Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-12-09
DIED FOR A WOMAN.
AStory of the Late War-A Union Captain
Falls in Love Win Southern Belle His
Tragic Fate
Nashville Tenn American.

Nashville Tenn American.
An old resident of Nashville, who was
here during greater part of those stir
ing times, and a witness of many changing
and shifting scenes, the other day related
several incidents that will bear repetition
The first was presented somewhat as fol
lows:
"ln the town of Lincoln, H., before the
war, there resided young man named
Searight, who had for some time engaged
in the grocery and PROVISION business,
in partnership plth William B. Harrow
d Searight. 1t was one of the largest
and wealthiest firms in that section, and
the members thereof were popular leaders
in the social and political welfares of the
country. When the war broke out both
parties decided on volunteering in the
Union army, but as Harlow was man of
family a mutual compromise was effected
Pud Starlight alone donned the garb of a
soldier. He enlisted in company form
ing in Logan county for the Thirty-sec-
ond Regiment of Illinois Infantry, and
received lieutenant's commission.
Generally esteemed an excellent officer.
he seemen to have brilliant career of
military service Just before him. At the
DdbttS VI btlluOuls Mo, ne WIS WIN AIGll-
eral 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 Captaincy.
In this latter engagement he was quite
severely wounded and by permission went
back to his Illinois home on furlough.
Meanwhile his regiment had been at
tached to General Buell's army, and was
then on duty either in Middle Tennessee
or Northern Alabama, and Captain Sea
right, after a few weeks at home, came
through Nashville te join his command at
the front. In an unlucky hour he met a
young lady of rebel procliyities,' but ex-
tremely beautiful, It her home near Nash
Vile. She was reputed to be immensely
wealthy and was in full possession of her
property, having a year or two before at
tanned her majority"
Would it be proper to tell the name of
the fair rebel?" inquired the anxious list
ener.
TO" responded the old gentleman,
" but, on the other hand. quite improper,
as subsequ ent events will prove. Suffice
to say, they met and loved. All the time
chat the Captain could spend from his
duties, and lie frequently importuned
his Colonel for leave of absence, every
nom ent he could he spent III the society
of the charming Secesh siren as his
brother officers called her, and she as ca
gerly returned his burning passion.
Captain sealight time and again offered
his resignation. He wished to leave the
tented field and dwell in the rosy powers
of love, but unlike his love, it was not ac-
cepted. Love at length, however, con
quered all his sculpulous opinions of duty
TO the flag of his country. He grew des-
perate. He deserted and succeeded in
escaping beyond the Federal lines with
his fair enslaver, she leaving home and
friends and property for his sake, and he
surrendered honor and loyalty to the
cause he had sworn to protect Arrived
within the confederate lines, tho serious
ness of the situation began to draw upon
the minds of both of them. If the for
tuges of war should throw him into the
hands of the United States authorities,
he would certainly be hung as a traitor,
and his wife possibly suffer as a partici-
pant in his crime.
From Atlanta they went to Charleston.
From the latter city they succeeded in
running the blockade 10 Nassau, where
they took British vessel bound for
Havana.
But their happiness was short-Iiyed
and in the end turned TO bitterness. And
now yon will see why it was best to sup
press the lady's name, for the following
extract published in the Lincoln, H.,
Herald in July, 1866, and which | pasted
in my scrap book gives the sequel To the
sad romance:
BY a letter to this Office we learu thBt
CAPTAIN Searight, whose deSertinn from
the army and elopement with -ecesh
belle we publishnd last winter, was killed
IL. a duel by a Spanish office, near Hav-
ana, in Cuba. II appears that the woman,
for whom be abandoned fame and fortune
had IN turn deserted him, and fled with a
captain in The Spanish army, Captain
Searignt shortly afterward met the de-
stroyer Of ms happiness in coffee-house
and knocked him down OF course the
proud Spaniard could not broo. this in
suit; he challenged Searight who gladly
accepted being weary of life. They net
on the seaside about two miles from the
city Of Havsna. and Searight fell pierced
to the heart by his adyersary's bullet.