The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-05-14
A Veteran of
the Light
Brigade
Fl es'ar Story
By r. A. Mitchell

an Engllshman named Larkins, who
had been sergeant in the British
army, came over to America to seek
service with the Federal army. IL he
failed he would try the Confederacy.
A soldier Of fortune. he had no prefer
ences, though in England the people
We're overwhelmingly In favor OF the
South.
Lardns had papers to prove his
British citizenship. which enabled him
to sojourn either in the north or in
the south. as he pleased. He came
over In blockade runner to Charles
ton. s. c.. and. going to Richmond,
Va, made application for commits
sion. He was offered one. but by this
time exhaustion had begun TO show IT,
self in the Confederacy. especially in
a financial way, and Larkins was not
| pleased with the want OF prospect OF
emolument In its service. So he con-
cluded TO try for commission in the
Federal army.
Having declined the southern offer.
he asked for pass to go through the
lines TO Washington. telling the au-
thorities in Richmond that he had been
called home TO England. 1t was fur
nished him, and he left for the Army
Of Northern Virginia, at that time en-
camped between the two capitals. in
tending, after having been passed
through the lines, TO work his way
northward. The route he desired to
take lay through Fredericksburg. and
sion commanded by general whom
l will call Beaumont. When Larkins
presented his pass to the officer. telling
him at the same time that he was a
British subject. he was treated with
consideration for the reason that the
southerners were constantly hoping
that the British government would in
terfere in their behalf. and they were
always ready TO show attention TO such
English persons as came among them.
General Beaumont showed great in
terest in John Larkins, regretting that
his recall to England had deprived the
south of his services. The general told
cept commission he would appoint
him to a position on his staff. The
Englishman was tempted; but. know
ing that he must take his pay in depre-
ciated Confederate currency, he adj
hered to his resolution, assuring the
general that his recall was imperative.
A number of officers were introduced
TO Larkins, who looked upon him with
considerable interest This he attrib-
uted to the fact that he had told the
general that he had fought in the
Crimean war and took part in the cele-
brated charge of the Light brigade. of
which he gave vivid description.
Whatever the cause. the ex-British sol
dier was much pleased with his treat
ment, and when he was urged not to
hurry away he felt disposed to linger
in his pleasant surroundings. Every
one had heard of the charge that had
thrilled the world and had been COM
memorated by the British poet laureate
Alfred Tennyson, so that one who had
taken part in 1t was especially inter
esting to soldiers.
Larkins had reached General Beau
mont's headquarters In time for lunch
con and was invited by the general TO
lunch with him and his staff. During
the afternoon Beaumont invited the
Englishman to ride with him on tour
of inspection of his division. and In the
evening the chief OF stan. Captain Car
ter. asked the visitor II he would not
like to call upon a southern family liv-
ing I'm the vicinity. Larkins was not
what would be considered I'm England |,
gentleman and demurred at the in
vitation. but the general urged him to |
make the acquaintance of at least one
household OF southern ladies while in
America, and he consented.
Larkins that evening met Caroline |
Fletcher, captivating southern girl, |
who had only to smile upon him TO |
make him fancy that she had been |
smitten with him. When he told her |
that he was simply passing through
the lines and would go north the next |
day she pouted and insisted on prom
Use that he would call upon her the
next evening. Calamity led Larkins
to promise. and he left her not quite |
knowing whether he was standing on
his heels or his head.
The next day he was shown more at
tentions by the officers and In the
evening called on Miss Fletcher. She
received him on a yeranda rich with
the perfume Of flowers. She was care
fully attired and looked bewitching.
She fiirted with Larkins for awhile.
then began to ask him on which side
OF the American conflict his sympa-
thies were enlisted. He assured her
that he had no preference. whereupon
she coquettishly asked him IL he would
do her service. Having declared that
he would be glad to accommodate her.
she told him that she belonged to
Union family and was bound up I'm the
success OF the Union arms. She con.
fded to him that she was sending in.
formation TO Washington and ended
by asking him IL he would carry n
written communication for her TO pres.
ident Lincoln.
Larkins knew well that n caught nv
the Confederates with such informa-
tion on his person his British citizen