Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-10-24
FOUND HIS REASON AND HIS
WIFE TOO

ing on, q private in Company a, Second
Virginia regiment, was racked by fever
in the military camp at Jacksonville,
Fla, his reason returned, and led to
his reunion with his wife, from whom
be had been separated for five years.
Lieutenant Hugh A. Kneisley, of Com
pany A, tells the remarkable story, and
it is corroborated by the members OF
the organization.
When Company A reached Richmond
10 mustered into the service some of the
men failed to pass the rigid examins-
tion, and it was necessary to enlist men
on the spot to fill vacancies. Among
those who applied and were accepted
was man giving the name of Alexan-
der Reed He had bearing of gen.
teman, possessed an excellent educs-
ton, ard applied himself diligently to
the duties of soldier. Although he
gave his age as thirty one, he seemed at
least ten years older. He had the ap.
pearsnce of man who had known
great trouble. AT Jacksonville it was
not long until he was pointed out as the
"mysterious private" This was be-
cause Reed either could not or would
not talk OF his past life. His comrades,
however, soon became fond of him, for
he was ever willing to perform
kind acts, and they repaid him
oy their friendship aud desisted in
their attempts to ascertain his past
history. A few weeks before the order
came to send the Second regiment
home Reed was seized with fever He
soon became desperately i'll, and one
night at lucid moment in his delirium
he sent for Lieutenant K-neisley, who
was 10 command of the company at the
time.
The sufferer, lying on his cot in his
tent, seemed to brighten up when the
officer entered. The delirium left him
AS the lieutenant took his seat beside
him. "Plesse send for my wife," he
eutreated; ~ want to see her before
die.n
Lieutenant Kneisley said he would
gladly to do so if given her address.
''Firs; let me tell you my story" said
the private. Ii is o strange one, and
you may not believe it; but if my wife
comes it will be proven true. My name
IS not Reed, but Waters. My home is
ia Washington. | WAS prosperous
business mau there, and had happy
home until FIVE years ago. Then sick.
cess seized our only child, and when
she died | vert mad. l left Washl G.
ton and became wanderer. My foot
steps led me South, and when became
myself again l was in an asylum in
Georgia. They told me my name was
Reed. 1t was registered on the books
as such. l knew it was not my right
name, but could not remember it, and
used the fictitious one for want of the
real. could not recall the name oi
my home.
Il went from city to city, hoping to
see some object that would bring back
NV last memory, but, though visited
manv cities, none bore any recollection
Of nv home city. 1 finally reached
Richmond, and secured employ ment.
! When the war began l had despaireo
of ever finding my home, and thought
l might as well enter the army and &c
to the front. AS I had no home, 80 far
as nv memory could tell me, / thought
it better for me to be killed than some
more fortunate brother.
"To-night the past came back to me
| For the first time since l left home
recall nv wife's face, our home and
our name. Ny little child seemed t
come to me and tell me all"
Tho officer Immediately telegrapheC
the sick mans wife. Two days later
she arrived at the camp, accompanied
bv her father. Walters, formerly Reed
had become delrious again, and the
surgeons said he could not live. hli
wife. however, nursed him back to life
When he became convalescent ne re-
membered the entire past up to the
time his mind was dethroned. DE
could tell littlo about his waudering5
He was removed to hotel as sooD a:
practicable, and under the te DIR care
of his wife, who had long believed
him dead, he quickly regained hi;
| health.
As soon as there was turn tor thf
better in Walters condition his father
in law went 10 Washington and obtain
ed his discharge from the army. Wher
Walters was able to travel the couple
started for a northern resort for tht
benefit of his health. They were giver
a roval farewell by the company, Every
member of which shook both Mr.. ant
Mrs. Walter by the hand. The boy
say they never saw happier couple