Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1852-02-19
(For the Daily spy
The Quaker Soldier.
A SKETCH.


/ Nathan Bills, the subject Of the fo lowing
sketch was born IL mo. tDecember) 18th
+ 1926. His parents belong to the Society
of Friends, aud resided atTroy N. Y.
h his l9th year he left his father house
to seek employment After many unsoc.
cesstnl fforts to ohtlin livelihood, both
il New York and Philadelphia, he became
rnuciI discouraged, end when his--sss du
were all expended, he was enticea, by a
recruiting officer, to enlist in the Unirrd
Safes Army, few days previous to the
regiments sailing for Mexico.
The first letter from him was dated Vera
Cruz mo. tApri 18th 1871, in which he saws,
| IL was at the bultle OF Monterey and at
Vera Cruz, aud thank the Almighty Pee
server OF men that He has protected me
from The harms that have befallen others;
on that had known the snares and temp
taions to which we poor soldiers are sub.
Jec', then should have resisted The temp.
lation of becoming great in the eyes OF the
world, then should not be here suffering
as now d."
rrrt,r'''..----- l------..l-- : i .a
shared Ivy this gded bait, tie glowing les
cripton of tile glorious life of soldier
Bur; alas they have only realized intense
suffering and anguish unuterable, dy-
ing OIL the blood stained battle field,
gone from friends and home, their
agony unsoothed, their dying groaDs I'M
needed All that the notes of warning
may be treasured up, that they have pour
ed forth; when the realities of the sinful
ness and Indebtedness of war. have been
seen in gieam of light from the eternal
world
The father ofNathan Bills, at his request,
endeavored TO obtain his release from The
army, but could MOI OBJECT it, as the army
was not in the United States, aud con-
seqnently beyond law.
His next letter bears date "Mexico (cityl
10 mo. (Octobrr) 25ll 1847. have had
lnauy narrow escapes from death, in this
work of death and courage, hut with thank
lulnes | can say, am YET spared unhurl."
His mind even at this time seemed inn
pressed with consciousness that AN overul-
ing Providence had protecte him, and
brought hlin safely through many dangers
| On one occasion Spanish soldier rushed
upon him with his sword which was forci-
Div turned ase by the gun of an AmeIcan
soldier, after it had penetrated his dress.
This and many similar instances appeared
to him. al the time, as mercliul lnieTposl-
tons of his Heavenly Falher,who preserved
him 10 stand as monument oil his mercy
and to become eventually The recipient of
redeeming grace. He adds III the same let
ter, 81 have been in five ba ties and thank
the Lord ain well and sound yet. Think
| If God spares nj lie, may he warning
! 10 other Young men, not 10 do SO foolishiy
as / have done, and if possible shall leave
/ the army, this sink Of imqulty and all UNI
| righteousness" M
: We must not omit 10 mention, that dur
| ing all his Intercourse with the corrupt and
| vicious, Who form the majority il The nnli-
tary ranks, he was never induced to play
cards or drink intoxicating liquors. He
tftenexpre his glatnude that Q had
been preserved from these vices, TO which
60 many of his comrades we're addicted.
/ In his next Letter, after the capture OF the
city, lie writes, as follows TO his fat or.
you advise me 10 save my money, and so
will, but adds. How can |! we are allow
ed for rations - or of meat, as hard and
| poor MS Spanish hide, l4oz sour Mexican
! bread, Of pint of Mexican coffee, and
al dinner % Of pint OF poor beet soup
such as the living get 10 pay for becoming