The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-05-17
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THE DYING VOLUNTEER
An IQcideut of IIolino Del Reg.

~'SNNNN~seN
The sun had risen in all his glorious
majesty, and hung over the eastern hori-
zon like a wall of glowing fire and It's
bright rays danced merrily along the
lake Of Teseneo-over the glittering
domes of Mexico-past the frownine
battlements of Cha apultepec Castle, and
lit, in all their glorious etfuieence upon
the blood-stained field Of Malino del
Rev.
The contest was over, the sound Of
the battle had died away, save an oc-
casional shot from the distant artillery
of the castle, or the fire of some stroll
ing rihemen.
/ was standing beside the battered
remains OF the mill door, above which
the first footing had been gained upon
the we'll contested wall, aud gazing
over the plain. now saturated with the
blood of my fellow soldiers, which that
morning waved green with flowing
grass. when | heard low ana feeble
wall in the ditch beside me. turned
tIwards the spot, and beheld, with his
right leg shattered by cannot ball a
yoltigeur lying amid the mangled He
had been passed by i'll the haste of
gathering up the wounded under the
fire from the castle. and the rays of the
burning sun beat down with terrible
fervor upon the wounded limb. causing
heavy groans to issue from his pallid
lips. aad his marble coufT;tEiaace to
writhe with pain.
:. Water for Gods sake, a drink Of
water" he family alticulated, as bent
down over him
Fortunately had procured a eauteea
of water, ana placing it to his lips. he
took a long. deep draught, and then
sunk back exhausted upon the ground
The sum- he murmered, : is killing
me by its rays: cannot you carry me
Into the shade !"
can procure assistance, and have
YOU taken to the hospital
s'No do il not my sands OF life are
almost out An hour hence shall be
a dead man. Garry me into the shade
of the mill, and then if YOU have time
TO spare. listen to my lying words, and
if you are fortunate enough TO return TO
the United States, bear me back mes
sage to nv home aud 10 anoth-" he
paused, aud moiioned me TO carry him
into the shade. | did SO, and the cool
wind, which swept along the spot ap-
reared TO revive him, and he continued: ::
You, sir. are a total stranger 10 me.
and from your uniform belong to another
corps, and yet must confide this, the
great secret of all my recent actions
and the cause of my being here, to you.
Would 10 God that adrefected upon
the fatal Steps had taken and should
now have been al home enjoying the
society Of kind friends, instead of dying
upon the CORY field and in a foreign
land. My father was wealthy man
ia the town Of G-h, in the State of
Virginia, and moved iii the best society
of the place. ! had received an excel
sIent education, had studied law, and
was admitted in the twenty fourth year
of my age topractice at the bar. | had
early seen and admired a young lady OF
the place, a daughter Of an Intimate
friend of fathers, and fortunately the
feeling was reciprocated, aud we were
engaged to be married. The war in
Mexico had been in existence some
twelve months, and many focked to the
standard of their country. 1t so hap
pened that about this time recruiting
Office had been opened in the town,
and several of my young friends had
enlisted to go and try their fortunes on
the plains of Mexico. One night there
was grand party. in the place, in honor
of those who were about to depart for
the seat of war, and both myself and
tEveline were at the hall. Among those
who were assembled that evening was
Augustus p, talented young man, and
accomplished scholar, gay and lively in
his manners, free and cheerful in his
disposition, and universal favorite
with the fair sex. He had been for
some time paying his addresses to Eve
line, as Ideemed in rather too pointed
manner. As the party assembled in
the long hall, and the dance was about
to commence, I asked her for her hand
for the. first set
1t is engaged she replied, as |
thought, rather taTtly
70 whom, II / maybe 50 bold as to
ainauirep demanded.
TO Augustus P !, was the immedi-
ate reply.
49, smolhered my rising indignation
the best could, and proudly returned
the smile Of malignant Joy my rival
gave me.
Z Perhaps can exgage il for sec
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