Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-11-12

Tive driver furthermore informed be
that he was to stop eight miles short Z
this latter place. He declared, after
had heard Mrs. Riley's story, that
be were not In the employ Of the Coz
eminent be would see her clear to III
Pass himself, free of charge. -
The next journey Of the widow wa
exbausting in the extretne-rocks, gu
lies. marshes, and above all, the ihevii
able and omnipresent tangle Of laurt
brushwood lay across her path, an
obstrueted her feet at every step. Sup
porting herself with the thought tha
ber boy had passed over that way sh
persevered sad struggled tbtodgh--t
fnd, slasl Oh arriving, worn ott viii
fatigue, as the place she sought, only
ashes and the scattered debris OF q de
parted armyl The regiment bad gout
two days. tgfsr So
But the woman was hot to be dis
couraged. Resting herself awhile,
she set about for a team, and aftei
some trouble she procured q man, at a
large price, to take her In his cart to
the regiment where her boy belonged
As they came within the lines they
were hailed and fred Upon by picket,
but escaped harm, and in due time the
flags and tents Of the 49th appeared
around the spur of the mountain.
Stopped by sentinel at the camp
line. she inquired for Patrick Riley,
the drummer boy, and was told that he
was not there. That was all the SOL
dier knew about Il. Whether he was
dead or alive he did not say. She
was not to be put of, and corporal Of
the gtiard was summoned, who passed
her within the camp, and she bastened
forthwith to make inquiries Of the
Colonel himself. m
(Which way did you GOMEZ" asked
the colonel. a-... aHH
"By the plumner road"
"You passed your boy Within mile.
| left him, with all my wounded, at
Verrico's station, to be taken off to
Harrisburg as soon as they are able..-|
| think you'll fad him there. He
was badly hurt in the arm."
With all possible dispatch the widow
drove back to Verrico's station. A
of soldiers was placed ar ound
! long, rough looking house, with a
lag on Il, and she knew it was the hos
'ital. A guard stopped the horse
ong before they reached the building,
'ut Mrs. Riley snatched the whip from
he driver and lashed the beast up to
he very door, in spite Of opposition
Vhen springing from the cart, she
'ushed by the sentinel as quick as
bought, and without stopping to hear
he epithets Of "hag" and "she DEVIL"
hat were shot after her as she passed
n she stood, in another second, in
he very midst of the wounded SOL
iers.
"Patrick Rileyl" she shouted out,
lmost out of breath, and looking
bout her as il afraid her senses would
eceive her.
There was no installing the quick
ownright tone of widow Riley. If
be boy was there he would certainly
nswet.
"Ob, mother" gasped a weak boys
oice. and a tumbled heap in one cor
er stirred, and rushing towards it, the
'itbful woman saw her poor little
runner boy sitting up. but SO
hanged that none but his mother
ould have known him.
"Poor Patl you've had sorry
me, that's clear"
And here the wonderful energies Of
le mother, which had kept up so long
} her child was to be searched for, {
ave way now that her child was
,und. and she sank down almost
Iinting upon the straw pallet before
er.
Look up, mother, and don't ye {
ell bad, I'm all right" said the |
lucky little fellow, "my arms hurt so
shant drum no more, but now you |
,me, / feel like l could lick of the 7
,bels with one hand!" a
Mrs. Riley soon recovered, and set
bout nursing her boy. Z
She came in the nick Of time, for q
is arm had just been amputaied, and
e was somewhat feverish. Probably s
is mothers care was the only thing I
lat saved him. In a week he was ,
Die to go home with her; and Just as G
Ie November winds beganto blow,
at took his old place by the crack I
,g ERE in the log house. among the
pper Alleghauies. and told his story :
the war. {
John and James are still in the I
rmy-as noble soldiers rs ever car {
ed muskets. Mrs. Riley shows them Z
Ie same free, fearless, uncalculating I
we that she exhibited in the case Of G
Ie slain husband and the wounded .
oung drummer--a love that can sscri- a
&c generously, but not till it has
ruggled dutifulIy. She passed e
rough hard experience, and it has g
ade her g better woman, though her 4
ligion is Of the blunt, positive kind; =
Id she makes Susan tell the absent 4
,ys, when she writes, to trust 10 the b
cd of their mother. and "never doubt v
1t He'll see to EN-" a
H"A gentleman In our Office, " re-
axis DR.. Eddy, Of the Northwestern &
dvocate, ..tbe other day stated that r