Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-06-30
An INCIDENT OF THE CIVIL WAR.

we marched from hlenZa % the I1atcn-
~. away down in Mississippi. About
noon Gen. A.-and MS staff, on which
/ was serving a. aid de-camp, stopped
for dinner Ut one Of those fine old
places whose owner evidently belonged
IL tie wealthy class III that country.
The house stood some distance back
from the road III beautiful grove Of
fine Old trees.
Our request for dinner was politely
complied with by the lady Of the house,
Mrs Williams, stately, quiet woman,
who performed the duties Of hostess
without cordiality, and yet with perfect
ease and dignity. She was dressed in
mourning, having lately lost 4 husband
and son III one Of the battles in Vir-
ginia. When learned these facts, |
regretted that We had stopped at her
house even temporarily.
Dr. Bigham and / strayed into the
pailor seeing q piano open | could
hot resist playing an old tune. The
music reminded me Of the home far
away, Of the dear mother, who was
waiting I'LL the poor mother III the next
Room lad waited, and WHO perhaps
would have @ bear similar expert
snce VI s0rr0w.
soon j young lady came in who re-
turned our respectful sanitation with n
cold politencss and hautenr which
amused me. The doctor engaged her
Hi conversation. She was il bright,
r.,od locking brunette, lacking IN Gull
ture, impulsiye and outspoken in her
views of thc righteousness Of the south
ern cause.
faneicd SHE was Il little disappoint-
"a in tire appearance and manners Of
Dnr officers. Stories Of the cruelty and
brutality If federal officers were rife iii
that southern country. Many Il south
crn lady did not believe Il federal off
yer could be ! gentleman. Miss Kate
Williams had IN opportunity Of max
ing tile acquaintance of one III natures
n0hlemen NJ she chatted with nv
friend, Dr Bingham. softly played
and sang IL myself old America, when
tic doctor insisted upon song from
Hiss Kate She gave IL the Bonnie
Elne Flag, with wonderful spirit. re-
turned the compliment with Rally
Round the Flag. She sang Dixie, and
We joined in the chorus This attract
"a tile attention Il tire general and the
rrat III tie stall, when she suddenly
ceased playing.
The general, gallant gentleman 81
the old school, was particularly attract
al hy tho bright, impulsiye girl She
Told him ahc had IL brother in the con-
foderate service somewhere in the
south, and another was managing the
plantation, hut was then absent
Her defiant manner showed that our
presence was distastcful, and was sim
ply endured because unavoidable.
Unused 70 selfcontrol, she could not
conceal her annoyance, while her
mother performed her duties rs hostess
IL her enemies, never forgetting her
position as a lady ami mistress of the
house. II was il hot day and the com.
mand halted two hours in the woods
near by. The doctor and / were single
men, young enough to be attracted by
n sweet face. and here WAS beauty in
distress. My admiration was rather
cooled by the young lady's manner:
but the doctor, an easy, good-natured
fellow, was charmed, and evidently en-
ioyed the lively exhibition of rebel
spirit.
In the midst Of our chat and laugh
ing, Miss Kate looked out of the win
dow; rising hastily she left the room and
ran down the walk to the front gate.
Two Of our boys were bringing man
III under guard Miss Kate cling to
his arm III fright. As they brought the
prisoner III, she appealed TO Gen. A
III the most desparing manner not 10
Kill her hrot her A lew moments had
produced wonderful change, the
bitter, defiant style had changed to
humble sunpllcation, which seemed To
me quite irresistible.
ilcr mother entered the room mt
This moment and became vefy much
agitlted, tlasping her hands in great
distress, SHE said oh, is there no end
70 my SORROW Ny son, must you too be
iaken2 How can bear thisl"
Tho general FASTENED to say,
Madam, il il likely there il some mis-
take. Cur men frequently capture
citizens on suspicion.
The sergeant stated that this man was
found at 4 nelghhoring house. He said
hc WAS Il citizen, but the men couldn't
tell they just oheycd orders.
The young man WAS il fine specimen
ut the Southern aristocracy, he seemed
perfectly NJ ease. lie said nothing at
first But when Tie general told his
mother that eur men frequently arrest
citizens By mistake, noticed swift
glance nf intelligence pass between
mother and SON, which Miss Katie
watched eagerly lie answered the
questions III the general in 4 straight
forward manner, making very flyer-
allie Impression hy his Difference and
respectful hearing This touched the
generals weak point After brief
conversation, lie was satisfied, and
gave orders for the young mans
release
He seemed very thankful. Mother
and sister joined in his thanks, and
during the remainder 81 our stay We
we're treated with great kindness.
| never met a young fellow who
attracted me 50 much in such short
time. | told HIM that | wodnered that
he was not III the confederate service.
lie SAID his mother and Kate had to be
looked after: some one had to tend TO
the plantation, fai the darkies were All
running away since the federal army
came Mile his sympathies were with
tive South ye; the family had sent the
father and two sons, and that was
enough.
On leaving invited him to come
and see me NJ my fathers house in
Ohio, when the war was ended. He
laughingiy replied that he hoped to see
me soon again that lie never should
forget the favor OF his release.
| fancied the doctor regretted TO
leave. As we rode away the general
joked him \ good deal ON his case of
love III SIGHT, and bet the doctor
bottle of sutler wine that | would see
Miss Kate first again.
Soon other thoughts filled our minds
As we rode ON To tine Hatehee, where
we were to go into camp for the night.
II was i'll the fall Of the same year
that We had the big fight with Price in
the Hatchee bottoms. An army could
pass through them and not know of an
enemy's force which might be within a
hundred yards of the road.
How dense and dark they arel fit
nome for guerrillas and nome guards,
who knew every foot-path and by
road.
1t was my duty to locate the out
posts. This obliged me to traverse
some Of the cross roads near the camp.
1hp rahal army yraS NOT .rifh.,, InA