Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-09-18
From the Independent
A RECOLLECTION OF THE PENlNSU-
LA CAMPAIGN.

one of the Vermont regiments, and several
times during the subsequent day my atten-
ton was drawn to youthful soldier-a mere
boy-not only peculiarly handsome in the
features Of the face, but with form extremely
light, and carriage that in all his movements
seemed to keep time to the emotions Of a soul
full Of enthusiasm and perpetual sunshine
His face was as smooth and fair as girls,
with features no less delicate. Exposure had
given a tinge to his complexion resembling
the ripe peach. The uniform of the soldier
could not hide, but set off rather the delicacy
Of an organization that seemed little capable
Of enduring the fatigues Of a campaign.
1t is no, wonderful that an officer should
have selected him for an orderly" or that
he should be a favorite, not only at headquar-
ters. but with al who knew him. | never
knew his name, save that he was called Lu-
cius, and by that name be was known every
where He was faithful and conscientious in
every duty, and consequently was trusted to
the fullest extent Evidently educated with
more than common care, be possessed more
than ordinary intelligence; and for this rea-
son, as veil as Tor the gentleness of his man
ners and beauty Of his person, he could not
fail Of becoming favorite wherever he went
How it happened that he Joined the army
too young in years and in every respect un
equal tn such life--was a question that oc-
Cured to me often. as have no doubt it did
to others 1u the rough and hardening scenes
of the camp, and in the tolls of the march, he
was wonderfully out Of pace, and one felt
like interposing in his behalf as he would to
save flower or some precious thing from
imminent danger
Shortly after the Army Of the Potomac sat
itself down before Yorktown, lost sight Of
Lucius. and he measurably passed out Of my
mind | sometimes heard of him. however.
and be was always warmly spoken Of.
The affair on the 10Th Of April, near Lees
Mills brought me 20 that part of our line. 1t
was a sanguinary episode in that dishearten-
ing halt before the rebel line Of works. On
its becoming known Co him that his regiment
had been ordered to participate in the CON
templated operations, Lucius had preferred
request to 90 with it. The request was grant
ed. and he was among the number ei heroes
who. with more daring than discretion, dash
ed boldly into the stream a, Dam No. 2, and
strove to cross to where the enemy we're in
strong force behind breastworks and in ride.
pits Some did gain the opposite shore
swim the stream with their muskets lashed to
them, and, with unparalleled heroism, and
with not shot not ruined from wetting,
charge the enemy in their rife pits. Few if
any returned for the enemy, more than one
hundred to one, SPEEDILY dispatched them
The next day thirty seven bodies were deliver
ed to US under flag Of truce.
Lucus was among the num1er who under
took this hazardous enterprlae. With COM
panion. amid shower Of bullets, he dashed
resolutely into the stream, his gun slung on
his shoulder. When near half the distance
across his companion was struck by shot
from the enemy The wound was severe, aud
he appealed to Lucius for help. Though he
was bent on crossing, and in the ardor Of his
patriotism be had rushed into the jaws Of
death the cry Of his wounded companion was
not unheeded Te be diverted from his heroic
undertaking was grevious disappointment
Tue wounded soldier was fast becoming ex-
hausted from, pain, loss Of blood, and excess
sive exertion. To carry him back would tax
to the utmost the powers Of the young hero.
Yet he did it, while the enemy's bullets fairly
made the water foam all around them. With
the aid Of whatremaining strength the wound
ed man had he conveyed him to a spot beyond
the range Of the enemys fire, where after do
ing all he could to render him comfortable,
he received the words spoken with his last
breath The two were from the same village
and notwithstanding the disparity of .heir
ages, they had long been intimate friends, aud
since their enlistment boon companions.
The sacred duty of closing in death the
eyes Of his companion was performed by Lu-
cus in the deepest sorrow, mingled with re-
gret that he should have been prevented cross
ing the stream. | arrived on the ground Just
as he came out of the wood where he had
temporarily left his dead companion, in search
Of means 10 convey his body to a more suta-
BILE place preparatory to a decent burial. He
was completely absorbed in the scenes going
on around him-soenes in which there was
not a more patriotic or noble-hearted actor.
His grief was sincere, and his patriotism ex-
allied
Generally the burial of those who fall in
action is heartless operation Rarely cof-
fined, or so much as allotted a separate grave
for usually bodies are laid several together
in a shallow trench-it is seldom that it is
marked by rite or ceremony of any kind. Es-
pecially is this the case after a great battle,
when the brutalizing effects Of the life Of the
common soldier find an illustration in the
manner 10 which burying parties frequen ly
perform their task II sometimes happens,
however Mhth AAN ANeN NAN NV HNAANiNNoi
aud the march not immediate, that chapains
say short prayer and sometimes, too, fa-
milar hymn is sung. Exercises so rare as
these are sure to collect a congregation, res
pectable in numbers, and respectful in man
ner. 1t was so when, on the day following,
the companion Of Lucius was buried. Re-
ouired to remain in the vicinity, was among
the number drawn to the spot. 1t was under
a clump of trees, close by deeayed mansion,
then used for hospital where flowers blossom
p ed. and the branches cast deep shade
Here a single grave had been dug The se-
lection of the spot evinced at once tender
sentiment and genuine good taste, character
istic of Lucius. AS he stood by the side oi
: the grave when the body of his friend, wrap
ped in his blanket, was lowered into it, and
as he knelt when the feryent prayer was said
= he was not the only one that dropped tear
and when the good old hymn, familiar in
every New England household, was sung by
more than a hundred New England voices, the
scene in the foreground OF which was Lucus
I the tears streaming down his handsome face
was deeply impressive, and moved to tears
I many unused to the melting mood.
The next day carefully shaped tablet o.
wood, in which was cut the name of the dead
soldier, was placed at the head Of the grave
,koa -