Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-09-24
LIEUTENANT CHARLES MoN1EAL,
BY CAPT. JAMES MoNrroRp.

|
BY CAPT. JAMES MoNTFoRD.
"sfy closest associate and friend in the
uor was Lieutenant Charles Monteal !" said
the Colonel, land as my niece is to leave us
/ in the morning, will relate his story. 1t
NAV convey q moral to her."
Il will give attention to your story, un-
cle. and not neglect the moral" returned
the young lady; and the Colonel prepared
to begin.
"The lieutenant was several years younger
than myself, being about twenty six at the
time. He was tall, and straight as a dart;
his face was handsome, but wore rather
mournful expression, usually quite Byronic,
the ladies said.
Il would occupy too much time to relate
the manner We became acquainted. He did
me several signal favors during the time of
our intimacy.
"Charles had formed an unfortunate at
tachment' for young lady, the daughter of
Southern planter, whom he had met in
New York prior to the breaking out of the
war.
"He told me oil about it in one of his
melancholy moods, and recollect the Cir
cumstances very we'll.
HE had seemed successful ut first, and
although Miss Angell as shall call her,
had made no engagement with him, they
understood each other we'll enough; and
her father did not seem averse to their
union. Monteal was wealthy, and his morals
unobjecionable.
"But suddenly "a change came DER the
spirit of his dream so he told me. There
was to be fighting. Charles was interested,
as all young men should be. Unfortunate
ly, Mr.. Angel was also interested, and the
Young lady inclined toward her fathers
faith.
"One evening Monteal allowed himself
to be drawn into an argument with the old
gentleman, the latter cast some reflections
upon the Government, and both gentlemen
/ became warm.
ut was violent time, and before the in
teriew was over Mr.. Angel had given the
Young man to understand that his acquaint-
ance was no longer desired.
CHARLES told me the two days that fol-
lowed were the most miserable of his life,
and, knowing his disposition, I believed
him.
"The Angels were preparing to return
home; Monteal sought and obtained an in
terview with Miss Angel during her fathers
absence from the house.
Before he left she admitted that she did
not hate him; but he was assured that her
fathers consent was necessary to obtain
her for his wife, and this he despaired of
gaining.
"While he was endeavoring to see MI.
Angel, he suddenly migrated, carrying his
daughter in his train.
'Then the young man wrote letters; but
the replies lie received were not pleasant.
He learned that the lady's brothers were
collecting regiments, and when the war
broke out in earnest Charles joined the
Blues out of sheer desperation.
"Soon afterward made his acquaintance,
and gained knowledge of his story.
Zone day in May. 1862, he saw the young
lady once more. She had come to the res
idence of friend dwelling fifty miles OF
SO from our station. Charles had requested
this, and she cared enough for him to con-
sent.
"He never told me what passed at the
interview, though, as he had been so frank
in the former account, l expected it.
"He was very melancholy the next NOM
ing, however, and could guess how mat
tiers we're going, and my ideas were con-
trmed by the following song and its ex-
PLANTATION:
".Our women have hung their harps away,
And they scowl on your brutal bands,
While the nimble poniard dares the day,
In their brave, defiant hands,
"sWhy do you sing that? demanded.
est was sung to me last night, he re-
piled, and will haunt my memory until
my dying day. Isn't this terrible state Of
atfairsy
"Then he left me, with sorrowful shake
of the head.
II saw very little of Monteal for the
next three weeks. Several times tried tc
%l,a cfofo 0f
which he had fallen, but all in vain.
Sat last our duty carried US into the
neighborhood of Mr.. Angel, and saw
that his proximity to the woman he loved
made decided impression upon the Lieu
tenant.
Fearing some accident, I scarcely knew
what, I watched him closely. In tn
meantime we were skirmishing continual.
with separate bands of Confederates, anc
slowly gaining ground upon them.
"At last the time fated for the end Of
Monteals romance came.
"We were surprised during the night
several pickets killed, and some horses
captured. The morning following wa'
ordered out in pursuit of the band, Which,
was small, and was supposed to nave DeeI
raised in the neighborhood.
"Monteal requested leave to accomPan.
me. would have refused if could hav
done SO; for I suspected that he had some
plan IN view.
But there was nothing for it but n
must go, and we started, with a negro II
the train, who was to guide us upon GU
search.
ITO be brief, we found the trail OF tn
marauders, followed it for several mics
and at last came upon their encampment.
Their band was somewhat less thai
ours, and after brisk skirmish we re
captured the horses and put the foes
fight.
II had been ordered to exterminate tn
band, if possible, and Immediately oega
the pursuit. The leader Of the band was ),
beardless young fellow. with consldela ~.
spirit. Monteal seemed to recognize nm ~
for his eyes had been fastened upon IN
fellow continually, and his face was yer
pale.
II demanded if he knew him. as we roo
AI