Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1862-05-14

son they saw was Albert, marching IN fine
new uniform, with this same company, who
were on their way to the station. He had
kept his promise to them, that is, he had not
enlisted, but they felt from that day that they
must let him go. He went home with them,
and after few weeks they gave him up, and
i he enlisted 10 the Massachusetts 23d, Col.
Kurtz, as drummer for one of the companies,
being the youngest in the regiment. Dear
little ones I can never tell you how his moth
er felt, how his father in his bitter griet pray
ed, how many hot tears stained the few ard-
cles he could carry, and then almost sorrow
fully as to his burial, they went to see him
start That day the poor parents talked long
/ together, then the father went out and while
he was gone the pale mother lsnel with her
/ face hidden, asking for strength and patience.
When he came in Albert knew that he should
not go alone; his father had enlisted as april
vate in the same compay, so as to take care of
that idolized boy. They sailed in the Burn
side expedition, and on all that long, dreary
passage, Albert was the light and joy of his
regiment, and indeed of all the regiments on
the vessel. So full of hope and enthusiasm
was he, that his father wrote his mother, all
the petting he got did not seem to hurt him
bit" Officers and men delighted to do him
favors and his prompt, saucy drumming won
praise from the gallant commander himself
"When the hazardous work of landing be-
gan, Albert managed to be in one of the first
boats, and was consequently among the fist to
stand on the enemy's island of Roanoke
theirs then, ours now, thanks be to God. In
that march through slime and water, he did
his part WELL not allowing his father to touch
his cherished drum for an instant. At last
they came in sight of the enemy's battery.
"Who will go and take it?" asked the
General commanding. The Massachusetts,
23d," was the quick reply. Forward, then,
double quick /" and in the teeth of that CALLING
fire they rushed to their death as it had been
their bridal Albert slung his drum over his
shoulder and seizing rife from wounded
man near, dealt true shots for his country.
/ His father fell wounded by his side, but he
needed him not his whole soul had lost itself
in the work before him "Look at that child,
said one officer to another; "no wonder we
conquer when the boys fight So" At last the
position was ours; the rebel gunners turned
and fed and for an instant the roar of the bat
tie ceased. Sointentwas Albert that he nev-
er stopped, and was loading again. when the
Colonel touched his shoulder Wait rest a
minute, my young hero-don't you see they
are running2" 40, glory hallelujahl" sang
out the excited boy; didn't say they
should run to the old tunesf" and seizing a
disabled revolver for drum-sticb, he struck
up in wondrously defiant way our impu-
dent old strain Of Yankee Doodle. 1t was a
strange sound as ii rang out over that field of
death, and faint and weary as our brave fel-
lows were, they gave it a rousing welcome.
A flying rebel heard it, and looking back, took
sure aim at Albert A man near the boy saw
him, and tried to pull Albert down, but he
stood his ground, and the ball did not fail to
do its deadly work" .-...
80. fatherl" burst from the fearful child
rem; not killed was hep
They thought him only stunned at first
and bore him out of the crowd; they bathed
his brow and you will love his knightly Colo
mel none the less when I tell you that his
strong arm held the dying boy. HIS pale lips
moved at last and they bent eagerly to hear
his words. Some inquiry for his missing faith
er, some last precious words for bis lonely
motherl No; only this, boy-like, (Which
beat, quick, tell me2" Tears ran like rain
down the blackened faces, and one in a voice
husky with sobs said, awe, Albert, the field
is ours" The ears death had already deaden-
ed caught no sound, and his slight hand fut-
tered impatiently as again he gasped, "What,
tell quick 2" "We beat 'em entirely, me
boy, said big Irish sergeant, who was cry
ing ike baby. He eheard then, and his voice
was as strong and bright as ever as he ans
wered, Why dOn'tyou go after them2 Don't
mind me, I'll catch up-Tm little cold, but
running Will warm me-" He never spoke
again, the coldness of death stifened his limbs,
and so he passed from the victory. They laid
him down tenderly, with his head resting on
a smooth green sod, and as his wounded
father crawled up to see him they feared a
wild scene of lamentation, but he only said,
He would rather die than have us beaten"
He was urged to go home with Albert to his
mother, but he would not only saying to their
solicitations, "Albert would be ashamed if |
did, and will fight for him as long as the war
lasts"
The children did not play gunboat any more,
but went quietly up to bed, and when Nellie
said her prayers, she added, in simple, child
ish words, hope that God would make Al
bert's mother willing he should be dead, and
that God would tell her how Nellie loved her. |
and here the tender little heart broke down
but VIII said, God knew just as well as if
she said it all, and think he did"
"
8u Sorts of 6uO9 8raOing.