Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1837-11-11
THE YOUNG SOLDIERS FAREWELL.
nv 3. ". DAVIES.

AAt utAA udf nc was W Wv -
eyer---and a few friends were assembled to bid
farewell to one who had been the delight of their
little circle. His aged parents leaned their heats
delectedly and silently on their haHds, and his
younger brothers and sisters hung with mournfuI
feelings around his chair. "Brother, you Will
come backl" said a favorite little sister, "those
naughty men shall not Kill you shall they!" Oh
no! dear Ellen! hope not,,' answered Henry, as
atear started in his eye and he pressed her again &c
his bosom. The voice of innocence had thus
suddenly touched chord which vibrated with
painful force in every heart, and the audible sobs
of his beloved friends and companions, told the
strength of the grief which oppressed them at the
prospect of his loss
The aged father and Henry alone seemed to
combat the spirit of sorrow that gtoaned within
them. 1--WE must hope for the best" said the
grlef-suicken parsnt-the calls Of our country re-
qume we should yield to its will--but oh Henry,
one thing rests heavy on my soul. You have an
elder brothet-tho last time We heard OF hun
he was on the lnes--perhaps you may meet
in mortal combat, and if heaven wills II .so--it
in the heat of blood and battle when the war-shrll
is heard, and the blast of death surrounds you.
YOU should meet, oh remember We are both my
children, and drench not your hands in each others
blood" The increasing sobs Of Henry,s aged
and beloved mother told the force with which
this appeal also fell on her heart. He tired to
comfort and TO sooth them, but his bosom was too
full and would not be resisted. Begging his
friends for u while TO excuse him, he seized his
hat aud wandered, in the indulgence OF his grief,
and amid the solitude oftho honr, to conceal from
all hut one eye, the sorrows which, IN despite OF
his eiorts to prevent il, filled his manly bosom.
The place in which the friends had thus met,
was beautiful cottage on the margin of the
Grand Lake, and in one Of the most romantic
gons of the new world When the war (of 1879
broke out which ended so gloriously for the hap
pness of man, all classes were called upon by
every feeling of patriotism and love Of county
TO show themselves worthy the deeds and fame
OF their sIres. The young men flew 10 arms, aud,
with noble daring succeeded in defending their
soil against the efforts Of u valiant and well APP
pointed foe.
Henry-----had much to allure him TO his home.
The scenes Of his youth were among the most
beautiful in nature. The wild shores Of the lake
contained their enchantment-hc was the idol Of
the young, and the pride Of tho old, for miles
aroud. Belonging TO an ancient and respected
family, his father had cultivated all the elegances
and refncmen's OF life, and educated his children
with the anxiety aud care Of a tender and devo-
ted parent. Misfortune had bone heavy upon
his early manhood, but no succeeded in saving
whercwh to purchase farm on the margin Of
the expansive and beautiful sheet Of water which
we have mentioned. His children grew around
him the pride o6hs soul and the delight Of his
| 4. LII L. Lad Han ,EnI
table BUSINESS to the other side Of the lines, and
was settled in town near the boundaries OF the
two countries. lie was now about 10 part with
another.-the flower of his family, and one in
whom as heart seemed TO centre; and the stu
| alton in which the two, in the conflict aud strife
about to commence might be placed to each 9TH
er, filled his soul with anguish amounting almost
| to despair.
| He had seen with sorrow, mingled with pride,
the noble motives which induced his child to
part with every thing dear TO him, and m'ngle in
the ranks oil his patriotic countrymen, defending
their homes and their exchanging the com
forts and safety Of his happy domlclle, Tor The
dangers and trials of the battle field and the
camp-and although he would have given worlds,
| If in his possession, that circumstances did moi
require tho services of his gallant boy, he re-
signed himself with noble meekncss, to the blow.
"Go, my child" was his language, "noby do
your duty, and the blessing oil God--your parents
and your country, be upon you"
Henry had never, till this evening, realized the
full force Of that sorrow which bears down the
spirit and fills the soul with agony, on parting,
for the first time, with the home OF his youth, and
the companions OF his early dreams. Ills fine
form, set off with the becoming uniform OF green
which his regiment had adopted, and the lnsgnias
of his commission, seemed while wandering
along the shores of the lake, with his arms folded
in detection, and his plume wagering gracefully
over his brow, like spirit Of the glen, sorrowinl
at the departure ofthose joys which he had fond
" hoped in the elasticity Of his youthful emotions
were ever to be his.
/ In addition TO the sonowIng group which lien
ny had Just left there was another-one dearer tt
his soul than life itself, from whom he had bu
an hour before parted. She lived on the oppo
site side Of the lake. They had been compan
ions from their infancy, and grow to maturity 70
pether. Susan - loved Henry with an ardoI
and purity worthy the celestial spirits, and II wal
az lelvently returned. They parted that nigh
torerer.
The next day saw Henry al the town wher'
his regiment was assembled under orders Tor tn
lines. Slight marks of sorrow were on hls brow
but the firm tread and gallant bearing OF tn
young solder proved that he meant to perform
his duty. He went, and we often learned u
connection with his companions, Of his DARN
exploits. More than once was he despeiatel
wounded, but soon again in the field. Oh thos
were days, indeed, switch tried mems souls,
f when the sound of war was heard on every blast
when fathers were called to mourn the loss {
sons. and wives Of husbands, when the wdo'
and the orphan we're left to groan in agony, on
the demon Of war swept relentlessIy by. Hol
} as was the cause, and glorious as was the resul
may such sounds never fall upon the ear again
!, Among the most anxious inquiries tor Henry