The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-12-16
STRIFE AND LOVE.
"A Disastrous Courtship," A
Story Of the War.
A SOUTHERN TALE.
How Danger was Braved for the So
ciety Of Charming Ladies in
Sympathy With the South.

c1ety OF Charming 1a01eo In
Sympathy With the South.
In the winter of 1864 / was q second
lieutenant OF cavalry in the regular service
We were stationed in o he OF the pleasant
est parts OF Virginia, in a section where
were many fine residences and farms, and
most of the inhabitants were people o.
culture and refinement, but enemies to Il
manor, rather, to a woman-for all the
men, except the aged and the infirm, were
in the ranks of the enemy. We had
traversed the country over 80 many times
that we knew most all OF the inhabitants,
some only by name, others to speak to;
and at a very few houses we were in the
habit OF exchanging with the inhabitants
those little courtesies which are so pleasant
among ladies and gentlemen even when the
fortunes OF wal have, f,r the time, made
them enemies.
At one beautiful old place a few OF us had
frequently been entertained ut dinner, and
had received other hospitalities from the
ladies OF the household in return for certain
services we had rendered them in protect
ing their private property from spoiIatlon
and themselves from needless inconven-
fence and ANNOYANCE; and 1t became our
custom, whenever we were camped in their
vicinity, il the enemy were not too near, to
ride over and pay our respects. We were
always Hospitality entertained. and gen.
orally the young ladies-of whom there
were three, all accomplished musicians
would favor us with a song or two.
After the close OF the fall campaign, and
wren the severe winter weather had put a
stop to active operations, we camped Tor
the winter at a point about six miles north
L. l,.0 o~J.N hut
picketed up tn within a mile OF it. In the
course of a month or so the monotOny Of
camp life became almost uncomfortable, and
we, that is, two other gentlemen and my
sell, determined that we would make our
way through our lines and to the house OF
our fair friends. There was danger of being
either being shot or captured, but only
enough to give spice to the adventure. Sc
lecting a favorable evening we made our way
through the pickets and n due time arrived
at the residence OF our friends-much to
their surprise-just as they were about to
retire.
Ishould have told you before that our
party consisted of Captain Benton, about
rs years old, who had graduated among
the highest in his class at West Point. Ben
ton might have held high rank in the vol
unteers, but preferred to remain with his
regiment. Then came Lieutenant Grey, a
young fellow of %, appointed from civil
life, but an excellent soldier; and lastly my
self, just turned 20 years; had served three
years in the volunteers and for the pre-
vious six months az second lieu
tenant in the regular cavalry. We
were mounted, and each carried a
pistol. We passed a couple OF hours
very pleasantly, and then returned safely
to camp, no one being the wiser Of our ad-
venture.
E%mboldened by success, our visit was
soon and frequently repeated, and finally,
not a week passed that we were not at least
once guests at the hospitable mansion on the
hill. Atfirst we exercised all the caution OF
old campaigners against capture; but the
old adage that 1.-THE pitcher that goes often
to the we'll ia broken at last was again ex-
emplifed, and WI went once too often. 1t
was New Years eve, December 81, 1864,
and we had ridden over to see the ladies
once more; the night was clear and star
light, and not very cold. Dismounting in
front Of the house, we led our horses to the
rear of it., tied them in Il sheltered spot and
entering the house were received and enter.
tanned by the ladies as usual.
Time fled, as it alwaysdoes in such cases.
Grey was at the piano with one of the
young ladies (he had long since made a
complete surrender to her, but she would
not have it,. Benton was chatting with
the Oldest OF the three, a widow OF 25,
whose husband had been killed at Bull Run,
and | was trying to make myself agreeable
to the mother OF them all, when Benton,
hearing a comnotion among the horses,
and thinking they might be lost, went out
to look after them. In a few minutes, rs
he did not return, I thought 1 would go out
and help him. Passing through the hall l
opened the door and stepped on the piazza,
when / at once became conscious Of the
muzzle of a big revolver being thrust into
my face and heard in firm, but low, tones:
Surrender" l may add that at the other
end OF the p,stol-which looked to me to be
at least as large as a ten-pound Parrott
rife-was a young fellow about my W
age and size. and wearing a slouched hat
and one or two blue overcoats.
To say that was astonisheL-yes, fright
ened-wouldn't half express M sensations.
The business end OF that pistol was not
have stood erect, and the perspiration
started from every PORE. l don't know ii
l tremblcd, but 1 will bet that l did. eau
tioning me in q tone that there was no mis-
taking not to attempt draw my pistol, he
ordered me to 60 before him to the back of
the smoke-house, at the same time making
a pla yful little remark to the fleet that he
would make a hole OF uncertain dimensions
in the back of my head unless / complied.
complied! ,1
On arriving at the smoke house found
poor Benton, hatless and coatless, like
myself, and shiverlng with cold and excite
ment and under the guard of a couple of
fellows who seemed to enjoy the situation
immensely. | was at once disarned, and
my captor had my spurs of and in a twink
ling rad fastened them, with BentOn's, to
his sword belt. Two more Of the party
soon appeared with Gray. who was also
bareheaded. They had captured him while
ut the piano turning the music in a most
spuony manner for the fair performer. AS
he neared US his look Of mingled astonish-
ment and modification WAS SO utterly
ridiculous that prisoners and cnptors alike
broke out into loud and PROLONGED laugh
ter, Benton and l forgettingfo r the moment
our misery in contemplating the ridiculous
appearance of our unfortunate comrade.
But this could not last forever, and we
were soon sent, under guard. to get our
clothing. l have said that my first sensa-
ton had been that Of astonishment and
fear, but this soon CAV way to one OF sus-
picion. Had the ladies betrayed me? l
had heard OF such cases and knew the
enemies, 40 far as the war question was
concerned, but they were ladies, and we
had eaten OF their bread and had drank OF
their cup. All our doubts on this score
were ut once dispelled on witnessing their
grief and modification, and none of liz
have since thought that they were guilty OF
completely in our capture.
Our captors numbered eighteen. The
officer was the son OF Il gentleman OF the
neighborhood, and most Of his party were
from the same locality. The lieutenant
soon formed his party in columns OF tours,
and, dividing them into two sections,
placed us in the middle, taking the precau.
ton to cross our stirrups over the pom
mels of our saddles and TO tie them there.
He instructed his men to look well that
we did not escape; then, ordering his ser
ceant to lead the column, he placed himself
beside us and gave the command to march.
Our feelings can be imagined, but certainly
Icannot describe mine. Three young Off
GERS, all of whom had adopted the PROBES
sion Of arms permanently-all our hopes
and ambitions based on q military career
prisoners Of war! Captured through
our own fault and under such
circumstances! Not only outside
the lines without permission, but in direct
disobedience OF orders! Our commanding Of
ficer was one of the strictest in the whole
service, with no mercy for any i,fraction
of rules. We knew only too we'll that when
L. Lnooon LnOwn in n1Yr c4m IT