Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-03-17
A Romance of the War.

The late war has developed many ro-
mances, but none more singular and
touching than the following, which we
find in the Kalamazoo Qll.) Gazette
In the summer of 1859 Charles Geroux
became a graduate of college in South
ern Ohio. He was the descendant OF an
aristocratic family who lived in Louisi-
ana, and to be brief, he was then full
embodiment of the - chivalry," just hav-
ing entered his majority. While attend
ing college he had formed the acquaint-
ance of Clara G., who attended the
college for young ladies in the same place,
which acquaintance ripened into attach
ment and love; and just before the break
ing out of the rebellion they were mar
ried and removed to the South. Miss
G. was an orphan, possessed Of q
considerable property, which was held
in trust for her BY an uncle, Southern
minister, who had raised her from in
fancy, and personally superintended her
education. In addition to the endow-
ments of collegiate education, she was
possessed of strong character, border
ing almost toward the masculine, but
tempered with a sweetness and mildness
not often combined in the same person.
She was at once handsome and womanly.
Within a year after their marriage and
settlementin the South, came the fierce,
chill blasts of war from Sumter parapet,
and there was none more ready to enter
upon the deadly fray than Charles Ge-
roux. His political tutors we're practi-
cal secessionists, and he entered upon
the war with fervor and zeal to com
mand the admiration of his friends, and
which secured him a Majors commits
sion. His wife opposed the mad scheme
with all the power of woman's elo-
quence, but to no avail, She openly
espoused the cause OF the Union, and
steadfastly refused to cooperate with
her new friends and neighbors. Not
withstanding her love for the old flag,
and open Unionism, her husband loved
her. and while her husband was at home
the neighbors respected her. Geroux
invested all his ready property, which
included his wife's fortune, in Confeder-
ate bonds, placed them in her hands,
gave her a kiss for a short farewell, as
suring her that the war would soon be
over, and, marching. at the head OF a
victorious column of his countrys de-
tenders, she would be proud 10 welcome
him. After his departure, her treatment
by his relatives and neigheors became
almost intolerable because Of her hatred
of secession.
After two years of service in the Con
federate army, be was captured q pris-
oner. by the victorious Sherman in his
march TO Atlanta, and sent to Camp
Douglas.
This was good news to his wife, who
could no longer endure the prosecutions
she received at the South, and she re-
solved 70 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-fsted steamer
Sultana. for the North. She sold some
iewelry for msney sufficient TO carry her
to Chicago. Arriving at Memphis, her
child was taken very i'll, and by the ac-
vice of the Captain Of the Sultana she
remained there to secure medical aid for
the child. Within twenty-four hours
thereafter the boiler Of the Sultana ex-
ploied aud nearly two thousand lives
were lost
Geroux Jared i'll at ease in Camp