Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-07-31
SELECTIONS.
THE C0URIER'S BRIDE.
AN EVENT BORN OF THE AMERICAN
WAR DAYS.

|
WAR DAYS.
On July 22d, 1864, the armies OF
Generals Sherman and Johnston
we're confronting each other at At
lanta.
The suns intense heat was intensi-
fed by the sulphurous breath ofmusk.
etry and cannon.
AT 10 o'clock General Hardee, a
Confederate commander, with a
mounted escort, was ON an elevation
observing the position Of the enemy.
One of the escort was a youth of six
teen, a courier.
While the General was noting
the reports Of civil engineer squad
of Union prisoners we're marched up
and halted. One of the number, a
Captain, sank upon the ground ex-
hausted from the loss of blood, a ball
having entered his left face and,
ranging upward, passed through the
right, SCATTERING his. cheek bone.
The young courier, observing the
wounded man, asked that a surgeon
be directed to attend him. An ano.
dyne was administered and the
wound dressed, when the prison
ers were ordered to resume their
march. The Union Captain endeav7
ored to obey, but staggered in the
effort. At that moment an ambu-
lance containing wounded Confeder-
ate officers drew up. The young cour-
ier observing that there was room for
another, asked that tie wounded
Captain be placed therein, offering
to see him delivered to the train
guard in the city, whittier he had
! just been ordered. Following the
ambulance on his horse, he paused
at General Johnston's headquarters
to deliver dispatch, and then, when
the Confederate wounded had been
removed from the wagon, accompan-
led it to the train, which was about
starting for AndersonviIle. After
giving the prisoner his own canteen
freshly filled with water, he purchas-
ed from a store near by narrow
straw mattress and obtained permits
sion from the train-guard for the
wounded Captain to lie upon it. The
latter's face being so swollen that he
could not speak, he motioned with
his hand for a pencil-perhaps for
writing thanks to his benefactor.
Before the pencil was produced the
train moved, and the young Confed-
crate sprang from the car. The
prisoners proceeded toward Ander-
sonville, 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 Cap
tain was placed within the prison
stockade, the young Confederate was
lying in hospital. Possibly each
gave some thought to the other, but
it is not likely either anticipated ever
meeting the other again.
In July, 1874, at a popular resort
on Western lakeside, society com.
mented upon the marked attention
paid to Miss Emma Clancy by Henry
Ross, a gentleman from a city in
Alabama, whose winning address
had made him a universal favorite.
The young lady was easily accorded
the position of reigning belle at the
resort, and-her father owning a
residence there-she was enabled to
Hospitality receive her friends. There
were a number of gallants whose
frequent calls indicated admiration
for the fair entertainer; but it was
apparent that none were received
with such favor as the courtly Harry
Ross.
On the evening of the 22d Captain
!: Clancey's parlors were filled Will
visitors and, as these included married
friends, he and Mrs. Clancy wert
with their guests. There had beer
an hour OF music and dancing, wher
someone casually remarking upon tht
pleasantness of the occasion, Mis-:
Clancy responded, Yes, this i.
always an anniversary occasion, July
22d, in our home. 1t celebrates th,
/ scar just above the beard on father,
face, and it reminds me of one will
whom am in love and who is to b.
, my husband.u
She had spoken with an open al
!. of such pleasantly as to call TO
! CHEEKY explanations, especially from
:, the young gentlemen surroundin!