Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-07-31
AwOUND THAT WAS VERY SLOW TO
HEAL.

HEAL.
Three Months in a Military Hospital.
"Boys, you will now have an opportunity
of proving to the enemy what Yankees can do
1 know i can depend upon you. Be steady.
and when / give the order to charge, let every
man remember he is fighting for our glorious
Union, and that the honor of dear old Maine is
at stake" So saying, our Colonel rode slowly
to the top of the hill to inspeetthe enemys posi-
ton. The sold man," AS we called aim, was in
his element. The bullets were flying around
like hail, an occasional shell would fall I'M
pleasantly near us, and all this caused our
Colonefs nostrils to distend, and we noticed
that he sat very straight on his horse, and was,
contrary to his custom Il may state in paren-
thesis that he is a cross cid bear), deucedly af-
table and polite. He is one of the old stock,
was in the regular army before the war broke
out, and is famous as strict discipiinarlan
low up and dewn hull on ordinary occasions,
he is so severe; but in action we deemed him a
glorious old cock, and managed generally to
follow him through, he did SO inspire us by
his manly department and daring courage.
aThere they come. Steady boys; don't fire
till the word of commando shouted the Colonel,
as he galloped along ourlines.
The rebels were close to us; on they came, yell
ling like madmen. They were within hum
dred yards when the order to fire was given
to us. We poured deadly volley into the
ranks of the enemy.
"NoE, boys, the bayonet Charge-charge
The colonel, as he gave the order, fired his re-
voiver at rebel officer who had dashed at
him. The man fell mortally wounded, and
our old commander, pushing past him, rode
into the midst of the surging rebel masses. We
followed, and back went the enemy before our
impetuous charge. There was no standing
against the rush of our athletic men, who,
shoulder to shoulder, pressed irresistibly for
ward. A few moments more and the rebels
were in flight. The sinking sun shed its last
rays on our victorious colors. and lightened mp
the faces OF the hundreds of dead and dying
who were lying close together. Among the
latter deemed myself. As we were charging
q bullet had struck me in the side, and fell
bathed in blood.
"Shall stay with you, Captain u asked one
OF the men who saw me fall. I endeavored to
wave him on, but tainted from pain and loss of
blood. When recovered to consciousness ]
W as undergoing great agony from the probing
OF rather inexperienced surgeon, who was
determined he would extract the bullet which
was still in my side. This he accomplished
at last, after making me suffer excruciating
pain. He pronounced me cut OF DANGER but
said that my recovery would be slow, and that
he would see that was sent TO one Of the mill
tary hospitals in Washington. The Colonel
came TO see me: was, to my establishment as
kind as woman, and, thanks to his care and
solicitude, WAS duly sent to Washington and
comfortably stored away among lot of other
young officers, all, like myself, seriously
wounded.
For a time / suffered terribly; the weather
was very warm and my wound was intensely
painful; but at last felt it less, and with the
Giminution OF pain came returning health and
Sigor. We were all tenderly cared for. The
ladies of Washington visited regularly,
supplied us with all those little comforts which
60 far towards rendering the endurance Of pain
easier, while they also affect the mind. A man
who feels himself cared for is never SO long in
recovering from bodily ills as those left to bear
them alone and uncheered by sympathy. As
general thing, the ladies who visited us were
Of mature age-matrons, who knew all about
sickness; but occasionally younger ones came
to see us-some from curiosity, others from q
sincere desire to be OF service to the wounded.
was writing one day in pain, my fevered
brow ached terribly, when j felt a dampened
cloth laid upon 1t gently, and soft hand
pressed my fingers, which were conyusiy civ
clutching the sheets. opened my eyes, and
saw bending over me a fair, beautiful girl, with
large dark eyes, which were filed with tears.
I gazed at her in wonder. How beautiful she
was! She turned away with blush from nv
earnest glance, but presently came again to my
side.
would you like for me to read to your
said she softly.
"Oh yes, SO much. Pray tell me what our
troops are doingn' was my eager inquiry.
1.-The doctor forbids that said the young
lady; but may read to you such things as are
not likely to excite you i will read this beauti-
full poem" So saying, she drew chair near
my cot and began in sweet pleasant voice to
read Byron's sChide Harold" I closed my
eyes to listen to the melody of her tones. She
read distinctly clearly. / felt sensation of
Pleasure.iuch as had never experienced. The
pain of my wound was forgotten; drank in
the sound of her voice greedily, until at last
the words lost their meaning, aud fell into a
sound sleep, the first had enjoyed since re-
ceiYed my wound. The effect was great. Our
doctor pronounced me in fair way to very
speedy recovery, and was rather disposed to
boast about the efficacy of his treatment. Con-
found your drugs, doctor; twas the young lady
that did me SO much good. She bathed my
head and read to me. and was 50 gentle and
kind, felt relieved at once, and went into
sound, sweet sleep"
"What young lady 2" inquired the doctor
why, mean the beautiful one, Of course"
Aaox, Sf,rl yt,nt, hoo.
Angel-cherub," was my enthusiastic re-
ply.
"Oh, ah,'' replied the doctor, with a cynical
grin ssthey are all angels. Can't you tell me
her name! Is it Smith, Brown or Jones %
doctor. you are an unromantic old cur
mudgeon, as nasty as your medicines, and
can just tell You that unless that young lady
comes back shall not get we'll" ] said this
with a full determination of keeping my
word.
"By Jove that will not do" said the doctor;
awe must try to find this Miss or Mrs"
doctor, don't aggravate me; she can't be a
Mrs: she is too young, too beautiful, too''--
.'Come, come, none OF that" growled the
doctor, seizing my wrist; sthe fever is return
ing Just you keep quiet, or will forbid the
entrance of any female into the hospital l
will
Istarted up. She was coming towards u.s.
"Hailo, what's this z" said the doctor, per-
ceiving my agitation, and turning to look in the
direction of my fixed gaze. "Ah, the angel,
suppose" She came near us. In her hand she
q
sgPardon me; this will never do" said the
doctor, gruffiy; s'the scent of these flowers :
will give him splitting headache" Saying
which, the old brute threw them out of the
the window. was terribly vexea at the old
fellow, and inwardly vowed would rather
die by her flowers than to live through his
medicines.
What can do for him, doctor 7" said the
sweet creature
"Nothing, ma'am; let him go to sleep again
You may, if you choose, read TO him; but you
must not let him talk. He is is too much ex-
cited already"
She sat down and began at once reading
something, know not what; in fact, did not
care. She was thereI heard her voice-and
that was all cared for. suppose dozed. as
considerable time must have elapsed when /
.yakene;.. Tt was now almost dark The
vouno lady was still at my bedside, and the
doctor had returned. He was eonversing with
her,
.,Yes. he will recover If he takes great care
tn avoid all EXCITEMENT, and Is not neglected
nv the nurse She is apt To take little too
much gin-in fact, is quite tipsy at this mo-
ment-and yet these poor young fellows must
be attended TO-" .-.s ~ I.
ssOh, doctor, you must call upon mamma.
She will. know, come here tonight, if she