The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1863-10-16

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to say for yourself?" The officer tried t.
be stern, and to speak with severity.
The soldier did not answer; but look
half dOgged, half defiant, was visible ii
his face.
81 shall have to order severe punish
ment."
There was no reply; only slight chang
in attitude and expression of countenance
that indicated bracing of mind and nerv,
for more endurance.
"When did you hear from home ?" ask
ed the officer, who did not remember t,
have seen letter addressed to Rogers un
til the receipt of that days mail.
/" Not for a long time" was answered
and wirh apparent surprise at SO unexpect
ed a question.
"Here are two letters to your address.
And the officer, who had the letters in his
hand, held them towards the soldier, who
started, with strange look of surprise and
bewilderment, and received them with q
hand that trembled visibly.
"Sit down and read them," said the Of
fcer, pointing to a camp stool. The man
sat down, showing considerable excitement,
and after looking curiously at the delicate
ly written superscription, opened one of
the letters and glanced it through hurried
ly. The officers gaze was on him, and he
read in his countenance the rapid play Of
various emotions. Then he opened the
second letter, which was read twice. AS
he finished it, he drew his hand hastily
across his eyes.
"From home ?" queried the officer.
The young soldier stood up, giving the
usual sign of respect, as he answered in
the affirmative. The officer noticed that
his face was grayer and paler, and that the
look of dogged defiance had faded out
Sand now, Rogers, what have you to
say for YOURSELF? viii you drive us to a
severe punishment You know, as we'll
as l do, that discipline must be enforced" I"
There was remonstrance, not anger, in the
officers voice.
"Only this" answered the soldier hum
bly, yet in firm voice, ~ have done wrong
and am sorry. Forgive me; and if 1 break
a rule of the service again, shoot me"
"Spoken like a man and soldier /
will trust you, Rogers" said the officer !;
and dismissing the guard, he sent him to
duty.
Two days afterwards came that over
assault upon our right wing, and
on the next day the terrible conflict at
Gaines Mills. Among the coolest and
bravest in all the fierce battles that follow
ed, and among the most enduring in the
long nights of retreat, was young Rogers.
He was with that body of infantry which
lay at the bottom of Malvern Hill, under
our death-dealing batteries, the fire which
staggered, and then drove back the rebel
masses, whose desperate courage in that
maddest of all assaults, was worthy of
better cause. Twice during this series of
battles, as once at Williamsburg, had Rog-
ers, risking his own life, saved that of his
Captain and in several of the conflicts,
ne had shown such GOODNESS and courage,
that positions were saved, which, but for
5he infusion of his spirit into his comrades,
would have been lost.
One day, about three weeks after the
etters were written to Thomas Rogers, the
young lady whom we have called Annie,
received reply from the soldier, dated
In Camp near Harrison's Landing" 1t
-an thus
GA good angel must have put it into
your heart to send me that letter, for it
,ame just in time to save me. 1 was in
he guard-house for neglect of duty and
of orders. l was reckless and
desperate. All my comrades were getting
word from home-letters came to them by
very mail-but no one wrote to me or
eemed to care for me. So l lost respect
or myself, grew sour, unhappy, and iudif-
erent to duty. But your kind words
vour talk about the past time when you
we're my teacher-your strong appeal to
ny better nature-your calm, true, sweet
entences, dear lady stirred my heart
With new feelings, and filled my eyes with
ears. was before my captain in disgrace,
vhen your letter was placed in my hands.
"He waited for me to read it saw that
was touched, and like true man that
le is, forgave my offence. Then and there,
resolved to die sooner than swerve a
lair's breadth from duty. have been in
earful battles since, but God has kept me
rom harm. To day, for bravery and faith
ul service in these battles, have been
made a second lieutenant. Thanks, thanks
o you, kind, good friend You have saw
d one who came nigh being los" !"
Fair reader, is there not in some far
way camp, soldier who would be made
etter or happier through letter from
our hand ? Think If there is, write to
i'm. Brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers,
rite often to the soldiers who have gone
ut from your homes. They are in the
lidst of temptations, trials, suffering and |
rivations, and your words of love, your
enderly manifested interest, your exhorta-
ions to courage and duty cannot fail to do
hem good.