Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-05-04
Wounded-perhaps dying-Oh my mother.


wopnded-peraaps dyng,.oh my mother.
Who has drawn me from beneath the horses
feet! who is bathing my thirsty lipsl what friend
is near! 1t is an enemy-but Christian. Oh,
thanks, thanks; and is it Mexican woman who
shows me this mercy in my utmost need How
many Mexican mothers have we bereaveA How
many wives have we widowed. We who were
better taught, We who thought ourselves bet
Ter christians. 1t is the Catholic who obeys the
hardest, and highest command. O, true follow
er of Jesus The blessing of him that was
ready to perish, be on you.
0 sleep, that never failed me in health. why
do you fly my pillow of anguish o for one hour
OF sweet oblivion of pain; one hours torgetful-
ness of the hospital and these heart sickening
means. could suffer, and no murmur escape
could | even dream of my mothers kind voice,
my sisters gentle hand Aeen's plying eye |
am selfish to complain, since while invoke
sleep to comfort me- yonder lies one who calls
on death for relief His agony wrings my heart,
for we have long been companions in hardship
and danger, and hoped to return home together
at last. Were ! nearer, my voice might comfort
him | might bear his dying messages To-
| bear them! Who among us knows that he
shall ever return! The very air is hostile to us.
How long will our brethren at home support the
cruel policy that sends us here to diel Must
this fatal soil be whitened with the bones of
brave men. and shall no one be called to an ac-
COUNT
begin to long for active service. Soon |
shall be able to bear arms. am weary of mac
ton, under the prosecuting power of thought
| shall feel my spirits return when | am once
more doing my duty, Yes, duty shall be nv
watchword. Every man has a duty; soldier
his, and hard and stern duty, which many
would shrink FROM that yet require it of US
can obey orders; for what object they are, is
not for me to question. My duty is plain, un-
der the circumstances in which, by my own fool
sh and thoughtless choice, am placed. Yes,
it was my own rash act which placed me where
my duty to God and my duty to man are at va
rance.
Yet are they so? If they are, ought to re-
main in the service day longer! Let me leave
subtlcties to theoogians; ] need not examine Il
question on which good men disagree, no; | am
no profound thinker. 1t is not for me to doubt
Have not prayers for success, and Thanksgiving
for victories, risen from many church of Christ!
And if ours is not righteous cause not mine be
Joy My letters have come to hand, at last
: A strange hand, black seal Can death have
invaded that peaceful, happy spot.
She died calmly, hoping for that peace which
S passeth all understanding
! My moher-shall never again hear your
$ voice, and no message of forgiveness not word
of blessing for me, even me.
Your father is bankrupt and broken-hearted.'
That scoundrel's doing whom | left in my
/ place. Did | not warn them not to trust him too
( fart
, Your sister will not live till your return See
5 Postscript
Helen married.
e A starving, half clad prisoner Only the brave
y are generous. Cowardy hatred will barely stuff
| or us to live, that we may endure it's insults
G This neglected wound in the facc-tnust be
: hdcons ohjcct all my life Helen waited moi
t for this to desert nc for another
+ A chilling norther benumbs my limbs Hun
y ger is gnawing at my life. ! ain weary and faint
r shall be retaken. They will carry me back to
G endure all the ignominy hatred can invent, and
/ shall die by inches in helpless captivity; my
very grave, III am not denied one, will be tram
. pied by insulting feet.
t wish could sweep these Mexcans from the
: face of Gods earth They deserve not to live.
a enough; pestilence is too good for them, How
y hate them, for their GastardIy cruelty!
must sink down. can go no farther Here
let them find me. My comrades shall aycnge
my suferings hundred fold. A hundred ras-
calIy Mexicans for one American!
:, must sleep. My waking will perchance be
rough one
gentle touch, this, lift be an enemy's hand
7 kind and plying face! Shall trust you p
= Will you not beray met Is there one Mexican
e bosom in which natural humanity is not soured
- turned to cruel malice and revenge Food
). is it not poisoned Safe shelter, is, it treach
. cry?
{
= = 1t is midnight A comfortable bed is such
= strange luxury that cannot sleep. Its soft warn
. embrace is doing even more good to my sou
/" - than to my body. My heart was crushed
! had lost my faith in human nature for my owr
e worst passions were stirred, and my own mercy
~ turned to gall What makes men devils!
Shall again need to ask, Can man serve
ID his God and lead military fel i'll look upoI
Is Christ as my exemplar, cannot follow him ii
ID the camp, and to the battle field, for | can II,
" where trace his steps or his spirit His example
~ was lost in my view, when most | needed it
! light. Now | can indeed feel the sublimity o
H. his dying love for those who Knocked, scourgec
NJ and crucifed him. feel shocked at the malign
~ ant feelings which have INDUCED, when thinl
Az of patience and forgiveness he sets before me
or pattern, His enemies returned evil for hi
e; good mine merely evil for evil
r Am dreaming or waking! Whence come
n, this bright light dazzling my aching eyes! VIII
nv are these bright and graceful forms, bending Q
nv yer me and smilngl One bears the form of m
m; sister; is she then spirtl Are ye angels, com
,e to bear me away fiom this darkened worldl
* Dear Victor; ] thought we never shout
of have walked you! Your brOws were knotted-s
MS Hook at me- your hands were clenched, an
n. your teeth set. We were half afraid to wax
his you Never go to sleep in the orchard again,
hae, nd G. e1oLa .