The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-17
CUPID IN WAR TIMES.
Stories of Cupid and Mars in Days of
the Sixties

the Sixties.
From the Chicago Times-EIerald.
1 suppose this generation thinks that
war was grim-visaged all of the time.
Not so.
More love letters were exchanged during
those four years, it is safe TO say. than
during any previous four years of the
eountry's history. AT least three-fourths
of both armies-blue and gray-were com
posed of unmarried men. Probably nine
tenths of them had best girls up North ana
down South; maybe some of them had
more than one Showers of love letters
were scattered from the armies every
week while the men We're in camp. Thou
sands of matches were concluded by these
going and coming messages of love from
brave boys and hopeful, happy girls
handsome young fellow in a little Mis-
sissippi town was devoting Sunday even
ings to an equally handsome young lady
Their joyful hours were interrupted by
the call for troops. The young man wanted
to volunteer, and the young lady said vol
unteer the day the message reached their
town. A week later he was in a camp of
instruction. His regiment went TO Virginia
and became part of Beauregard's force
at Manassas. 1t played a prominent part
called great then, but was only a skirnish
compared with many that followed) The
Mississippian was slightly wounded, but
in getting the scar had shown sucn BRAY
cry that he was promoted to lieutenant.
At the end of the Peninsula campaign In
1862, at Malvern Hill, he was in command
of his company, a captain. At Anti9tam
he was again wounded, and lhis time fell
into the hands of the Federais, remaining
a he q,
return to duty. One night when tine
nurses and guards were not very watch
full, he slipped away from the hospital at
Frederick City, Md, found his way tc the
Potomac river, broke the lock Of q boat
and rowed to the Virginia side, and two
days later was with his regiment
After Charlottesville and Gettysburg
he was called home to accept a com
mission as lieutenant colonel of another
regiment and given a five-day leave of
absence.
1 suppose that the young folks who read
this story will be disappointed because 1
do not go into details in describing the
meeting between these two Mississippi
lovers. I can imagine about how matters
went with them ard might tell a pretty
story, but that is not allowable In a strict
ly matter of fact-a true story. 1t can
be said that the three or four days were
all too few of hours to suit these young
people, and that the parting was more
difficult than that of over two years be-
fore. Then in September, 1868. they and
the civilized world knew that war be-
tween Americans was no play-spell; knew
that it meant better fighting than had
ever before been seen on battlefields
knew the chances of life were few. With
this knowledge staring them in the face
the young lady realized that her soldier
lover might be parting with her for the
last time and he felt that he migth be
looking into her lustrous brown eyes as
he would never do again.
But they parted, She waving her hand
kerchief and smiling through tears; he
looking the love he felt and the dauntless
soldier that he was.
''If God spares my life until st. Val
entine's day shall be with you and we
will be married. wrote the young colonel
the week that Gen. Hoods army started
back from Atlanta and Sherman started
for the sea.
The Mississippian's command was in the
actions from Atlanta to Nashville. AT
Franklin one of the most remarkable bat
ties of the whole war, where thirteen Con-
federate generals were killed or wounded
(six of them killed., including that intre-
Did soldier and leader Pat Cleburne, the
colonel was placed in command of brig
AIDE and few days later commanded 1t
at the battle of Nashville. In the memoir
able retreat from Nashville he was again
slightly wounded and made a prisoner.
A few days before his capture he had re-
ceived commission as brigadier general.
The general with other prisoners, was
taken to Nashville. Gen. John G. Park
hurst who had commanded the Ninth
Michigan and won promotion by getting
close enough to the confederates to see
and feel their fighting qualities, was pro-
vost marshal at that time, and consequent
ly had charge of the prisoners. Some OF
the Confederate officers who were taken
before him he had met i'm battle. He de-
sired 10 make il as pleasant for them as
,possible; did not want to confine them be-
|Tween the walls. The second day the pris-
oners were there Gen. Parkhurst Informed
the general and field officers that he would
parole them-give them an opportunity 20
enjoy themselves within the city minis.
All he wanted in return was that they re-
mort to him every evening. Each evening
after that Gen. Parkhurst's headquarters
were visited by a choice collection OF
Southern gentlemen in uniform. When the
provost marshal was not too busy there
would be an early day blue and gray camp
fire. On more than one occasion a NUMBER
Of federal officers were invited in. and the
men who had often tried to demolish each
other IN battle sat at card tables and en-
1Oyed themselves III ptlltNN P~""~N 49, -
ty Such was war-sometimes.
After pleasant game Of cards one night
a young fellow wearing the uniform Of a
Confederate brigadier general fingered aft
er the others had gone.
Gen. Parkhurst saw that something was
on his mind-that he was IN trouble, and
asked: Whats the matter. general2 Is
there anything can do for your
Then the Confederate tod Gen. Park
hurst the. sfory have told YOU
'This Is the beginning Of February, gen