The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-04-22
For the 1ranscript.l
THE DYING SOLDIER.

THE DYING SOLDIER.
Here Here Amt YOU mymothor?
Yes, you're my mother
/ was just passing the cot Of sick
and dying soldier in the Hampton hos-
pital at tho close of a hot, sUltry day
in june, 1868 whom my attention was
arrested by the above exclamation. II
came from cot third from the door
through which l was to pass ont, hay-
/ ing gone my round for tho night, or
day rather. There had been an nc
oossion to the hospital that day, Of
about 100, sick and debihtated from
the divisions below Norfolk, near the
Dismal Swamp. preparatory to the ar
my's moving on what was afterwards
called by them the Blackberry Raid
They were in all conditions, from those
able to walk to those brought on
stretchers They had all been washed,
and had a drink of good water for all
such MS were not able to attend to
themselves in that respect had been
kindly bathed and cared for by the
lady nurses (of whom there was only
two), and the good, sympathizing, per-
seyering, self-sacriicing Mrs. stowe
superintendent, who had furnished
t them al with nutrimeut Us their Sow
5 eral conditions required
) Oh it had been hard day brought
j up in crowded boat in that hot and
7 sultry cline, many had suffered their
last
The young man Of whom 1 speak,
belonged to the Vermont 9Th regi-
? mont; was apparently about 10 or 20
o years OF age, Of light complexion, blue
OF hazel eyes, hair light and slightly
waving As he called out he threw
back his blanket, rose up in bed raised
mp his arms and beckoned me to him
| advanced to his bedside, when he
8 clasped both my hands in his, with q
. satisfied, penetrating took. ats if lie
+, would be, and was sure. ! sat dowl
. down on the side of his little non bed
9 stead, when he again exclaimed,
. Mother Yes, you are my mother
T Wen, I've tried to be q good boy ant
a good soldier I never fell out n,
y long as l could stand ] never
y shmked'
=, Here he again became lost, anJ
- started up; some one had stolen hi!
- blanket and he must 80 aftor it,
4 soothed him as best / could and In
d. moment more he was with his mother
lo convorsing. / saw the illusion wa
Is perfect and did not try TO dispol it, az
~ he could only be kept quiet when
u; held his hands and soothed him ms
81 fancied his own dear Smother would
- had she been IN my place. He som
~ fell partially asleep, but would star
" up, clasping my hands still tighter
~ with the word mother ON his lips
We and rs he saw me still there woul'
'e sink back into a doze
re Oh how my heart ached for tina
u poor mother in her far-oH home an,
ie how should l fulfill her duty TO he
y dying son? | left him sleeping am
II went for an excellent nurse that at
nc tended him. When / returned [ fom
~ he had missed me, and again | sat b
Us him, holding both his hands in one G
le mine while | soothed his pale bro
III and arranged his hair with the othel
Ie he sank away in quiet asleep ion fe,
va moments, when, arousing, he exclaimej
~ pointing upward, See, they beckonf 70
III me- I'm coming. You must wal
"a motherl" And again he slept 500
III lie opened his eyes quietly, and sac
y "Stay, mother; stay and fell aslee
- quietly. Sitting by HIM little longe
Il" and finding lac would rest, | gave th
o nurse some instructions and left th
'o ward, having remained beyond m
N strength, it being the first time on
~ after an attack of army fever, frol
~ which / had suffered much
NJ Next morning, Sunday, ii rained
ittle-mist and fog. About o'cloc
an they carried out my little sufferer ON
~ stretcher, respectfully covered, and 70
-" lowed by the warden and nurse to ii
nS dead house AS is the custom there-
ila where the remains arc properly lN
~ out for the grave and a suitable coli
.'a' furnished His remains We're tollowC
ilB to grave, in good location betweC
5 Hampton and Pacific hospitals, Ham
n9 tom VA, by the chaplain and an c
% coit from the hospital
luS Each soldiers grave has II hca
o'- board with his name, company, res
mont, and State marked on it IN lee
sh- bic form. ! was obliged to leave Il
nd Baltimore at 1 o'clock p. NJ, and w
oo- not at the services, which took pla
~, later in the day; butt felt IN my hea
- Of hearts that another true patriot Ia
lu- silently been promoted from the ran
The to serve in that army above, who
ity only superior is the King of knf
IN and Lord Of Lords"
III Manchester, N H., Apr. 10, 1864
Ga MAINLAND FOR FRrEDoM. The recc