THE BLUE AND GRAY MEET by Muriel S. Parker, [email protected]

The packet of letters my mother inherited always fascinated me. I have vague recollections of hearing them read, before having inherited them, but the full impact of the family history they contained did not penetrate until I read them as an adult. "The Civil War Letters" are the particular remnants of family history that gave me a burning desire to connect with a Southern family.

In September 1862 Stephen Harris PARCELLS left his apprenticeship at gilding picture and looking-glass frames to enroll for nine months in Co. B, 26th Regiment, New Jersey Infantry. He was taken prisoner at a battle at Fredericksburg, 4 May 1864, paroled 10 days later and mustered out in June. In September 1864 he reenlisted, this time at Kingston, New York, for a one year stint with the 12th Regiment, New York Cavalry Volunteers (Co. L). At the muster-out of Company L in July 1865, Stephen was reported "Dead from effects of wounds recd. near Goldsboro, N. C., Apl. 17, 65" -- a cold and abrupt ending to the 23-year- old's dreams. After reading the story of Stephen in the first three letters, I offered up a "thank you" to Thomas A. DEANES, the farmer who had nursed the mortally wounded enemy soldier in his home.

Upon learning in 1986 that we would be going near Goldsboro, North Carolina on a trip south, I vowed I would try to locate descendants of DEANES. Our first stop, the public library in Goldsboro, yielded pay dirt after our first few minutes. The article on the DEANES' House sent us out to Nahunta to see the house. Armed with copies of the letters and courage I told my story to the woman who opened the door. Imagine my astonishment (and hers) when she turned out to be Thomas A. DEANES' great- granddaughter, living, her son says, with his ghost, who still tends the fallen enemy.

At last, a great-grandniece could say "thank you" to Thomas.