Uncle Daniel's Story Of "Tom" Anderson, and Twenty Great BattlesMcElroy, John
History
Uncle Daniel's Story Of "Tom" Anderson, and Twenty Great Battles
McElroy, John
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Fiction
“She repaired to the hotel and told Capt. Redingson that she desired to
leave early the next morning for the Headquarters of the Union army. He
said he would call for her as requested, and they separated. Seraine,
after going to her room, wrote to Mrs. Lawton and inclosed a note
to Henry, merely telling him that she was well and on her way home,
encouraging him to bear up under his sufferings, etc.
“The next morning Capt. Redingson called according to his promise, and
they were off at once for the lines of the armies. On arriving at the
Headquarters of the Confederate army, they were nicely entertained by
the commanding General. They partook of a good meal and then rested for
the night, Seraine being cared for at a farm house near by. The next
morning, on being provided with a pass through the lines, they were
conducted under a flag of truce to the Headquarters of the Union army,
some twenty miles away.
“Seraine was received by the commanding General and taken care of. Capt.
Redingson, after having delivered his charge, returned with Seraine's
blessing for his kindness to her. After she had taken a rest she
conversed with Gen. Meador, who was then in command, and related to
him her experiences, at the same time keeping her promise to speak of
nothing pertaining to the Confederate army or any movements of the
same. After a night's rest she was sent under charge of an escort to
Washington city, where she stopped for several days, until she could
see the President and Secretary of War. She finally managed to have an
interview with the Secretary, and, after explaining who she was and her
mission South, he replied with some nervousness:
“'Henry Lyon' Is he a son of Daniel Lyon, of Allentown, Ind.?'
“On being answered in the affirmative, he exclaimed:
“'My God? what affliction that family has had! His oldest son died
recently, being the third son he has lost since this war began.'
“This was the first knowledge that Seraine had of the sad distress
in the family. She sighed and dropped a tear. The Secretary at once
understood the situation, and told her Henry Lyon should be looked after
and properly cared for. She asked if, when he was exchanged, he could
not be discharged from the service. She said that Mr. Lyon's seven sons
were all in the army, and three having lost their lives, she thought
one ought to remain at home to comfort the parents during their terrible
trials. She struck a tender chord in the Secretary's heart, and he
replied: 'Yes; when he returns, you write me and it shall be done, if he
consents.'
“This brought joy to her very soul. She bade the Secretary good-by,
saying as she left that he would hear from her in due time.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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