The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1863-01-15
For the Transcript.
The DrOken 0look0t.

The Broken 0100k0t.
There it stands with its long taperinq
barrel, its grim bands, and it, altered
look marked "Harper's Ferry 1924,
yet as clean and bright q If just from
the artizans hands. But il IL no sknlker,
this rnusket it is sadly MANNED and left
the service honorably. We know q
little of its history, and that little, il
sadly suggestive Of these trial times.
II the great gathering Of loyal men who
sprang to arms at their eountry's call,
few more braver, none more loyal than
the 18th Illinois Volunteers. This regi-
mcnt went into camp At Freeport early
N May 1861. Among the hardy men
composing it was stalwart youth,
named Charles l., who though
barely old enough to be admitted IS a
soldier, was cool, firm and muscular, a
man in all but years.
SID indeed was the parting with the
loved ones at home, but it was over,
and now he eagerly and hopefully gave
himself to his country.
On Saturday the 25th of May he took
the oath which made him its recognized
defender, and that night for the first
time, retired at the bidding Of the mar.
tial "tattoo'.
Many man now Drowned and battle
scared will remember the 'revellie"
that broke his slumbers on the beautiful
sabbath morning which followed, but
t:cre was one who obcyed not its sum.
mons, he had gone at the roll call Of
death.
They found him lying as If asleep, in
sweet composed attitude, his mnsket
(tnis muskcD standing at his head, but
with lis stock broken and shattered.
There was no mystery now. During
passing shower, a slight electric
charge had caught and followed the
clittering barrel; only leaving It to enter
the temple of the brave boy WHO slept
besi L. it. This was all. The soldiers
az yet unused to the sight Of death,
gathered awe struck about the form Of
their late comrade, and when their
chaplain and some near friends bore it
away to the desolate home, there was a
precious offering Of manly tears.
What the bereaved ones suffered at
that home, God only knows, but they
bore themselves firmly asd deoently,
and committed the precious remains to
tho earth rs bccomcth those who bury
the patriot dead.
The broken musket VA presented
by the chaplain to An elder brother, but
he passed it to his father, saying: "Keep
it for me, shall take Williams place.,
and 40, amid the dust and ashes Of
bereavement was born the stern and
solemn purposes which ever animatss
the true soldiers heart.
Another fearful farewell va spoken,
and another son and brother laid upon
the altar Of liberty, ready for the sac
iifice. Such sons of mothers are daily
offered up, men Of whom ~ world is
not worthy, and yet We have said that
chivAlry was dead and patriotism but .
name; God pity our blindness and lack
Of faith. The same carriage that
brought tho dead soldier returned with
the living one. The vacant place in the
mess and ranks was worthily filled, il
was only Charles instead q Willian,
and the exciting experiences which
followed few paused to think Of the
change SO strangely brought about.
This regiment was asno~g the first to
enter Missouri, and shared largely in
the exhausting marches and guard
duties which characterized the subju'
CATION ofthat rebellious state.
Their first great battle WAS the fear
full one at Shiloh. Here hey were il
the advance under General Prentisa, 4
received the first shock on that fata
i Sunday morning. Charles was colo'
guard, and not being allowed to fir'
except to protect the dag, but his -
sistsncs in carrying the wounded T.
places Of safety. While going to th'
front, he was struck dewn by bal
hitting him in the lett breask
On his partial recovery fren th'
stunning shock, he fosad It had strscl
q small blank book and glanced Of
without other injury than breaking
lrib.
| Rising with difficulty, and sesfal
numbers falling from the ranks. he agai'
: went to the front and while STOPPING =
assist ! wounded eomrade, hs receive'