The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-07-18
Incidents on the Battle Field.

The army correspondent of the Evening
Post relates the following interesting and
touching scenes of the late battles:
While the engagement goes on and a man
here and there falls, one wounded and anoth.
er dead, the dead body is left lying in the
position in which it fell, the soldier some>
times grasping his half loaded mrsket and
ramrod, or loaded and aiming as if to again
discharge it; another dying after a few
minutes or an hours consciousness, with
hands clasped or any lit e keepsake lying
upon bis bosom, as if his last word and
breath had been prayer for the loved ones
away.
The wounded, if their injuries are slight,
are allowed to walk away, or, il more seri.
Gus, one or two comrades lay down their
arms and lead him of, until met by the
stretcher bearers, when they are laid upon
the stretcher and taken to the ambulance in
waiting in a protected spot, to take them to
the place selected as temporary hospital,
where surgeons are 10 attendance to receive
them.
Here, then, come the trying scenes. The
physician discriminates between those NOR.
tally wounded and those who will probably
live, and the operations are affecting in the
extreme.
One MORALLY wounded soldier asks,
doctor, what do you think of my case, is
it dangerous 2" With a feeling which
brings tears to the eyes Of men of the stout
est hearts, the Doctor replies, both for the
surgeon and the spiritual adviser, that there
is little or no hope, and the soldier closes
his eyes for few moments in despair, then
rising, be looks earnestly for sympathizing
friend, and earnestly makes the same in.
quiry.
Major Barnum, of the Twelfth New
York, was MORALLY wounded, and while
lying breathing his last friend asked him
if he had any message, to which be replied:
"Tell my wife that ia my last thoughts
were blended my wife, my boy and my
flag" BE asked the physician how the
battle went. and when told it was favorable
to US, be said "God bless the old fla" and
expired with the prayer finishing inaudibly
with his closing lips. A drawer officer
never urged his men to gallantry.
met one soldier with ball through his
leg and bleeding to death surely and rap
idly.
"Oh," said he, "what will Mrs. Ellis and
Jennie do? Poor William is dead--how
his mother and sister loved bin. And be
would not have enlisted if l had not. o
dear, o dear"
And beseechiug me to take message to
them, said:
"Poor Mrs. Ellis; poor me, l have no
mother and sister to weep for me; might
as we'll fight those wicked rebels as not"
Another, shot through the lungs, clasped
locket to bis breast and moved bis lips
till I put down my ear and listened for his
last breath:
"You'll tell her, won't your"
Tell who or where / could not ask, but
the locket Was the picture of one who might
be wife, sweetheart or sister.
At one place apart from the rest men
were carried to have legs and arms ampu~
tated. At three different times saw par
ties of men carrying away the amputated
limbs for burial. When the battle is over,
details of men from each regiment 90 over
the field and pick up and recognise the
bodies of the dead, carrying them to COM
venient place, and laying them face to the
enemy ready for burial.
When General Mccall fell be was raised
by his aids, but be said, "No, no; let me
die on the field"