The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-10-23

est building of Lucknow When. FIRST
secured (Which was only two hours before)
il was Mute empty and dusty. 1t had
been cleared up little, as many cots as
could be was put iato it, and some dim oil
burners placed at intervals in the long
apartment. There lay some of our sick,
and about thirty others who had been
wounded a few honrs before. Their
wounds had been looked to and dressed
bat many of the poor fellows were moan.
ing in great pain.
could see the doctor slowly passing
from one cot to another, kindly attending
to the sufferers, and anxionsly ministering
to their wants, cheering the men with
hopeful words, and as be left each patient
patting him on the shoulder, and looking
at him with q smile of comfort, which
several of the men afterwards told me
beguiled the pain of their wounds, and
filing their hearts with, love, not only for
the conscientious surgeon, but for all
around them. Happy, glorious power Of
sympathy. =
In the midst of that impressive scene,
then, was sitting by Blacks bed, and
.talkinf with him for the last time. He
knew, quite well that he was dying; for the
torturing pain of his wound told him it
was mortal He felt, to. as he expressed
it, the blood "frothing from bis side, and
his strength failing. gradually at first, but
now more quickly"
His face was pale and haggard, and
there was cold sweat over his brow,
which ,damped the fair hair about his fore
head and temple. His beautiful dark
blue eyes had q sad, restless look about
them; his lips we're liyid and dry, and he
complained of incessant thirst He had
been tossing about q great deal, but now
he was too weak to do so. Occasionally
his body seemed to writhe as it were, rails
ing the clothes for few seconds, and
then letting them sink again on the bed
Such was his condition, poor fellow;
and yet-much to my delight, be it con-
fessed-he. was still brave, collected and
self possessed. / had. written down a
good many of his wishes, which all dis
played the atfectionate aud intellectual
nature of the man. / then asked him if
there was anything else he would like 10
express.
oh yes, SIR he said. with faItering
voice; bat I'm giving you a great deal
of trouble, sir
It's no trouble. Black I replied; 1T
will be q great pleasure to me If can
attend to your wants in any way.
Yes SIR was the reply; you've always
been kind Captain and friend to me-
The poor fellows unsel6shness and graf
itude was very affecting After a pause,
he said, in feeble tone.
Gould I see Johnson, Sir? I'd like to
see him once more. There's not much
more time for me. sir; there's very little
more time
He stopped, and groaned with pain,
(attacks of which rccurred suddenly then
again repeated his friends name.
Robert johnson was Corporal in the
same company with Black. and he, too,
had heen wounded that day in the arm
severely, but not dangerously. 1t was
only short time before that he had lef,
Blacks bedside, to go and lie down for .
little. as he himself was fain: and weak
/ walked along the room. and told John
son that Black would like to see hin
again. @ .a4S @
.Ah sir, is he worse?s said the Corporal
in a most touching Manner as he rose te
to follow me. eI -
'He is very much, j 9hnson, said /; 'yot
had better come at once;' and l returned
softly. As went could see some o.
the poor men in the other beds with diff.
Guilty raising themselves, and trying tc
learr how it was going with their favorite
sergeant; and overheard one man, as
passed his bed, trying TO make me heal
some hing he was whispering. stepped
toward him and he said:
Il beg your pardon. Captain; but viii
you kindly remember me to Black, before
he goes? I'd take it very kindly youi
doing so, sir.'
And l could see tear start to his eye
as be spoke; and l turned and left tha,
bedside overwhelmed with emotion.
.Ahl' / thought to myself. there are
men indeed, around me-men that car
suffer quietly. and bear their own grief
omplainingly and yet feel heartily fol
another
I was soon back again with poor Black
and in q minute or two johnson came up
softly, his right arm all bandaged, ant
supported in sling. Fa5 s.es
The expression on these mems faces, a
they looked at each other, shall neye
forget The glazed eye of the dying mai
seemed for an instant to brighten, q
johnson approached softly as woman
and putting his left hand upon his friend
shoulder. tremblingiy exclaimed:
! Black dye know me? Speak to me
Black What is it?'
I And there was pause; and Blac
said:.
'Yee, know you well. oohnson; "
known you long. You'll not know N
much longer. Tn going fast, johnson
Pm Happy; Pm very happy. / than