The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-09-08
Select nlisrcllanD.
The Soldier TOT ItissWife On the
Eve of Battle.

rors of war in groups, i'll masses. Five
thousand killed and ten thousand wounded;
| it was glorious victory !" We read the
announcement, VIC watch the advance and
retreat, we see the pomp of GLORIOUS war, y
We hear the shouts Of victory, and forget those
who fall crushed and manglcd, and listen not
to the united groanS of those who strew the
field. Let Imagination run over tie history
Of each one Of those weak and bleeding ten
thousand men, who at their country's call
have marched forth to slaughter: let it 60 to
the weary couch where no hand is present to
wipe the clammy brow or administer COM
fort and relief by its touch; let it follow the
surgeon through his terrible duties: let it be-
hold the manly form shrunk to the bone and
hudilcd into the earth; let it 20 to the unhap.
py tircSidc Of the widow and the fathcllcss in
one MERRY England" or sunny France, and
note, if it can, the bitter drops that gush
from their lonely and broken hearts, and its
material will be at hand for making up just
view of the GLORIOUS war;" 1t is by mcrg-
ing the individual identity of the thousands
that form tie Fiery mass of living valor'
into one common totality Of humanity, and
thus considering it, that we forget individual
suffering, and. forgetting those that nobly die
or suffer more than death, shout with the
victors and crown the conqueror
with the wreath of glory. Let us bring the
matter home. When dear friend, led by
the hand of disease, is descending the road
humanity must travel, with what assiduity
docs affection watch around the pillow of suf-
fcring How hushcd the chambers of dis
tress, how soft the tread, how gentle the
voice. how kindly the sympathy! How
love delights to visit the grave when all is
over, and plant upon it the flowers of r.incm.
blance! But in that great ti.i,i of death
rcd since Abel lay in his blood worth and
nobleness and beauty go down in multitudcs
10 their last home, torn and shattered by
deadly missiles, their memories lost in the
recollection of the victors success, their
names forgotten save at the once happy fire
side of home. Borne faint and bleeding from
the spot where they fell, some hard couch,
the best at hand, receives them, where thro'
fevcrisl hours they toss away their little re-
naming life. and welcome death comes to
close the scene. Such is the contrast.
These reflections, tritc but true; (says the
Pittsburgh Commercial Journal. were awak.
encd by reading letter of Col. Shadforth.
of the British army, written to his wife and
children at 8 o'clock OH the evening of June
18th, just previous to the attack upon the
defensive works of Scbastopol. That such
men should perish thus, that such glorious
lives should be thrown away and no good
come OF it, is one of the most rcpulsivc fra-
lures of war. Here is the letter:
BEFORE SEDAsropo l., June 10 P. NJ.
"My OWN BELOVED WIFE AND DEARLY BE-
LOVED CHILDREN AT O'clock Tomorrow
morniug head the 57th to storm the R,dan.
1t is, as feel. an awfuly pcrious moment to
me: but place myself in the hands of our
gracious God, without whose will sparrow
cannot fall to the ground. place my whole
trust in Him. Should fall in the perform
ancc of my duty. fully rely in the precious
blood of our Saviour, shed for sinners, that
| may be saved through Him. Pardon and
forgive me, my beloved ones. for any thing
| may have said or done to cause YOU one
moments unhappiness. Unto God I COM
mend my body ind soul, which are His; and
should it be His will that fall in the per-
formancc Of my duty, in the defence of my
Queen and country, most humbly say,
Thy will be DONE God bless and proc It
you, and my last prayer will be that lie, #
His infinite goodness, may preserve me to
you. God ever bless you, my beloved Eliza
and my dearest children: and, if we meet
not again in this world, may we meet in the
mansion of our Heavenly Father, through
Jesus Christ God bless and protect you
And ever believe me your aifcctionatc hus.
band and loving father,
THOMAS SHADrORTH."
1t was his last farewell to those he so dear
ly loved. Six hou,s mad not passed, his let
ter was vet but few miles Oh its way to his
family, and the noble man had passed away
from the earth.