Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-01

lacks OF Whlch reCurTeu buuuenly) tnSh
again repeated bis friends name.
Robert johnson was corporal in the
same company as Black and he, too, had
been wounded that day in the arm, severely,
but not dangerously. Il was only short
time before that he left Blacks bedside, to
20 and lie down for little, as he himself
was faint and weak. walked along the
room, and told johnson that Black would
like TO see him again.
GAhi sir, is he worse 2 said the corporal,
in most touching manner as he rose to
follow me.
I" He is very much, Johnson" said I !;
"you had better come at once !" and l re-
turned softly. AS l went could see some
of the poor men in the other beds with diff
Guilty raising themselves, and trying to learn
how it was going with their favorite ser
geant; and l overheard one man, as l
passed his bed, trying to make me hear
something he was whispering. stepped
toward him and he said:
al beg your pardon, captain but will
you kindly remember me to Black, before he
goes I'd take it very kindly your doing 50,
sir"
And 1 could see tear start to his eye as
he spoke; and l turned and left that bedside
overwhelmed with emotion. ...
"Ahl" thought to myself there are
men, indeed, around me-men that can suf-
fer quietly, and bear their own griefs un-
complainingly, and yet feel heartily for
another"
was soon back again with poor Black,
and in minute or two johnson came up,
softly, his right arm all bandaged, and sup
ported in q sling.
The expression on those mems faces, rs
they looked at each other l shall never for
get. The glazed eye of the dying man
seemed for an instant to brighten, as john
son approached softly as woman, and put
ting his left hand upon his friends shoul-
der, tremblingly exclaimed:
"Black dye know me2 Speak to me,
Black. What is it?' ...
And there was pause; and Black said :
eyes, know you well, Johnson; I've
known you long. You'll not know me much
longer I'm going fast, johnson; I'm
happy; Pmvery happy. l thank God for
this
By this time some of the other men had
gone and told the doctor that they were
afraid he was wanted. He came at once
softly, reverenuy, sympathizingly. He had
been very attentive to Black, and had sal
| by his side for an hour after he wa:
wounded, keeping up his strength with
stimulants, and lessening his pain by ad
| ministering opiates. Now he came to hin
for the last time; knowing there was nothing
more to be gained ny medicine or human
| skill, he came to add one more death-scent
] to the many he had witnessed; but as he Of
terward told me, he had seen none NOR,
impressive than this.
Wewere standing round the bed, intently
looking at the sad picture before us, when
recollected the touching request of the pri
vate who had called me to him. l softly
laid my hand on Blacks forehead, so as t
attract attention, and said;
"Black Private Malony has been ask
ing for you. He wishes to be remembered
to you" -
otis like the man. He's a good man, cap
| tain. Thank him, sir, and tell him and al
the men from me that prayed for then
with my last breath. You'll not forget this
sir, will you ?" .....
aNo, Black" replied. "You may de
! pend upon it the regiment shall know yo
died happily, like a good man, and that yo
had time enough and heart enough to thin
Of others in a Christian spirit, even at tn
last"
ooh, yes, sirl" he said. "Oh, yes Blu
tell them, oh, tell them, that it was only re
ligion that made me happy"
He had scarcely uttered these words
when change seemed to pass over hi
features, and each of us by the bedside in
stinctively stopped forward, in great anxiet,
! to discover what it was. 1t almost seeme
to take us by surprise and yet in point @
fact, we had for some time been waiting 70
and expecting the change. '-.
The doctor put his hand upon his pa
TENTS pulse, fxedly looking at him for
moment; felt his feet, and put his han
over his heart; then, looking toward me
he said in a tone of unfeigned sorrow;
"Poor fellow, the scene is closing"
| felt dreadful numbness and tinglinI
pass over my body, and an indescribabl
| feeling of awe overshadowed my thoughts
Nv breath was suspended until relieved b,
a deep sigh, and my eyes fell upon Corpora
| johnson. Such picture Of manly grief
! never beheld
A few minutes passed, and strange to m
it seemed that poor Black partially rt
covered from the fearful faintness whic
had come on so suddenly. He only rallie
enough to express few more words. We
his lips with water and gently passed m
handkerchief across mis- forehead. His eye
opened slightly, and, with the utmost exel
ton, and in broken syllables, he said:
"My Bible-my Bi-ble-is below m
pillow. Oh, give it to my-to my-to my
II listened anxiously, as l was afraid
might be unable to conclude his wish)-t
my mother!" he sighed. "God bless her
God bless
He drew a deep, deep breath, then la
motionless. Again slight breathing o.
curred. I heard dreadful rattling SCUM,
observed sort of quiver, and the body b
fore me was lifeless. We stood motionle;
around until the doctor stopped dow
placed his ear upon the heart and CAV
sign that it was all over.
With heavy heart turned and wer
away. Some time after (how long coul
scarcely say l woke as from a revery, an
found myself sitting on form at the furtht
end of the room. then remembered h
wish about the Bible, and went back
noiselessly as l could. On approaching Il
: bed, found Corporal johnson still ther
r He slightly turned away his head, but
: could see that he was overcome with grie
g and in his hand observed lock of hal
s his last memento of poor Black.
' What sincerity of love, what noblene
of feeling, what an earnestness of grief W
c that wounded man capable of gent
h removed the sheet which covered the face
d the corpse. A soft smile las is usual, b
IS lieve, in cases Of death from gunshot woun