Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-09-18
nlisfeIlancous Rcaoina.
A Recollection of the Peninsula Cam
paign.
THE BOY HERO.

The first day of our march up the Penin-
sula was accidentally thrown good deal
with one of The Vermont regiments, and
several times during that and the subse-
quent day my attention was drawn to a
youthful soldier-a mere boy--not only pc
culiarly 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 soul full
of enthusiasm and perpetual sunshine. His
face was as smooth and fair as girls, with
features no less delicate. Exposure had
given tinge to his complexion resembling
the ripe peach. The uniform of the soldier
could not hide, but set off rather the deli
cacy of an organization that seemed little
capable of enduring the fatigues of a cam
paign.
| 1t is not wonderful that an officer should
| have selected him for " ORDERLY" or that he
should be favorie, not only at headquar-
ters, but with all who knew him. never
knew his name, save that he was called
1 Lucius, and bv that name he was known
! everywhere. He was faithful and consci-
entious in every duty, and consequently
was frosted to The fullest extent. Evident-
ly educated with more than common care.
he possessed more than ordinary intelli-
gence and for this reason, as well as for
the gertleness of his manners and beauty
of his person, he could not fail Of becom-
ing fayorite wherever he went.
/ How it happened that he joined the army
\ loo young in years and in every respect
unequal to such life-was question that
occurred TO me often, as have no doubt it
did TO others. In The rough and hardening
scenes of the camp, and in the tolls of the
march, he was wonderfully out of place,
and one felt like interposing in his behalf
as he would to save flower or some pre-
cious thing from imminent danger.
Shortly after the Army of the Potomac
sat itself down before Yorktown, l lost sight
Of Lucius, and he measurably passed out Of
nv mind. | sometimes heard of him, how
ever, and he was always warmly spoken of
The affair on the 10th of April, near
Lees Mills, brought me to that part of our
line. 1t was sanguinary episode in that
disheartening halt before the rebel line oi
: works. Onils becoming known TO him that
his regiment had been ordered TO partici-
pate in the contemplated operations, Lucius
had prepared a request to be allowed to 60
with it. The request was granted, and he
! was among the number Of heroes who, with
more daring than discretion, dashed boldly
: into the stream at Dam No. 2, and strove
: to cross TO where the enemy were in strong
force behind breastworks and in rife-pits
Some did gain the opposite slore-swim
the stream with their muskets lasbed ia
, them, and with unparalleled heroism, and
: with not shot not ruined from wetting
charge the enemy in their rife-pts. Few
if any returned. for the enemy. more thar
one hundred to one, speedily dispatched
them. The next day ihirty-seven bodies
were delivered to us under flag of truce.
Lucius was among the number who un
dertook this hazardous enterprise. With q
companion, amid shower of bullets, he
= dashed resolueIy into the stream, his CUR
slurg on his shoulder. When near half the
distance across, his companion was struck
by a shot from the enemy. The wound
was severe, and he appealed to Lucius fol
help. Though he was bent on crossing
and in the arior of his patriotism he haC
rushed even into the jaws Of death, the cry