The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1892-11-11
cOURTING BY COMMAND.
THREE OFFICERS INFATUATED
WITH ONE GIRL.
Their Colonel Orders Them to Draw
Straws--He Who Wins the Longest
Straw Proposes First--All
Get the Mttten.

In the spring and summer of 1862
the Maryland line was composed of a
squadron OF cavalry, a light battery
and battalion Of infantry. 1t fought
through jackson valley campaign
and the Seven Days battle and was
PRETTY badly frazzled out So after
the Seven Days battle, the colonel in
command of the line was ordered to
take his command to Charlottesville
to recruit
The command consisted of the elite
Of the youth OF Maryland. nearly all
the historic families of that state
being represented among the COM
missioned officers and in the rank and
file. 1t contained as bright and gay
set of young fellows as ever drew
saber or shouldered musket and as a
natural consequence the girls of
Charlottesville had as jolly time as
though war had never existed
Conspicuous among the beauties of
the village was Miss Gay Boiling. a
refugee from within the Yankee lines
which then extended along the Rap
pahannock. Pope was at Culpepper
and there was just enough spice of
danger ald alertness to render 70.
nance doubly alluring.
Foremost among her admirers was
Colonel Ridgely of the cavalry and
Captain Booth. adjutant of the line
and Captain Williams, junior captain
of infantry.
They were not in love. They we're
simply daft Handsome brave and
accomplished. they were just the
lovers to set a girl crazy. Although
they were rivals they were never
thaless all devoted friends and as
chivalrous to each other as they were
devoted to their inamorata. They
thought of nothing but flirting; they
did nothing but flrt. Morning noon
and night orderlies (couriers they were
called. and they were gentlemen at
home though private soldiers in the
line) were kept busy riding their
horses to death. bearing offerings of
peaches grapes and flowers to the
shrine of Miss Gay from her adorers.
Finally the patience of the colonel
was exhausted; he could stand it no
longer. and one day he summoned the
three to his tent and said: Gentle
men. this command is going to the
devil All discipline is gone. and
none Of you are attending to your
duties. Calico has set you crazy.
Now. this thing has got to stop. Miss
Gay can't marry you ALL l doubt
whether she wants either So YOU We
got to settle the matter at once. In
love rank doesn't count, if it does in
war. You are to draw straws and
court Miss Gay before dress parade
this evening. Get on your horses and
proceed to business and report to me
the result after parade"
The young fellows looked rather
scared. They would have charged a
battery Or rushed on line of battle.
They had often done so at the tap of
the drum or the sound of the bugle.
but the idea of attacking this ravish-
ing. enhancing bit of divinity and
calico at moments notice under or
ders was appalling. However thew
knew the colonels word was law so
they drew straws. Captain Booth got
the longest and had first chance ac-
to orders so off he went.
The others fol owed at safe distance.
After short time Captain Booth
came storming back to camp without
saying word. This encouraged the
other two, and Captain Williams
spurred ahead very gallantly. But
before Colonel Ridgely had ridden a
mile. back came the ardent captain.
go in. colonel he cried as he rode
past 1.-The ranks are shaking but the
lines firm"
This was discouraging but the Col
onel walked Dravely up and got his
congo like his predecessor.
Three attacks in sixty minutes and
Gay routed the attacking column.
horse. foot and artillery.
She never knew she had been court
ed by command. and is now hand
some matron with eleven children.
told her about it the other dav.
writes Bradley johnson in the New
York Advertiser. Gallant Ridgelv
was killed at the South Anna on
Grants advance to the James.
The other two are solid, middle
aged gentlemen. with wives and
children.