The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-03-27


ing tents. We knew he could not marcl
five miles, but he declared he should try, and
If he gave out he could tumble into an am
buIance; at any rate, he should see the fight
We thoughtif he had been of our own blood
our hearts would not have felt much keen
er ache than they did when he looked back
and scOlded US gaiy for our mournful faces
and the tears that in spite Of us would dim
our eyes. We thought our eyes had looked
their last on his handsome face, but we were
mistaken. They passed a: length from our
sight, and not long after the whole city listen,
ed in breathless suspense for tidngs from
Perryville. Those hours Of agonizng sus-
pense seemed years, but We at leCgth learned
We were victorious; alas, every new dispatch
told at what dreadful cost. They brought
the wounded, and shall never forget the sad
and CHASTITY procession that for days crept
along our streets to the hospitals where all
that could be done for them had been pre-
pared by loyal hands. Everywhere we look
ed for our friend, and joyfully We exclaimed
that his lame was not among the killed the
wounded were far too numerous to be as vet
correctly given. Every new face, that lay
white and rigid on its narrow he'd, We scanned
eagerly, and came reluctantly to the cOnclu-
sion that. as we forehoded, he had fallen ex-
hausted by the way.
One morning curtained litter. escorted by
squad of soldiers, passed US in the street,
and suppOsing tito be ali officer of high rank
se asked his name. He said /" it was only a
private )" but before he could say more, 4
white hand crept out from under the curtain
ard voice We never thought to hear again
said in the CID. light manner, so | have
turned up again, You see II Was our brave
boy. and although far too weak to tell his
own story, not oae of the guard, " Of honor"
they proudly styled themselves, but contend
ed FOR the privilege Of doing it for him. As
he said, ne had seen the fight, bat as We told
him, he was carried ti.ere, ana his comrades
said he was SO weak that he actually stagger-
ed under the weight of his g1n, as his regi-
meut took their place in the line of battle.
Once there, We knew him well enough to
credit the accounts of his personal prowess
and hand to hand encounters, almost impos-
slo.e as they appeared. Up close he kept
with the stouteSt and when the colorb bearer
Of his regiment fell dead, he seizad the flag
from his clenched hanl and waving it reck-
essl Y above his head, sprang forward as if to
hurl himself upon the on-coming foe.
Shell fell Ike hail around him, and one in
its remorseess course swept both his limbs
from his body, and he sank down, still keep
ing the flag upright, and as high as he could.
The trampling hosts came on, and in the con-
fusion they lost sight OF their hero. When
the field was won, they looked anxiously for
him, and found him, with the soileI and
bloody banner by his side. They thought
him dead at first, but for his heroism they
would not leave hial among the unno ticed
slain, and as they lifted him, he opened his
eyes and said family, That he knew our side
was ali right" They thought he seemed SO
bright and smart that he would live, and so
did he, but We knew as we looked into his
eyes, sparkling with fever that would soon
be delirium, that it could not be. As We
watched by him that night, he knew US, and
tried to tell how glad Re was that we were
with MIN but he often lost himself and lived
over fearful incidents Of the battle and the
march. On his hot brow oar tears fell like
summer rain, as we gathered each broken
sentence for to his mother, we knew they
would be priceless. The hours wole on; we
knew nothing We were doing for him was
producing the desired effect, and just as the
dawn frightened little the haf-hghted room
the shadow of death stole over his face.
Would not Go in mercy grant some word
of love and remembrances to that far away
mother2 o how anxiousy we prayed for it.
1t seemed that it was not to be. for the wild
delirium still rushed or. until at last lis eyes
closed and we deemed him dead Touching
his ace TO see if it were SO, he stirred, aid
then, in a clear, cheerful t0ne that rose SO
strongly above the grcans and si5hs of other
sufferers, said, Tel! mother al wanted was
one drink of water from our cold well; and
t,at was always for God and my country
Tha: was all; lie laid quiet a few minutes
then passed On to the world where no sound
of strife ever comes. and where God himself
bends to welcome those who for truth dar.
to die.
Loutsrilie, February, 1863.