, 1863-10-19
AFTER THE BATTLE.


sArTER THE RATTLE" These are simple
words enough; but what an unutteta6le In
tensity Ct solemn meaning Is crowded within
their little limite, no one who has not Wit
messed for himself the ghastly sea.drtt
stranded by the waves Of war, can ever tell
In the oye,lo ing hospitals, the wrecks and
ruins lie, come meaning With fierce pain, some
whose cheeks are hectic with fever. and soma
who are pale and still. These are the strong
men who, little more than 4 week ago,
walked into the jaws Of desth, rejoicing In
their manly strength, and who came out OF
them cruuched, and mansled. and torn into
bleeding shapelessness. How WEAKLY, yet
also how shapelesely, they lie on taetr little
pallets, With the dumb, wistful yearning, look.
ipg ont from their honest eyes. Few words
eecape them; but for all that one can tell,
from the mute pleading Of their thin faces,
how strongly their hearts pine for. human
comfoztipgs, and for draughts Of the old pre-
cious home kindEess and sympathetic lore.
so men With sisters dear,
o men with mottera and Wfvea,"
perhaps your SOD, or yonr brother, or your
lover, whom you sent forth. crowned and
consecrated with all holy and beautiful afec,
ions, lies among them. with all his soul
turned towards you in passionate longing,
and If not tour OWN son, or brother, or lover,
ret still bearing similar sacred relationship
10 some praylrg mother, some tearfu sister,
some maiden with her heart on tip toe Of great
fear and dread. And because zone touch Of
nature makes the whole world KIM and
because these sons and brothers, In assuming
as their own CAUSE the cause OF our country,
ard OF its liberties, became thereby-and TINT
and 1elatiTes Of all who lore their land, you
must not suffer the least among them to pine
yainly for the soothing offices Of tender help
which they so richly deserve. Sacrifice Is the
sole language Of love; and If these brave
comrades Of ours did not hesitate to offer their
whole e1istence-inVolyIug the sacrifice Of
who ahau eay how broad and tar-reaching,
although unw1ftteu, hopes and aims Ger.
tainly you cannot grudge the besto nal OF a
pcrtton-uot Of your lives, but only Of You1
goods-upon thoec hose gifts SO greatly out
weigh your own; for though you be ~
pIoo'gal as the sea IN lavish generosity ol
giving, 3ou are still altogether eclpsed IN
glorious selfabnegation By the lowllest pri
Tate In the ranks who faithfully breasted the
storm on that aw ful September Sabbath.
The fruit gathering season is over, and there
Is hardly ahome In Illinois that has not nos
pickles, onioas, ard other nutritious food
housed against the coming winter, while
almost every thrifty mAtron can find in hel
roomJ ward1obes some spare articles Of apps
rel that eau be turned into u.e for the helf
and comfort Of our sick and wounded heroes
gaIdly driblets, but In great heaps Of bountl
fulnefs, such as shall rejoice alike the giver1
and the rtceigere-and let them be Forwarded
without moments unnecessary delay to ths
sanitary Commission-that noble association
Of heroic and tireless men and women, Wloss
p1nises are embalmed in human hearts wher
ever our brave boys suffer, and wherever on
free flag floats. Give: give literally, give nou
Do not wait for your neighbor to set th'
example, but let each one lead OF for himself
Every day, every hour, Is iuestimably precious
and it Is yo1r grand privilege, as well a
four solemn duty, to let no moment Of tim
ed snd unfmproyed. Write, also. Let thosl
smopg you who, having themselves no rela
| tlves CT friends in this army, are cognlzant 0
| Instances In which our boys are without th
ordinary accial ties Of existence, tighten u
! the lonely isolation Of their lives with cheer
fhl words Of encouragement and human re
fnl stimnlus turks In a single healthy letter
and while kind words cost the giver next t.
nothing, they may be more potent auxlliarie
10 recovery from sickness or wounds, an
! more powerful incentives TO Lue peflorNanc
Ct duty for It's oNn unalloyed sake, than 70
peaceful dw welers in pleasant homes can guess
We will tight your battles for you, win yictc
,fee, ard rescue the land from foes withou
and traitors within, only asking that when v
are moWn down by the scythes OF war, 9
stricken by that enemy against whom armc
Of proof does not ayaii, you will not be tard
in your recognition Of our wants and you
duties, and that gou do not stint your of1ce
Of human love. ~
Does the TRIBUNE think man is apt to t
/ lees courageous. or efficient colder, by re!
son Of being infected BY the rhyming veal
ness? If thought 80 would forswear II
habit to morrow but I happen to belie'
otherwise, and as hold that Wzen's HON
j. chirrup Is (measuted By the laws Of Il
Wren's hcmely beiDg) as musical as the mu
tftudinous and magnificent variations of tt
wizard. thrcated mocking bird. eubjoin Il
fo11oWinE yeTtes. which (perLsps for the re
son that love korner) cali "My srol
| EnnfrH