Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-03-26

officer ac relief, found that my post was
upon high eminence that overlooked the
deep rayine in which our men had engaged the
enemy, until lotions battery came to their
assistance. 1t was dreary lonesome beat.
The moon had gone down in the early part of
the night, while the stars twinkled dimly
through heavy atmosphere, lighting up i'm
perfectly the surrounding objects. Occasion
ally would place my ear near the ground and
listen for the sound of footsteps. but all was
silent save the far off bowling of the wolf, that
seemed TO scent upon the night air the ban
quet that we had prepared tor him. The hours
passed slowly away, when at length the morn
ing light began to streak along the eastern sky,
making surrounding objects more plainly Wis
ible. Presently heard drum beat up the
morning call. AT first Thought it came from
tho camp OF the enemy across the creek but
AS listened found 1t came from the deep
ravine; for few minutes it was SILENT and
then as 1t became more light heard it again.
tened-the sound of the drum was famil-
lar to me--and | knew that it was
Our drummer boy from Tennessee,
Beating for help the reveille.
was about to desert my past to go to his
assistance, when | discovered the officer COM
ing with two men. We all listened to the
| sound, and were satisfied that it was Eddie's
drum. l asked permission TO go to his as
sistance. The officer hesitated, saying that
promised to be back in that time, and he
consented. | Immediately started down the
MIL through the thick growth, and upon reach
ing the valley l followed the sound of the
drum, and soon found him seated upon the
ground, his back leaning against the trunk of
fallen tree, while his drum hung upon a bush
in front OF him, reaching nearly TO the ground.
AS soon as he discovered me, he dropped his
drumStickS and exclaimed, so, corporal, [
am so glad to see you Give ME drink, !"
reaching out his hand for my canteen, which
was empty. | Immediately turned to bring
him some water from the brook that could
hear ripping through the bushes near b.
when thinking | wnS about leaving him, he
commenced crying, saying, "Don't leave me,
curpora-I can't walk !" | was soon back
with the water, when ] discovered that both
OF his feet had been shot away by cannon
ball. After satisfying his thirst, he looked
up into my face, and said, 'sYou don't think |
will die corporal, do your This man said
would not-he said the surgeon could cure
my feet" now discovered a man living in
the grass near him. By his dress | recognized
him as belonging to the enemy. 1t appeared
that he had been shot through the bowels, and
had fallen near where Eddie lay. Knowing
that he could not live, and seeing the coudi-
tion of the boy, he had crawled to him, took
oil his buckskin suspenders, and corded the
little fellows legs below the knees, and then
lay down and died. While he was telling me
these particulars, heard the tramp of cavalry
coming down the rayine, and in moment
scout of the enemy was upon US, and l was
taken prisoner. l requested the officer to
take Eddie up in front of him, and he did so.
carrying him with great tenderness and care.
When we reached the camp of the enemy be
was dead.
1t is now two weeks since made my escape
from McCuiloch's grasp. l have re-enisted
for the war, and as we are likely to be camp
for some time, may write again of other
scenes through which have passed.