Evelyn: A Romance of The War between the States
by Henry Mazyck Clarkson, M.A., M.D.
Charleston, S.C.
Walker, Evans & Cogswell, Printers
Nos. 3 Broad and 109 East Bay Streets
1871

Dr. Henry Mazyck Clarkson of Charleston, SC was my great-grandfather. He served in the Army of Northern Virginia under Robert E. Lee as a surgeon. During the war, he married Jean Irvin Sayre of Alexandria VA. After the war, he settled in Haymarket, VA.

Previously, in Evelyn Parts 1 thru 4, we were introduced to Albert Ashleigh, “a goodly and gallant youth” of South Carolina, and to Evelyn, “beauteous child” of Virginia. They met  in Florence Italy, but a budding romance was cut short when Evelyn informed Albert that she was already betrothed by her father to another. Albert fled in despair.

Evelyn returned with her father to their home in Virginia, where she prays for Albert Ashleigh, though she knows not where he is. In the distance the rumbling of the coming war is heard.

When war breaks out, Albert enlists in the Confederate Army. He fights and is wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg. His men take him to a nearby house which turns out to be Glen Arvon, Evelyn’s home.

Albert recovers and woos Evelyn. He is suddenly summoned back to the army in May of 1863, to fight at Chancellorsville. While he is away, a party of union raiders, commanded by Andrew Hunter, Evelyn’s cousin, appear at Glen Arvon. When Evelyn and her father defy them, they burn Glen Arvon to the ground. Albert returns in the nick of time. Andrew Hunter flees, and Albert and Evelyn are married.

Part 5 opens in March of 1865. Evelyn has moved to Albert’s home in SC, but Sherman’s army is approaching.

Listen, to hear the rest of the story. . .

Evelyn, Part 5 of 5 from Rob Shearer on Vimeo.