The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-09-19
A WAR STORY.

Between Fairfax Court House and
Washington city, there was still stand
ing in state of good preservation, at
the beginning Of the ill-starred war Of
the States, venerable colonial build.
ing, which though built for Church Of
England divines, was known to the
Confederates as Falls Church. Near
it stood substantial mansion house
Of the plain, square style so common
among the wealthy classes of that part
of Virginia. Its inmates consisted of
Mrs. Dulany, a widow lady Of elegant
and refined manners, with her son and
daughter. Edward had just reached
his majority, and was then captain Of
the Fairfax Rifles, as successor of
Captain Mari, who was killed few
weeks previously in night charge Of
Federal dragons. Susan, just seven
teen, was spending a few weeks with
an aunt in the city of Washington.
During the month Of June, 1861, the
Federals established a picket station
It Falls Church, and their lines in
cluded Mrs. Dulany's dwelling, but
excluded her spring and stables.
Though very much Inconvenience by
their presence, yet the commanding
officer allowed her major domo, Daddy
Ned, to make tri-weekly trips to
Washington with his milk wagon with
out molestation. His constant at
tendant was his daughter, May, who
was one of her young mistress maids,
of the same age and similar stature.
The family with whom Susan was
sojourning had many friends among
Federal officers, and she soon became
a great favorite, and more than one of
them worshipped at the shrine Of her
wit and beauty but none could win
her heart, for true as the needle to the
pole, it was fixed upon a dashing Vir-
ginia cavalryman, to whom she had
been previously betrothed. In part
ing she promised him to ascertain the
time when the Federal army would
move on to Richmond. This informa
ton was of vital Importance to the
Confederates without it, Beaure-
CARDS small force would be slight
impediment to the onward march of so
great and fully equipped an army as
Mcdowell had marshalled. Unless
General Johnston, then in the valley,
could reach Manassas in time to unite
with Beauregard, the latter would be
crushed. The Confederates had many
agents in Washington; but down to
the 18th of July nothing positive had
been carried to Beauregard. Saturday
evening before that date brilliant
array of uniforms shone in the parlors
of Mrs. B, Miss Susan's aunt, and
among them the love-sick officer who
was seeking to win her affections.
Conducting her to bay window, with
'impassioned earnestness he exclaimed:
"Oh, Miss Sue a! will you not have
pity on me p
"Ah what can be the matter, colo
mel? You are looking quite well, in
deed y
"When, then, mon ami, my looks
fail to index my feelings. I have had
a vision, or perhaps dream. 1t
seemed I was leading my regimentinto
the approaching battle with the
rebels, and as I charged, a bullet
struck me in the chest, and whilst l
was falling into the arms Of afriend l
awoke."
"Why that is indeed a frightful
dream But you must remember our
grandmothers have always taught US
that dreams go by contraries, and l
am sure the rule applies with force to
yours, for there is not likely to be any
more fighting, as all questions between
the sections are to be adjusted by ar
bitration."
"Ah my dear young lady, Iwish it
could be so; already enough blood has
been shed by brothers Of common
ancestry, to appease the masses OF the
departed leaders who commenced this
strife: (Sotto voce.) But alas per-
emptory march orders have been is
sued for Tuesday morning next.
"Twas this order, then, that caused
your wretched dream ?"
eyes, no doubt, for believe dreams
are the reproduction for the most part
of our waking thoughts"
"Then 1 pity you indeed, as you are
wont to have such horrid waking
thoughts r
"a truce to your badinage, ma
chere mademoiselle do be serious on
the eve of our parting, perhaps to
meet no more ~