Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1862-01-01
selerted Misrellanp.
MORTALLY WOUNDED.
BY CAPTAIN DAsS.

J 0AStSAA O1%UAlS Sb eiS al eplSOue OA war IN
the midst Of the thrilling incidents of an
Indian campaign
The narrative, simple as it is, may teach
those who depreciate the character of SOL
diers (and there are many who are apt to
| think they are but fighting machines. to
regard them in a new light and from
nobler point of view.
The harsh music Of war had died away.
the noise and smoke of battle had subsi-
ded and the British standard was futter-
ing over the gorgeous palaces Of Luck
now
The laundering boom of heavy guns.
and the crashing blow of mortar shells
no longer reyerberated amid the crumbling
ruins of massive edifces. Rafting of
light artillery, clanking of horsemen, pat
terlng volieys of mus kerry. the wild cheers
of battallicns rushing on the foe, and the
glad shout of victory-all were hushed
The gunner was at rest; his port-lire
was extinguished, and in dreams he wan
dered amidst the ruins he had made: the
chargers saddle-girth was loosed, and the
horse kept watch over his wearied rider.
The strong holds of the enemy were now
the resting places of our men But, alas
the heart-rending groans of the wounded
were heard, and the last trembling whis-
pers of dying man fell on my ear
| was sitting by the bed of one who had
but short time to live, and taking down,
at his request, the few words that he could
with great difficulty utter at irregular in
tervals
His name was John Black, a sergeant
In her Majesty S. regiment of foot
as splendid a man as ever | saw, whose
de- th-scene presented to mind a picture
which shall never forget. l had seen
good deal of death. / had often beheld
hundreds of wounded lying on the field
| had got used, as the saving is, "to
those sort of things" Yet the death
scene of Sergeant Black could never be
looked on or thought of unconcernedlv
single day before, he was strong and
well, perhaps the strongest and the finest
man in the regiment; and that, reader, is
saying good deal when YOU have a Brit
lsh regiment 10 deal with, (as every nation
IN the world Will confess-French Rus
slams, Turks, Persians, Hindoes, Moham-
medans, Alghans, Ghorkas, Cinnamon and
Maories.) John Black was not only, how
ever, fine looking man, but with all his
soldler-lIke bearing he was gentle and
courteous, and a great favorite in his com
pany. The officers of the regiment used
to talk of him very often together, and al
ways with evident pride, for there was no
doubt about II, he was n splendid speci-
men of a man. Vas sad tense indeed
Even the morning before he was in his
very prime-lustv, strong and happy
That day the regiment were taken into ac-
ton, and as they were storming one of
the last of the enemy's positions, a bullet
struck poor Black And the strong man
fell, shot through the side mortally
wounded
Heart-rending words, that convey the
idea Of an irrevocable doom over which
millions Of the worlds inhabitants have
shed burning tears of grief! Thrilling
verdict that separates forever comrades
IN arms. Mortally wounded An end to
earthly ambition, earthly glory, earthly
fame, earthly existence and vet the pre-
lude 10 the greatest of human victories
1t w4s night as | sat by Blacks cot in
the hospital where all Our wounded were
lying The place which had been select
ed for them by the surge n of the regi-
ment was long room in one of the
buildings of Lucknow When first Sc
cured (Which was only two hours before
1t was quite empty and dusty. lthad been
cleared up a little, and as many cots as
could be had put into it, and some dim.
OIL burners placed at intervals, in the long
apartment There lay some of our sick.
and about thirty others who had been
wounded but few hours before Their
wourds had been looked tc and dressed
but many Of the poor fellows were moan
ing IN great pain. | could see the doctor
slowly passing from one bed to another
kindly attending to the sufferers, and anx-
lousiv mlnlstering to their wants cheer
ing the men with hopeful words, and as
he left each patient, gently patting him
u h. i 4
n smile of comfort, which several of the
men afterwards told me beguileI the pain
of the wounds, and filled their hearts with
love, not only Cor the conscientious sur
geon, but for all around them Happy.
glorious power of sympathy!
In the midst of that impressive scene.
then, | was sitting by poo. Blacks bed.
and talking Il him for the last time He
knew quite well that he was diving, for the
torturing pain Of his wound told that it
was mortal He felt, too, as he expressed
IT. the blood 'frothing' from his side. and
ms strength failing, gradually at first, but
now more quickly
His face was pale and haggard, and
there was cold sweat over his brow.
which damped the fair hair about his
forehead and temples His beautiful.
dark blue eyes had sad rsstless look
about them; his lips were hvid and drv.
and he complained of incessant thirst
tie had been tossing about a great deal.
but now be was too weak to do SO. Occa-
SIonalIy his body seemed to ,vrithc rs il
were, raising the bed clothes for a few
seconds. and then letting them sink again
on the bed. Such was his condition. poor
fellow; and yet much To my delight. be it
coniessed-he was still brave, collected,
and selt-possessed. | had written down
a good many Of his wishes. which all dis
played the afectionate and intellectual ma
ture of the man. | then asked him If
there was anything else he would Ike to
express.
20, yes, sir" he said. with falte~ing
voice but am giving you great deal
of trouble sir"
1t is no trouble, Biack." | replied: it
viii be great pleasure to me if | can at
tend 10 your wants in anv wav
es, sir, was his reply. you've al
ne
The poor fellow unselfshness and graf
itude was very affecting. After a pause.
he said in feeble tone.
Could | see Johnson. sir2 I'd Ike IN
see him once more There is not much