The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-10-26
The Dying Soldier.

A SOL IER's life is not all made up OF mon
otonou, military duty. and fatigue work, and
shrewd pranks. There are frequent occasions
where the better feelings are aroused, and tce
gavest and most abandoned show that the les
sons of youth took deep root in their hearts,
and have not been eifaced by years OF neglect,
and carelessuess, aud perhaps dissipation A
short time since visited a CAM, and 10 search
ing for the officer was in ques; Of, passed
the hospital of the regiment, and my atten-
ton was attracted by group OF solemn-iook-
ing soldiers near by, and the sound OF 10"
voices within The chaplain bcckoned to me
and entered Stretched on couch was
dying man, his eyes lit up with the unnatural
brilliancy which, in cases ike his, indicates
tine approach Of death; he breathed IN 10"
sasps one arm was by his side, the SKINNY
incers extended, but too weak to hold q let
ter, perhaps from his mother, which isy by
them, and the other hand in the clasp of
beloved comrade, w1o kue!t By his side, hls
bronzed cheeks occasionally moistered by
! tears which he could Ho: repress.
Another follow-soldior rough IL appearance
but tender as girl in his attentions to this
/ dying friend, occasionally moistened the Ups
of the Sufferer. The surgeon had just paid
his fua visit, seen the futility Of any further
attempts to stay the hand of Death, given ais
last directions, and gone out, fearless perhaps,
but with sympathy il, his face. The chap
lain sat in chair, where the dying one could
look 10 his face. The prostrate soldier, after
severe effort, gave the attendants to under
stand that he wished his head to be raised !;
this was done, and spoonful of stimulant ad-
miuistered. He then, with mu;h difficulty,
whispered few broken words to those about
him. JohD said he, you've been-very kind
BE good-don't wild-always keep
the rlog-write to mother,-and-Clara-
don't forget-what l told you-God-bless
you. Then he seemed utterly exhausted,
but rallied again after another portion OF cor
dial had been administered, and addressed
his other comrade You've been good-to
me---wish | had something better-to give
you-be good. Dennie--you must dle-per-
haps-soon and then, after resting for a
} moment, he motioned to the men who were
{ clustered about the door; they uncovered
their heads, The canvas front Of the tent was
pulled aside, he made an effort 10 wave his
$ hand, and failing in this, whispered audibly,
! for there was perfect silence God bless
you all ;-good-bye; and they went away
sadly some of them actually sobbiDg Theu
the ing man addressed the chaplain Chap
lain thank you-thank you,-no fear OF
death-.better 10 be shot-but God knows
best molher--and Clara and here the dy.
iug mau's voice failed He did not speak
again, but a heavenly smile irradiated bis
countenance and did not leave it. The gasps
grew longer and the intervals greater.
The chaplain, with a husky voice and tear
iul eyes, spreading bis hands over the bed
9 said Blessed are the dead which die in the
: Lord, and raising his eyes to heaven, prayed
20 God, receive this soul when it leaves it,
= earthly clay, and may this e' son not be lost
on us who are left in this world of sin and
temptation When he had ended his prayer
the soldiers eyes had lost their lustre, th,
breast had ceased its motion, the gasping hat
, stopped, the still smiling counteuance was fxet
in death, and the soul Of the poor sufferer hat
flown to heaven. love the camp and thu
soldiers said the chaplain they are not Sc
: bad at heart as people think them but new
, er expected to find such saint, so Induce
= with holiness, on private soldiers sick couch
: feel as if God had sent US this message from
j. himself; and let us not, my friends, forget i
d in other scenes, but try and profit by it.
i, And SO We left that bed OF death, all in6u
enced by an impression which will not soor
be efaced. never witnessed so solemn aDC
. affecting scene as that which have so poor
y described for it is impossible to give ar
q adequate idea Of the occasion in any language
Of mine. Not in the din of battle, in the
9 rushing and scrambling and tumult and war
e Of fight, went out this soldiers light Of life
h He did not die as he would have chosen, fo
r he was brave as the bravest, full of patriotic
v aTdor, once the most lively in his company
It and he would have died on the battlefield, a
rave soldiers wish TO die. But with sanity
:, resignation, he did not murmur when b,
u found it was wiled that he should waste ava,
with sease.--CorrespOndem of Bosto'
d Herald