Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-03-31
ST0NEWALL JACKSON'S STAR.
AN INCIDENT OF THE WAR.

In the fail of 1864 1 was detached from
field duty in General Lees army, and en-
trusted by the Confederate Government
with a mission to one of the Northern
States, requiring great secrecy and de
spatch; but with this my story has nothing
to do save as an explanation of my pres
ence at such time in the enemy's terGto-
ry. Having reason 10 remain few days in
Philadelphia, [ was surprised and gratified
to find sympathizers with our great strug-
gle even in that most radical and loyal city
Carefully concealing my position and bust
ness there from my old friends, who so glad
ly threw open their doors and hearts for
traitor so-called TO enter, | enjoyed some
pleasant hours in the society of those who
were compelled to speak with bated breath,
died at the recital of Southern wrongs and
Southern valor.
Upon descending to breakfast one fair
October morning, my hostess, Mrs. B., Ga
Virginian herself, but married to North
ern mau), met me, wreathed in smiles, and
holding in her hand highly embossed en-
velope. whose dainty ribbon knot, and
beautiful engraved initial letters, although
entirely different from anything of the kind
l had seen for three years, savored to my
my mind strongly of matrimOny. My
thoughts went back to the haIcyon days of
the past, before heavy cares and disappoint
ments had left their impress ON heart and
brain, and the exposure of camp-life, added
to the fatigue and privations of the march,
had ploughed long, silvery tracks in my ra-
ven lGcks-the only silver, by the way, then
in my possession. When 'looked love in
to eyes that spake again." and the merry
marriage bell was ready to chime for me;
when just such bits of perfumed paste
board covered my table, and my services
were asked by friends, who joyfully enter
ing the matrimonial bark, bid me God speed
ON like cruize. The sequel of these
thoughts, which flashed along the wires of
memory, issued from my lips in the single
word, ''wedding?''
You are a good guesser," said my fair
friend. s'Yes, it is an invitation to the
marriage and reception of my little pet,
Minnie Norton, whom you met here the
other evening ard admired SO much. She
was born in the Old Dominion, and clings
fondly to every recollection of our glorious
old mother State. For two years she has
necessities of the Confederate prisoners, and
nursing the sick and wounded in the hos
pitfalls here. Listen to what she says in a
note accompanying the invitation card
"Bring your mysterious and agreeable
friend, Mr.. W., with you on the 18th, al
though he will not tell us the nature of his
mission here, because he has the absurd
idea that woman cannot keep a secret,
yet l know it is something connected with
the welfare of my beloved South, the land
of jackson and Lee. His hearty cordial
tones and dear old accent are music to my
ear; will you not ask him to grace my we'd
ding with his presence 90
Il shall be only too happy to accept, F"
said L; 'that note falls like balm upon my
heart; none but dear little Virginia girl
could have written such. hope the man
of her choice is worthy of the gem he has
gained"
''Oh, he is a noble fellow" returned my
hostess, and the entrance of breakfast put
an end to the conversation.
The eventful day arrived, and, arrayed
| in the regulation dress on such occasions
| glossy black, with immaculate choker and
| irreproachable fitting kids-a costume in
| which | was somewhat puzzled to make my
own acquaintance. 1 took my seat in the
carriage beside Mrs. B., and was rapidly
whirled to the scene of enlivenment. We
did not attend the ceremony which took
place in the church; therefore, upon arri-
| val, UUc VI du HUuT diIcduy lC-
ceived the congratulations of her friends up
on her accession to the new dignity. Enter
ing the drawing room, from which the day
light had been carefully excluded, my Con-
federate eyes were completely dazzled by the
splendid array of beauty, fashion and wealth
gathered there, and, tor some moments,
imagined that l had been transported to
fairy land. / was, however, awakened
from this trance, by an exclamation of de-
light from .my companion, and found my
self standing before an impsrsonation OF
grace and beauty clad in white satin, or
! ange blossoms, illusion, and dozen Other
airy nothings, with which the fair sex arm
themselves to slay their unsuspecting vic
| Tins.
Collecting my scattered senses, soor
settled down to ''peace basis" and pay
ing my devoirs with tolerable composure tt
the happy couple, gave place to the cage
throng behind me. Refusing, for various
reasons. the entreaties of my friend to b.
introduced to sundry damsels of her &C
quaintance, who were '.pretty and so rich,
j rstired 10 q corner, from which observa
. tit,r / became an amused and intereste'
| sslooker on in Vienna.