Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1863-04-02
THE SLEEPING SENTINEL.


ing were made, we understand by our distn-
gulshed Senator Foot. On the evening of the
same day MIR. Murdoch read it in the Senate
Chamber of the United States, which was spec
ially appropriated for the purpose; and il has
since been read in other cities. Every Yer
monter will read them with special interest -
Rutland Herdld
Twas in the sutry summertime, rs Wars red rec
ords show,
When patriot armies rose to meet a fratrcida foe;
"heh from me North and East, and West, like the
Swept forth Columbia's sons, to make our country
truly free.
Within PRISONS dismal walls where shadows yelled
decay
In fetters, heap Of straw youthful soldier lay;
Heart-6roken, holpess and forlorn, with short and
He waited but the appointed hour to die a culprits
death.
Yet, but few brief weeks before, untroubed with
care,
lie roamed will, and freely drew his native noun
tain air
Where sparkling streams leap messy rocks from many
woodland 'front.'
And waving elms, and grassy slopes give beauty to
Vermont
Where, dwelling in humble cot a tiller of the soil
Encrced by mothers love, he shared fathers
toll
Till, borne upon the wang winds, his suffering coun-
trys cry
Fired his young heart with fervent zea for her to
live or die.
Then left he all:-a few fond tears by frmness half
concealed
blessing and a parting prayer, and he was in tho
field
The field of strife, whose dews are blood whose
breezes Wars hot breath,
Whose fruits are garnered in the grave, whose hus-
bandman Is DEATH
Without murmur, he endured service new and
hard;
night, on guard,
He sank exhausted at his post and the grey morning
found
His PROSTATE form--a sentinel, asleep, upon the
ground!
So, in the silence of the night aweary on the sod
Sank the disciples, watching near the suffering Son
of God;
Yet, Jesus, with compassion moved, bcheld their
heavy eyes,
And though betrayed to ruthless foes, forgving bade
them rise!
But God is ove-and finite minds can family COM
prehend
How gentle Mercy in His rule, may with stern jus
tce blend;
And this poor soldier, seized and bound found none
to Justify,
While Wars memorable law decreed that he mu st die
Twas night.-In secluded room, with measured
tread and Slow
A statesman of commanding mien, paced gravely to
and fro.
Oppressed, he pondered on land by civil dscord
rent;
On brothers armed in deadly strile:-it was the Presi-
dent
The woes of thirty millions filled his burlened heart
with grief;
EN"iES iEsr hofIs sfis on land and sea- acknowledged him
And yet amid the din of war; he heard the paintiye
OF that poor soldier he lay in prison, doomed to
del
Twas moning.-on tented field, and through the
heated haze,
Flashed back from lines of FURNISHED arms, the SUMS
eflulgent blaze;
While, from sombrc prson-house seen slowly to
emerge,
sad procession, DER the sward, moved to muflled
drge.
And in the midst, with flltcrng step and pale and
anxious face,
In manacles, between two guards, soldier had his
place.
A youth-ed out to die ;-and yet it was not death,
but shame,
That smote his gallant. heart with dread, aud shook
his manly frame!
Still on before the marshaled ranks, the train pur-
Tn TO the designated spot, whereon a coffin lay
His coffin And, with reeling brain, desparing, desc
late
He took his station by its side abandoned to his fate
Then came across his waveng sight strange pictures
in the air;
He saw his distant mountain home; he saw his par
ens there;
He saw them bowed with hopeless grief through fast
declining years.
He saw nameless grave; and then, the vision closed
in tears
Yet, once again. In double file, advancing, then, he
Twelve comrades, steuly set apart to execute the
law
But saw no more his senses swam-deep darkness
settled round
And, shuddering, he awaited now the fatal yoley's
sound!
Then suddenly was heard the noise of steeds and
wheels approach-
And, rolling through a cloud of dust appeared
stately coach.
On past the guards, and through the field its rapid
course was bent,
T hating mid the lines was seen the nations Pres
dent!
lie came to save that stricken soul, now waking from
despair
And from thousand voices rose a shout which rent
the air
The pardoned soldier understood the tones of Jubilee
And bounding from his fetters blessed the hand that
made him free.
Twas Sprng-Whn a vcrdant vale, where War
wicks crystal tide
Reflected DER its peaceful breast fair fields either