The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-03-24
A TALE OF THE w AR.
TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION


That there are more mysteries in Heaven
and earth than are dreamed Of in our every
day philosophy, no one of reasonable intelli-
gence will refuse to believe. That there are
spiritual influences surrounding us, which are
occasionally made manifest to, though not
understood by human perceptions, seems a
truth established by many curious coinci-
denccs. Frequent cases of this kind have
come to my knowledge; but none more ex-
plicable than the following related by a gen
tleman of high standing who was himself
personally acquainted with the circumstances
of the case and the parties concerned
In 1868, Lieutenant A., young and
gallant officer of the Confederate army, be-
came engaged to Lillian B., daughter of
Judge B. of Georgia. young lady Of more
than ordinary beauty and intelligence. She
was remarkable for peculiar sensitiveness to
what are called nervous influences, such as
effects of the weather, of music, of scenery,
&C.; and though never really i'll was always
of delicate health In appearance she was
fair and fragile, and in disposition gentle and
affectionate, being in especial wholly devoted
to the young officer whose wife she had prom
lSeQ W UeCOule.
In the last interview between the lovers,
when, after brief furlough, Lieutenant
A. was hastily recalled to his regiment,
babe his betrothed adieu, he remarked that
he did not know when they should again
meet, as there we're some sharp battles in
prospect.
The young girl, looking up earnestly into
his eyes, replied:
eff you are wounded Henry, and wish me
to be with you, send for me, and Iwa1 come. =
"But suppose [ shall not be able to send
for you, Lillian :"
"CaN me I" she answered, half smiling,
yet half in earnest; scall me, for believe
that I should hear your voice from the ends
of the earth"
Her lover and the mother and sister stand
ing by, smiled at the conceit; yet it appeared
soon forgotten by them, and was not after
this day alluded to.
AS the young officer had predicted, Sc
ries Of hotly-contested battles followed, in
which he was reported to have fought with
distinguished gallantry. And then the
regiment to which he belonged was removed
from Virginia to South Carolina, aud was
stationed al COluMUIdj WAOn eA0 NuCWS vi
Sherman's near approach caused them to fall
back, and finally retreat. 4iE.5 r
On the night of the evacuation Of Colum-
bia by the Confederate troops. Lieutenant
| A. wrote hasty line to his betrothed
entrustipg it to messenger who, proceeding
directly to Georgia, promised to deliver it be
fore many days should have elapsed. This
promise was fulfilled, and five days thereafter
the note was placed in Lilian's hands.
She was seated in the vine-covered piazza
of her fathers plantation residence when the
welcome missive was received. Hastily pc
rusing its contents she read it again slowly
and then placed it quietly in her mother'l
| hand.
"Heis safe, she remarked, in low, ten
der voice. "And now that our army has
surrendered, there will be no more battles
and he will soon be with us again"
After while the April morning became
chill, and she arose and'retired to the parlor
The windows were open, and they heard he'