The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1862-08-28

WlH' 11fou no bbo Iehu VI tno uuVhuCo u
bloody baule might DO going and. and her
son be among the dead or dying. The
hours Of sleeplsSs suspense that went by
until the news OF victory was flashed
over the country, VIC will not venture 10
describe. Many were killed, and many
wounded. Wilh.breathless eae eerness she
devoured their names, as with white lips
and startling eyes sbe bent over the brief
dispatches. What is this2 Her son 3
namel The paper shivers in her hands.
She cannot read The paragraph. Desps.
rately she thrust the slee, upon the table
to hold it firmly; but mist come over
her eyes; she does not make out the
words. Killed or wounded? tqHn,
| SO, God! give me strenglhW sA
The dimness passes, and she reads:
"Among the brave men who distih,
guished themselves, private John Irwin
deserves honorable mention. In des.
peraie assault of the Rebels, the Captain
Of his company received severe wound
and fell to. the ground. lie was few
PAGES in advance of his men, and as he
fell, two of the enemy srrang forward to
bayonet him. Irwin, seeing this, flung
himself before his PROSTATE captain. shot
one of the men, and 10 lIand,to.band
encouDtcr disabled the other. He then
bore the wounded officer from the field.
During the whole fight. this young man,
who is not twenty. one years ofage, con :
Quoted himselfwith the coolest courage,
and in more than one instance rallied his
failing comrades. He has the stuff OF
which officers are made. and the depart.
n ent should send him a commission
Mrs. Irwin bowed down, with her face
upon the table, trembling in every nerve /;
weak in glad bewildernent--teariul.--
Then, dropping upon her knees, with
clased hands and eyes upllted, she said /,
family: Hwat. ...f'a..a .ra, n.4.
30, Lord, is he not thine?" Ir4.
A deep peace fell upon her spirit, aud
she remained tor some time kneeling.-
But prayer formed itself in no other
words. .st u.s.. rs 7sa
al could no. stay away from you after
reading the news this morning." A
friend said this as she came in little
while afterward. "Are you not a proud
woman to-day, Mrs. Irwin?' . ...
81 feel glad and humble" was tue sub.
dued answer. .l h.. s ....
"But did he not nobly? Who would
have thought that in your quiet, retiring
boy there was such daring sprt?"
at does not seen as il it We're my son
who has been so brave" said the mother.
"The act has apparently removed him to
distance. and set up question Of right
against me, He is not mine in tue sense
have hitherto regarded him Higher
duties than those of a son are laid upon
him. and | must give him 10 his country
in degree not understood when he went
forth at his oountry's call. pray, now,
that God will make him equal 10 bis duty
under all circumstances. To lose him
would be fearful thing; but to find him
weak coward in the day Of battle would
be more fearful still" .t .a..
ITO hear such words from your lipsl
From whence has come this ne cOurage?'
"As our day is, so shall our strength
be-" replied Mrs. Irwin, "God gives the
spirit of endurance and sell'sactiGce
when we have need of it; and this is our
time of need. l do not fatter myself
with tie hope that my heart and home
will be spared--tbat my boy will pass
unscarthed in the ordeal Of battle. But
come wha. will, l trust in God; and lie
will lsy 10 sorrow upon my heart too hea-
w to bear. II II had tsn sons, feeling as
now do, / would give them all for this
contest. and send them forth in Gods
name" i...f r.r. ........
And to thousands Of mothers hearts,
strength and spirit of self-sacrifCe have
come in this time of trial as it came TO The
heart of Mrs. Irwin; and, like her, iheil
souls are in the cause, and their brave
hearts giving courage and endurance t
tens Of thousands of brave sons now bat
Ting for right and their country. 1t il
the old spirit of the Revolution. and BY
virtue its sacred fire our armies pre-
vail Philadelphia Press. a -a.