The Anglo-African.

NEW YORK, JUNE 11, 1864.

AN INTERESTING AND ROMANTIC NARRATIVE.

There lived in the town of Wilmington, New Hanover Co. N. C., in the year of ’62, a young man, a carpenter by trade. Although a slave, he was a finished workman. We will call his initials J. S. H.

There also lived in the town a young widow, Mrs. L. M—-ly, of very fine appearance, also a slave, and owned by A. J. De R., a merchant of. Wilmington, and one of the first Secessionists of the place. By the wily arts of Cupid these two persons, Mr. J. S. H. and Mrs. L. M., were enamoured of each other, and in due time had exchanged vows, and were looking forward to the time when they should become united.

All things went pleasantly with them until June, ’62, when the people of Wilmington expected Burnside to pay them a visit. The Secessionists, not liking to fall before this General, removed from Wilmington into the interior of the State. Mr. A. J. De R. removed his family to the town of Hillsboro, Orange Co., N. C. and took his servant (Mrs. L. M.) with his family, thus separating the two lovers.

After being thus separated the young man became dissatisfied with things in Dixie (although he kept up a regular correspondence with his lady love), and concluded that he would leave the land of chivalry and seek protection under the banner of the free. Accordingly, himself and seven others took possession of a boat and embarked from the foot of Orange street on Sunday night, September 20th, 1862. It being very dark and rainy, they descended the Cape Fear River in safety, and acrived the nest day on board of the U. S, steamer C—-bridge, then on blockade duty off Cape Fear. They were kindly reseived by officers and men.

We will now leave Mr. J. S. H. and companions amusing the crew of the steamer with tales of Dixie and return to Mrs. L. M. at Hillsboro. It only took two or three days for the news to reach Hillsboro that H. was missing. It was a severe blow to her; but, supposing what direction he had gone to get into the Federal lines, she at once formed a plan to follow him. She first disposed of all her effects, then she bought a through ticket for Wilmington. She was soon missed, and the telegraph being faster than the cars she was arrested at Goldsboro, 84 miles from Wilmington, and lodged in jail to await the coming of her owners.

She remained in jail three days, and on the third night she escaped from jail, and being acquainted in the place, she soon found a friend in whom the could confide. She met a young musician from Wilmington who was then bugler in a guerrilla bend. We will call his initials J. J. She stated her case, and he, offering her his assistance, procured for her a rebel uniform, and she also passed as a musician.

They went boldly up to the office, bought tickets for Wilmington, and stepped aboard the train, she with her bugle slung at her side as boldly as if she was a genuine bugler. When they arrived at Warsaw, where they stopped for refreshments, she met face to face with one of her would be captors on his way to Goldsboro to got her from prison.

It was only a short time before they were again in motion, and arrived safely in Wilmington, where she had plenty of friends. She did not remin in Wilmington long, for, being determined to follow Mr. H., she again resumed her male attire, and, in company with four men, procured & boat and made the at tempt to run the gauntlet, in which they were successful, and arrived safely on board of the Genesee without her ser being discovered. She finally made it known to the Captain, who transferred her to the steamer Mystic, then going North for repairs.

The writer of this article went aboard of the Mystic to carry our mail from the C—–bridge, when I was surprised to see her on board of that ship. I returned on board of my ship and related the fact to H., who was more than surprised. Our heroine went to Fortress Mouroe and found a home with the home of the Provost-Marshal. Not long after the departure of the Mystic the C—–bridge was ordered North. We arrived safely at Hampton Roads, where the lovers met again, and were happily married on the 20th of December, 1862. The lady now lives in Baltimore, Md., and her husband is on board of the gunboat W——na, off Charleston, S. C.

OLEY