The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-01-02

stained colors, should return, weary and war
worn TO their homes.
The Regiment halted near the cars. and
their friends gathered around to bid them
adieu. That was one Of the hours that "try
mems souls" "Talk not Of grief, till you
have seen the tears Of warliko men," The
Stone may boast Of his adamantino heart, but
the tear that glistens in the soldiers eye as
he leaves his friends and homo, and goes to
the "6eld Of blood" in the hour Of his
country's peril, is no disparagcment to his
m,nhood. II the brave sons Of New Eng
land feel their hearts falter, and their voices
grow husky, it is when they part with friends;
not when they meet tho foe. Although the
soldiers came from the plains Of York, and
the mountain glens of "old Oxford" yet,
they were somebody's sons" and the ladies
were present with liberal supply Of hot
coffee. Doubtless many youthful soldier
thought Of home and mother, as he received
this last tribute of gratitude, from friendly.
but unknown hands. Perhaps the ladies had
husbands, sons and brothers far away amid
suffering and danger, and then their hearts
beat in sympathy with those who were going
to stand by their side.
Atlength the bell llrung; my brother reach
cd his hand from the window, aud badc mo
good by, and relentlessly the rou'horse NOV
cd on. The old house is lonely now;
it is evening, and my heart grieves mourn.
fully US look upon the vacant scat, and the
garments that he used to wear, and / pause,
and wonder, as hesits in his tent, and listens
to the revelry Of the camp, If he thinks Of
home, and remembers that the hour Of prayer
draws near.
While 6ghting for the land Of their fathers,
may rhoy not forget that brighter land. pur-
chased by blood moro precious than that of
Warren, Ellsworth, or Lyon; where the ban.
ner of Peace is ever waving its stainless folds,
and the fadelcss verdurc is never moistened
by burning tears, nor crimsoned by human
gore. Doubtless when they return, shall
look in vain among their shattered ranks,
for faces that have been familiar to me for
years, and hearts that beat responsive to my
own will be cold in death. But the "Sun.
rise State" will remember her brave sons
who have fallen. although she may not fold
them in her bosom. Although our native
land is sdrencbed in blood and. years, and robed
in mourning, yet there arises In The dim
shadowy future, beautiful vision of peace,
happiness, and prosperity. And Hope points
away to golden eve Of Christian civiliza-
ton. when the sword Of the Warrior shall
give place to the pen of the Statesman the
musical tones of the Orator shall succeed
the hoarse voice of cannon, and tho majestic
Temple Of the Union, resting on the corner
stones of Christianity, Liberty, Patriotism,
and intelligence, shall stand upon the lofty
table.lands Of Universal Freedom. We look
with interest to the dawn Of tho new year,
when the sacred light of Liberty, piercing
the long, dark night Of gloom, shall herald
the approach Of morn. and slavcry's lurid
fires shall be dimmed forever.
Loved brother and cherished friends,
though far away in land of strangers, the
past is still dear to our memory, and you will
not bo forgotten. When the Stars ana
Stripes shall again wave unrivalled in the
land of the Magnolia and Palmetto, tho cy-
press and the willow will droop in their
mournfal beauty over the graves Of tho fall.
en-fair hands will twino the oak and the
laurel for the brows of the victors-and the
loved ones who wcpt at your departure, will
joyfully greet your coming.
LLEwELLYN B. WADswoRrn.
South Hiram, Mo. Dec. 18th, 1862.