The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-10-12
A REMARKABLE PRESENTlMENT.
Unwritten History from the Di-
airy of a Confederate.

Much has been written of late wears
concerning presentmcnts, and to this
subject the New York dailies recently
gave much of their space. Permit me in
the columns of TIE TIMES to add q war
instance, not Il romance, but fact.
Many old Confederates, now alive, will
remember the day in the fall of 1856
where stuart" with two brigades of
cavalry came laundering down the plank
road that leads to Fredericksburg scat
tering like chaif its escort and captur-
ing long train of wagons loaded with
commssary stores. Our loss was COM
paratively very slight in numbers,
but among the wounded was a
young man, noted for his dash
and gallantry, who but one short
month before had led to the altar one
of the fairest of Virginias maidcns.
Upon examination of his wound the
surgeon told him it was fatal, when,
without culver of his voice, he asked
that his wife be sent for, adding that he
felt as though he would live to see her.
One of the most reliable and trusted
men of his company, was at once dis
patched to notify his wife, who was
then at the home of his father, more
than n hundred miles away, and within
the lines of the enemy. And now comes
the strongest part Of my story. AT
midnight, despite the efforts of the best
medical attention, the soldier died. At
precisely that hour Il horseman was heard
to enter the yard of hisfather, 100 miles
OFF, speak to his horse and his
two dogs which bounded out as
he approached and rode towards
the barn III rear of the house. His wife
and sister, occupying the same room,
recognized their husband and brothers
voice, and hastily dressing, went over
to his mothers room to notify her of i,is
arrival. She, too. had heard him. and
was already up and attircd. The three
ladies repaired to the dining room in
the lower story. In few moments the
servant man, who was faithful to his
mistress all during the four years OF
bloody war. entered and asked for the
keys Of the barn. saying his young mas
ter had ridden i'll that direction, and he
wished To feed his horse. In little
while he returned, saying he could iird
no ono, and supposed he had taken his
horse ito the thckcts to conceal him
1t must he remarked here that cavalry
soldiers from the lower valley were in
the habit of making trips to their
homes, and reaching their homes re-
main for Il few days with their families
securing such clothing and supplies as
they needed. The ladies', expecting
their loved one each moment remained
up. and at daylight dispatched the ser
want man to the thicl1cts, who, return
ing, reported not only no one there,
but no tracks through the yard. His
young wife regarding the strange CO.
Incidence as an ill-omcn, went into hys-
tericS. y few hours later the courier
arrived. bringing her the news of her
husbands wounding She, accom-
panied by her mother, at once started
for his bedside. but in Il small town in
Piedmont, Va, met an escort with his
remains The wife and sister are still
living, occupying social positions second
to none in the land, and living wit
nesses to the above. The mother, rich
in years and the love of her Saviour,
has crossed the River, and is resting with
the boys She gave to her country. The
servant man, faithful and true to the
last, has been gathered to his fathers,
honorcd by all who knew him. The
soldier who made the famous ride, and
brought the sad news of the wounding
of his friend, is now distinguished citi-
zen of a tlourishing Southern CITY, His
comrades of the old brigade send him
kindly and fraternal greetings, and
wish him Cod speed in his work of
building up his adopted State.
Roanoke, Oct. II, 1899.