The National tribune., 1906-10-25

Of the Confederate Presidents wife, The
Captain commanding the gun was AL
phonso Dubreuil. He was young sugar
planter who had opposed secession, but
said if Louisiana seeded he would go
with his State. DIR. Chatrand, his neigh
Dor, was a violent Secessionist. AL
phonso and the Doctors daughter,
Amelia, were lovers. Louisiana seeded.
Alphonso raised a company, and proved
30 brave a rebel that the Doctor, who
pad hitherto opposed his daughters
marriage, consented. The pair We're
married in Port Hudson. The bride
was accorded special permission to go
Into the bombproofs, where in compar-
Rtive safety she could be near her hus-
band. There she saw him bravely serv-
ing his enormous gun, and smiled en-
Houragingly at him, while her heart was
iorn with fear for his safety. She be-
eame excited by the firing and cheers
of the men. She rushed out from the
bombproof, a piece of shell struck her,
and she fell dead. He rushed to her,
Eaw that it was death, and went back
to his gun. This happened during the
assault of May 81. 1868. The next
morning was beautiful. The sun shone
gloriously. There was a cessation of
hostilities for "a hours. We buried our
dead. While thus engaged a request
came from the enemy to allow the body
of a young lady who had been killed
during the engagement to pass through
our lines. 1t was granted. The little
cortege came, preceded by a military
band playing mournful dirge. 1t halt
ed at the outposts; there were two la
dies and several officers. One of the
latter, handsome young fellow with
long hair, walked calmly and slowly,
but his face betrayed the greatest grief.
The corpse was in an old musket box.
A detail Of rebel privates acted as pail
bearers Dnr men uncovered their
heads. Suddenly a Major from our
headquarters staff appeared, threw
himself from his horse, and said with
forced calmness:
81 am sorry; / have duty to per-
form. The coffin must be opened, must
be searched for dispatches. Gentlemen.
rs officers you know that this my pain
Iul duty, is inexorable."
With a bayonet the lid of the box
was pried up. Within lay the body of
a beautiful young woman in bridal at
lire. Upon her breast repoSed wreath
of orange blossoms. The ladies, one of
whom was the dead womans sister,
pleaded that they might lift the corpse.
With reverent tenderness every part of
lhe robes and box was searched. BY
request the young officer and two ladies
we're allowed to accompany the remains
en board the steamboat Iberville. All
three we've blindfolded, led through our
ramp to the boat, where they bade Il
last adieu to the dead bride and re-
turned blindfolded. Capt Felix Agnus.
,f the 165th n. Y. whispering. asked
,ne of the Confederates who the young
officer was, and received the reply:
THE gunner who served the Lady
Davis"
who and what do you nean?"
"I mean the big gun; you have had
reason 10 know her"
The young lady who had accompa-
MED the dead brides sister and hus-
band through our lines would have
tainted but for some ammonia that our
Surgeon happened to have in his pock-
ct In going through blindfolded she
was supported and comforted by him
He never forgot her. After the war he
went South and purchased plantation.
He had hard work to find her. but never
despaired. They are living happily on
the Surgeons plantation as man and
wife.
There are many such romances where
Yankee soldiers married rebel women.
-Robt. weleh, Sergeant, Co. d, 165th
n. Y, Brooklyn, n. Y.