The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-10-09
lToN, VIRGINIA, WEDNESDAY MORNING OCTOBER g. 1867

happy and contented with my lot to hav,
with me something that has been yours"
And as he spoke the signora drew from hel
| finger plain gold ring, and slipped it on his
"Wear this" she said. 'for my sake"
The next moring Colonel Dufour set out
with his regiment for the frontier of Savoy
to join the army of the Alps. He reached
his destination in due time, and in the course
of few weeks shared in the famous march
across Mount Gems to Lusa. Then came the
concentration upon the line of the Pc, when
the army of France, led by the Emperor Ma
polean the Third, confronted its enemy upon
the classic soil Of Italy.
At Magenta the fighting was hot and heavy
| and the Seventeenth and Colonel Dufoul
rose high in the estimation of all in the army
and when the Emperor came to reward the
brave deeds performed on that memorable
4th of June it was found that Colonel Dufour
had been given generals epaulet. He
wrote regularly to the signora, and it was with
proud heart he sent her news of his promo
ton.
His letterswere generally answered quickly;
but this one received no reply. This sur
prised him and as the time passed on, and
no word came from the signora, he began to
fear that she was ILL., But he had little time
to think Of this; for the army was advancing
towards the Mincio, and every moment was
taken up with attending to his duties. The
roads were to be mended, and the bridges re-
paired, SO thoroughly had they been des-
troyed by the retreating Austrians; and there
was scarcely an instant to devote to his per-
sonal matters. ss 3g,.a
The morning Of the Gath of june came at
last; and in the dim midst Of the morning the
brigade Of General Dufour was thrown for
ward to open the attack upon the village and
heights Of Solferino. It was warm work, for
the Austrians, who are no children in battle,
resisted stubbornly. The battle soon became
general along the whole line; and for four
teen hours the French struggled with heroic
valor before the prize Of victory was yielded
to them. The brigade Of General Dufour was
conspicuous for its gallantry. Its leader was
everywhere where danger called him. When
the final charge, which carried the cemetery
and drove the Austrians into the village, was
made, five color bearers had been shot down
in the Generals old regiment, and his whole
brigade had suffered terribly. Selling the
colors as the signal was given to move for
ward, he tore them from the staff, and wrap
ping them around his body, placed himself
at the head Of his troops.
"We'H make sure Of the colors this time,
comrades" he shouted, as they rushed along,
and wide cheers answered him.
The colors and their intrepid bearer were
always in advance that day. The Austrians
were driven from the position and the ter
rible hand-to-hand fight through the streets
and from house to house at Solferino began.
It was tough work, but it was well done !;
and when the hour of 2 o'clock sounded, a
rousing French cheer, rising high above the
crash Of battle, told that the key point to the
field had been won. 5s
But it was won at a fearful price and when
the order was passed along the line to reform
for fresh advance upon the Austrian centre,
it was found that General Dufour was miss
ing. The battle swept on, and when night
came the French bivouacked on the hard-won
field
The next day the official gazette was made
eral Dufour, whose brigade had rendered such
good services, was among the severely wound
ed and that the Emperor had promoted him
to the grade Of lieutenant general.
But the brave man himself was utterly I'M
conscious Of all the honors that were bestowed
upon him. He had been conveyed to the
hospital at Milan, and he now lay there no.
vering between life and DEATH He was not
alone, however, for he had the best nurse in
the whole establishment. She was s'Sistcr
Of Mercy"-one Of that noble hand whose
tender ministrations to the wounded formed
one Of the most touching features of the great
struggle that gave Italy her freedom. The
woman had been for some time on duty in the
hospital and when General Dufour was
brought in, she sought out the surgeon in
charge and begged to be allowed the privilege
of nursing him. He was an old friend, she
said, and she would feel more than ordina
ry interest in seeking to restore him to health
again.
The surgeon looked at her sharply as he
granted the desired permission, and as she
| turned away muttered with wise shake Of
the head, can old lover, doubtless, and this
is the finale of the drama. Well, we'll, it is
| the way Of the world. Women will love, and
| they must suffer the penalty"
For many weeks General Dufour lowered
between life and death but the Sister Theresa
nursed him faithfully. She would suffer nc
one to relieve her, and bore the trying strain
upon her health and strength with a frmnest
that was heroic. All through the long hours
Of the summer nights she would sit by his
bedside, bathing his fevered brow, and sooth
ing his delirium of pain with soft touch anG
her low, tender words The surgeon, who
had been interested in the case, watched he,
closely.
"Ma toi," he would mutter with sigh
';what would I give for my wife to love me al
that poor woman loves that man."
At last he had to interfere The task O
nursing one SO dangerously wounded as tn,
General was too severe for one woman, an(
the sister herself was growing pale and thin
The kind-hearted surgeon declared that sh,
should have an assistant, and secure for hersel
more rest If she went on in that way sh
would kill herself $50.
II care not, SO save him." she said, softly
The surgeon winked hard to hide the mois
ture in his eyes and returning to the task t
which he had set himself, finally conquered
Sister Theresa consented to share dutie
with an assistant; and as if to reward her
tho Gopora1 h;n,colf Ill - ,u.o L,..., l.. -.