The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27

long room III one OF tne largest quitting
of Lucknow. When first secured (Which Wa
only two hours before) it was quite empt
and dusty. 1t was cleared up little, a
many cots as could be had put into it, ant
, some dim oil burners placed at intervals il
the long apartment. There lay some of ou
sick, and about thirty others who had bee:
wounded few hours before. Their wound
had been looked to and dressed, but many 0
the poor fellows were moaning in grea
pain.
| could see the doctor slowly passing from
one bed to another kindly attending to tn.
sufferers, and anxiously ministering to THEN
wants cheering the men with hopeful word:
and, as he left each patient, gently patting
him on the shoulder, and looking at him wit!
a smile of comfort, which several men told
me afterwards, beguiled the pain of theil
wounds and filled their hearts with love, not
only for the conscientious surgeon, but foi
all around them. Happy, glorious power OF
sympathy.
In the midst of that impressive scene, then.
was sitting by poor Blacks bed, and talk
ing with him for the last time. He knew
quite we'll that he was dying. for the tortur-
ing pain of his wound told him that it was
mortal. lie felt, too, as he expressed it, the
blood "frothng" from his side, and his
strength failing. gradually at first, but now
more quickly.
! His face was pale and laggard, and there
was cold sweat over his brow, which damp
ed the fair hair about his forehead and tenn
pies. His beautiful dark blue ewes hada sad
restless look about them his lips were livid
and dry, and he complained of incessant
thirst. Occasionally his body seemed to
wrlthe. as it were. raising the clothes for a
few seconds and then letting them sink a.
gain.
Such was his condition, poor fellow; and
yet-much to my delight, be it confessed
he was still brave, collected, and selt-possess-
ed. had written down a good many of his
wishes, which all displayed the atfectionate
and intellectual nature of the man. then
asked him if there vas anything else he
would like to express.
80. YES sir" he said, with faltering voice; +;
"but I'm giving You great deal Of trouble,
sir"
"Its no trouble, Black" l replied; "it will
be great pleasure to me if can attend to
your wants in any way"
"ies, sir" was MS reply "you have always
been a kind captain and friend to me-"
The poor fellows unselfishneSs and graft
tude were very affecting. After pause he
said, in feeble tone:
Gould see Johnson, sir , I'd like to see
him once more. There's not much more
time for me, sr-;here's very little more
time"
He stopped and groaned with pain, tat
tacks from which he recovered Suddenly
and again repeated his friends name.
Robert Johnson was corporal in the
company with Black and he, TOO, had been
wounded that day in the arm, severely, but
not dangerous Y. 1t was only a short time
before that he had left Blacks bedside, to 60
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.
"Ah. sir is he worse" said the corporal,
in a most touching manner, as he rose to fol-
low me.
"He is, very much, Johnson" said you
had better come at once; and returned
softly. As went could see some of the
poor men in the other beds with Difficult y ri>
ing themselves, and trying to learn how II
was going with their tavorlte sergeant; and
| overheard one man, as | passed his bed.
trying to make me hear something he was
whispering. stepped toward him, anu he
said:
Il beg your pardon, captain; but, will you
kindly remember ME to Black before he
goes? Id take it very kindly your doing SO,
sir
And could see tear start to his eve as
he spoke; and turned and !et, that bedside
overwhelmed with emotion.
"Ah..' | thought to myself, there are men
indeed. around me-men that can suffer qal-
etly, and bear their own grlets uncomplaln-
ingy, and yet feel heartily for another.
l 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 sling.
The expression on those mems faces, as
they looked at each other, shall never for
get. The glazed eye of the dying man seem
ed Cor an instant to brighten as Johnson ap-
preached, softly as a woman, and putting his
left hand upon his friends shoulder, tremb
lingly exclaimed:
BLACK dye know me? Speak to mt,
Black What is it."
And there was pause, and Black said:
"Yes. | know YOU well, Johnson-Ive
known you long. You'll net know me much
longer. I'm going fast. Johnson. I'm hap
py-rm very happy; thank God for this
Bv this time some of the other men had
gone and told the doctor that they were afraid
he was wanted He ,.rne at once-softly,
reverently, sympathizingly. He had been
very attentive to Black, and had sat by his
side for an hour after he was wounded, keep
ing up his strength with stimulants, and les
sening his pain by administering opiateS.--
Now he came to him for the last time know
ing there was nothing more to be gained by
medicine or human skill, he came to add one
more death-scene to the many he had wit
messed but, as he afterwards told me, he had
seen none more impressive than this.
We were standing round his bed, intently
looking at the sad picture before Us, when !
recollected the touching request of the pri-
vate wto had called me to him. l softly laid
my hand on Blacks forehead, SO as to attract
his attention, and said:
"Black, Private Maloney has been asking
for you. He wishes to be remembered to
you"
"Ay, ay ~ said Black, with difficulty. "It's
like the man. He's good man captain
Thank him, sir, and tell him and all the men
from me that prayed for them with my las;
breath. You'll not forget this, sir, will
you ?"
mo, Black" replied. "You may depend
upon it the regiment shall know that you
died happily, like good man, and that you
had time enough and heart enough to think
of others in Christian spirit, even at the