Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-27

During the war between the states
an Englishman named Larkins, who
had been a sergeant in the British
army, came over to America to seek
service with the Federal army. If he
failed he would try the Confederacy.
A soldier Of fortune, be had no prefer
ences, though In England the people
We're Overwhelmingly in favor Of the
south.
Larkins 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 a blockade runner to Charles
ton, S. c., and, going to Richmond,
Va, made application for a 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 a commission in the
Federal army.
Having declined the southern offer,
he asked for a pass 10 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
I 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, regretttng that
his recall to England had deprived the
south Of his services. The general told
him that If he would remain and &C
cept q 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 ad-
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 a vivid description
Whatever the cause, the exBritish sol
der was much pleased with his treat
ment, and when he was urged not to
hurry away he felt disposed to hngel
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 t.
lunch with him and his staff. During
the afternoon Beaumont invited thu
Englishman to ride with him on toul
of inspection of his division, and in thu
evening the chief Of staff, Captain Car
ter, asked the visitor If he would no
like to call upon a southern family liv
ing in the vicinity. Larkins was no
what would be considered in England
gentleman and demurred at the in
vitation, but the general urged him t.
make the acquaintance of at least ont
household of southern ladies while il
America, and he consented.
Larkins that evening met Caroline
Fletcher, captivating southern girl
who had only to smile upon him t
make him fancy that she had beef
smitten with him. When he told he
that he was simply passing through
the lines and would so north the mex
day she pouted and insisted on prom
Use that he would call upon her tn
next evening. Calamity led Larkin
to promise, and he left her not quit
knowing whether he was standing Of
his heels or his head.
The next day he was shown more al
tentions by the officers and in tn
evening called on Miss Fletcher. Sh
received him on veranda rich wit
, the perfume of flowers. She was care
fully attired and looked bewitchine
She fiirted with Larkins for awhile
, then began to ask him on which sid
: of the American conflict his sympf
thies were enlisted. He assured he
that he had no preference, whereupo
, she coquettishly asked him IL he woul
do her a service Having declared tina
he would be glad to accommodate he
: she told him that she belonged to
Union family and was bound up in th
success of the Union arms. She col
{ fided to him that she was sending In
) formation to Washington and .ende
: by asking him If he would carry
written communication for her to Pre-.
ident Lincoln.
I Larkins knew well that II caught
Z the Confederates with such inform;
ton on his person his British either
ship would not save him from the ga
Z lows. He declined TO be the bears