The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-03-29
MISCELLANY.
Sketch.


1t was in the spring term OF 1901, that
Charlie H. was attending the Academy
School Of his native village in the town OF III.
The story OF Sumpter's outrage and nations
periI had echoed among the Granite hills,
and the resounding cry 40 arms" had reused
The earnest ear of Charlie. And so when the
spring term closed he babe good bye to class
mates and passed out from the halls of learn
ing. aud was the first from his native town to
enlist into the noble n. III. I'd. With true
patriot courage and endurance Charlie met
and braved The hardships of the camp, and
letters filled with love and sunlight came
back to cheer the heart OF his widowed
Mother. With that noble regiment he was
among the first to face the foe, and passed
unscathed through many battles.
1t was the night before the commencement
of the battle at Gettysburg and Charlie was
writing TO his Mother, "To morrow VIC meet
the foe; do not think | shrink now go
with brave heart. Enclosed | send you
piece of our flag; it is in ribbons now. we
have borne it through many battles. ana we
bear it through this. Ii | live to get home
| shall be proud of our flag"
1t was on the second day of the battle that
his regiment was led into the thickest OF the
fight aud Charlie was one to fall, mortally
wounded, yet lingering. 1t was on the fifth
day ere the dead and wounded were gathered
up, and then taken prisoner, he was con-
yeyed with the rebel wounded, a few miles
from the field to barn that served as hospital.
A ball had passed through portion OF the
body and his shoulder was crushed, as by the
hoois of horses. The only union soldier
among them, he was the last to receive sur
gcal attention, yet it mattered little for all
human effort was vain.
1t was on the sixteenth day and Charlie
fingered yet, amid his pain and suffering. BY
the natural kindness of his nature, he had
won hearts to himself even among his
country's enemies. for all we're touched by the
patience and gentleness Of the union soldier.
A letter had been sent TO his Mother bidding
her come quickly to his side. And this was
the night that Charlie had dared expect to
greet her, and feel her magic touch upon his
wearied and aching brow. A Chaplain who
had learned to love him, goes to the station to
conduct her to her soldier boy, but she came
not, and Charlie lived not to learn that the
foul riot at N. Y. had intercepted the letters
sent her informing of his fate.
1t is twilight in the old barn now, and on
his couch or hay Charlie lies dying. The
kindly Chaplain is at his side and Charlie
tells him how as he lag on the field of battle
the Saviour came to him. He then asks him
to sing the hymn, "Pm going home to die no
more" and pray. And amid the grey shadows
prayer and praise ascend.
1t is midnight now and a feeble lamp sends
its Pickering rays over the group OF wounded
and one dying soldier A lady from house
close at hand leaves for a few moments the
couch by which she is watching, and pauses
among the wounded and suffering. She
pauses at the couch of Charlie and see that
the death-an Is very near. She speaks a
kind word to him and Charlie again talks Of
his Mother. She bends over him, kisses his
cold lips for his Mother, and he whispers in
her ear, write my Mother that die in the
Lord have but one earthly wish, it is tC
see her ere die" She passes from his side
and when the morning sun was shining the
spirit OF Charlie had found another temple
Friends afterwards came and all that was
left of Charlie was conveyed to his home
among the hills, and laid down there TO rest
under the shadow of the old Church. And
the old Academy bell, ringing as it did, when
it called him to her halls, now resounded
above his grave.
New England Noble sons were thine,
noble sons are thine to-day. Truly shall
Libertys tree flourish, for richest blood flows
to nourish her.