The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-04-07

with the officer, who regarded him more In
pity than anger The soldier was a young
man not over twenty years Of age; OF slender
form, but compactly built and muscular.
Even under disgrace there was manly self
poise about him that did not escape the Off
GERS notice.
"Under arrest again! What have you to
say for YOURSELF"
The soldier did not answer; but look,
half-dogged, halfdefant, was visible in his
face.
81 shall have to order severer punishment"
There was no reply; only slight change in
attitude and expression OF couhtenance that
indicated bracing OF mind and nerve for
more endurance.
"When did you hear from homer" asked
the officer, who did not remember to have
seen letter addressed to Rogers until the re-
ceipt of that days mail.
Not for long time," was answered with
apparent surprise at SO unexpected ques-
ton.
Here are two letters to your address,"
And the officer, who had the letters in his
hand, held them toward the soldier who start
ed with strange look of surprise and bewil-
derment, and received them with hand that
trembled visibly.
"Sit down and read Them" said the officer,
pointing to a camp-stool. The man sat down,
showing considerable excitement and after
looking cnrously at the delicately written SUI
prescriptions, opened one of the letters and
glanced through it hurriedly. The officers
gaze was upon him, and he read in his coun-
tenance the rapid play of various emotions.
Then he opened the second letter, which was
read twice As he finished it, he drew his
hand hastily across his eyes.
From home ?" queried the officer.
The young soldier stood up, giving the
usual sign OF respect, as he answered in the
affirmative. The officer noticed that his face
was graver and paler; and that all the late
look of logged defiance had faded out.
sand now, Rogers, what have you to say for
yourself? Will you drive us 10 a severer pun
ishment? You know. as well as / do, that
discipline must be enforced" There was re-
monstrance, not anger, in the officers voice.
"Only this" answered the soldier, humbly,
yet in a firm voice. IL have done wrong and
am sorry. Forgive me and ii l break a rule
OF the service again, shoot me-
spoken like true man and a soldier!
/ will trust you, Rogers" said the officer; and,
Diminishing the guard, he sent him to duty.
Two days afterward came that overwhelm-
ing assault upon outright wing, and on the
next day the terrible conflict at Gaines Mills.
Among the coolest and bravest in all the
fierce battles that followed and among the
most enduring in the long nights Of Retreat,
was young Rogers. He was with that body
of infantry which lay at the bottom of NAL
vern Hill, under our death-dealing batteries,
the fire from which staggered, and then drove
back the rebel masses, whose desperate cour-
age in that maddest of all assaults, was worthy
of better cause. Twice during this series of
battles, as once at Williamsburg. had Rogers,
riskng his own life, saved that of his captain
and in several of the conflicts he had shown
such GOODNESS and courage, that positions were
saved, which but for the infusion of his spirit
into his comrades would have been lost
One day about three weeks after the letters
we're written to Thomas Rogers, the young
lady, whom we have called Annie, received a
reply from the soldier, dated, an Camp, near
Harrison's Landing" Ii ran thus:
good angel must have put it into your
heart to send me that letter, for ii came Just
in time To save me. / was IN the guard-house
for neglect OF duty and disobedience of orders.
Twas reckless and desperate. All my com
rades were getting word from homc-letters
came to them by every mail-but no one
wrote to Inc or seemed TO care for me. So |
lost respect for myself, grew sour, unhappy,
and Indifferent TO duty. But your kind words
your talk about the past time when you were
my teacher-your strong appeal to my better
nature-your calm, true, sweet sentences dear
lady! stirred my heartWith new feelings, and
uttu NY eyes Will tedTs. WAS UtfDTt my
captain, in disgrace, when your letter was
placed in my hands. He waited for me to
read ii, saw that / was touched, and, like
true man as he is, forgaye my offence. Then,
and there, resolved to die sooner than swerve
a hair's-breadth from duty. | have been In
fearful battles since, but God has kept me from
harm. To-day. for bravery and faithful SER
vice in these battles, have been made sec
ond lieutenant. Thanks, thanks to you, kind,
good friend! YoH have saved one who came
nigh being lost y
Fair reader, is there not, in some far away
camp, soldier who would be made better or
happier through letter from your hand ?
Think! II there Is, write to him. Brothers,
sisters, fathers, mothers, write often TO the
soldiers who have gone out from your homes.
They are in the midst of temptations, trials,
sufferings and privations, and your words of
love, your tenderly manifested interest, your
exhortations 10 courage and duty, cannot fail
to do them good.-iPeterson's Magazine for
March.