Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-11-26
Redeemed by Love.
BY MAJOR FRED WHITMoRE,

Captain, Lyman has returned. and he is
Boosting to the boys that YOU dare not
punish him. Flo Is destroying the disci-
pline OF the COMPANY. and something must
be tloue.'
1t was my Orderly Sergeant who spoke.
I replied:
We'll, send him to me, and after / talk
with him we'll see about the punishment"
But could see by the smile of incredu-
lity on the Sergeants face that he either
believed the talking OF my weakness would
preventive punishment. Seating myself
in my camp chair / bowed my head upon
the table and reflected.
This discrdcrly soldier and We're, only
year ago. companions, and dearer than
brothers, and now, as lis superior, must
punish him. [ had not seen him during
this time, and had looked forward to our
meeting with the fondest anticipations. l
had often planned ways in which to show
him my love and gratitude, aud this was
my reception. had joined my regiment
this day and been assigned to the command
Lieutenant, having been in hospital and on
detached service meanwhile for year; and
Lyman, whom above all others had
longed TO meet, was reported to mo on ar
rival as the worst man in the regiment.
Detailed for guard that morning, he had
muttered that he would make it hot for
me, and disappeared from camp, and we
had not yet met. And now what should I
do? The man mastered the soldier in me
for the time.
Oh, it all came back to me with such
force as to compel t'ars-that terrible
Antietam battle, the pursuit of our brigade,
my wound, the hospital bed, the fever and
delirium, and Lyman. He had stuck by
his company through all that battle bravely,
! and was beside me when fell, and assisted
me to the ambulance. 1t was only flesh
wound in my thigh, but the nervous strain
and the malaria did the rest l was taken
tothe field hospital OF the brigade, and my
Captain at once called to see me. I wanted
better nursing, and asked him to detail a
man from the company. He sent Lyman.
then knew it was sympathy more than all
| else that I wanted. l was signing for
| face had known i'll the dear old village
was tonic to me.
| And how tender, how womanly he was.
How we grew to know and love each other.
Often &c in my weakness would moan for
home, he would lay his fuce against mine
and soy, Erred, don't! I'm here" and thus
try to cheer me; and ], throwing my arms
around his neck, would beg him to talk of
home, OF mother, OF my Nellie and his
Chloe, for soon learned of the hidden
and unspoken love he held for her. Then
ne would read over and over again letters
received from loved ones. and would SO
| patiently write for me. o sad, precious
four weeks in my life they wore. Then
came the breaking up of the hospital, and
| l was sent to Washington Sad but iull
OF promise for the future was our parting.
Convalescing, l had a furIough home.
Nell and were married. / had several
months then on court-martinl service, and
was aid on the staff OF the Department
Commander, when, i'll response to the re-
peated and urgent request of the Colonel.
1 | was ordered to join my regiment before
Richmond. There had been but little
communication between me and the bows
meanwhile, and had hoped to lind Lyman
wearing at least second lieutenant's strap,
that thus the discipline Of the service
might lnterpose 10 barrier to our intimacy.
The comparison Of my ideal with the real
caused me to tremble with emotion.
All this was passing i'll my mind when
rap upon my tent called my attention.
Come i'll, said l, and the Sergeant en-
tered, saying respectfully, as he touched
his cap:
Captain, yonr man is outside"
Let him come III, and YOU retire" I
sajd.
lie entered sullenly. ] motioncd him to
Seat on the camp stool. dropped the tap
of my tent, and again seating myself at my
Inprovised table Of empty hard tack boxes,
upon which my candle was burning. l
dropped my head in nay heads and shook
with emotion. 1t was some time before l
could think, even SO little, and 1 did not
think. 1t was the overmastering force of
great passion that moved me involuntarily
upon my feet, and turning to him with the
one word, Lyman, / seated myself across
his knees, threw my arms about his neck,
and burst into sobs.
| felt tremor pass through his frame,
then there was resistance, like strong
will beating back flood; this giving way
ne grasped me convulsively and murmured
Fred" and wept with me. There was a
long, sacred silence, broken at last b. his
saving, Fired, do you care SO much for
me3s