The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-10-31

ton Roads on the morning Of the 9th
OF March, 1862.
The second naval battle OF Hampton
Roads was just in its height. The
Richmond drew nigh and opened fire
on the Federal iron-clad Monitor and
their gunboat Yankee.
This terrific battle lasted for hours
The Richmond had her life boats shat
Tered, part of her rigging was gone,
finally she'll pierced her hull, she
began to sink just as Captain Paul
got 4 life preserver we'll strapped
around Miss Julia.
Down the Richmond went to the
bottom. Miss Julia, being good
swimmer, succeeded in keeping her
head above water.
When tho battle was over the
Federal gunboat Yankee steamed to
position near where the Richmond
went down, when one of her sailors
called out. "A woman overboard!"
The commanding officer gave orders
to stop. In q moment two sailors
leaped into the water and Miss Julia
was rescued, and was taken on board
more dead than alive. She was laid
on bed in the First Lieutenant's s
sleeping apartments, and made as
comfortable as the situation would
allow.
An hour later Captain Leversage re-
ceived orders that the Yankee (Which
was in no way injured in the engage
menD should, without delay, report
at Fort Pickens, ::off the Florida coast.
In a few hours the Yankee had
passed Cape Henry and Cape Charles,
and WAS well out on the broad bosom
of the Atlantic. on her way to Fort
Pickens.
1t was late in the afternoon when
Miss Julia was conscious Of her sur
roundings. In the hurry to get his
boat off on her long journey, Captain
leverage had forgotten that a wo-
man had been taken on board, and
when one Of his men told him that the
young woman whom they had rescued
wished to speak with him, he seemed
much surprised. "Confound it," he
replied, Il have brought that woman
out on the high seas, l should have
left her at Fortress Monroe"
He walked rapidly to where Miss
Julia was. In approaching her he
said: "Ah, can this be Miss Harri-
son?n She assured him that she was
the same Miss Harrison he had met at
Lower Brandon, and how it happened
that she so strangely fell into his
hands. But" said she, "where is
your boat going?"
Il regret very much to inform you
that this boat is bound for Fort
Pickens, Florida, and your presence
on her is due to the fact that you
were overlooked this morning in the
excitement we had in getting off on
this trip. l beg that you pardon mo
for not leaving you at Fortress Mon
roe, as | fully intended to- do. You
can have the assurance, however, that
you shall be placed in the hands Of
your friends so soon as it comes in
my power"
In a few days the Yankee arrived
safely at Fort Pickens, where orders
were awaiting her commander to
station her near the mouth of Pensa-
cola Bay.
The boat had just arrived at her
post, now arrangements were being
made to place Miss Julia on shore in
the hands of her friends. Six steady
seamen were ordered TO man a life
boat, who were placed in charge of
the First Lieutenant. The young
lady was carefully lowered over into
the life boat. When everything was
ready, Captain leverage said: 'Lieu-
tenant, you are commanded to take
this fair young lady under your
special charge, be careful and tender
with her, raise 4 flag of truce, row up
the Bay to the City of Pensacola and
place her in the care Of the Mayor OF
that town, then return to your boat"
Captain beverages orders were
carried out TO 4 letter. In few days
Miss Julia was sent by the Mayor and
sympathizing friends on her way to
old Virginia,
A week afterwards she found herself
at Raleigh, N. c., here she found
friends of her fathers, and determined
to remain until she could hear some
tidings of the whereabouts of her
mother and sister. She wrote numer-
Gus letters, but no response was re-
ceived. So she decided to remain in
definitely in Raleigh.
She had been here for some months
when she heard of the seven days
fight around Richmond, and that
George Prentice, her old sweetheart,
had been killed.
Our heroine remained in Raleigh
for some years, at least until she
heard Of the surrender Of General Lee
at Appomatto1 Court House. She
then boarded the train and went to
Richmond in search of her parents.
No one in Richmond knew of their
wherea bouts. Finally she decided tc
take a steamer and 60 down to her old
home at Lower Brandon, perhaps she
could learn something Of them in that
vicinity.
In q few hours the young lady was
on the steamer. Late in the after.
noon the steamer came alongside oi
Brandon wharf. Miss Julia went
ashore and walked up the lane to hel
old deserted home. What a change
Not soul could be seen. The once
stately mansion was now a wreck
The windows were out, the doors
gone. The walls had been pierced BY
many shells.
The surroundings were equally a:
gloomy and desolate. She walked
around the old home in an aimles:
way. Finally she became so over
come she sat on tho broad stone step.
and wept.
While she sat with her hands ovel
her face, weeping as though her hear
would break, Captain Leversag'
walked up the lane from the direction
of the river. He drew nigh ant
placed his hand on her should er. Sh'
looked up in 3 startled way. "Ah,
said she. "this is Captain Leverage,
Am so glad to see you"
"Do not weep, Miss Harrison,
know you are in search of you