Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-10-02
The Diving Soldier.


notonous military duty, and fatigue work,
and shrewd pranks. There are frequent
occasions where the better feelings are
aroused, and the gayest and most abandon
ed show that the lessons of youth took deep
root in their hearts, and have not been eff.
faced by years of neglect, and carelessless,
and perhaps dissipation. A short time
since visited camp, and in searching for
the officer was in quest OF, passed the hos
pltal OF the regiment. and my attention was
attracted by group of solemn looking SOL
diers near by, and the sound of low voices
within. The chaplain beckoned to me and
l entered. Stretched on couch was a
dying man, his eyes lit up with unnatural
brilliancy which, in cases like his, indicate
the approach of death. He breathed with
low gasps; one arm was by his side, the
skinny fingers extended, but too weak to
hold a letter, perhaps from his mother,
which lay by them, and the other hand in
the clasp of beloved comrade who knelt
BY his side, his bronzed cheeks occasionally
moistened by tears which he could not re-
press.
Another fellow soldier, rough in appear
ance, but tender as girl in his attentions
to this dying friend, occasionally moistened
the lips of the sufferer. The surgeon had
just paid his final visit, seen the futiity of
any further attempts to stay the hand of
DEATH given his last directions, and gone
out, tear less, perhaps, but with sympathy
IN his face. Tie chaplain sat in chair,
where the dying one could look in his face
The PROSTATE soldier, after a severe effort.
gave the attendants to understand that he
wished his head to be raised this was
done, aud spoonful of slimulant admins
tered. He then, with much difficulty,
whispered few broken words to those
about him. "John," said he, {" you've been
very kind-be good-don't get-wild-
always keep-the ring-write to Mother
and-Clara-don't iorget-what | told
God-bless-yo Then he seem
ed utterly exhausted, but rallied again, af-
ter another portion of cordial had been ad-
ministered, and addressed his other com
rade. You've been good-to me-wish
had-something better-to give you--be
good. Dennie--you must die--perhaps
-soon;" and then, after resting for mo-
ment, he motioned to the men who were
clustered about the door; they uncovered /
their heads. the canvas front of the tent
was pulled aside. he made an effort TO wave
his hand, and failing in this, whispered au-
dibly, for there was perfect silence" God
bless you all; good-bye;" and they
went away sadly, some of them actually
sobbing Then the dying man addressed
the chaplain" Chaplain-thank you
thank you-no fear of death--better TO be |
shot-but God knows--best - mother
and Clara" and here the dying mans
voice failed. He did hot speak again, but
a heavenly smile irradiated his countenance
and did not leave it. The gasps grew Ion
ger and the intervals greater.
The chaplain, with husky voice and
fearful eyes. spreading his hands over the
bed, said, 6 Blessed are the dead that die
in the Lord" and raising his eyes 10 hea-
ven, prayed, God receive this soul when
it leaves this earthly clay, and may this
lesson not be lost on us who are left iD this
world OF sin and temptations" When he
had ended his prayer, the soldiers eyes
had lost their lus,re, the breast had ceased
its motion, the gasping had stopped the
still smiling countenauce was fixed in death,
and the soul OF the poor sufferer had flown
TO heaven. 81 love the camp and SOL
diers," said the chaplain, "ih,y are not so
bad at heart as people think them but /
never expected TO find such Il saint, SO i'm
bued with holiness, on private soldiers
sick couch. feel as if God had sent us
this mes age from himself and let us not,
my friends, forget it in other scenes, but
try and profit BY it,
And SO we left that bed of death, all in.
fuenced by an impression which will not
soon be effaced. never Witnessed SC SOL
emn and affecting scene as that which |
have so poorly described; for it is impossi-
Die TO give an adequate idea of the occasion
u any language of mine. Not in the din
of battle, in the rushing and scrambling and
tumult and war of fight, went out this
soldiers lamp of life. He did nor aie, as
ie would have chosen, for he was brave as
he bravest, full of patriotic ardor, once the
most lively in the company, and he would
lave died on the battle field, as brave SOL
liers wish to die. But With sanity resig-
laiiCn, he did not murmur when he found
t was wiiled that he should waste away
With disease.
An Ifishman who had lust arrived in