Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-09-07

Now you got me-, replied, the tall SOL
der, am wus lost than ever | was on
coon hunt whar thar was licker-in'-I
here ne broke out into peal of laughter,
which woke hundred echoes from the
dark woods. When be had controlled
his rsibles he nearly put the fire out with
tremendous stream OF tobacco Juice |
that reminds me- he continued, Of a |
circumstanz- he broke out into an |
other laugh, which lasted so long that |
Chester had time to ask the soldiers who |
were cooking, which way he should take,
and upon their indicating the direction
to him, he started, when the tall soldier,
recovering himself shouted, 'hold on !
stranger, an I'll tell it to you, it's little
the funniest story you ever heard But
Chester declined hearing it just then,
and, bidding them good evening, struck
for the road which the soldiers told him
would lead to the rear, where he could
lind the ambulances and surgeons.
AS he crossed the field he heard merry
peal OF laughter coming from the group
around the fire, which contrasted no less
strangely with the scenes by which he
was surrounded, than 1t was at, variance
with the reflections and apprehensions
which crowded upon his already tense and
aching brain !; the tall l'soldier had, IN
doubtedly, found ready auditors for his
story.
Chester walked on9as rapidly as he
could when he had found the road, for
he felt that his wound was bleeding free
ly, and dlsagreeable faintness began to
creep over him. He passed, now and
then, dead men lying in the fields far in
the rear of the scene of the battle poor
fellows ! like him, probably, they had
been wounded, and had perished in at
tempting to find their way to assistance
he shuddered lest it might be his fate
he had walked far, but as yet he saw nc
sign of life. At last he was cheered by
the sight of a number of anbulances
| being loaded with their ghastly freight
Of humanity, in every phase Of mutila-
ton, ,.f. ... ..a- !. "a e.. .
Here Chester had his wound tesnporar.
! lily dressed, and was sent off to hospi
tai in the city, where he was soon found
by his friend, -Abner Hyde, who took
/ him to his room, where, as was statee
before, he lay, two days after the battle
He was alone Abner Hyde who came
from the same county, and was an ole
| acquaintance, had done everything ir
his power to make Chester comfor table
but he could not stay with him during
! the morning, as he was on duty in ths
city, which required his presence during
the forenoon. However, Chester needed
but very little attention, as everything
necessary for the dressing and care of his
wound was in the room, and within his
reach. The surgeon had examined it
and expressed hope that amputatior
might not have to be resorted to; bu
I, Chester dreaded his next visit; and or
this beautiful July morning, the sof
blue of the sky which he saw througt
the open window, had no charm fo
him; and the refreshing breeze which
tossed bis long hair upon the pillow
and swayed the tree branches with
pleasant rustic against the shutters
though it cooled his throbbing temples
it failed to allay the excitement beneath
them, conjured up by hideous visions O
amputation and consequent suffering. :
Chester had striven against these morbi
feelings ever since he had begun to fea
the result, which he was now convince
would ensue. But the stoicism which
heretofore, had either been natural t
him, or SO we'll affected as to appear Sc
now failed him, and neither this, nor tn
consolation which he had hoped he woul
feel when anticipating or Illuminating uE
on the possibility of what was now
fact The consolation supposed TO be fe
/ in making sacrifice for ones country
e ayailed to chase away the phantom
e melancholy and repining which psople
4 his dreams by night, and darkened th
e sunbeam in his sight by day.
1t may be imagined that time dragge
Q heavily to- Chester. The tardy bel
l seemed as if they would never sound Il
|, next hour the busy ticking of the cloc
g ON the mantle-piece smote upon his e
: like the strokes of a hammer, and ii
n minute hand seemed to be making
It fruitless chase after the slower han
IT which marked the hour. Chester felt
is if he could dash the whole machine in
pieces, and strange fancy seized biz
ID that the little arrow-headed hands wou
d be admirable things to grope for fra
e ments of splintered bone he would me
1t tion it to the surgeon when he came.
IS Some delicacies were on chair clc
a, by his bedside. They bad been sent
I'd him by lady in the neighborhood, W
Ill stated in the note which accompani
7; them, that they had been prepared