Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-05-13
For the Sunday Appeal
A ROMANCE OF THE WAR.

II WAS on that memorable night preceding
the 4th OF July, 1868, that Ivan -- and
the writer lay beneath fly tent IN the rear
of Helena. We knew that on the coming
morrow we would be ordered ts storm the
dusky, grim looking forts. We were weary
from the effec's Of the forced march over
heavy roads all the way down Crowley's
Ridge and across he bottom from Jackson
port on White river, and either from this
cause, or dread OF the anticipated engage
ment, each of US we're restless. My com
paniou, especially, seemed very melancholy,
and his whole ctnVsrsstion hEd a strain Of
sadness which could but astonish one who
had known the merry, frolicsome fellow all
his life. He and | had been reared in the
same beautiful little village, which nestled
80 peacefully in the great bosom of the grsnd
old Ozark mountains. in White county. He
was Slways the maddest, merriest chum
of all my youthful sports, and rs We
npened into mashood, the friendly affection
between us grew into that akin 10 brotheriy
devotion. AS we lay there, occasionally
glanoing up at the Federal forts, outlined
and silhouelted against the sky like go many
silent, sullsn sentinels guarding the besieged
city, he told me of how he feared the battle.
An inexplicable something impressed him
that before the sun should go down on the
following day, Azrael would call for him.
How many sad examinations to terrible fore
bodingsl Were thsse messengers kindly sent
az precursors to give US timely warning?
Ga this occasion L reasoned with my friend
that his low spirits were attributable to his
WEAKNESS, the gloomy weather and olher
kindred causes, but all explanations were
unsatisfactory. The presentiment had taken
deep root, and he was unshsken in his i'm.
pressions. Ee said he was not afraid to die,
and thought it a privilege to die in the de-
tense Of his country, but oh, be had 70
many splendid plans laid out for the future.
He spoke Of the fsir.haired girl we had left
behind, and of the happiness they would en-.
Joy through all the coming years, could the
war end and he return safely. 1 knew his
promised bride. We three had sat upon the
same oaken seats in the village school, and
| many of Ivan's young playmates were gen.
erous rivals for the love ef his modest little
sweetheart, pretty Ethel - Through
| their young lives they cultivated this tender
| affection, born in their childish days, and at
| last, with the consent and approval of their
| families, they were betrothsd in marriage.
| How we'll did / remember that bright June
morning, when Ethel came along with other
] sisters and sweethearts of the village, to bid
our departing squadron farewell. With
| fearful eyes, though of pride ard admira-
| ton, she watched the form of her soldier
affisDcsd, and SO we reached the top of toe
| hill, which was soon to shut off the sight OF
| our naive village, we turned TO catch last
| glimpse Of our friends, we saw the Uavy
| queenly figure Of beautiful Ethel, az she,
with snog-whte ksrchiei, babe us on to duty.
Doubtless had all thiSss gone well the union
| between these two would have been one of
much happiness snd great, prosperity, for
each Possessed attractions rarely found, 1t
/ H.. l., h. & al ~
| Lifetime, that caused an early death 10 he so
much regretted, and reaching beneath his
hayersack, which he used as a pillow, he
| took from small pocketbook a massive ring,
| and unclssping from about mis- neck a tiny
chain to which was suspended a little locket
containing their picures-EthePs AMI VANS
he gave them to me and asked thai should
| give them 10 Ethel.
| "Tell her," he said, Chat feel as shall
die tomorrow, but that my love for her is 50
strong it almost makes me selfish aud coward
| ly. Tell her not to grieve, that where 80
many are making sacrifices she should not
hate TO give me up on the altar of our own
loved Southland"
| 1t was very late before we slept, and our
sleep was short, for ia suxious expect
anoy regimental "reveillen called US 10
our feet just day dawned.
l was afraid to AJAX Ivan how he felt, his
face wore such resigned Expression, and
during ths hssty meal al breakfast | watched
him closely be ate little though he appeared
cheerful. Alter Breakfast, and while our
regiment vas forming. one of our batteries
| 10 the right opened Gercely on the enemy,
and told with effect upon the former rest
dence OF Gen. I. z. Hndmau, then occupied
by the Ysnkee officers as headquarters.
For short while after we were formed We
remained motionless, listeniog to the occa-
sional opening Of the fight al come new point.
All at once the command wac given US:
FORWARD, double time, marchp snd with
that peculiar rebel yell We started at double
quick gait over the mass of fallen timber,
and other obstruclions which the enemy had
heapsd in our way, toward the fort assigned
10 Gen. Mc-'s brigade to capture. Through
tire and death we eped on for nearly half a
mile, when human exisien nee could bear the
bloody carnage no longer, the works SEEM
| ing each moment more siubbornly invincible;
| we were ordered 10 retire. Scarcely before
| we lad turned our backs upon the bitches
heard groap at my side, snd Ivan, whose
quiet fesi iessness l had noted during the
whole advance, sank slowly to the ground.
L stopped TO catch his manly form now so
limp, and looked 10 see the wound.
/ small puncture in his right temple, with
the red blood slowly oozing down bis shape
1 ly cheek, told me that the messenger was
swift. was even yet under the huge mouths
| OF the forts guns, a shell from one of which
| exploding near convinced me that an effort
to bear awsy his body would be suicidal. I
gave the placid face long, farewell kiss.
and bounding to my feet soon rejoined the
| command.
There were many stout hesrts and arms
| stIlled that day IN tina: fruitless charge
many cheerful faces missed about the camp.
| fire, but none were regretted so much as the
Young sergeant, who was universally popular.
A few weeks after the engagement.
| Though the kindness of our colonel, / pro.
cured leave of absence, and a morning in
August found me ascending the ACTIVITY TO
| the splendid home where dwelt poor Ethel,
| to perform the sad, sad task imposed upon
me by my friends that night near the works
| at Helena. Accompanied by her mother
che met me at the stoop, and silently We
entered the house, about which now there
hung gloom-cloua. l could see from the
anxious face of the parent that they hsd
already received news of the battle.
Il was some time before could gain suffi-
cient control Of myself 10 enable me to talk,
but at last, BY an effort, took from my
purse the locket and ring and told the sad
tale Of how the hero died. Mrs. - shed
copious, burning Tears, but poor Ethel, tax
ing mechanically the little love rinkets,
without snow or denomination, sat as stili
and stolid rs a statue. Twas then saw the
ruin. She had lost her reason. When /
rose to leave, her mother accompanied me-
down the avenue Of iuniper and srbor vita