Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-09-25
| ever used; but if il 10 soaked in salt
water, il is greatly improved.
fsirnsers' RcgIIier.
DEATH OF A SOLDIER.

nave purchased any sort Of fo0d. The
poor fellows, although they had forgot
ten their arimal wants in tho execution
OF their duty, plainly displayed in
their faces the weakness Of their bodies.
Every man Of the crow ded enc amp
ment looked wan and melancholy and
all Kept up their Tagging spirits by
resolution and patience. Many q
manly fellow felt in silence the bitter.
ness Of his situation. There were ma
upbraidings, for all were sufferers alike
In about an hour after the taking of
the old house in front. I went out from
our huts in q crowd TO see the place OF
action. | met four or five Of our men
wounded, led and carried by their com.
rades. The officer commanding the par
ty now joined me, aud walked back 10
The house, TO give further directions
regarding other wounded men not We,
removed. When we had gone about
nifty yards, We met a wounded soldier
carried very slowly in q blanket by
Tour men. As soon rs he saw the oiIi
Ger Who came along with me, he cried
out IN feeble but furced voice, "s,op.
stop.-lay me down-let me sneak 10
the captain" The surgeon, who was
along with him, had no objection, for.
IN my opinion, he thought the man be &.
You'd the power Of his skill, and the suf.
tsrer was laid gently down upon the
turi, under the shade Of a projecting
projecting rock. knew the wounded
mans face IN moment, for ! had Of.
ten remarked him as being a steady.
we'll conducted soldier: his age was
bout forty one or two, and he had q
vile and two children in England.
saw death in the poor fellows face.
lie was shot IN the throat. or rather
between the shoulder and throat the
ball passed apparently DOWN. ards. pro
badly from having been fred from the
little hill on which the French pos,ed
themselves when they left the house
The blood gurgled from the wound al
every exertlon he made to speak.
asked the surgeon what he thought of
the man. aud that gentleman whispered.
" Ii IS all over with him." lie said he
had done every thing he could 10 stop
the blood he found, from the situation
of the wound. that it was impossible
10 succeed.
The dyiBg soldier. on being laid
down, held out his hand 10 nv friend
the captain, which was not only cor.
daily received, put pressed with pity
and tenderness by that officer. Sir
said the unhappy man gazing upon his
captain with look such as shall ne
yer forget" Sir, you have been my
best friend ever since | entered the
egiment-you have been every mans
Trend IN the company, aud a good Of.
hcer. God bless you! You saved me
once from punishment, which you and
all knew afterwards that I was un
Justly sentenced TO. God bless YOU ."
Here the tears came from his eyes. and
neither the Captain, nor any one around.
could conceal their kindred sensation.
The poor sufferer resumed-" have
only to beg, Sir, that you will take
care that my dear wife aud little ones
shall have my back pay us soon as
possible | ain not many hours for this
world" The Captain pressed his
hand, but could not speak. lie hid
ms face ia his handkerchief.
have dOno my duty, Captain
have not sir :"
" You have, Tom, you have. and no
bly, done it," replied the Captain, with
great emotion.
God bless you'll have only one
thing more To saw" Then ADDRESSING
one Of his comrades. he asked Tor his
knapsack.whIch was Immediately hand.
ed to him. have only one thing to
say, Captain" said he. IL have not
been very vel! this week, Sir. aud did
not eat all my rations. I have one
I'seult-it 10 all | possess. You. as
well as others, SIR, are without bread
take u Tor the sake Of poor grateful
It--take ~, SIT, and God
be with you"
The pour good natured creature was
totally exhausted as be concluded lac
leaned back-his ewes grew doll
CLASSY cOlot-bis face still paler, and
he expired ia about ten minutes after
IN the spot. The Captain wrpt like
Nuilus
Few words were spoken. The DO
~ was borne along with u, Ia the ood
where the division was bi,oua.Led.
md the whole of the Company 10 which
HE man belunged Attended hi, inter
nent. Which took place m about two
hours after. lie Vas strapped ln hls
blanket. Just a. be Wss, ana !ald b.
he earth. The captain himself read
prayer over h's land pronounced .
short bot Impressive eulogy on the
merits Of the departed. He showed
he men the biscuit, As he related TO
hem the manner ~ Whichit had bsrn
.iVen to han, and he declared he would
's'er taste u. bot Keep the token IN re- 1
nembraRce Of the good soldier, even
hough he starved The oommissary. /
'owever, arriyed thit night, and Pre-