Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1862-02-21

40 eAials Ner SONS uaheis 1ne paper
shivers Ia her hands. She cannot read
the paragraph. Desperately she thrusts
the sheet dowu upon table to hold il
frmlyi buta mist cezaa over her eyes;
she does no. make cut the words
Killed or wounded! SIS !sssg
oh, God! give me strength"
The dimness passes and she read: e
Among the brave men who distin-
guished themselves, private John Irwin
deserves honorable mention. In dea-
perate assault of The rebels, the captain
of his company received severe wound,
land fell upon the ground. He was few
PAGES ii advance of his men, and as he
feb two Of the enemy sprung forward to
tba5onef him, Irwin seeing this, flung
..nseR betbre his PROSTATE captain, shot
one OF the men, and in a hand to-hand
iencounter disabled the other. He then
bore the wounded officer from the field.
During the whole fight, this young man,
twho is not twenty-one years of age, con-
Quoted himself with the coolest courage,
and in more than one insta nee rallied
his failing comrades. He has the stuff
of which officers are made, and the De-
| partment should send him commis-
sion" s. ...---.se,. .....4-.
"Mrs. Irwin bowed down, with her
face upon tue table, trembling in every
nerve; weak-in glad bewiiderment-
fearful Then dropping upon her knees,
with clasped hands and eyes upiifted,
she said, faintly-'
l IN o,J q, Ia nok Thsoo9v
A deep peace fell upon her spirit, and
she remained for sometime kneeling.
But prayer formed itself in no other
words. ....--..
"I could not stay away from you af-
ter reading the news this morning. A
friend said this as she came in, little
llRhile afterwards "Are you not proud
woman to- day, Mrs. Irwin.
81 feel glad and humble" was the sub
dued answer.
"But did he not act nob1y2 Who
would have thought that in your quiet,
retiring boy, there was such daring
splrit2" z- s.s
/, cit does not seem as if he were my son
who has been so brave" said the mother.
"The act has apparently removed him
to a distance, and set itselfup as ques-
tion of ght against me. He is not mine,
in the sense / have hitherto regarded
him. Higher duties than those of son
are laid upon him; and | must give him
to his country in degree not understood
when be went forth at his eountry's call
l pray, now, that God will make him
equal to his duty under all cireum-
stances. To lose him would be fear
full thing; but, to fnd him weak coward
in the dag of battle, would be more fear
sul still. " .-...,-..-. ... s........
sTo hear such words from your. lips!
From whence has come this new spirit?
I this new courage2'
GAS our day is, so shall our strength
be, replied Mrs. Irwin. "God gives the
spirit ofeudurance and self sacrifice when
we have need oft; and this is our time Of
need lido not fatter myself with the hope
| that my heart and home will be spared
that my boy will pass unscathed in the
ordeal of battle. But, come what will, l
trust in God; and He will lay no sorrow
upon my heart too heavy to bear. If l
had ten sons, feeling as now do, l would
give them all for this contest, and send
them forth in Gods name"
And to thousands Of mothers hearts,
strength and d spirit of self-sacriice have
come in this time of trial, as it came to
the heart of Mrs. Irwin, and like her,
their souls are in the cause, and their
brave hearts giving courage and endu-
rance to tens of thousands of brave sons
now battling for right and their country,
1t is the old spirit of the revolution, and
by virtue of its sacred fires our armies
must prevail.