Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-02-25
MATTERS.
IRON Last evenings EdItlOn.l

GLIHPsEs OF THE WAR.-How little do
we who live in peaceful Ohio, far away from
the roar Of hostile cannon and the clash Of
eontending armies, realize the gigantic war
that is raging in the South Sometimes We
see at the depot a soldier, fresh from some
hospital, limping painfully, on crutches,
from one train to another that is to bear
him to his home. Again, after some great
battle, we sec another whose wounds are still
fresh, making his way homeHard, wearing
the self-same garments in which he fought.
As We look at the pale face and emaciated
form of the one, reduced by wounds and sick
ness, and see the bullet-rent and blood
stained garments of the other, we yet can
realize but imperfectly the fearful battle
scenes through which those men have passed,
and in which their wounds were received.
How few of the thousand sad scenes and
heart-bleedings at home, caused by the slave
holders war, ever meet the public eye. YOu
may be at the depot almost any morning,
and see signifeant-looking box, oblong in
form, removed from one express car to an
other. It contains the body of 4 soldier that
is being sent to his friends, to receive the
last sad rites accorded to departed mortals.
1t is a common sight at the depot, and few
notice it. The express hands are as indifer-
eDt about it as thongh it was simply box Of
merchandise. Yet follow that box to the
home that Is never again to be made light
and happy by the living presence of him it
contains The inanimate clay that has been
conveyed hundreds of miles, past thousands
of the careless and Indifferent, has become
the most sacred object upon earth. Tender
and loving hands are alone laid upon it now.
In place Of the glance of Indifference, tear
full and affeotiOnato eyes bend over it, and
after the rites SO sad and yet SO cOnsOling,
(for they speak eloquently of the resurreo-
ton and the life beyond the grave, are per-
formed, the loved remains are laid in their
last resting place, tenderly as a sleeping in
fant, there to remain until the angel trump
shall herald the dawn of the New Day.
Those who were at the depot this morning
might have observed a soldier and an old la
dy aIight from the Pittsburg cars. The SOL
dier was pale, haggard and weak. He lean
ed heavily upon the shoulder of the old lady
who seemed hardly able to support her own
weight, when the friendly arm of brother
soldier, who was standing by, came to her
assistance. One whose curiosity was temper
ed with pity and compassion learned of the
old lady her story. She is widow and this
her only child. She gave him to her coun-
try-aII she had to give-and he went to the
wars in Wisconsin regiment. (They are
from that State.l Hearing Of him after
many months, wounded and sick In a Wash
ington hospital, she managed to make her
way there, found him and nursed him until
he was able to travel when they started for
home.
He has the consumption, the doctors tell
him, and cannot long survive. His only
wish is tkathe may be allowed to die in his
old homo. They were a fearful spectacle,
the wan and dying soldier and that devoted
mother, worn out by long watching over her
son, and fatigues too great for her age aud
feebleness. Poor old woman, she will not
long survive her son.
Yet the above is but one of thousands Of
similar cases throughout the country, and
viii not-a fearful retribution cvertake the Sc
OessiOn demons who have brOught such scenes
upon this fair landR As there is a just God
above us we believe there will.