Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1847-07-08
Satgcella11p.
The Wages oi War.

II was few days after the news of Buena
Vista--the very day that the mail brought
the official list of the killed and wounded
we were seated in the Office, reacing over
The names with sad curiosity seeking, out
those with whom we were Of old familiar.
MlEee we remembered well-a dashing
daring artillery oficer-he was in the third
when we knew him. Dnt he married, left
the service, engaged in business, and at the
opening of The war; resumed the epaule''eS
as Colonel Of the Keutucy VolnnteeV 3egi~
mcni,f Brave fellow! none drawer fell on
lkat bloody field. .s-,s-4y. 49,
Weswerc sorrowfully enough engaged by
these thoughts when young woman enter
ell the Office. When we sayyoung, We mean
under thirty She had small girl by the
shand-a beautiful little creature. about
three years old. Both mother and child,
for such no one could doubi to be their re-
lationship, who observed their features,
were dressed with extreme neatness, though
all the lille elegancies of decoration were
bestowed upon the child.
We jus, looked over the top OF the paper
to note these particulars, when, having been
directed to us by the clerk: she came for'
ward 10 our desk.
We handed her chair, and while *e ems
Jo. ,a,oJ ~ ,uoU nc mo coplJ tn e0othe her
very apparent agitation, we were somewhat
at loss 10 account for its existence.
After few minutes conversation, we
discovered the reason in the fact that She
wasarelative Of soldier in Caps comp
any. This corps had been engaged, and we
remembered, had suffered vcrysseyerely'-
She had been informed that the list of kills
ed and wounded had arrived, and she had
called to hear some intelligence OF his fate.
She wished MS TO read over the names.
We again took up the paper, and process
ded 10 comply with her request. We shall
never forget the expression Of that woman'i
features as we read. Her agony was terri>
bic, She was not unhandsome-bui her
face became ghastly pale, and her eyes look,
ed unutterab!e despair as she fixed them up
on the child, who was playing with news>
paper and laughing joyonsly in its needless
nnocencs Her lips were colorless, ihs
perspiration started On her forehead, andas
She lifted her hand TO wipe the large drops
away. we could see il trembling as though
palsied.
The presentiment Of evil had almost bro
ken her heart, and we knew that the Eela>
tive must be rery near one.
She had avoided giving US her ma me
and SO, as we found the list appailinsiy
long, which comprised the casualties OF the
designated corps, we began TO read. We
did not know when we should reach the fa>
tai name, if at all, aud at each Individual
we looked inqnringly into the woman S
face. She said nothing. however, for some
time, and we began 10 hope that the name
was not down, when we read
John -, sergeant, killed
Such a scream 1t was the wall Of bros
ken heart. Only one-and then still as
death. That cry was lingling in our ears
for a month. We Immediately ran toward
her, but she Immediately rose from her chair
motioned us her thank, and; without word
/ left the ofaee.
| We had read to her the announcement OF
her husbands death.
We did not do much service in the Office
that day.
/ The next morning. happening down or
the wharf, we saw the woman and her littl'