Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1886-12-25
BIED FOB A WOMAN.

A story OF theLats Var-A Union Captain
Fails in Love with a Southern Bene-Hts
TragIs Fate.
Nashville (Ienn) American,
An old resident of Nashville, who was
here during a greater part Of those stir
ring times, and a witness Of many chang
ing and shifting scenes, the other day
related several incidents that viii bear
repetition. The first vas presented
somewhat as follows.
sin the town Of Lincoln, Ill, before
the war, there resided a young man
named Searight, who had for some time
engaged in the grocery and provision
business, in partnership with William B.
Harlow, under the firm name OF Harlow
& Searight. 1t was one OF the largest
and Wealthiest firms IN that section, and
the members thereof were popular lead
ers In the social and political circles OF
the country. When the war broke out
both partners decided on volunteering In
the union army, but as Harlow was a
man OF family a mutual com promise was
effected and Searight alone donned the
Rarb OF q soldier He enlisted In a
company forming IN Logan county for
the Thirty second regiment OF the Hi
nOis infantry, and received heutenant's
commission. Generally esteemed an ex-
cellent officer, he seemed to have a bril-
liant career Of military service Just be-
fore him. AT the battle OF Belmont,
No, he was with General Grant, and
was noted for conspicuous gallantry.
"When Grant fought the battle OF Shi-
lob he again distinguished himself, and
soon after was promoted to a captaincy.
In this latter engagement he was quite
severely wounded, and by permission
went back to his Illinois home on fur
Tough. Meanwhile his regiment had
been attached TO General Buel's army,
and was then on duty either in Middle
Tennessee or Northern Alabama, and
Captain Seaight, after few weeks at
home, csme through Nashville to Join
his command at the front. In an IN
lucky hour he met a young lady Of
rebel procivities,' but extremely beauti-
ful, at her home near Nashville. She
was reputed to be immensely wealthy,
and was in full possession Of her
property, having a year or two before
attained her majority"
"Would it be proper to tell the name
Of the fair rebel?" inquired the anxious
listener.
'.No," responded the old gentleman,
shut, on the other hand, quite improper.
as subsequent events Will prove. Suffice
it to say, they met and loved. All the
time that the captain could spend from
his duties, and he frequently Emporium
ed his colonel for leave Of absence, every
moment he could he spent in the society
of the charming Secesh siren, as his
brother officers called her, and she as ca
gerly returned his burning passion. Cap
tain Starlight time and again offered his
resignation. He wished to leave the
tented field and dwell IN the rosy bowers
OF love, but, unlike his love, it was not
accepted. Love at length, however, con
quered all his scrupulOus opinions Of
duty to the flag Of his country. He grew
desperate. He deserted, and succeeded
In escaping beyond the Federal lines
& tn his fair enslaver, she leaving home
and friends and property Tor his sake,
and he surrendered honor and loyalty to
the cause he had sworn to protect. Ar
irving within the confederate lines, the
seriousness Of the situation began to
dawn upon the minds OF both OF them.
If the fortune OF war should throw him
into the hands Of the United States au-
thorities, he would certainly be hung as
a traitor, and his wife possibly suffer as
a participant in his crime.
''From Atlanta they went to Charles
ton. From the latter city they succeed
ed In running the blockade to Nassau,
where they took a British vessel bound
tor Havana.
''But their happiness was ahort-hved,
and in the end turned to bitterness. And
now you will see why it was best to sup
press the lady's narae, for the following
extract, published In the Lincoln, ILL.,,
Herald ia July, 1868, and which past
ed IN my scrap-bOOk, give me the sequel
70 the sad romance:
!, BY the letter 10 this Office We learn
that Captain Searight, whose desertiOn
from the army and elopement with a
Bscesh belle we published last winter,
was killed IN a duel by aSpanish officer,
near HAVANA, IN Cuba Itappears that
the women, for whom he abandoned fame
and fortune, had In turn deserted him,
and fed with a captain in the Spanish
army. Captain Searight shortly after
ward met the destroyer Of his happiness
IN a eofey- house and knocked him down.
OF course the proud Spaniard could not
brook this insult; he challenged Sea
right, who gladly accepted, being weary
Otife. They met on the seaside about
two miles from the city Of Havana, and
6saright fell, pierced TO the heart by his
bullet. Thus untimely has
fallen ane who fought well and nobly
for his country, till in an evil hour he
met one who ssduced him from the path
Of honor and duty, and through her
agency the star OF his life has set In
blood The Spaniard and the far false
one with a demons heart have Aed to
the Isle OF Pines