Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1911-07-14

MIN and prevented him falling from
his horse. He told me he had been
shot in the side
Claybourne was obliged to accent
satisfaction from the Confederate col
der who had shot him. for he was
badly wounded and had TO go TO the
hospital He was not discharged for
several weeks. In fact be was not
discharged at all. for while be was
under treatment an order came for
our battalion TO move forward and
take up position several miles in ad-
vance Of the one we had occupied
Claybourne deserted the hospital for
active service. We found no enemy
between us and our new encampment
except small hands. which at once re-
treated before us.
Our battalion encamped near the
mnnor house Of large plantation. the
occupants Of which were Confederates
and very bitter against us as invaders
Of the south. as they called us. Clay
bourne and ! were IN the same com.
pany. and noti'ed on the march that
he WINS suffering great mental distress.
fOrelore To- ask him the cause. for
knew would receive no satisfac-
tion.
The day after we were settled In our
new encampment Claybourne asked
me to ride with him that we might
form some plan TO remove the obloquy
under which he rested on account OF
his mysterious rides and the innuendo
Of the adjuiant We emerged from
our camp and rode on for time In 81
lence. Presently from the gate OF the
plantation house which we were ap-
preaching emerz ed young girl. When
We met her she fixed her eyes upon
Claybourne with m unmistakable ex
preston of contempt
looked from her to him For some
time he did not speak. and when be
did he burst out vehemently.
There is your explanation" he said
you. who were born and have lived
north. have no conception Of what we
southern army officers who have stuck
by the flag have suffered and must
continue TO suffer. The girl we have
just passed and were brought up to-
gether as children. We were sweet
hearts In childhood aud are today low
ers in youth. for. despite her treat
meni of me. She loves me todny. as
love her When went to West Point
we wese betiothcd When the war
came Oh she wrote me. bsgeirg me 10
resign and come to fight for our homes
and our tiresides. | thought and |
week. month after month. could see
no sense. no Justification. In breaking
up the Union. Yet to turn against my
own people was horrible: to give up
the girl | loved was heartbreaking.
knew what ! was bound in con-
science and In honor to do. but II
seemed that could not do 1t. At last
! decided And. once ] decided. my
decision was irrevocable. You will
have no Benedict Arnold among us
southern men on either side"
leaned over toward him and threw
my arms abou, him. Then we rode on
for some time in silence. which broke.
Waters will apologize TO you."
said -lt is not necessary that you
should explain your mysterious rides
even to me- / can readily understand
that they were on errands Of love-
"You are right" he replied. Il have
visited my former tianree In the hope
that ! might win her from the position
she has taken. have failed."
But how" asked presently. were
you able to visit this place when ii
was In Confederate bandsT
MANY of the officers were former
playmates OF mine. aud | had no diff
Guilty in getting permission to visit one
who was known TO have been my
sweetheart | know every one about
here. That was the weakness of my
position. repeatedly and secretly
visited the enemy"
| could readily understand all that
my young friend had suffered and
how to gain kind word from the girl
he loved had laid himself liable to a
charge Of treachery. Even In confd-
ing the matter to me he had parted
with his secret
As soon rs we returned to camp ]
songht Waters and told him that tie
explanation he had called for bad been
made TO me and that was perfectly
satisfied with II. Waters accepted II
as II II had oeen made 10 him person,
ally and offered to 20 TO Claybourne
and apologize. but assured him that
1t was not necessary. All the case re-
Quired was that the matter be drop
ped.
Shortly after this was transferred
10 another branch OF the service and
did not meet claybourne again till We
met several years after the war wns
over. found him very much chang
cd. The position he had taken In re-
spect to the ndvisability of the seces
sion movement had been vindicated
aud n terrible four years had become
q thing of the past. The iirs, qies
ton asked him was II he was mar
ried.
He told me that he was aud when
looked at him lnquiringly added: No
After the war she relenfed. hut too
late for ne. Recently have married
a girl from my native state. She was
0 Confederate sympathizer. but she
understood my POSITION and commend
ed me for being true TO my convie-
tons"
Many years after happened tn meet
.be girl who had turned away lover
g,ha hod nava,, ,norriah