Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1862-04-10

life blood is flowing faster than its waters
Beside him kneels the chaplain of his reg
iment and one or two brother officers. The
voice of prayer rises up 10 heaven in be
half of the dying man.
"Raise my head little higher, George
"You know me Louis! You are bette
now. Can you see what hold up before
Youl A letter from home! l can Sc,
to read it to you by the moonlight"
"Too late comarade. l can see nothing
now but the gemmed sky and my
Fathers face.
His head turned restlessly from side te
side, and his eyes cleaned with that fatal
briliancy preceding deerium. From his
lips fell, in broken murmurs, snatches o.
song and passages of Scripture; and then
passionate love words and pleadings.
"George, are you there? It's wretched
ly dark. l wonder if the day will never
dawn? dark !-dark'
81 am here, Louis; shall I"
Sect light, George, quick. The foe
viii be upon us in an hour, and the blood
stains are not off my sword yet. will
brighten it up for another tilt with them.
Oh, cannot rise, believe. l am strange
ly weak and weary"
"Why did you not have him carried 10
the hospital, Colonel?"
"The doctor said nothing could be done
for him, and l did not want to disturb
him."
"George, the day is breaking"
80, God doctor, he is dying!"
"Dying, George you are crazy, man =
am only tired. Oh, so tired. l guess l
will sleep soon. Here, Geordie, you polish
up my sword. Don't set those clumsy
rascals Pete andsTom, at tit was faith
er's sword, you know?'
The eyes closed and the restless hand
was still for a little while. The friend at
bis side could no longer restrain his tears.
as there no hops, doctor!"
"None, Colonel; would to God could
save himr'
The moon shone full upon the dying
soldier and upon the pale, sad group of
watchers. Paler and paler grew the white
boyish brow; fainter and fainter the beat
ing of his heart. The rich chestnut curIs
that, in the morning had clustered above
his white brow now lay dampened and
darkened by the blood that was flowing
from wound in the head.
"Has be many friends, colonel? u
ga mother and two sisters; his father
fell at Montery."
"He is not married, then? 1 fancied be
was, from often seeng him gaze upon the
picture of beautiful woman. l got a
glimpse of it once when he was sick.'
"He is betrothed 10 nay sister. o Mil
dred I promised to bring him home safe
to you again!" and The soldier wept like
little child.
The surgeon laid his hand tenderly upon
the bowed head.
"Do not grieve, man; it is Gods will
Come let us pray"
81 cannot pray, doctor; am not fit
You pray, for Gods sake! If it would do
any good, l would weary Heaven with nay
prayers"
Once more they kueeled beside him.
No change, only the white brow more
clammy-the pale hands growing cold.
"Oh, if l only had him at home!'
The closed eyes flew OPEN.
alone! Who speaks of home! Come;
let US go; 'they miss me at home And
Millie, she pines for me! Dear Mildred +!
l expect she has wept all the blue out of
her glorious eyes. l will soon see you,
Mile, and you, dearest ofmothers! l am
almost home. Hark The tinkle of cow
bells creep upon my ear. hear the bay
ing of dogs in the distance. 1t sounds
like music. Pshaw! how foolish / am !
1t is only the revelle."
"There was blood flowing like water
| remember it, now-an-. men wounded
and dying; there was mum confusion, and
many prayers-I remember, now"
"Poer fellow more precious blood than
bis own has not been spent this day."
"Blood! Ha, ha! You are mistaken,
comarade; it is wine, wine the red nectar
of the vintage, pressed upon the banks of
the Rhine"
A few moments of quiet, and then that
inexplacable something that we have all
seen settled about his mouth.
"Oh doctor? is be gomez
"Not very. far from the other Shore
God be with him."
"A slight quiver, spasmodic cuching at
the throat, and the soldier lay dead.
That day dispatch went off:
"Meet me at ten o'clock to- morrow night"
@ "GEoRGE."
When the cars entered the depot in N
=, a bright face was raised TO Col. NJ
for a kiss.
"Why Mildred, what does this meant
This is no place for you."
~ knew it, brother; but / was SO anx-
ious. Where is Louis? l heard he was
wounded. @ssA .'..s-s
"Come with me, dearest. This is no
place for ryou." a5
"Where is Louis, brother"
"Your head is uncovered, dear. Where