The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-29
COuRrING BY COMMAND.
How a Colonel Brought Several Love
Affairs to q Crisis.
Bradley johnson in He,o York Advertiser.

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BrddieV johnson in Ketg York Advertiser.
In the spring and summer of 1862 the
Maryland line was composed Of squadron
Of cavalry, light battery and battalion
OF infantry. It fought through Jackson's
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 10 recruit.
The command consisted OF the elite of the
youth OF Maryland nearly all the historic
families Of that state being represented
among the commissioned officers and in the
rank and file. 1t contained as bright and
gay set Of young fellows as ever drew
saber or shouldersd a musket, and as a nat
ural consequence the girls Of Charlottesville
had as jolly time as though war had never
existed.
There were riding parties aud dancing
parties every day and night of the week.
OF course the boys fell in love right and
left, and there was no rest for horse or girl.
The girls didn't mind 1t half as much as the
horses
Conspicuous among the beauties Of the
village was Miss Gay Boiling. refugee
from within the yankee lines, which tben
extended along the Rappahaunock. Pope
was at Culpepper, and there was Just
render romance doubly alluring.
Miss Gay was a fearless rider, and as
bright as she was lovely. She was just Is.
and her perfect figure and her grace of
movement and manner would have made
her belle anywhere; SO that, with fifty
young officers fresh from twenty battles,
and 100 brave youths from the ranks, she
had gorgeous time. The horses, instead
OF resting were being ridden to death, and
the officers and men, instead Of attending to
their duties, were always running after
her. Foremost among her admirers were
Col. Ridgely of the cavalry and Capt.
Booth, adjutant OF the line, and Capt. Will
Jams, junior captain Of infantry.
They were not in love. They were simply
daft. Handsome, brave and accomplished,
they we're just the lovers TO set q girl crazy.
Although they were rivals, they were,
nevertheless, all devoted friends and as
chivalrous to each other as they were de-
voted to their inamorata. They thought Of
nothing but flirting; they did nothing but
firt. Morning, noon and night orderlieS
(couriers they were called, and they were
gentlemen at home, though private soldiers
in the linel we're kept busy riding their
horses to death, bearing offerings of peaches,
grapes and flowers to the shrine of Miss
Gay from her adorers.
Finally tine patience Of the colonel was
exhausted; he could stand It no longer, and
one day be summoned the three to his tent
and said: 'Gentlemen, this command IS
going to the devil All discipline is gone
and none OF you are attending to your du-
ties. Calico has set you crazy. Now, this
thing has got to stop. Miss Gay can't
marry you all. doubt whether she wants
either. So you've got TO settle the matter
at once. In love rank doesn't count, IL IL
does in war. You are TO draw straws and
court Miss Gay before dress parade this
a. 81
TO business, and report to me the result
after parade"
The young fellows looked rather scared.
They would have charged q battery or
rushed on in line of battle. They had
often done so at the tap OF the drum or tho
sound of the bu2le, but the idea OF attack
ing this ravishing, enhancing bit Of divin-
orders was appalling. However, they knew
the coloners word was law, 90 they drew
straws. Capt. Booth got the longest and
had first chance according to orders, so of
he went. The others followed at a safe
distance. After short time Capt. Booth
came storming back to camp without saying
a word. This encouraged the other two,
and Capt. Williams spgrred ahead very
gallantly. But before Col. Ridgely had
ridden mile, back came the ardent Gap
tain. "Go In colonel" he cried as he rode
past, "the ranks are sinking, but the hne's
firm"
This wes discouraging. but the colonel
walked bravely up and got his conge like his
prede cessOr.
Three attacks in sixty minutes, and Gay
routed the attacking column. horse, foot
and artillery.
She never knew she had been cour ted by
command, and is now q handsome matron
with eleven children.
l told her about 1t the other day. Gallant
Ridgely was killed at the South Anna on
Grants advance to the James.
The other two are solid, middle-aged
gentlemen, with wives and children.