The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-31

swer; for il viii, take the boys about that time to
sew the body in his blanket.o


swer "for it will take the boys about that time to
sew the body in his blanket"
"Great Father OF mercies," l mentally ex-
claimed, they are about to consgn me to the
dark, cold grave, while ! am yet in possession
Of all the faculties of life save those only u
motion; and never till my really dying hour can
l forget the thrill OF horror that shot through
my soul ut that fearful thought 1t seemed as il
the crushing weight Of a mountain had been hurled
down upon me, and yet lived. Dantes Inferno,
with all its terrific horrors appeared To the
over-excited imagination of the poet did the
awful visions that reared themselves TO my mental
eye. was frozen with the extremity oil terror
Living to myself, with consciousness never before
more active and perfect, yet dead to all those
about me- They were in hurry, even, 70 remove
what they considered was already a fostering
corpse, from their midst. Already my shallow
grave was dug in the chaparral, and even my COM
rades were preparing for the solemn processionl
IN vain tried to cast from me the trghttu ncu-
bus that weighed me down, Paralysis held me as
IN an iron vice; the paralysis OF portion Of that
cerebral apparatus, termed the motor tract;' wine
the nerves OF sensation remained IN tact or raliicr
more exqIsitely sensitive than ever before, when
in perfect health
Again the doctor approached me, and placing
his hand, glowing with animal heat upon my cid
and ciamlny face, attempted to close my eyes; but
the swollen and corrugated lids had refused to be
pressed down, and gazed with a fixed stare upon
his own, and essayed in vain to throw something
Of my agonzcd sensations into my motioaless orbs.
For an instant my heart almost beat again, at tie
cold. professional examination oil the pupils, he
turned carelessly away, and heard him give the
order TO sew me up for the grave.
At that time and place lumber of no descriptiou
was attainabe, and coflns were unheard Of IN tho
army. Dead officers and private soldiers " ere un-
avodably served alike, and no other winding sheets
we're procurable for either than the same camp
blankets on Which they had breathed their last.
No useless collins enclosed their tr ass,
Nor In sheets IN sh ouds wo bount them.
As the attendants approached 10 opeythe order,
IN la mi dNcn In nj mt Ia Lpwlf
iron chains that bound me. l essayed TO cry out
in the bitterness Of my agony; but my tongue
seemed frozen 20 the roof OF my mouth, and was
convused my spirit it is impossible ior human
words to describe. l felt clanmy danpncss
streaming from every pore of my body; SO piouss
was it that the men observed il with evident dis.
gust; and. as they proceeded with their grateful
task, was certain lad thrown into my limbs
slight degree Of muse ular m on. Bur 70 abs. rb-
ingly were they engaged In Their work that they
paid not the slightest heed to this evidence Of
lingering vitality, but hastily proceeded, till AZ
length the last stitch had been taken; and en-.
closed in tight fitting sack, like M Egyptian pro-
pared for the tomb, was laid along the ground,
the chaparral.
My horrible fate now seemed irrevocably sealed,
and ceased to struggle with it. My doom was in
eyitabc! So strong indeed become this impress
son--so utterly devoid Of hope was my situation--
that my soul was now plunged into a depth VI
calm, resolute despair, and prayed to God that
death might suddenly come, to rescue me from fur
Their lingering suncrngs, and that might cease
to exist while this comparative calmness was upon
my soul.
! could not have remained long in this con-
dtion when heard the measured tread of feet
approaching me and then the familiar voice OF
my orderly sergeant, rs he gave the order to
halt, and in few low spoken words directed his
men to place me upon the rudely constructed
bier. felt myself lifted gently from the ground
and placed upon the rough crossbars Of tie tot
tering machine, which had already borne many
poor fellsw to his long home whittier also my
bearers doubted not they were about 10 convey
me- Then | heard the order to march, and the
plantive notes of the softly-blown iiie and tho
muiied drum, ioated upon the treezeless air, and
fell upon my senses like healing balm. The
sweet but melancholy music seemed To vibrate
through my brain with the force of galyanism and
am sure II was not a candaverous sweat that be-
dewed my cheeks, but tears warm, gushing tearsl
and with mentally breathed prayer to Heaven. I
now wholly resigned. O! how the sweet melo-
dy of that "death march, thrilled through my
soul, and seemed but the prelude Of that sublime
song OF welcome which was to greet me on the
other side Of the dark barrier ! was so soon 10
PASS!
With regular and measured motion felt myself
borne along and exquistey sensitive was its ex-
te nal impressions, that was conscious of every
bush and tree by which passed; and tho cool
shadows of the chaparal fell upon me like the
chilling breath of the late norther.
When the procession, moving with slow and
solemn step, NJ length reached the grave, and tho
melancholy dirge had ceased, heard the low NUT
tered words of my comrades, az they spoke kindly
OF me, or commiserated my early DEATH and one
it was my messmate, Harry Wators--with one hand
bling accents, the solemn and impressive service
for the dead, appointed by the church. Then I
was lifted from the bier, and with gentle hands
placed safely in the marrow house." For tho
conclusion Of this interesting sketch see the
Ledger, which can be obtained ut all the book
stores and news dePots.