THE VALENTINE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1892, 8 May 1890, Page 37

THE VALENTINE.

Br Claba Davis.

AN INCIDENT OF THE AMEBIOAN CIVIL WAB. February 1862 was made a memorable month to the Union forces stationed on the Cumberland river, by the capture, on the 16th, of Fort Donelson, through the combined efforts of Grant and Foote. Two days before the capture a group of soldiers stood waiting the arrival of the mail messengers. Every face wore a look of eager expecfc-

ancy. Messages from home were often tardy in reaching them, and weary days and weeks sometimes passed without the soldier, surrounded by the dangers and privations of war, having even the solace of knowing how fared the dear ones at home.

On this parficular day, the face of one of the men expressed such keen anxiety that it drew the attention of his comrades.

"Come, Wilson," said a tall, heavilybearded man, " this mail is going to bring you capital news. To-day is Valentine's Day, and you'll get a valentine, sure, my boy. Cheer up a bit ! "

The man addressed" as Wilson turned toward the speaker, and replied :

" It isn't that I'm down-hearted, Douglass, but somehow I dread this coming fight. I'm not a coward or afraid of the smell of powder, but I feel something like a presentiment that I shall fall. I haven't heard from home in a long time, and I would like a letter before the battle," he continued. The strong young fellow's Up quivered tremulously.

At this moment the mail messenger arrived, and as quickly as nimble fingers could distribute its letters were put into eager, outstretched hands.

Among the rest was one for Private Wilson — a large square envelope, that seemed to puzzle him by its size, for he turned it over and over in his trembling hands.

When we stand face to face with that which is to fgive us great joy or misery we almost fear to lift the veil of uncertainty. Wilson felt this same dread. At last, gaining courage, he tore the envelope open. First came a long, closely-written letter, blurred by many a tear. Then followed a square package wrapped in soft white paper. It took but a minute to tear off the wrappings, and he held in his hand the picture of a laughing, bright-eyed child.

There was no need to read the letter to tell who it was. The little face so like the wife he had left with her young face set with the agony of their separation, was his boy, born after his enlistment. The letter was like many sent by the Spartan-like wives and mothers to the brave men fighting to preserve the Union.

Long and earnestly the soldier gazed at the pictured face, while his thoughts went back to the dear old home and its tender associations. At last, with a weary sigh, he folded it carefully in its cover and placed it in his breast pocket — close to his heart.

Cheerful Sergeant Douglas clapped him kindly on the shoulder and said :

" I told you, Wilson, you would have good news to-day ; now don't tell me anything more about presentiments," and both men went to their duty for the night.

The next day was a terrible one. There was no time for thoughts of home or chance for fear. Nothing but the deafening roar of musketry and the thunder of cannon mingled with the blinding smoke and dust. Through it all Private Wilson went unhurt. Comrades fell around him, many yielding their lives, while others lay moaning with an agony worse than death.

Early in the fight the tall form of Sergeant Douglass fell.

" Shot through the heart 1 " a soldier called out to Wilson, as he hurried by, and, as he thought of the fine, manly soldier cut off in the prime of his manhood, a new feeling sprang to life within him. To avenge his comrade's death was now his strongest purpose, and, fighting with almost maniacal fury, before night Wilson lay upon the battle field, bleeding from a ghastly wound in his side.

The presentiment was almost fulfilled 1 But he owed his marvellous escape from death to the picture of his boy. The laughing, dimpled face nestled close to the father's heart had proved its power over the message sent as a token of hate and strife.

The stiff case had turned the bullet aside from its deadly purpose. Months afterwards, when the wounded soldier reached his Northern home, the story of the picture was told to a loving woman, who blessed the impulse that sent the valentine.