River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-07-06
AN INCIDENT OF THE CIVIL WAR.
F, T.. H'eGtherly


we marched from Rienza to the Hatch
ee, away down in Mississippi. About
noon Gen. A-and MS staff, on which
I was serving as aidde-camp, stopped
for dinner at one of those fine old
places whose owner evidently belonged
to the wealthy class in that country.
The house stood some distance back
from the road in 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 cordially, and yet with perfect
ease and dignity. She was dressed in
mourning, having lately lost husband
and son in one of the battles IN Vlr-
ginia. When l learned these facts, |
regretted that we had stopped at her
house even temporarily.
DIR. Bigbam and l strayed into the
pa1lor seeing a piano open | could
not resist playing an old tune. The
music reminded me Of the home far
away, of the dear mother, who was
waiting as the poor mother in the next
room had waited, and who perhaps
would have to bear a similar expert
ence of sorrow.
Soon young lady came in who re-
turned our respectful salutation with a
cold pOliteness and hauteur which
amused me. the doctor engaged her
in conversation. She was a bright,
good looking brunette, lacking i'll cul-
ture, impulsive and outspoken in her
views of the righteousness of the south
ern cause.
| fancied she was little disappoint-
ed in the appearance and manners of
our officers. Stories of the cruelty and
brutality of federal officers were rife in
that southern country. Many a south
ern lady did not believe a federal Off
Ger could be a gentleman. Miss Kate
Williams had an opportunity of max
ing the acquaintance of one of natures
noblemen as she chatted with my
friend, DIR. Bingham. | softly played
and sang to myself Old America, when
the doctor insisted upon song from
Hiss Kate. She gave us the Bonnie
Blue Flag, with wonderful spirit. l re-
turned the compliment with Rally
Round the Flag. She sang Dixie, and
we Joined in the chorus. This attract
ed the attention Of the general and the
resi- Of the staff, when she suddenly
ceased playing.
The general, gallant gentleman of
the old school, was particularly attract
ed by the bright impulsive girl. She
told him she had brother in the con-
federate service somewhere in the
south, and another was managing the
plantation, but was then absent.
Her defiant manner showed that our
presence was distasteful, and was SIM
ply endured because unavoidable.
Unused to self-control, she could not
conceal her annoyance, while her
mother performed her duties as hostess
to her enemies, never forgetting her
position as lady and mistress of the
house. 1t was a hot day and the COM
mand halted two hours in the woods
near by. The doctor and l were single
men, young enough to be attracted by
a sweet face, and here was beauty in
DISTRESS Ny admiration was rather
cooled by the young lady's manner:
but the doctor, an easy, good-natureG
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 a man
in under guard. Miss Kate ching to
his arm in fright. As they brought the
prisoner in, she appealed to Gen. A.
in the most despariug manner not to
kill her brot her. A few moments had
produced wonderful change, the
bitter, defiant style had changed to
humble supplication, which seemed to
me quite irresistible.
Her mother entered the room at
this moment and became very much
agitated. Clasping her hands in great
distress, she said: "0h, is there no end
to my sorrow? My son, must you too be
taken? How can | bear thisl"
The general fastened to say,
Madam, it is likely there is some mis-
take. Our men frequently capture
citizens ON suspicion"
The sergeant stated that this man was
found at neighbOring house. He said
he was a citizen, but the men couldn't
tell-they just obeyed orders.
The young man was fine specimen
of the Southern aristocracy; he seemed
perfectly at ease. He said nothing at
first. But when the general told his
mother that our men frequently arrest
citizens by mistake, | noticed q swift
glance of intelligence pass between
mother and son, which Miss Katie
watched eagerly. he answered the
questions of the general in straight
forward manner, making very favsr-
able impression by his Difference and
respectful bearing. This touched the
generals weak point After a brief
conversation, he 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 of our stay we
were treated with great kindness.
| never met a young fellow who
attracted me so much in such short
time l told him that l wodnered that
he was not in the confederate service.
He said his mother and Kate had to be
looked after; some one had to tend to
the plantation, for the darkies were all
running away since the federal army
came. While his sympathies were with
the South, yet the family had sent the
father and two sons, and that was
enough.
On leaving invited him to come
and see me at my fathers house in
Ohio, when the war was ended. He
laughingiy replied that he hoped to see
me soon again; that he never should
forget the favor of his release.
/ fancied the doctor regretted to
leave. As we rode away the general
joked him Il good deal on his case of
love at sight, and bet the doctor
bottle of sutler wine that l would see
Miss Kate first again.
Soon other thoughts filled our minds
as we rode ON to tine Haichee, where
we were to go into camp for the night.
1t was in 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 ofan
enemy's force which might be within
hundred yards of the road.
How dense and dark they are! fit
nome for guerrillas and nome guards,
who knew every foot-path and by
road.
It was my duty to locate the out
posts. This obliged me to traverse
some of the Cross roads near the camp.
The rebel army was not within 100
S,,,