The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-06-27

4 Picture nfen the Hospitsl-How
our soldiers Live and Die.
In the last number of the Boston Oons-
HsoHDedttA we find the following sketch of
the army hospitals at Washington, from
she pen Of Louisa NJ. Alcott, of Boston,
who performs the duties of . nurse:
One evening found lately-emptied
bed occupied by large, fair man, with a
hne face and the serenest eyes l ever met.
One OF the earlier oomers had often spo-
ken of friend who had remained behind
that those apparently worse wounded than
him might reach q shelter FIRST. 1t seemed
David and Jonathan sort Of friendship
The man fretted for his mate, and was
never tired of praising John, his courage,
sobriety, self-denial and unfailing kindii-
ness Of heart-always winding up with
"He's ap ut-and out fine Teller, ma am,
you see if he amt" / had some curiosity
TO behold this piece Of excellence, and,
when he came, watched him for night
or two before made friends with him; for,
to tell the truth, was afraid of the stately
looking man, whose bed had to be length
ened to accommodate his commanding
stature-who seldom spoke, uttered no
complaint, asked no sympathy, but tran
gully observed all that went on about him;
and, as he lay high upon his pillows, no
picture ofdying statesman or warrior was
ever fuller of real dignity than this Virgin
la blacksmith.
A most attractive face he had, framed in
brown hair and beard comedy featured
and full Of vigor, as yet unsubdued by
pain, thoughtful and often beautifully
mild while watching the Affections of 9TH
ers, as if entirely forgetful OF his own
ty Of will and courage in its lines, but a
smile could make it as sweet as any wo-
mans; and his eyes were child's eyes,
looking one fairly in the face, with a
clear, Straightforward glance, which prom
ised well for such as placed their faith
in him. He seemed to cling to life as if
it were rich in duties and delights, and
The only time i saw his composure dis
turbed was when my surgeon brought
another to examine John, who scrutinized
their faces with an anxious look, asking
of the elder: "Do you think l shall pass
through, ssir7' 81 hope so, my man."
And as the two passed on, Johns eyes fol-
lowed him with an intentness which would
they seen it. A momentary shadow fitted
over his face, then came the usual Sc
renity, as if, in that brief eclipse, he had
acknowledged the existence of some hard
possibility, and, asking nothing, yet ho-
ping all things, left the issue in Gods
hand, with that submission which is true
Piety.
The next night, as went my rounds
with DR.. P, happened to ask which
man in the room probably suffered most,
and to my great surprise he glanced at
John.
'Eveay breath he draws is like stab;
for the ball pierced his left lung, broke a
rib, and did no end Of damage here and
there; SO the poor lad can find neither for
getfulness nor ease, because he must lie
on his wounded back or suffocate. 1t will
be hard struggle and long one, for he
possesses great vitality, but even his tenn
perate life can't save him. wish it could %
"You don't mean he must die, Doctor!"
BLESS you, there is not the slightest hope
for him, and you'd better tell him so be-
fore long-woman have way of doing
such things comfortably, SO leave it tC
you. He won't last more than day OF
two, at farthest."
I could have set down on the spot an(
cried heartily, if had not learned the pro
priety of plotting up ones tears for leisur
moments. Such an end seemed very har,
for such a man, when half dozen worl
out worthless bodies round him were gath
Gring up the remnants of wasted lives t
Hnger on for years, perhaps burdens t
others, daily reproaches to themselves
The army needed men like John, earnest
brave and faithful, fighting for liberty ant
justice with both heart and hand, tru
soldier of the Lord. l could not give hin
up so soon, or think with any patience O
so excellent a nature robbed of its fulfill
ment, and Numbered into eternity by tn
rashness or stupidity of those at who's
hands so many lives may be required.
was an easy thing for DR.. P to say
'Tell him he must die, !" but cruelty har,
thing to do, and by no means as "comfort
- 7 hoI
the heart to do it then, and privately in
dulged the hope that some change for Thu
better might take place, in spite of gloomy
prophecies, so rendering my task unneces
sary.
After that night an hour of each even
ing that remained to him was devoted /,
his ease or pleasure. He could not tall
much, for breath was precious and h,
spoke in whispers, but from occasional
conversations l CLEANED scraps of sprivat
history which only added to the affection
and respect felt for him. Once he asket
me to write letter, and as l settled witt
pen and paper, l said with an irresistibl
glimmer of female curiosity, 'Shall it b.
addressed to mother or wife, John?'
Neither, ma'am; Eve got no wife, ant
win write to mother, myself, when I ge
better. Did you think 1 was married be
cause of this?" he asked, touching plail
gold ring he wore, and often turned thot
fully on his finger when he lay alone.
Partly that, but more from a settled sor
of look you have, a look young men sci
dom get until they marry"
II don't know that, but I'm not so very
young, ma'am-thirty in May, and havt
been what you might call, settled these ter
years, for mothers widow. I'm the old
est child she has, andit wouldn't "a for mt
to marry TIL Lizzie has home of her own
and Laurie has learned his trade; for we'y,
not rich, and I must be father to the child
rem, and husband to the dear old woman, i
i cam"
mo doubt you are both, John, but how
came you to get to the war, if you felt SO
Wasn't enlisting as bad as marrying?'
"No ma'am, not as 1 see it; for one i
helping my neighbor, the other pleasing
myself Invent because couldn't help it
1 didn't want the glory or the pay, want
cd the right thing done, and the people
said the men who were in earnest ought t.
fight. l was in earnest, the Lord knows
but 1 held off as long as could, not know
ing what was my duty. Mother saw TIT
case, gave me her ring to keep me steady
and said "go,' so / went"
short story, and simple one, but tn
man and the mother were portrayed bette
than pages of fine writing could have dom