Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-10-17
TIE C0URIER'S BRIDE.

At 10 clock General Hardee, a Confed-
crate corps commander. with mounted
escort, was on an elevation observing the
position Of the enemy One of the escort
was youth Of IS, courier.
While the General was noting the reports
Of civil engineer. 4 squad of Union pris-
oners were marched up and halted. One
Of the number, Captain, sank upon the
ground exhausted from loss Of blood. ball
having entered his left face anG ranging
upward passed ont through the right, shat
tering the cheek bone. The young courier
observing the wounded man, asked that
surgeon be directed to attend him. An an
odyne was administered and the wound
dressed. when the prisoners were ordered
to resume their march. The Union Captain
endeavored to obey, but staggered in the
effort Al the moment an ambulance con-
tanning wounded Confederate officers drew
up. The young courier, observing that
there was room for another, asked that the
wounded Captain be placed therein, offer
ing to see him delivered to the train-guard
in the city, whittier he had Just been or
dered. Following the ambulance on his
horse, he paused at General Johnston's
headquarters 10 deliver . dispatch, and
G-lGll, WHICH ttt NOuENSQ Ilau
been removed from the wagon, accom-
panied it to the train which was about
starting for AnderSonville. After giving
the prisoner his own canteen freshly filled
with water, he purchased from a etore near
by narrow straw mattress, and obtained
permission from the train-guard for the
wounded Captain to lie upon it. The lat
ter's face being so swollen that ne could
not speak, he motioned with bis hand for
l. =,
beneiactor. Before the pencil was pro-
duced the train moved, and theyoung Con-
federate sprang from the car. The prison
oners proceeded towards Andersonville,
while the courier returned to his command.
That afternoon the Confederates made
charge in which the courier was painfully
wounded, and that night, while the Union
Captain was placed within the prison stock
ade, the young Confederate was lying in
hospital. Possibly each gave some thought
to the other, but it is not likely either an
tioipated ever meeting the other again.
In July, 1884, at popular resort on
Western lakeside. society commented upon
the marked attentions paid to- Miss Emma
Clancy by Henry Ross, a gentleman from
city in Alabama, whose winning address
had made him universal favorite. The
young lady was easily accorded the posi-
ton of reigning belle at the resort, and, her
father owning a residence, she was enabled
to Hospitality receive her friends. There
was q number of gallants whose frequent
calls indicated admiration for the fair en-
tertainer; but it was apparent that none
were received with such favor as the courtly
Harry Ross.
On the evening of the I'D Captain Clan
cey's parlors were well filled with visitors
and as these included married friends, he
and Mrs Clancy were with their guests.
There had been an hour of music and
dancing when some one casually remark
ing upon the pleasantness of the occasion,
Miss Clancy responded; Yes; this is
always an anniversary occasion, the 22d of
July, in our home. 1t celebrates the scar
just above the beard on fathers face, and it
reminds me of one with whom l am in
love and who is to be my husband"
She had spoken with an air of such pleas
antry as to call for CHEEKY ordinations
especially from the young gentlemen sur
rounding her at the piano.
g l cannot give the name of my beau
ideal" she said, answering an inquiry of
Mr.. Ross, for j do not know it, and
have never seen him. Yet love him, and
what would | not give to meet him 1 re-
member, though l was but three years old
nv fathers return nome from the army
and of his telling how, on 22d of July, he
had been wounded, and how young Con-
federate soldier. a mere boy, he said, had
procured for him surgical treatment, and
extended him kindness which probably
saved his life. When he had so spoken
believe l provoked laughter by throwing
my arms about his neck, and telling him
loved that young Confederate, and that
when grown to be woman | Intended be-
ing his wife"
Some one remarked this a romantic
story, and asked that she tell more of it.
No." said she, but father shall, for il IS
bis pet theme each ODD of July"
Others supplemented the daughters re-
quest, and responding to it, Captain Clan
cey in narrative way, grown easy from
frequent recitals, recounted the events al
ready noted in the first chapter. He had
told of his wounds being dressed where the
prisoners were halted, of the courier hav-
ing had him placed in the ambulance, and
of his reaching the Andersonyille train
when Miss Clancy, who CHANGED TO glance
at Harry Ross, observed an agitation of
manner quite foreign to his native COM
poSure.
When he had assisted me into the car, I"
Captain Clancy was continuing, when
Harry Ross interrupted:
." Hold moment, please" he said, and
permit a question or two from me. Did
the courier you speak of hand you his own
aanteen 2"
Yes, he did" replied Captain Clancy.
" And did he provide you mattress. in
the carr"
-" He did, was answered.
" And did you, being unable 70 speak
make signs for pencil, and did the train
move just as he was handing the pencil to
you, causing him TO jump from the carr"
Captain Clancy was on his feet.
Yes, yest he exclaimed: but how
%, g q %
:" How came l to known Why, sir,
was that boy y
For a moment-a brief moment-there
was utter stiffness in the parlors. But
when, stepping quickly forward. Captain
Oancey grasped Harry Ross by the hand
his face indicating uncertainty whether to
break into laugh, q cry or caress, there
was an outbreak of hand-clappings and
cheering more suggestive of 8 theater than
OF drawing-room. Mrs. Clancy ad-
vsnced, and, without word of apology,
threw her arms about Harry Ross neck
and kissed him, while Emma, who had
taken his other hand in both her own, ap-
peared to be in that state of uncertainty her
father's face had indicated
For several minutes there was buzz of
congratulations, as the guests pressed about
the ex-Union Captain and the ex-Confed-
crate courier. But there was another SEN
sation in store for the delighted party.
When Captain Clancy and Harry Ross
had managed to move little apart, the
latter turned to Emma, and with half
earnest, half mirthful look into her face,
said:
Miss Clancy, beg to recall speech
of yours made few minutes since. You
stated that when, three years old, you heard
this story from your father, you had thrown
your arms about his neck. saying that you
loved the Confederate courier, and that
when you were q woman you would be his
wife, and expressed q desire to meet him