North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-04-22

noticed two directed to Thomas Rogers, the
soldier reported as in the guard house He
held them for moment in his hand, and then
laid them aside with his own letters.
Let me see you in half an hour" he said
| to the orderly. =" We must do something to
reform this man. There is good in him, if VIC
can discover the way to make it active.
The orderly retired, and the officer became
occupied with his letters. After getting
through with them, word was passed to have
Rogers brlught before him. lie came, under
guard, but the guard was dismissed, and the
| man was alone with tie officer, who regarded
him more IN pity than in anger. The soldi er
was young man not over twenty years of
age; Of slender form, but compactly built, and
muscular. Even under disgrace, there was
manly self poise about him that did not es-
cape the officers notice.
"Under arrest again What have you to
say for yoursef?" The officer tried to be
stern and to speak with severity.
The soldier did not answer but look,
half dogged half defiant, was visible in his
face.
{" shall have to order severer punish
ment"
There was no reply only slight change
in attitude and expression of the countenance,
that indicated bracing of mind and nerve for
more endurance.
wien did you hear from home ~ asked
the officer, who did not remember to have
seen a letter addressed to Rogers until the
receipt Of that days mail.
q Not for a long time," was answered with
apparent surprise at 50 unexpected a ques-
ton.
'" Here are two letters to your address,
| And the officer, who had the letters in his
hand held them toward the soldier, " no star
| ed with strange bcwilderment, and received
| them with hand that trembled visibly.
"Sit down aud read them,' said the officer,
pointing to q camp stool. The mau sat down
showing considerable excitement, and after
looking cautiously at the delcately
written Euperscriptlons, opened one Of the
letters and glanced it through hurriedly.-
The cfiicer's gaze vas on him and he read in
lis countennnce the rapid play ofvarious emo
tons. Then lie opened the other letter which
was read twice As he finished it he drew
his hand hastily across his eyes.
From home q enquired the officer.
The young soldier stood up giving the usu-
al sign OF respect, ss he answered in the stlir-
native. The officer noticed that his face was
graver and paler and that the late look OF
! dog5ed defiance had faded out.
Aud now, Rogers, what have you TO say
for yourscf7 will you drive US to seyerer
punishment you know as we'll as do, that
that discipline must be enforced" There was
rtmonstrance, not anger in his voice.
"OnIy this, answered the soldier, humby,
yet in a firm voice. II have done wrong, and
am sorry. Forgive me and if break rule
of the service again shoot me-"
"Spoken like man and soldier will
trust you Rogers" said the officer; and dis
missing the guard, he sent him to duty"
| Two days afterward came that overwhelm-
ing assault upon our right wing, and on the
next day the terrible conflict st Gaines Mills.
Among the coolest and bravest in all the
| fierce battles that followed, and among the
most enduring in the long nights Of retreat,
was young Rogers. He was with that body
at Malvern Hill und,r our deaf dealing bate
| ries, the fire from which staggered, and then
drove back the rebel masses, whose desperate
courage in that maddest of all assaults, was
| worthy of better cause, Twice during
| this series Of battles, as once st Williamsburg,
had Rogers risking his own life saved that of
his captain; and in several of the conflicts, he
had shown such GOODNESS and courage, that
positions were saved which but for the infu-
sion of his spirit into his comrades would
have been lost.
One day, about three weeks after the letters
were written to Thomas Rogers, the young
| lady whom we have called Annie, received a
reply from the soldier, dated "ln Camp
| near Harrisons' Landing" 1t ran thus:
"a good angel must have put it into your
heart to send me that letter. for it came just
in time to save me. was in the guard house,
for neglect Of duty and disobedience oforders.
| was reckless and desperate. All my CON-
rades were getting word from home-letters
came to them by every mail-but no one
| wrote to me, or seemed in the least to care
for me- So lost all respect for myself, grew
sour, unhappy, and indifferent to duty. But
your kind words-your talk about the past
time when you were my teacher-your strong
appeal TO my better nature-your calm, true,
sweet sentences, dear lady stirred my heart
with new feelings, and filled my eyes with
tears I was before my captain, in disgrace,
when your letter was placed in my hands.
He waited for me to read it saw that | was
| touched, and, like true man as he Is, forgaye