Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-01-21

whose blessings n privileges they had
always enjoyed. They have passed away,
but their brave and noble deeds will
live Away"
One year ago last July the writer met
an old friend in the mountains of West
ern Virginia, in command of a company
of the Attn Ohio regiment. 1t was Capt.
James Wallace, of Canton, Ohio. We
had not met for some time, which made
this unexpected meeting all the more
pleasant. l was with him but a short
time, yet his conduct was so marked that
it made a deep impression upon my mind,
and tended to increase the great respect
which l always had for him from the
time / first met him in Canton. He was
in fine spirits and excellent health, talk
ed very hopefully of his future prospects
and expressed great confidence in the
power of the Government to put down
this rebellion, and manifested a desire to
in the service of his country until
the successful close of the war, but never
appeared t o think, even for a moment,
that he should be killed while in the
service of that country. l babe him
/" goodby and God-speed, and left him
he going one way and / another. did
not meet him again until lately. A few
days after the battle of FredeIicksburgh,
l was started by reading in the morning
paper the name of "Capt. Wallace, 4th
Ohio, wounded seriously" l at once in
formed myself at which Hospital he was
stationed, and repaired without delay to
his side, in order that I might express
my deep sympathy for him in his 0fiic-
ton, and lend a helping hand to allevi-
ate, as far as possible. his sufferings. /
found him, indeed, badly wounded
rife ball having penetrated the knee pan
of his left leg, and lodged in the flesh
but hopeful, patient, and quiet. We con-
versed about old times, and future pros
poets, which he appeared to enjoy with q
keen relish. 1t was very % discerna-
bic, notwithstanding the buoyancy of his
disposition, that the long and tedious
Virginia campaign had worn perceptibly
upon his health. made it my duty to
sit with him by his couch, very frequent
ly. He grew weaker as his limb became
more inhamed, but continued to keep up
a stout heart, and appeared confident
that he would again be able TO go into the
field. After a few days it became appar-
emf to his friends, that he must lose his
limb, when if he could have strength
enough to rally, they felt confident that
he would recover. His disabled member
was therefore amputated, and for a time
he appeared to be doing better. In the
mean time some of his friends came on
from Canton, among whom was a very in
teresting young lady, to whom he was
betrothed. The presence of these dear
friends cheered him up wonderfully
But, alas, he very 500 began to give evi.
dence that his physical condition was fast
becoming more critical. The loss Of
blood incident to the amputation of hi:
limb. was beginning TO tell ~perceptibly
upon him. During all this time he die
not relinquish the hope, even for a mo
ment, of his final recovery. His energy
and pluck seemed to act as an offset tC
his physical Weakness. His betrothed re
manned with him constantly, administer
ing to his every want. She remained
calm, quiet and hopeful. as only a dear
loving woman can. under such circum
stances. AS the Captain did not appear
to be improving, but rather to lose
strength from day to day, the young lady
desired to be united to her lover before
his feeble lamp should flicker out. Ont
week ago last Sunday was the day fxec
upon for the performance of the nuptia
rites. l was honored by an invitation t.
the wedding, which was gladly accepted
None but a few intimate friends wert
permitted TO witness the ceremonies. i
was of the saddest, and yet one o
the most interesting and touching scenes
that ever came under my observation
1t was remarked to the Captain that We
were glad to see him looking SO Cheerful.
and happy. He looked up and answered
quietly, "how would it be possible for me
to be otherwise to-day" At one o'clock
P. N. his b~etrothed, Miss Snyder, entered
the room, preceded by Rev. Mr.. Brown
formerly of Cleveland, who was to off
ciate, and seated herself in a chair neal
the couch of the Captain, and with char
acteristic self-possession, took her lover
hand in her own, when the marriage Ger
emony was performed, and those twair
were made One-this lovely girl, this de
voted, loyal woman-this afflicted man
this manned patriot, already IN the very
brink of the grave. We departed from
this devoted pair, sad, though happy
sad because it was evident that theil
married life must in all human probabili
ty be very brief;-happy, because they
were happy even in their deep affection
The next day we of course took the ear
lest opportunity to inquire after the con
dition of the Captain. The first informa
ton that we had from him was that h,
was dead. His young wife left him abou
five o'clock only for a few moments, 70
the purpose of snatching a morsel o
food, and while she was absent her hus
band breathed out his life so Quietly anC
suddenly that no n knew of the fac
until 1.-The feeble lamp had indeed flick
cred out" Thus was q noble woman
made a bride and widow in one and tn,
same day.
Congress convened again after the ad
journment of the Holidays. and went t
work at the discharge of Its importan
duties with characteristic energy. Man,