Litchfield enquirer., 1862-02-13

answered, calmly
 No; yield him to his country He looked so brave and manly said the friend.
 A glow of pride came into his mothers face And seemed was added, to comprehend so clearly the issue at stake. It was no murder ous thirst for blood no love of excitement and change that filled his heart; but that true patr otism which is the inspiration oe an honorable mind, and gives it the courage to meet death u defence of Country and Right. honor you, my friend, in being the mother of such a son. How strangely pleasurable were the pulses that leaped away from the heart of Mrs. Irwin This praise of her son was very sweet. Weeks passed. With what an absorbing in terest did Mrs. Irwin watch the progress oi events. Once, she turned with an instinctive re- pugnance from all accounts of military move ments and battles but now she had no taste for anything else. The whole country was spread out, like map, in her mind, and every strategic point, with its camps and soldiers, strongly marked. The marshalling of troops; their movements, strength, and positions, were now familiar things; and her heart beat high with pleasure at every triaing success, yelled itself with shadows when even the smallest reverse was sustained With what irrepressible impa: tence did she look for regularly coming letters from her son and with what proud satisfac- tion did she read every detail of his new life that showed courage, endurance, and selfdenial She felt that he was true soldier, and therefore she was very, very proud of him.
 Then news came that the regiment in which her son was serving had made an advance upon the enemy's lines that some severe skirmishing had taken place, and that an engagement was imminent. A sudden fear shook the nerves of Mrs. Irwin. Even as she read of the advance, a bloody battle might be going on, and her son be among the dead or dying. The hours of sleep less suspense that went by until the news of a victory was flashed over the country, we will not attempt to describe. Many were killed and ma ny wounded. With breathless eagerness she de- roured their names, as with white lips and start ing eyes she bent over the brief despatches. " hat Is this?-ller sons name. The paper shivers in her hands. She cannot read the par agraph. Desperately she thrust the paper down upon table to hold 1t firmly; but mist comes over her eyes, she does not make out the words. Killed or wounded7
 'Oh, God give me strength 7
 The dimness passes and she reads
 Among the brave men who distinguished themselves, private John Irwin deserves honoIa- be mention. In desperate assault of the re, be!s the captain of his company received wound and fell upon the ground. He was few paces in advance of his men, and as he fel two of the enemy sprang forward to bayonet him. Irwin, seeing this flung himself before his prostrate captain, shot one of the men, and in hand-to- hand encounter 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 of age, conducted himself with the coolest courage, and in more than one in stance rallied his falling comrades. He has the stuff of which officers are made and the depart nlcnt should send him commission
 Mrs Irwin bowed down, with her face upon tle table, trembling in every nerve: weak-n glad bewilderment -tearful. Then dropping up- on her knee, with claspcd hands and eyes uplift- ed, she said, faintly-
 'O Lord is lie not Thine?
 A deep peace fell upon her spirit, and she re- malncd for some tiiCe kneeling. But prayer formed itself in no other words.
 could Tot stay away from you after reading the news this morning A friend said this as she came in, little while afterwards
 Are you not 9 proud woman to-day, Mrs. Irwin?
 I feel glad and humbly,' was the subdued an swer.
 But did he not act nobly? Who would have thought that in your quiet. retiring boy, there was such daring spirit?
 IL uOeS NOI Seetn as II IL were my son WHO has been so brave,' said the mother. The act has apparently removed him to distance, and Set itself up as question of right against me- He is not mine. in the sense l have hitherto re- garded him. Higher duties than those of a son are laid upon him; and must give him to his country in degree not understood when he went forth at his country's call. l pray, now, that God will make hin eqnal to his duty under all circumstances. To lose him would be a fear full thing but, to find him weak coward in the day of battle would be more fearful still.'
 To hear such words from your lips! From whence has come this new spirit-ths new cour- age?'
 As our day is, so shall our strength be-, re- piled Mrs. Irwin. God gives the spirit of en- durance and self sacrifice when we have need of it and this is our time of need. I do not flat ter myself with the hope that my heart and home will be spared--that my boy will pass un scathed in the ordeal of battle. But, come what will, trust in God {; and He will lay no sorrow upon my back too heavy to bear. If l had ten sons, feeling as ROW do, would give them all for this contest, and send them forth, in God s name.'
 And to thousands of mothers hearts, strength and spirit of selfsacrifce have come in this time of trial as it came to the heart of Mrs. IT, win: and like her, their souls are in the cause, and their brave hearts giving cour ,ge and eDdu rance to tens of thousands of brave sons now battling for right and their country. It is the old spirit of the Revolution, and by virtue of it's sacred fires our armies must prevail.