Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-03-06
The Dying Soldier.


account of the last hours of dying soldier. -
No one can read it without emotion !:
The wards were full of wounded soldiers
o that l could bring to your mind, reader,
the full sadness of such scene 1t would do
you no harm, though thrill eftes thrill of hor-
ror might shake your frame. 1t is not alone
the gasping wounds, the heavy groans that
would enlist your sympathy, but the sense of
desoIateness the poor sick men must feel, as
they think of their homes, and the dear ones
they are never more to behold in life.
There they lie, ranged side by side, some of
them Indifferent to all that is taking place
around them, others with eyes brightly rest
less and watchful, now gloomed with appre-
hension, now lighteued with hope. Here is
one, athletic, handsome, youthful, whose arms
/ lies shattered at his side, the good right arm
that has so often been welded ia useful deeds.
1t will never serve him more, for amputation
has become the necessity, and death may fol-
| low. Here is another whose face is bandaged
down to the pale outline of his lips, and whose
doom is inevitable blindness, if his life is spared.
Here lies another whose quivering mouth and
muscles tell the agony he has the fortitude to
conceal, but which the surgeons say will prove
too much for him. What wonder that the
| nurses move dDOuG ullu Will DlduCuGu CucChc
and moistened eyes 1t is their first expert
ence and some of them trembe as each body
is brought in for fear recognizing a son or a
brother. a.
Quietly from bed to bed moves the chaplain,
| sickeued to the heart, but strengthened for ais
! duty by the Hand that never fails. To some
he gives few words of sympathy reserving
| their cases for another day, for they are only
| II. -L.I- IL tlyv
of their situation, striving to tell them with
words from which all hope has departed of
their swift-coming end. To all he speaks of
Jesus bids them in the hour of their extrem-
! ity to look up to GoD, who is willing to accept
| them if they will put their tust in him.
Poor fellows rude and rough though they
may have seemed, The quivering lips, shaking
like that of child sorrow, the deep-heaVed
sob. that lifts the great chest with almost con-
VulsiVe throeS, tell that there is fountain in
the heart, that the swift swords of sympathy
may stir.
The chaplain came at last to cot set some
what by itself outside the wards. Here, re-
clining at full length, was young man whose
face bore but slight traces of suffering Itwas
flushed with hue like that of health his
eyes were undimmed, and only the position of
locked in almost spasmodic tightness told
that be was in pain. He was unusually noble
in countenance His brow was broad and fair,
and the thick locks that clustered back from
his temples curled like the riglets of boy
He knew not why, but the chaplain expert
enced an unusual aud sudden sympathy for this
young man, struck down in his beauty still
| he felt there was no immediate danger in his
| case.
How is he wounded ?" be asked of the
surgeon, az the two approached the bed soft
ly. r- l ....
In the right side, below the ribs" was the
reply.
Is he in danger p
90 no that is, not at present The
case may take a bad turn, it is true but it
! looks very we'll now, Charles" he added, ad
dressing the sick man Familiarity, the chap
lain is going the rounds would you like to
see him ?"
O certainly" exclaimed the young man,
smiling. am very glad to see him ;" and
he held out his hand. His voice was strong
and ringing, as with the highest health, and
his clasp was vigorous.
" l am sorry to ind you wounded my friand,"
said the chaplain.
Only the casualty ofwar we must some
ofus expect it, you know"
+" Do you suffer much ~
q" At times sir, very severely / feel so
well, only the distress here" and he pressed
! bis hand on his side
| You will be up soon, | hope"
| trust SO sir the doctors say it is a bad
wound, but will yield with care. only wish
had my mother here. She has heard of it
and doubtless started before this time. 1t will
seem so comfortable to see her you don't
know how long for her"
All mother, you are first thought of when
the hardy soldier feels the paug of pain. 1t is
your name he calls, your form he sees through
the mlsts of deliriums, your voice he hears in
every gentle word that is spoken. He knows
whose touch will be the tenderest through
the sympathy of suffering, he knows who has
borne the moss for him and on the tented
field, the holy name of mother receives fresh
baptism of love and beauty.
can imagine how you feel" said the
chaplain, " and | have no doubt that you will
see her soon. Meanwhile, you know there is
8 Friend who will be more to you than mother
or father, sister or brother"
realize that, sir" said the young man
am a professor of religion, and have been
for years. When | was shot, aye, and before,
commended my soul TO him for life or death;
but l confess l have much to live for. l am
| not yet brought where am willing to die"
1t may be for the reason that you are not
yet called TO de," replied the chaplain " but
in life You know!it is the one important thing
to be prepared for death"
After a short prayer the minister and sick
man parted.
He seems very strong and sanguine." he
said, as be met the surgeon again, and likely
to recover" s.s. ri -.-.. a.z-.... 10