The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1863-07-11
by mas. I. !. aooDwIs.

| 1t vas d aeowardty ory ID tie tone ], ut
tered II, though, perhaps 10 o boy scarce
sixteen, withdrawn for the FIRST time 10 hia
ifa from hsms aad tender mothers care,
and transferred to che field Of battle, Il
might Be fofgiyeu. ,.8 3 fss =s ,s. a " = z
IL My brother needed not 20 be told whas
had sbeiallen me i no must have seen me
Erithing there upon the groGnd-for be
was pale and agitased when perceived his
approach, - - ..s.. ~. =, =: .ss}s - -
"Poor HeuFy-I am sorry for tbisPse q
Hs spoke calmly, as hraEe man shabld.
but fsls how deeply he pisied me. Then
nearly prossrating himself BY my side, be
told msto get upon bis back and be would
carry me to the rear. -. T. ...aT
For long hour, shot had literally hailed
on the spot We occupied; the rebels being
determined to drive as from the wood
whence we we're acting as skirmishers.--
Protected a. We were BY the trees. they ex.-
pended much ammunition in vain; sill 81
length from marveling that all we're not
hit, / marxeled TO see the frss man fab"
had grown corfdent, excited, caring as lit
tie for the shower Of bullets a. If these
were not missiles Of destruction. The sight
of my comrade lying there, his face covered
with bloed, gave me to feel for the frst
time through it all, that war was serious
affair. ~ s,.' s~- 49,. z
My parents had objected TO my enlist
ment on account of my youth. But my
brother had enlisted, and my boyish patri.
otism could take no denial. True, Richard
was nine years my senior, but what waH
that, when | felt so braVe2 Who knew
there would be any war nine years from
now, to give me chance to win glory, if
lost this opportunity
My parents at last sequieseed. think
| hear my mother say, chokingly-"Go,
then, Henry, and God bless both my dear
boys. thought, in any case, l should
have you left. 1t was sel6sh, perhaps; but
if our country needs you more, can give
you up. Richard, give your brother into
your care. You have often rocked him
10 bis cradle, now he is to be your compan
ion in camp and battle!"
"'Tis not go bad as though you were on
opposites sides and would have TO fight each
other" remarked our fathsr--sstbank God
for that!"
"Come, then, little fellow" says Rioh'
ard half sadly, half laughing at me, 81
think We may help one another on to glo'
ryp'
"You'll see how I'll fghs the rebels"
declared With clenched teeth and hands
brave boaster, truly.
was resolved to do well, to make ms
parents and Richard proud Of me. And
perhaps if the war was not cat short, bal
accommodated itself to my period of enlist
ment-three years--so as TO give fellow 9
chance, should return in . different uni
form from that wore away. IL was fan
to expect Richard to become oolonel
and captain, at least.
Now we we're for the first time under frC
and III vas wounded. A fierce singing
in my thigh in q few moments seemed 80
spread over my whole body. ] rolled upon
the ground--I never could have thought one
felt so utterly bad with ball in bis flesh
Very little cared for glory just then, OIL
while my poer brother. staggering ODdsI
my weight, conveyed me to the place as.
signed as hospital for that days wound
ed. How frightened Richard must be on
my account so lose his strength 80, for bis
buEdsn was almost toe great for him. Be
was very muscular, and from boybood had
always liking for carrying me about on
bis back. lrecoIleGted however, that since
this practice had been discontinued / had
added round number Of pounds to my
weight-so well had camp life agreed with
me.
The weather was warm, and this the
warmest hour of the day. My kind bearer
stopped in little circle of shade, and rest
ed few minutes. When | had got upon
his back again by his assistance, looked
down and saw the grass where We bad rest
ed wet With blood.
Well, it was dreadful-how dreadful!--
Should ever get well from such g woundf
Would my leg have TO be auputased3 o
dear! Would be given q furlough?-
These and similar questions asked, to all
Of which Richard answered hopefully, en-
couraging me to bear up with for;itode, bat
never rebukiBg my childish complaints.
At last we came up with an ambulance.
II was already filed wish wounded; but the
poor fellows tried hard TO make room, aud
/ eOi!ed up in . little space. The wagon
had no driver and when, after waiting a
little, Boae appeared; Richard got up in his