Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-05-24
WAR SKETCHES.
OF INTEREST TO WEST VIRGINIA SOLDIERS
IN OARLlN'S BATTERY.
This PAPER Treats Of Lieutenant Richards Imper-
sonation Of Lady CorrespOndsnt-HOw Har-
rson County, Ohio, Man Was Fooled
Story by George W. GcClelland.
Lieut.. Richards Impersonation.

The following was told me by very In
innate friend of Lieut.. Richards. cannot
vouch for its truthfulness farther than II
vas told to me for the truth: Lieut. Rlch-
ards corresponded for several months with
a Young man living in Ohio. Richards per-
sonated young lady living near New
Creek, who brought butter into town about
once a week and sold 1t, usually at the no
tel.
Matters progressed so favorably that the
young man proposed TO visit her. she OPP
posed the idea, not but what she would be
! highly pleased under ordinary circumstan-
ces. but it was an outpost of the army and
/ there was danger of his being picked up, as
she lived in the country beyond our lines.
But the young man was persistent. He
was Young farmer living in Harrison
county: had a farm and was comforta-
! Div situated. All he needed was a
dear little wife to cheer his lonely
hours. He was willing TO take all risks.
She was Union girl, but there were lots
of 'bushwhackers" about and 1t would
kill her if she was the innocent cause OF
his being carried off to die in ''rebel'
prison or lose his life in attempting to es-
cape from them. No, as greatly as she de-
sired to see him and form an intimate
acquaintance she would not consent to his
running any risk. He must wait until
God should give peace to our distracted
and ar.ridden Country. When all danger
was past he could come and see her and
welcome.
If he was to come to New Greek, could
she not tell him what days she brought in
hsr butter or at least, the day that she
would bring it in on a certain week, and
would she not grant him an interview.
Well, she was cornered, and she could do
nothing else but tell him what day she
would be in New Creek week after next,
and for him to enquire for Miss B.
On the day appointed, Lieut. Richards
loafed about the hotel nearly all day. He
saw a young, good-lOoking, farmer-like
man, heard him inquire for Miss b. His
heart smote him when he saw the effect of
his heartless little Joke. He talked for
long time to the young man, whom ne
found to be intelligent and good-natured.
rne young man had sense enough to say
nothing about Miss b, though he did ask
about the possibility Of riding few miles
in the country. The Lieutenant asked in
what direction. He looked very grave
when he found it was beyond our lines. He
said of course he could get pass, but it
was very risky, and, in fact. discouraged
taking the trip. He succeeded so
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day for his home in Ohio.
In the next letter she never was so sorry
in all her life She was taken suddenly i'll
the evening before with violent attack of
sick headache accompanied by nervous
prostration, so that on the evening of the
appointed day she could not raise her head
from her pillow. She was not able to send
word by anyone, none knowing her secret
They were surrounded by enemies, and
only last week Gen. Early had made raid
down in their direction and they had to run
their stock off to the mountains to keep it
from being stolen. On account of this the
mails were very irregular and travel un-
certain.
The young man seemed to be reconciled to
the inevitable OF course it was not her
fault He wanted her to send him her
photograph. He would like so well to look
upon her features He had pictured ner
looks so often in his mind that he
was satisfied he had the true con-
cepton of her features, and would she not
satisfy his curiosity by sending him ner
photograph.
She asked him if he could not get along
with his conception of her looks because 1t
would take time and Trouble to get her
photograph taken, as it was war times. Be
sides, there was the natural delicacy
against sending her photograph to per-
feet stranger But he persisted, and she
finally, agreed to get it taken the first op-
portunity.
1t was now approaching spring, time
for active campaign work, besides Rich
ards was driver into corner so that he
could not "turn wheel" He went 10 the
picture gallery. sat for his picture, and
Just before the cloth was removed from the
camera he placed his hat so as to cover his
face. In q few days he received picture
that showed an officer in L. ). uniform.
shoulder straps and all but hat instead of
a face and head. This picture he sent to
the young Harrison county farmer.
The following fall an Ohio regiment
camped near our battery. On going to
town one day as Lieut.. Richards passed by
the Ohio camp, he saw and recognized his
Harrison county correspondent. Richards
hurried to camp, ordered his servant to
skurry around and get up capital little
supper When everything was in readi-
ness he sent his servant with very polite
note to the Young man with the compli-
ments of Miss B that she would be
pleased if he would take supper with her
and renew a former acquaintance and ta,E
over old times. The young man received
the note but could not face the music, so be
declined the invitation. Miss b had
to eat cher" little supper all by herself.
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