The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-07-05

could amuse himself at my expense woult
have no objections. a
While bathing his face, asked him wha
induced him to leave home and friends Il
Nebrasks, 70 come away and peril his life q
such an early age. His reply is worthy 4
be written by that Of the noble Nathan Hale
who regretted having but one life to offer tc
his country. He said : 81 joined the army
because I was young and strong. have
but one life. and that would be worth moth.
ing to me ifnot offered to my country.
Noble boy! How many more like him
have fallen willing sacrifices |,
The next day ordered basket ofapples
oranges, pies, tea. &C., to the hospital. Az
I went in, several Of the men lifted their
heads, and nodded pleasantly.
"T'm glad you have come back. !" said one,
and another thought SIT looked so home-like
to see woman amongst them"
My "admirer" with the black eyes. clasp
ed my hand when offered him an orange
and kissed It gratefully.
"If live," he said, "I'll always pray God
tn bless you. III die, I'll watch over you
from Heaven"
Poor fellow wonder iffrom that Heav-
en- to which his spirit has flown, he is watch.
ing over me tonight, a. I pen these lines
Frankie's blue eyes greeted me with q
glad smile before was near enough to
speak to him. When bent over and asked
how he felt, he answered me cheerfully, say
ing he hoped to be able very soon to ret lrn
to his regiment.
bathed his face, gave him . cup Of hot
tea, with some toast, and left him sleeping
sweetly.,
Those who have never visited the hospi-
tails cannot conceive Of the wretched condi-
ton in which the men are brought into
them. That day twenty-eight were brought
in from Donelson and Savannah, and such
objects never saw. Their faces and hands
were stiff with coal dust, and burning with
fever. Their hair long and matted-beard
uncut and full of dirt.
II was serious task to attempt rendering
them comfortable, but did not shrink from
il. On the contrary, felt grieved at my
inability to serve more than one at time.
Oh. how l longed for the power to stir some
of my own sex who in that town passed the
days in thoughtless idleness, to action, il
only for an hour, to assist in bringing those
poor sufferers to comfortable condition.
From morning till noon. toiled faithfully,
glad from my heart and thankful for the
impulse that had sent me there. l went
home and dined. and feeling tired. wanted
to lie down and rest. But then had prom
ised to bring some fruits to the boys In the
afternoon, and could not feel satisfied till
Ihsd done so, knowing that I could rest
any time, while they lay tossing IN pain and
fever, perhaps longing for cooling draught
they could not get.
II was four o'clock before I got away
again, and then I was really tired. So days
merged into weeks. and It became regular
routine. From eight to ten or eleven, and
from half past one till four, took pleasure
amongst them. even while pain stirred my
heart to see their sufferings. One by one
could see them fading. No care or skin
could save them. They had offered their
Aves to their country, and she accepted the
sacrifice.
Poor little Frank B. daily grew weak.
er. Nothing could tempt him to eat. and
his cough grew worse; while his face became
thin and pale. He never lost his joyous
spirit. but always seemed hopeful. even
when too III to rise from his berth.
One afternoon WAS startled on entering,
By the most piteous cries. and found that
they came from my little fAvorite. generally
20 brave and patient.
"Why, frankie, what is the matter :" I
ssked, bending over him.
"Oh. you have come I did wish for you
20 much. Oh. I shall die. and I wanted
by who seemed to care for me .
little. You do Nike me don't you. dear Mrs
--f You've been - kind to me. Oh, this
pain! Tcan't stand II long r.
His hands grasped mine nervously, and
every abre Of his frame quivered with pain.
saw that the dews Of death were standing
thickiy already, on the broad. beautiful fore.
head over which the fair hair clustered 20
prettiiy, and my eyes filled with tears Of
sorrow deeper than words oould express
stopped to kiss him, and giad cry e.
capped tho poor blue lips Of the dying boy n
"Oh, kiss me again, won't you 2 sis n be
ike my sister. Do kiss me 4orts,sy loved Il
bel better. Oh, I wouiAs. don't you p y
ny sisters were hs-fnnkie a. much a IS IS
ne. You d1stsr. Don't you think 40 |, m
Ycy6u're good boy. and I sm sory dy
ss you suffer So"
edrsw mo down toward hin, and u,esa- grl
hs face close TO my arms. I could en- nic Nh
, no more. The poor boy's mute appe.l syl
tAdsrnsss and sympathy In his dying ma
IT. rffom home, brsathing out his young sns Sas
en- Ssanssss, nnnervsd ne. / dssw rss ss
: s's~isht heed 10 my bosom, and do