The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1900-05-25

sir. said L as
stepped ashore. IF l ask the meaning of
these wreaths. AS this is Memorial day, l
suppose your action is inspired by some
sad memory of the civil war"
"Yes," he replied solemnly. THE
strange act which you saw me perform
memorializes what was to me one of the
saddest incidents of the civil war. | was
decorating the grave of John Douglas,
private in a Pennsylvania regiment of
volunteers, brave man and the truest
friend ever had"
'His gravep' | exclaimed. II see no
grave-only water"
"And only water covers my hero His
grave is there somewhere in the river"
"What you say" | remarked, "excites
my curiosity. served in the campaigns
along this river, and shall be deeply in
terested if you will tell me the story"
This he did as we sat side by side on the
bank Of the river.
The Pennsylvania regiment to which
belonged" said he, formed part of the
force with which General Sherman at
tempted to attack Vicksburg by way of
the Yazoo river. We assembled the river
on transports on Dec. %. 1862, and began
operations on the following day. Be
tween us anu lay IL SWdnlDy
region intersected by numerous bayous.
After several skirmishes it was found
impossible to force passage through the
swamps which were passable only by
narrow causeways, commanded by Con-
federate batteries, and the attempt was
abandoned after few days.
"In the last of these skirmishes l was
severely wounded and was left unnoticed
~
upon their return to the Yazoo after the
attempt had failed. lay for some time
in a semiconscious condition, securely
screened from the eyes of my enemies, as
had been, unfortunately, from those of
my friends. My condition was truly de-
plorable, for | was not only seriously
wounded and weak from the loss of
blood but the causeway was now patrol
led by Confederate soldiers, and even
were it otherwise the Federal troops had
probably by that time re-embarked ON
the transport. and should / reach the
Yazoo it would only be TO fall into the
hands of the enemy.
without any definite purpose to guide
my steps, but impressed by the necessity
of leaving a position where was in dan
ger of being captured | moved aimlessly
luIOuSH lut utuSG lulChSl III u dlItCliOn
which led me away from the causeway.
A slight frost had rendered the swampy
soil more firm, and the chief difficulty en-
countered was in making my way
through the cane and bushes and inter
lacing vines.
AFTER slowly cropping about in this
manner for three or four hours | saw ris-
ing ground in front of me and an open
ing in the thick growth of trees browning
it which | thought indicated n near APP
proach to the abode of man. If my con
lecture were correct. temporary relief was
at hand, for even enemies would not re-
fuse to aid one in my pitiable condition.
Upon reaching the opening in the woods
| saw a neat. whitewashed cottage, sur
rounded by an orchard, a short distance
in front of me. while in rear of the house
small well cultivated farm extended
down the opposite slope to a bayou where
the oasis abruptly ended.
Completely exhausted and feeling that
even death would be a relief. | painfully
made my way to the gate leading through
the orchard to the cottage. Upon reach
ing it | saw in the path before me a tall
beautiful girl, and then remember moth
ing more. When | recovered conscious
ness, | found myself lying in bed in a
tastefully furnished room. The conclu-
sion was forced upon me that | had fall
en- into kind hands. and then. Just as
recalled the vision of a beautiful being in
white, the girl herself stood before me.
''IIow can | describe her beauty her
perfection Of form? | thought OF Muril
los masterpiece The Immaculate Con
ception.' but here was a beauty tran
scending the painters inspiration. and
the music of her voice was like the trill
of song bird. softened by the coo of o
dove!
She came forward with some degree
of hestancy and apparent madenly re-
serve, and in a tone of sympathy inquir-
ed after my condition. She told me that
l had been very i'll and deirious and had
already passed two nights in the house.
Her father, she added, was ardently de-
voted to the southern cause, as she was
herself, but they were always ready to
respond to the calls of humanity and in
ministering to the sick they made no dis
tinction between Confederate and I'm
ion soldier.
''As You may judge from my enthu-
siasm, | fell in love with this fair angel
of the Yazoo. Olympia lie Moyne.
NOAN pitHtNh lbplulys All lOO Tuplull, lOI
| dreaded the approach of the time
when | would be compelled to rejoin my
regiment and leave her, perhaps forever
| was soon on a footing of the most
friendly intimacy with her father, Fran
els lie Moyne, who had been at one time
engaged in business in New Orleans
Why he and his daughter Olympia had
removed to that lonely spot, in region
of swamps and bayous, | did not inquire.
and they volunteered no explanation
They were people of refinement and
whatever their motive in so secluding
themselves ! felt it to be one that could
east no discredit upon them.
Il remained month in the lie Moyue
cottage Olympia and myself were to-
gether on every possible opportunity, and
finally she made me supremacy happy by
confessing that she loved me- How well
| remember each separate incident in
this delightful and romantic period of
my life, was oblivious of everything
but that contained within my narrow
environment. Olympia was the ocean
to the river of my thoughts and all my
hopes and desires centered in her.
"About the end of January Mr.. lie
Moyne told me that his son. who was
captain in the Confederate service,
had been wounded and was coming home
on leave in few days. He, as well as
myself knew it would be at least en-
barrassing were we to meet. My cheek
mantled with shame when | thought of
my comrades fighting the battles of their
country while l. an intruder upon the
hospitality of the enemies of the cause
loved, was passing my time in happy
but inglorious case.
II at once sought Olympia and told
her | would be compelled to leave on the