The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1912-02-24

! Illness greatly. for the few | met as
tramped slowly onward. mostly sol
/ uieTs, saZed at NE CuriOusiy. as if they
| mlstook me for the ghost of same
| dead romiade, and | doubt not my
paie lace, yet bearing the deep Imprint
OF pam, with the long, untrimmed hair
/ framing 1t, and the blood stained
ragged uniform, the same | wore that
Herce day of battle, rendered NE an
I object OF wonder
4 All through those long, weary win.
Ter weeks had been lowering be
| tween life and death in an obscure
| hospital at Richmond. The moment
the door was opened TO permit of my
passing forth into the world again. |
sought eagerly to discover the present
station OF my old comrades in arms.
yet could learn only that the cavalry
brigade with which | had formerly
served was in camp somewhere near
Appomattox Court House. On foot
and moneyless, set off alone, my sole
anxiety to be once more with friends:
and now. at the beginning of the sec
ond day, | was already beyond Peters
burg. and sturdily pushing westward
AS the road swerved slightly to the
left, passing through a grove of hand
some trees, came suddenly opposite
large house OF imposing aspect A
group of Confederate officers stood In
converse beside the gate leading into
the open driveway. and as | paused a
moment, gazing at them and wonder
ing whom | had better address-for |
recognized none of the faces fronting
me-one among the group turned sud-
denly, and took hurried step in my
direction. as though despatched upon
an errand of importance He was a
TALL slender man. wearing a long gray
moustache. and | no sooner viewed
his face than l recognized him as
having been one Of those officers pres
ent in General Lees tent the day |
was sent out with dispatches. He
glanced at me curiously, yet with no
sign Of recognition. but before he
could pass | accosted him
Colonel Maitland" said. you
doubtless remember me- | am seek
ing my old command; would you kind
ly inform me where 1t may be found?"
He stopped instantly at sound Of my
voice. and stared at ME in odd be-
wilderment: but my words had al
ready reached the ears of the others,
and before he had found an answer
another voice spoke sternly What is
all this? Who are you. sir? What
masquerade puts You into that parody
of a captains Uniform
| turned and looked into the flush
ed. indignant face of General Lee.
1T is no masquerade. sir" an
swered, instantly removing my hat;
1T is the rightful uniform of my rank,
greatly as / regret its present condi-
ton"
Where are you from"
Il was discharged from ST Mary's
Hospital in Richmond day before yes
terday, and am now seeking to rejoin
my regiment"
Surely" he said gravely. Il have |
seen your face before. To what regi- |
ment were you attached"
The -th Virginia Cavalry"
The buzzing Of voices about me in |
stantly ceased. and General Lee took
4 step nearer.
The til Virginia? You were
Surely this Is not Philip |
Wayne?"
So deeply surprised was his tone. so
uncertain his recognition. scarcely
knew what to answer. Had lost my
very identity? was this all dream?
Il am Captain Wayne. Troop 9th
Virginia.
He grasped my hand warmly be-
ween both his own. and his kindly
ace lit up instantly with u rare smile.
Captain Wayne. | cannot tell you
low greatly | rejoice at your safe re-
urn We certainly owe you an apol-