Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-11-19

A SAD INCIDENT OF THE WAR.-When
the war broke out there lived in q rural por-
ton Of Wayne county, Michigan, family
bearing the name Of Crane, which consisted
of an aged couple and three sons. They
lived upon farm which the boys titled, the
sire being too aged TO perform manual laber.
The mother was in feeble health, and in fact
had languished for long time on a bed of
sickness. They were nOtrich, yet had album
dance, and knew not want. Finally, the war
broke out, and the shout of rising freemen
as they rallied to the protection of the old
flag which traitors threatened, was borne to
that rural neigbbOrhood. The young men
caught the fever of patriotism, and the two
eldest resolved at once to 60 to the defense
of the Union. Thor aged sire told them to
go, and gave them his blessing, although the
salt tears ran down his furrowed cheek as he
did t. The saddest parting was with their
poor, PROSTATE mother, whom they could
hardly expect to see again, even though
they should return. She did not ask them to
stay, yet the blow was a heavy one to her,
and nearly exhausted the little remnant Of
vitality to which She cluDg. The youngest
son remained at home to cheer his parents
and to look after their wants. As the war
progressed, and more men were wanted, the
young man grew restless and uneasy. He
wanted to be by the side Of his brothers,
fighting for his country, and chafed at the
necessity which kept him at home Finally
his parents yielded to his persuasions and
gave reluctant consent that he should 20
70 the wars. It was a sad day for that aged
compile when they parted with their youngest
born-their Benjamin-but with patriotic
devotion to their country which all should
emulate, they gave him up, and he went
forth to battle for the right.
The story Is a short but sad one. The
regiment to which the three young men be-
1onged was in the battle of Antietam, and
fighting bFavely, suffered great losses in kill
ed and wounded. Following the news of the
battle came the crushing and terrible an.
nounesment that their three sons were all
killed. It was brief-Oocupied not more than
TIVE lines in the telegraphic dispatches vet
what volumes of grief did it convey to those
aged and stricken hearts. The mother sank
at once and died. The father bore up under
hs.aecamalatiOn of affiliations, yet -lis, form
was mOrebent than before, and there was
more silFery hue to his thin locks. He felt
that if he could obtain the remains of his
sons and lay them by the side of their moth
er, his mission IN life would be ended, and he
would be'ppntent to follow them to their final
rest, At length. he went to the fatal battle
field Of Antietam, and although he met with
symPatAizing men, who, plying his'great be-
reaSement, aided him in the search for the
bodies Of his sons, they FerenOt found and
sad and brOk0n-kearted, the old man reIue-
tsnHy abandoned the search and started for
his dssolate home. He reached here this
morning, on his way to Detroit, and We lis
tened to his tals, related in the simple els-
guenss Of great sOrrOW. 1t was a sad sight,
the zloaoly old man returning from sEeh a
search to such home = He has not long to
beEr his sarrOWs3 however, for he will soon
follow his wife and children.