Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-01-25
" He looked so brave and manly said tn.

friend. =.
A glow Of pride came into the mothers face.
And seemed, !" was added, TO comprehend
% clearly the Issues at stake. It was no mur-
derous thirst for blood; no love of excitement
and change that filed his heart but that true
patriotism which Is the inspiration of an hon.
cradle mind, apd gives IT the courage to meet
you, my friend, in being the mother Of such
son.
How strangely pleasursble were the pulses
that leaped away from the heart of Mrs. r.
win. This praise Of her son was very sweet.
Weeks passed. With what an absorbing in
terest did Mrs. Irwin watch the progress of
events. Once, she turned with an instructive
repugnance from all accounts Of military
movements asd battles; but now she had no
taste for anything else. The whole country
was spread out, like q map, in her mind, and
every strategic point, with its camps and SOL
diers strongly marked. The marshalling of
troops; their movements, strength, and posi-
tions were now familiar things: and her heart
beat high with pleasure at every trifing sue.
cess, or veiled itself with shadows when even
the smallest reverse was sustained With what
an irrepressible impatienee did she look for
the regular coming letters from her son; and
with what proud satisfaction did she read
every detail of his new life that showed cou-
rage, endurance, and self-denialI She felt that
NO W ao true bOluler, dQQ therefore she was
very, very proud of him.
Then news came that the regiment in which
her son was serving had made an advance
upon the enemy's lines; that some very severe
skirmishing had taken place, and that an en-
gagement was imminent. A sudden fear shook
the nerves of Mrs. Irwin. Even as she read of
the advance, bloody battle might be going
on, and her son be among the dead or dying.
The hours of sleepless suspense that went by
a AZ
the country, We will not venture to describe.
Many were killed and many wounded With
breathless eagerness she devoured their names,
as with white lips and starting eyes, she bent
over the brief dispatches. What is this' Her
sons name! The paper shivers In her hands.
She cannot read the paragraph. Desperately
she thrusts the sheet down upon a table to
hold it firmly; but mist comes over her eyes;
she does not make out the words. Killed or
wounded
ooh, God Give me strength"
Among the brave men who distinguished
themselves, private John Irwin deserves hon.
orable mention. In desperate assault of the
rebels, tho captain of his company received a
severe wound, and fell upen the ground. He
was few PAGES in advance of his men, and as
ne fell, two Of the enemy sprang forward to
oayonet him. Irwin, seeing this, flung himself
before his prostrate captain, shot one of the
men, and in hand-to- hand encounter disabled
the other. He then bore the wounded officer
iron the field. During the whole fight, this
young man, who is not twenty-one years of
age, conducted himself with the coolest couf-
age, and in more than one instance rallied his
failing comrades. He has the stuff of which
ofieers are made, asd the Department should
send him commission
Mrs. Irwin bowed down, with her face upon
the table, trembling in every nerve; weak
In glad ewilderment-tearful. Then drop
Al NNaR FrTlnFa has la Al IL u
eyes uplifted, she said, family
80, Lord, is he not Thine ?"
a deep peace fell upon her spirit, and she
remained for some time kneelfng. But prayer
formed itself in no other words
81 could not stay away from you after read
ing the news this morning" A friend said this
as she came in, a little while afterwards.
VIM"
II feel glad and humble" was the subdued
answer.
But did he not act nobly? Who would have
thought that in your quiet, retiring boy, there
was such daring spirit?'' =
"It does not seem as if it were my SON who
has been SO brave" said the mother. "The act
has apparently removed him to a distance,
and set itself up as question of right against
me. He is not mine, in the sense / have
hitherto regarded him. Higher duties than
those Of son are laid upon him; and must
give him to his country in q degree not un-
derstood when he went forth to his country's
call. pray, now, that God will make him
equal to his duty under all circumstances. To
lose him would be fearful thing; but, to find
him weak coward in the day Of battle, would
be more fearful still"
"To hear such words from your lipsl From
whence has come this new spirit?-this new
oourage?"
As our day is 80 shall our strength be-"
replied Mrs. Irwin. ''God gives the spirit of
endurance and self-sacrifce when we have
need of 1t; and this is our time of need. [ do
not hatter myself with the hope that my heart
and home will be spsred-that my boy will
pass unscathed in the ordeal Of battle But
come what viii, I trust in God; and He will
lay no sorrow upon my heart too heavy TO
bear. If had ten sons, feeling as now do,
would give them all for this contest, and
send them forth, in Gods name"
And to thousands of mothers hearts strength
and spirit Of self-sscrihce have come in this
time OF trial, as II came to the heart of Mrs.
Irwin, and like her, their souls are in the
cause, and their brave hearts giving courage
and endurance to tens of thousands of brave
sons now battling for right and their country
1t Is the old spirit Of the Revolution, and by
virtue OF its sacred fires our armies must pre-
vail Philadelphia Press