Shoulder-Straps A Novel of New York and the Army, 1862   By: Henry Morford (1823-1881)

SHOULDER STRAPS

By

Henry Morford

[Illustration]

T.B. PETERSON & BROS.

PHILADELPHIA.

SHOULDER STRAPS.

A

NOVEL

OF

NEW YORK AND THE ARMY,

1862.

BY HENRY MORFORD.

PHILADELPHIA:

T.B. PETERSON & BROTHERS,

306 CHESTNUT STREET.

Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1863, by

T.B. PETERSON & BROTHERS,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States,

in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

TO

DR. R. SHELTON MACKENZIE,

WHO

HAS ALREADY RECEIVED SO MANY DEDICATIONS,

THAT THEY HAVE BECOME

AN OLD, OLD STORY,

THIS VOLUME IS

RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED

BY

HIS GRATEFUL FRIEND AND CO LABORER,

THE AUTHOR.

NEW YORK CITY, JULY, 1863.

PREFACE.

Several months have necessarily elapsed since the commencement of this narration. Within that time many and rapid changes have occurred, both in national situation and in private character. As a consequence, there may be several words, in earlier portions of the story, that would not have been written a few months later. The writer has preferred not to make any changes in original expression, but to set down, instead, in references, the dates at which certain portions of the work were written. In one instance important assistance has been derived from a writer of ability and much military experience; and that assistance is thankfully acknowledged in a foot note to one of the appropriate chapters. Some readers may be disappointed not to find a work more extensively military, under such a title and at this time; but the aim of the writer, while giving glances at one or two of our most important battles, has been chiefly to present a faithful picture of certain relations in life and society which have grown out, as side issues, from the great struggle. At another time and under different circumstances, the writer might feel disposed to apologize for the great liberty of episode and digression, taken with the story; but in the days of Victor Hugo and Charles Reade, and at a time when the text of the preacher in his pulpit, and the title of a bill in a legislative body, are alike made the threads upon which to string the whole knowledge of the speaker upon every subject, such an apology can scarcely be necessary. It should be said, in deference to a few retentive memories, that two chapters of this story, now embraced in the body of the work, were originally written for and published in the Continental Monthly , last fall, the publication of the whole work through that medium, at first designed, being prevented by a change of management and a contract mutually broken.

NEW YORK CITY, July, 1863.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. PAGE

Two Friends Walter Lane Harding and Tom Leslie Merchant and Journalist A Torn Dress and a Stalwart Champion Tom Leslie's Story of Dexter Ralston Three Meetings An Incident on the Potomac The Inauguration of Lincoln A Warning of the Virginia Secession Governmental Blindness Friend or Foe to the Union? 23

CHAPTER II.

Richard Crawford and Josephine Harris The Invalid and the Wild Madonna An Odd Female Character and a Temptation Discouragement and Consolation Miss Joe Harris on the Character of Colonel Egbert Crawford A Suggestion of Hatred and Murder A New Agony for the Invalid A Lady with an Attachment to Cerise Ribbon. 41

CHAPTER III.

A Scene at Judge Owen's Mother and Daughter Pretty Emily with One Lover Too Many Emily's Determination, and Judge Owen's Ultimatum A Pompous Judge playing Grand Signeur in his own Family Aunt Martha to the Rescue Her Story of Marriage without Love, Wedded Misery and Outrage How Old is Colonel John Boadley Bancker, and what is the Character of Frank Wallace? 60

CHAPTER IV.