The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-03-17

seen Tor moment IN the face OF Mrs
Irwin I; then she answered calmly
"No; l yield him to his country"
He looked so brave and manly
said the friend.
A glow Of pride came into the moth.
er's face.
"And seemed" was added, "to com,
prehend SO clearly the issues at stake
1t was no murderous thirst for blood
no love of excitement and change that
filed his heart but that true patriotism
which is the inspiration of an honorable
mind, and gives il tne courage TO meet
death in defence of country and right.
l honor you my friend. in being the
mother of such son."
How strangely pleasurable were the
pulses that leaped away from the heart
of Mrs. Irwin. This praise of her son
was very sweet.
Weeks passed. With what an absorb
ing interest did Mrs. Irwin watch the
progress of events. Once, she turned
with an instructive repugnance from all
accounts of military movements and bat
ties but now she had no taste for any,
thing else. The whole country was
spread out like map, in her mind and
every strategic point with its camps and
soldiers strongly marked. The mar
shalling Of troops; their movements,
strength, and positions, were now famil-
lar things; and her heart beat high with
pleasure at every trihing success. or
veiled itself with shadows when even the
smallest reverse was sustained. With
what an irrepressible impatience did she
look for regularly coming letters from
her son aud with what proud satisfac-
ton did she read every detail of his new
life that showed courage, endurance, ard
self-denial She felt that he was true
soldier, and, therefore, was very proud
of him.
The news came that the regiment in
which her son was serving had made an
advance upon the enemy's lines that
some severe skirmishing had taken place,
and that an engagement was iminent
A sudden fear shook the nerves OF Mrs.
Irwin. Even as she read OF the advance
bloody battle might be going on, and
her son be among the dead or dying
The hours of sleepless suspense that
went by until the news of a victory was
flashed over the country, we will not
venture to describe. Many were killed
and many wounded With breathless
eagerness she devoured their names, as
with white lips and starting eyes, she
bent over the brief dispatches What is
this? Her sons name The paper
shivers in her hands. She cannot read
the paragraph. Desperately she thrusts
the sheet upon the table to hold il firmly:
but a mist comes over her eyes she
does not make out the words. Killed.
or wounded ?
"Oh. God give me strength y
The dimness passes and she reads
Among the brave men who distin.
guished themselves, private John Irwin
deserves honorable mention. In des
per; te assault of the rebels the captain Of
his company received severe wound.
and fell to the ground. lie was few
PAGES in advance of his men, and as he
fell, two of the enemy sprang forward to
bayonet him. irwin, seeing this, flung
himself before his PROSTATE captain, shot
one of the men, and in hand to hand
encounter. disabled the other. He then
bore the wounded officer from the field.
During the whole fight, this young man,
who is not yet twenty Que years of age.
conducted himself with the coolest cour
age. and in more than one instance raj
lied his failing comrades. He has the
stuff Of which officers are made, and the
department should send him commits
sion"
Mrs, Irwin bowed down, with her face
upon the table, trembling in every nerve;
weak-in glad bewilderment-tearful.
Then dropping upon her knees. with
clasped hands and eyes upliited. she
said, family
20 Lord. is he not thine 20
A deep peace fell upon her spirit and
she remained for some time kneeling
But prayer formed itself in no other
words.
/ could not stay away from you after
reading the news this morning" A
friend said this as she came in lisde
while afterwards, " Are you "ota proud
womsn to day. Mrs Irwio "
q feel glad ana humble" was tho
subdued answcr
- t,I la ~ a., =, IL. wv. .