Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-03-27

90 She WrOlc nllH isfteis ouN PolhtSu anu
earnest letter, touching his daty as soldier
and as man.
Not in a superior, lectuciag tones bat ia
kind suggestive way, and in language calcula-
ted to touch his feelings ard arouse his better
nature.
An officer sat in his tent. near Gains Mills,
Virginia, three days previous to the assault
OF the right wing Of eac army before Rich
mond
In the guard-hoese again he said, speak
ing to the orderly, who had just submitted hi.
report, There was regret as well as discour
agement ia his voice, What are we to do
with the man.?
You will have to order severe punishments
Single confinement in the guard-house is Of
no use,'
He has in him all the elements of a good
soldier remarked the officer. No one goes
through the manual better. He is perfectly
drilled is quick, steady and brave. At Will
amsburg he fought like lion. I cannot for
get, that 10 his prompt courage l owe my
life. NO-no-not severe punishment. We
must bear with him little longer. What is
his offence now
He was away at roll CALL and his report
of himself is not satisfactory. The man is
restless and brooding and sometimes is so i'll
natured as to make trouble with his COM
rades.'
The officer sat in thought some time. He
was about speaking when a sergeant came in
with letters, a mail having been received IN
running his eyes over them he noticed two di-
rected to Thomas Rogers, the soldier reported
in the guard-house. He held them for mo
ment in his hand, and then laid them aside
with his own letters.
Let me see yosr in half an hour, he said to
the orderly We must do something to re-
form this man. There is good in him If we
can only discover the way to make it active.
! The orderly retired, and the officer became
occupied with his letters. Alter getting
through with them, word wass passed to have
Rogers brought before him: He came under
gutrd, but the guard was dismissed, and the
man was alone with the officer, who regarded
him more in pity than in anger The soldier
was young man, not over twenty years oi
age; of s'end r form. brt comp ,ctly bHiit,
and muscular Even unIer disgrace, there WAS
A manly selEppisc about him that did not es-
cape the officers notice.
Eudrr arrest again: What have yiu to
say for yourself?' the off ;er tried 10 be stern.
and to speak with sev rity.
The soldier did not answer, but look, half
logged, hall defiant, was visible in his face.
I shall have to order sev,rer punishment
There wasno reply Only a slight change in
attitude and expression o. counienanca, that
indicated a bracing of mind and nerve for
more endurance.
when riii@ Eou hear from home P asked the
offs5er, who did not remember to have seen
tlct,er addressed 10 Rogers until the receipt OF
that days mail.
| MOI for long time was answered, aud
with apparent surprise 1t 80 unexpected
question.
Here are two letters to your address
And the officer, who had the letters i'll bis
hand, held them towards the soldier, who start
ed, with strange look of surprise and bewii-
dernent and received them with a hand that
tremblcd visibly.
sit down and read them' said the officer,
pointing TO a camp-soOl The man sat down,
showing considerable excitement, and, after
locking curiousy at the delicately written su-
prescriptions, opened one Of the letters and
glanced it through hurriedly. The officers
gaze was on him, ard he read in his counte-
nance the rapid play Of various emotions
Then he opened the second letter, which he
read twice. As he finished it he drew his hand
hastily across bis eyes.
From home !? queried the officer.
The young soldier stood up, giving the usual
sign of respect, as he answered in the affirm
alive The officer noticed that his face was
graver and paer and that all the late look Of
dogged defiance had faded out.
Aud now, Rogers, what have you to say
for yourself? Will you force us TO severer
punishment? You know, as well as do, that
discipline must be enforced There was re-
monstance, not anger, in the officers voice.
, Only this answered the soldier. humbly
vet in q firm voice. l have done wrong, ant
am sorry Forgive me and if break a rule
of the service again, shoot me-
Spoken like a man and a soldier! will
trust YOU RGSers.' said the officer, and dismiss
: inc the guard, he sent him to duty.
Two days afterwards came that overwhei
q ming assault upon our right wing. and on th'
next day the terrible conflict at Gaines Mill
Among the coolest aud bravest in all the fierce
q battles that followed, and among the most en-
during in the long nights Of retreat WA
Young Rogers. He was with that body Of in
: fautry which lay at Malvern Hill, under on
death dealing batteries, the fire from whicl
:, staggered and then drove back the rebel mas
ses. whose desperate courage in that maddes
q of all assaults, was worthy Of better caust
! Twice during the series of battles, as once a
! Williamsburg, had Rogers risked his own Iii
to save that of his captain and in several {
: the conflicts he had shown such GOODNESS an
. courage, that positions were saved, which bu
= for the infusion of his spirit into bis comrad>
q would have been lost.
u One day, about three weeks after the letter
e. were written to Thomas Rogers, the youn
a lady whom we have called Annie, received
,e reply from the soldier dated, In camp, nea
II Harrison's Landing Il ran thus:
r, A. good angel must have put 1t into you
Lh heart to send me letter, for it came just
rs time to save nae. l was in the guard -hou'
: for neglect Of duty and disobedienee of order
or was reckless and desperate. All my con
radess we're getting word from home-lette
ad came to them by every nlail-bnt' np-oI
es wrote to me, or seemed to care for me. SO
IS, lost respect for myself, grew sour, unhaPp
1t. and Indifferent TO duty. But your kind wor'
en- your talk about the past time when yc
ct we're my teacher-your strong. appeal to n
better nature-your calm, true, sweet sente
ces dear lady, stirred my heart with ne
feelings and filed my eyes with, tears. Iw
The before my captain, in disgrace, when your lie
rs ter was placed in my hands. He waited f
nee me to read it, saw that was touched, al
be lilo q man that he was. forpave nv offence