Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-06-20
TRIALS AND FLUCTUATIONS OF A
YOUTHFUL SOLDIER.

He Marrics MurgreesborO Girl who
RObs and FOrsales HIn-His Arrest
for DeseFft9n-A Fond Mothers AID.
peal for Her S5n.
William r. Smith, otherwise Jack Smith
is a dashing infantryman of apparently
twenty-five years, who served nearly four
years in the Federal army while the war
was in progress. At the expiration of that
time, he was discharged, but afterwards en-
listed in that portion of the Sixteenth
Regular Infantry which now forms a part
of the far-famed Thirty-fourth. Like most
of the other fearless sons of Mars, William
X. had weak spot, the same sad failing
that has ruined the fortunes of so many of
bis calling, from Mark Antony down.
William r. was not long ago stationed at
Murfreesboro, and while there met with a
bewitching young German girl, who at first
sight won the heart of the youthful soldier.
and won it to keep. There was no resisting
the undisguised charms of the lovely
and modest Teutonie maiden, and he threw
himself upon her mercy. She gladly ac-
cepted his hand and limited fortune. and a
wedding shortly followed, the affectionate
couple coming to this city to live.
The honeymoon few swiftly by. and
everything seemed shaping only for their
mutual felicity, antil one bright morning
the warrior husband awSke 10 find an empty
couch, and the being in whom his whole
soul was wrapped, and upon whom he
would have willingly expended his last
dilapidated quarter, flown to a locality to
which, in the agony of the moment he
couldn't by any means imagine His fertile
imagination might have winged her to a
celestial home, but on a slight investigation
of his cerulean unmentionables he discoy-
cred that his pocket book, his honorable
discharge, and his much-prized medal had
flown with her, and he couldn't exactly
understand how she would make use of
such earthly articles in any region beyond
the clouds. This led him TO inquiry, by
which he learned that the fair one upon
whom he had lavished his affections and
his monthly stipend had indeed deserted
him, and taken the morning train for
Murfreesboro.
With a heavy heart he plodded back to
the barracks, and when his company was
ordered TO Holly Springs, in Mississippi,
he strapped on his knapsack and followed
il. He had not remained there long, how
ever, ere he sickened Of camp life, and at
an auspicious moment between two DAYS he
quietly spiked his musket and evacuated
the place, moving northward and finally
reaching this city, in the northern portion
of which he was arrested on Tuesday, by
officers Allison and Culum.
Yesterday, a wan woman, scantily at
tired, and with the marks. of earea and sorrow
upon her brow, appeared at headquarters
here and claimed the unfortunate William
as her son, appealing for HI. reiease from
confinement at Cumberland barracks, as
serting that he was a minor, only eighteen |
years ofage, and had been discharged from |
service in May last by Col. Sibley, petition
signed by Gov. Brownlow having been |
carried TO Washington by her. |
She stated that she lived at Mnrfreesboro,
md during the war she was on duty as a
py, and that she was wounded at Burn
ide's siege of Knoxville.
Letters of inquiry have been forwarded
0 Holly Springs, and the question as to
whether young Smith is really deserter
will be determined in few days