The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-07-30
A Desertcr's Fate.

All Ola TeSlQ6nU Oh NASHVILLE ltiuUos
this romance to writer in the Nash
/ vile American: "In the town OF Lirl.
coin, Ill.,, before the war, there resided
4 young man named j. j. Searight,
who for sometime engaged in the gro
Gerry and provision business in part
nership with William B. Harlow, un
der the firm name OF Harlow & Sea
| right. 1t was one OF the largest and
wealthiest firms in that section, aud
the members thereof were both popu-
lar leaders in the social and political
circles of their country. When the
war broke out both partners decided
on volunteering in the Union army,
but as Harlow was a mali OF family,
a mutual compromise was affected,
and Searight alone donned the garb
OF asoldier. enlisted in accompany
forming in Logan county FOR the Thir-
ty-second Regiment OF Illinois infantry,
and received lieutenants commits
sion. Generally esteemed an excel
lent officer, he seemed to have n bril-
liant career OF military service just
before him. At the battle OF Belmont,
Mo-, he was with General Grant, and
was noted for conspicuous gallantry.
when Grant fought the battle OF
Shiloh he again distinguished himself,
and soon after was promoted to 81
captaincy. In this latter engagement
he was quite severely wounded. and
by permission went back to his illinois
home on furlough. Meanwhile his resi-
ment had been attached to General
Buel's army, and was then on duty
either i'll middle Tennessee ornorthern
Alabama, ard Captain Searight, after
few weeks st home, came through
Nashville to join his regiment at the
front. In an lsnluckv hour he met a
young lady OF '-sbel proclSvities, but
extremely beautiful, at her home near
Nashville. She was reputed to be i'm
n,ensely wealthy, and WAS in full pos
session OF her property, having a year
or two before attaaned her majority"
'tWould it be proper to tell thename
OF the fair rebel?" inquired the anxi-
Gus listener.
No" responded the old gentleman,
"but cr the other hsnd quite improp-
er, as subsequent events will prove.
Suffice It to say, they met and loved.
All the time that tie captain could
spare from his duties, and he frequent
ly importuned his colonel for leaves
OF absence, every moment he could, ne
spent in the society OF the charming
secesh sirsn, rs his bsother officers
called her, and she as eagerly returned
his burning; passion. Captain SearigMt
tin,a nd nffaral hi 4 iTNs
He wished To- leave the sented fields
and dwell in the rosy bowers
Of love, but, unlike his love, it wss
not accepted, Love at length. how
ever, conquereat all his scrupulous
opinions OF duty to the iag OF his
country. He grew Desperate. He de.
serted, and succeeded in escaping be-
yord the federal'isnes with bis fair en-.
slaved. She leaving home and friends
and property for'.stss sake, and he sur
rendered honor a,.si loyalty. to the
cause he had sworn to protect. Ar
rived within the contederated lines the
SERIOUSNESS OF the situation began to
! dawn upon the mind OF both Oft hem.
Il the fortunes of war should throw
hins int o the hands the United States
authorities, he would certainly be
hanged as Il traitor, and his wife would
| possibly suffer as participant N his
!. crime. They determined to leave the
country. From Atlanta they went
| to- Charleston. From the blockade
to Nassau, where they took a British
vessel bound for Havana.
! Bot their happiness was short-lived
! and in the end turned to bitterness
! And now you will see why it was best
/; to'suppress the ladys name, for th,
Lincoln tlll.) Herald in July, 1856
and which pasted in my scrap book
gives thesequal to the sad romance
''By 81 letter to this Office we learr
THAT Captain Searight, whoseadeser
ton frmm the army and elopemen
with q secesh belle we published las
winter, was lately killed in duel by
Spanish officer, near Havana, III Gu
oas Lit appears that this woman. 10
whom he abandoned fame and fortune
had, ra tarn, deserted him and flet
with % captain i'll the Spanish army
Captain Searight shortly after ,net th
destroyer Of his happiness ina,coffee
siousa and knocked him down @
course. the proud Spaniard couh
not brook this insult; he challenges
| Searght, who gladly accepted, as h
was weary OF life. They met o
the seaside, about two miles from til
city of Havana, and there Searigh
fell, pierced to the heart by his advel
sary's, bullet. Thus untimely has fal
Ell one who fought we'll and nobly 10
ii his c0untry, till in an ev il hour he me
one who seduced him from the pat
OF honor and duty, and through he
agency the star OF his life has set j
blood. The Spaniard and thefair falls
one with 81 demons heart have fed t
the Isle Of Pines"