition
was very precarious one. and the patience
and cheertulness with which he bore his suf
terings attracted the attention of lady who
! was whiting the wards The lady in oues
ton, the wife of an estimable citizen, was then
about twenty live years of age. She had been
married Tor some years., and had one dau"h-
ter, then about five years old Mrs. -
was exceedingly fascinating and attractive
ana an ardent southeruer. having labored un.
ceasingiy IN contributing to the comfort of
our soldiers. All her sympathies were
awakened by the sad condition of the wound
cd officer, aud she took him under her own
especial care. 1t was some weeks before
Captain -- could again be moved with
safety, aud he was then, with her husbands
consent, taken to Mrs. ---'s house. Day
after day passed, aud Mrs. was indetatigable
10 her attentions. Mr. -- was engaged
the greater part of the day in his business.
and, having implicit confidence in his wife.
saw without any fear the strong "friendship''
which appeared to exist between her aud
Captain -. Up to this time Mrs. -
had acted with great candor aud sincerity
she was attached to her husband and devoted
to her child, and apprehended no danger in
finding herself becoming more strongly at
tached to her patient, and more dependent
for happiness upon his society. The relation
was simply ''traternal' one, and with this
assurance she queted any doubts that were
excited by the occasional demonstrativeness
OF Captain --s manner.
This condition of affairs lasted until the
beginning of 1865. Mr. - thought
that his wites friend recovered but slowly,
but his charitable aud generous heart would
not allow him to make any remark or cx>
press wish for his departure. The little
girl, however. was somewhat neglected, and
the whole OF the mothers time was spent in
the company of the wounded officer At last,
in January, 1865, Captain - was con.
valescent, and rejOned 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 OBJ
lection.
In April, 1865 on the retreat of General
Lees army. Captain was again wound
ed, 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 attributed to nothing
more than Friendship" and ''sisterIy regard.'' |
After some time it was ascertained that Cap,
tain was at Point Lookout He was |
ultimately released. and without coming to
this city, went to his home, in South Carroll |
ma. Mrs -- gradually recovered her
cheerfulness, and was all that her husband
could desire until few weeks ago, when
Captain arrived in Richmond, and
went Immediately to call upon her.
MIR. --- was unfeignedly glad to meet
his wife's friend again, and invited him to
stay at his house. Then the plot thickened! !
There was no need for Captain - to le-
main constantly in the house, but he con-
tinued to do so. He declined all introduce
tions that we're offered him, and would not
60 at all into general society At every hour
of the day he was found in the company of
Mrs.---. They played, sang read poetry,
and walked together, until Mr.. be-
came fairly annoyed and his fears aroused
He had no doubt of the wife who Lad prom
ised to "love, honor aud obey him." bnt he
did fear for the peace of mind of the Young
officer.
The manner and appearance of Miss
gradually changed. Her face became paler
and thinncr-at one moment her cheeks
would be flushed with excitement, and at the
next colorIess as snow. AT one time she
would be wildly gay and joyous and then, a
few hours later, be gloomy and despairing -
her conduct towards her husband beiug char
acterized by the strangest contrasts of warmth
and coldness in word and expression. The
great struggle between duty aud inclination
was being fought in her heart. and she kne10
1t not! Her husband was trusting and con-
fident-unsuspiciou in his devoted love-
,0hile his honor and the integrity nt his name
aoere Threatened and .jeoporcIiaed. People at
length began to talk, and some unpleasant
rumors reached the ears of Mr.. He
then hinted to Captain - : that his visit
had been long one, and on Monday, the
11th instant, the Captain left his house with
the expressed intention of returning to his
home in the South.
Mrs. became moody aud reserved
She would not allow her little daughter to be
near her. and treated her husband with co!d>
ness and contempt. 1t was noticed that she
went out great deal in the evening, but no
particular attention was paid to this. aud her
husband endeavored in every way to soothe.
by his love. the sorrow whose cause he did
not then suspect or comprehend.
On MonGay last Mrs. ~ told her hus>
band that she was going out to spend the even>
ing with friend, and he promised to call
there for her at about 9 O'clock He hurried
up town, aud was punctual to the hour, but
found to his surprise that his wife had not
been to the appointed place. Not even then
did he suspect the. sword that was suspended
over his head he went home, learned that
his wife was still out, and walked into the
nursery, when his little daughter put her arms
around his neck, crying. Pa I,ohere as Md-
ma! I 40 ,cnnt my Mama. Poor child!
where, then. was your mother? Could not
your voice ring in her ears and turn her back
IL - L.