The National tribune., 1889-05-09
WINNING A WIFE.
How Yankee Soldier Captured a
Southern Wife.
BY aErBo," PORTLAND MILLS, IND.

BY "ELEc," PORTLAND MILLS, IND.
Seeing that some Of the boys have been writ
ing I'D the history Of how they wooed and won
their wives j have so far RETAINED, partly
from modesty of the lady in question, and
partly from the length Of the story OF our ut
lie love episode, which occurred during the
late war Of the rebellion. and consequently
think it win doubtless be interesting to the
comrades, their wives, sons and daughters
1T was in the Spring of 1864, While Gen.
Banks was making his famous and ever-mem-
orable Rcd River campaign, and near the ola
French town Of Natchitoches, Ian that met
M fate.
I was then the First Sergeant Of Co T, -
Ind: inst q years OF age, rather slender, Of
medium hight. with rather delicate features,
fair complexion, with coal-black hair and mus
tache. Exceedingly fond of the fair sex at home,
j sought every opportunity TO form the ac-
ouaintance OF the ladies in the vicinity OF our
camps and along the line Of our marches. Ae-
cordiugiv during our temporary halt OF 10 days
at NatclitOChes, on our upward trip, seeing an
Misunderstanding cOlored boy who had ven
tured into camp 1 asked him where he lived and
81 his old master had any pretty daughters at
home lie informed me be had no master, but
belonged 10 a widow by the name OF Greene,
who lived in an elegant-lo0king house, which
he pointed out, about a mile away. She had
one daughter. young Miss Lizzie, whom he de-
scribed as being very beautiful and exceed
inclv kind and good ] asked him what his
young mistress thought Of the Yankees, aha
was informed That she entertained STRONG onion
sentiments was opposed 70 the rebellion and
human slavery.
Jake. vau tell Miss Lizzie that I want to see
her Here. take this note to he- on the sly
and bring me back the answer tomorrow"
j then penciled a short and hasty note tell
ing her that / wished 10 form her acquaintance,
ho- mn lie was hOuf the
society Of the ladies, and proposed to visit her
II agreeable.
Nv little darby friend sought me out next
daF and shyly slipped q note into my hand,
which was written on a very poor quality OF
naaer but in q beautiful clear hand writing.
The guarded and modest language used showed
both intelligence and refinement. She had no
objections herself 10 forming my acquaintance
and receiving visit from Federal soldier, but
her people were 50 radical IN their views OF the
Southern cause that such visit would hardly
be agreeable 70 me, and might also be attended
with danger. as her brother a Confederate
soldier and often came home. But little did
fear the danger when the house was inside the
Union picket-liBes.
Accordingly the next day a young Sergeant
rather neatly aUtired IN tie Federal uniform
timi6lv approached the residence of Mrs.
Greene, and was met at the edge Of the verauda
BY line-looSiag, bat some ahat naughty, mid
dle-aged matr0n, who curtiy inquired what was
wanting. ] replied. il the most friendly LAM
guage I could command, that I had only called
for 3 drink Of water, 10 rest and refresh myself,
aud If possible 10 form the acquaintance Of
some or the natives OF thesuBBy South, to break
tile menotony Of camp life, aud 10 my surprise
was rather reluctantly invited TO a seat on the
piazza. / had always been naturally courteous
10 the ladies, and on this occasion l removed
my cap and Immediately led of in lively con-
EersatiOn, lavishing praise on the beauties sur
rounding Us, as the yard was filed with bloom
ing shTubbery. i soon learned that she was the
widow OF Col. ThOs. Greene, OF the - La, who
had been killed murdered as she claimed) in
the early part Of the war at Island No. 10 by
the Northern invaders, and sharply inquired
III was In that hattie, TO which / replied in
the negative. He was a Frenchman, and had
sDcnt most of his life IN the city Of New Or
leans: was the owner of a number Of vessels at
one time but had sold them and retired 70 his
Red River plantation a short time before the
beginning Of the war.
This lady was bitter ia her denunciation OF
tie Federals, and expressed the hope that the
invaders would soon be driven from the Red
River Valley. ]. Of course, consoled her in the
best manner / knew now, telling her it was
but natural that she should feel SO, and that
was aware Of the fact that we could not agree
on the subject of the war, and hoped that oul
conversation would be of friendly nature on
other topics, and not as enemies.
During our conversation l had heard the
notes Of a piano from within the mansion.
expressed my love for music, and told her how
ii reminded me Of my sister and home, anC
how rare u was for me 10 hear tie familiar
sound and that ! would be delighted TO hea
some music. She inquired if ! played, to which
answered, did, some, OF the violin, when a
home. Here. struggling between natural hos
pisality aud her hatred Of the Yankees, shj
Gaaiiy invited me into the parlOr, where / wa
introduced 10 my present wife, who arose from
the stool and bowed with a friendly smile
Tt did Lot take me q minute to decide tina
Jake was right / had thought l had seel
beautiful young ladies before, but here
Thought, was the most beautiful and lovely
creature / had ever met. Dare / undertake t
describe herr Nay cannot. And such a voice
Oh, heavens. How captivating she was in he
simple attire. / can only say that l surren
dered Tor the FIRST time, and after some musi
ANA conversation felt that my whole lie ant
being WAS changed.
Before j took my departure ] managed {
make az excuse for returning by asking TIA
loan Of some magazines, which / promised 4
return IA person, the mother suggesting that
return them by Jake.
here. am sorry to say, began 10 be dis
oBe0.eut soldier. On being refused shor
leave OF absence the next afternoon, had {
content myself by sending another note b.
faithful Jake, telling Lizzie how had enjoye
our short acquaintance and boldly begge
leave 10 pay her another visit the next after
noon, 10 which / soon received a reply, tellin
me that her brother had been at home th
night before and had roughly reproyed ther
for allowing a Yankee inside the house, an
threatened 70 shoot the first Yankee lie caugl
OF the premises, If in his poWeriso 10 do Her
] vas ia dilemma. The house was lust insd
the picket-line. yet this young rebel scout "a
Ben afterwards proved TO be- had actual
slept II home the night before, and was hankel
ing for my blood. ] had never finched In ba
tie, bat still j was not quite willing to risk
snge-hauded combat if il could be avoided
but love casteth out all fear"
She had written that she would be happy
see me were it not for the dangers alluded +
asked Jake, - Does your young mistress ev,
visit the quarters OF the black folks?" Whic
was little nearer the camp. and was informe
that she did, often. as his mother had been Il,
nurse, and was her waiting maid. Auoth,
note soon arranged meeting at the ,humb
catiu OF Lucy, Jake's mOther,) where | sa
Lizzie again, and spent about three hours
pleasantly that ] forgot all about the evenir
dress parade. j had gone without leave al
for the FIRST time the company had bee
formed roll called, and marched on to q
paradeground without me. / was report,
absent without leave and on my return / four
myself under arrest, and received a seve
assrfrr md from aseok