Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-12-12

Commission agents to forward them, and
he left for home that evening.
We might multiply similar cases indef-
nitely, each one possessing some peculiar
ity to vary the service, needed to meet the
wants Of the applicant. But these must
suffice.
To the faithful workers in the Soldiers
Aid Societies of this region the following
touching and cheering words are offered;
WHERE YOUR GIFTS GO.
It is a white dusty ridge in Alabama
tall, slim oaks sprinkle II, and beneath
them, in streets with strange, far east
ern LOOK, stand the tents Of one Of those
blessed cities Of meroy-s field hospital.
The sun pOurs hotly down; distant drum
snsrls now and then as if in q dream
the tinkling concert Of q cloud Of locusts
the cicsds Of the South-comes, like the
dear old sleigh bells chime, from distant
tree. "The loud laugh that tells the vacant
mind" is unhesrd; the familiar sound Of
closing doors and children's carol never
rises there; the tents swell white, and
sad and still. Within them lie almost
three oussnd soldiers, msrred with all
wounds conceivable, wasted with pain,
parched with fever, wesrily turning, wea-
rily waiting to take up the blessed march
Ho, for the North That is the word, the
ever-abiding charmer that fingers still
behind" 1t 10 Stephenson; it is Nash
Vile; it Is Louisville it is home; 1t is
heaven. Alas for it, how they falter and
sleep by the Wsyl And every one of these
men was somebody's boy once; had a
mother once, wife, q sister, a sweet
heart; but better is friend that is near
than brother afsr of, and now comes the
blessed mission Of woman. True, there
are only two herein person, but how many
in heart and work
You have been thinking, my sisters,
where is our work in ell these scenes
That snowy roll Of linen; that little pill
low beneath the sufferers head; that soft
fold across the gsshed breast; that cooling
drink the rude, kind, stalwart nurse Is
putting to yonder boys white lips; that
delicacy this poor fellow is just partak-
ing; that dressing gown whose broidered
hem those long thin fingers ara toiling
with; the slippers = world too wide for the
thin, fsltering feet dish Of fruit left
hand Is slowly working at, his right laid
upon our Federal altar at Chickamsugs,
never to be lifted more. Your tree, my
sister, bore that fruit; your fingers
wrought your heart conceived. What
do the women say about US boys at homer
slowly asked poor wreck Of q lad, as
sat by his side. That brow Of his sohed
know, for the touch Of loving hand, and
the "sound of voice that is still" At the
moment he asked the question he was
turning over little silken needle book
that one Of you laughing girls made some
day and tucked in a corner of q bag Ia
beled " United Sanitary Commission"
On the cover of that book you had
wrought the wOrds-plsyfully, perhaps
"My bold soldier boy" Isilently pointed
to the legend; the reply struck home to
his heart; and he burst into tears. l as
sure you they were not bitter tears he shed,
and as he wiped them away with fine
film of handkerchief you girls had hem
med for him, his question was twice an
swered, aud he was content. His eyelids
closed down, and his breathing was regu-
lar; he had fallen asleep, and thought
it was the picture of the SOLDIERS Dream"
over again.
You hear Of the nal appropriation of
your gifts, but never fear one grain may
fail, but two will spring up and blossom
into "forget-me-nots." Your work is ev-
erywhere. Go with me to that tent stand.
ing apart; it is the dead house tent. Four
boys in their brown blankets, four white
wood cOfhns, four labels with four names
on four still breasts. Two of the four
garments the sleepers wear are Of linen
from your stores, stitched by your fingers.
Verify, the Ladies' Soldiers Aid Societies
should be named Mary" for are they not
like her of old, "last at the cross and ear
liest at the grave 2"-Fron B. 2. TayIor's
Chattanooga Correspondence vita the Chicago
Journal.