Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-11-03
A STRANGE STORY.

ington, private in Company A. Sec
ond Virginia Regiment, was racked by
fever in the military camp at jackson
vile, Fla, his reason returned, and led
to his reunion with his wife, from whom
he had been separated for five years
Lieutenant Hugh A. Kneisley. of Com
pany A, tells tbis remarkable story, and
it is corroborated by the members o1
the organization.
When Company A reached Richmond
to be mustered into the service some o
the men failed to pass the rigid exami
nation, 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 the bearing of a gen
tleman, possessed an excellent educa-
tion, and applied himself diligently to
the duties of soldier. Although be
gave his age as thirt y-one, he seemed
at least ten years older. He had the ap
pearance OF a man who had known
| SIcdG UlOuUlC. hG JdChoOhFhi" u ~ "ese
not long until he was pointed out AS
the mysterious private" This was
because Reed either could not or would
not talk of his past life. His comrades,
however, soon became fond of him, fol
he was ever willing to perform kind
acts, and they repaid him by their
friendship and 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
| ill, and one night at lucid moment in
his delirium he sent for Lieutenant
Kneisley, who was in 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 delirum left him
as the lieutenant took his seat beside
him. please send for my wife," he
entreated; II want to see her before l
die.''
Lieutenant Kneisley said he would
gladly do so if given her address. First
let me tell you my story" said the pri-
vate. 1t is a strange one, and you may
not believe it; but if my wife comes it
will be proven true. My name is not
Reed, but Walters My home is in
Washington. I was prosperous bust
ness man there, and had happy home
until five years ago. Then sickness
seized our only child, and when she died
1 went mad. / left Washington and
became a wanderer. My footsteps led
me South, and when I became myself
again I was in the asylum in Georgia.
They told me my name was Reed. 1
knew it was not my right name, but l
could not remember it, and used the
fictitious one for want of the real. l
could not recall the name of my home.
II went from city to city, hoping to
see some object that would bring back
| my lost memory, but, though visited
many cities, none bore any recollection
of my home city. l finally reached
Richmond, and secured employment.
When the war began had despaired o1
ever finding my home and thought l
might as we'll enter the army and go tt
the front. AS had no home, so far as
my memory could tell me, l thought Il
better for me to be killed than some
more fortunate brother. Tonight th'
past came back to me. For the frs
time since left home recall my wife,
face, our home and our name. My lit
tie child seemed to come to me and tel
,, me ALL"
, The officer Immediately telegraphe,
the sick mans wife. Two days late
she arrived at the camp, accompanied
f by her father. Walters, formerll
Reed, had become del1rous again, an
r the surgeons said he could not live. Hi
wife, however, nursed him back to life
When he became convaiescent he re
membered the entire past up to th
, time his mind was dethroned. He coul
tell little about his wanderings. II
was removed to hotel as soon as prat
= ticable, and under the tender care {
his wife. who had long believed hil
dead, he quickly regained his healtl
AS soon as there was a turn for the be
ter in Walters condition his father-il
law went to Washington and oDtaine
his discharge from the army, Whe
Walters was able to travel the coup
started for northern resort for tt
benefit of his health. They we're give
royal farewell by the company, evel
member of which shook both Mr.. al
! Mrs. Walters by the hand. The bo
say they never saw happier coup
They know the ''mysterious private
history now, and, though they hated
part with him, they are glad he b
found his home.
A business man is not the most r
tent creature in the world. He cam