The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1864-06-15
shivers in her hands. She cannot read the para
graph Desperately she thrusts the sheet down
upon table to hold it irIhly but a mist comes
over her eyes; she does not make out the words.
Killed or wounded.
re me strength ~

The dimness passes she reads
"Among the brave men who distinguished
themselves, private John Irwin deserves honor
able mention. In a desperate assault of the
rebels, the captain of his company received a Sc
we're wound and fell upon the ground. He was
a few PAGES in advance of his men, and as he fell
two Of the enemy sprang forward to bayonet
him. Irwin, seeing this flung himself before his
PROSTATE captain, shot one of the men and in
hand to-hand encounter disabled the other He
then bore the wounded officer from the field
During the whole fight, this young man, who is
not twenty-One years of age, conducted himself
with the coolest courage, and in more than one
instance rallied his falling comrades. He has
the stuff of which officers made, and the
Department should send him a commission"
Mrs. Irwin bowed down, with her face upon
the table trembling in every nerve; weak-in
glad bewilderment-tearful. Then dropping
upon her knees, with clasped hands and eyes up
lifted she said family
co. Lord is he not Thine
A deep peace fell upon her spirit, and she re-
manned for some time kneeling. But prayer
| formed itself in no other words.
| 81 could not stay away from you after reading
| the news this morning."
A friend said this as she came in, little while
afterwards. " Are you not a proud woman to-
day, Mrs. Irwin?''
81 feel glad and humble,' was the subdued
answer.
"But did he not act nobly? Who would have
thought that in your quiet retiring boy, there
was such daring spirit?"
at does not seem as if it were my son who has
been so brave" said the mother. The act has
apparently removed him to distance, and set
itself up as a question of right against me. He
is not mine in the sense 1 have hitherto regarded
| him. Higher duties than those of a son are laid
upon him; and must give him to his country
in degree not understood when he went forth at
his countrys CALL I pray, now, that God will
make him equal to his duty under all circum-
stances. To lose him would be a fearful thing ;
| but, to find him weak coward in the day of
| battle would be more fearful still"
sTo hear such words from your lips! From
whence has come this new spirit ?-this new
! courage?o
"As our day is so shall our strength be- re-
| piled Mrs. Irwin. b" God gives the spirit of en-
durance and seI-reliance when we have need of
it; and this is time OF need. do not f1atter
| myself with the hope that my heart and home
will be spared-that my boy will pass unscathed
| in the ordeal of battle But come what will, L
will trust in God /; and he will lay sorrow
| upon my heart too heavy to bear. If had ten
sons feeling as do now, would give them all
for this contest, and send them forth in Gods
NAME"
| And to thousands of mothers hearts strength
and a spirit of self-sacrifce have come in this
time of trial, it came to the heart of Mrs. Ir-
win. Like her their souls are in the cause, and
their brave hearts giving out courage and endu-
rance to tens of thousands of brave sons now
battling for right and their country 1t is the old
spirit of the Revolution, and by virtue of it's
! sacred fires our armies prevail