The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-05-30
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Dead Soldier and the Ambrotype.

Some months ago touching incident Of
the battlefield of Gettysburg was published
In all the leading papers OF the country. A
resident OF Gettysburg, after battle found .
dead Union soldier on the field, with an am.
brotype clasped in his hands, the picture Of
three children - two boys and girl. In his
dying moments, the soldiers eyes had rested
upon the faces Of his precious children.
There was no means OF ascertaining the
name or former residence of the soldier. The
ambrotype was subsequently, obtained by Dr.
i. +. Bourns, of Philadelphia. With commen-
dable earnestness the Doctor set himself to
the work of discovering the soldiers family.
The ambrotype was Immediately photo
graphed. Copies were exhibited in leading
stores in Philadelphia, Baltimore and Pits
burg. Hundreds were sold with the under
standing that as soon as the children were
found the proceeds should be forwarded to
them.
The incident was published in the princi-
pal religious and secular papers, and the ques-
tion asked everywhere, where is the family
of the dead soldier?' At last, through one
Of the published notices, the family was be-
lieVed TO have been found, and a copy of the
picture being sent TO them, the fact was con-
hrmed. The family resided at The little viii
lage of Portville, Cattarangus county, New
York.
Meanwhile, thousands of the photographs
had been sold. The demand increased when
the public was informed by the Rev. Mr.. Og-
den, pastor of the family, that the widow was
poor and deserving. The fathers last look
promised to be legacy to his children
legacy OF material value as well as of love
DIR. Bourns, who had labored diligently In be-
half OF the unknown, now commenced anew
his exertions for the discovered family.
The matter grew so rapidly, and the profits
promised to be so satisfactory, that he con-
ceived the idea of extending its benefits be-
yond the Humistop family to the poor chill
dren of other deceased soldiers. Something
said TO him, From the fathers last look there
may come means to provide for hundreds aud
thousands Of helpless ones" Thus has prob
ably keen originated scheme for the proyis-
ion OF Soldiers Orphan Fund In every State.
To this work DIR. Bourns is devoting himself
at present - abandoning his medical practice
for portion OF the year. 1t looks ike Di-
vine Providence.
was in Portviile when the Doctor visited
the family, in order to present to the widow
and her three children the sacred ambrotype
held In the cold hand Of the father, and
stained with his blood. He brought with him
an elegantly colored and enlarged copy for
the family, parcel of books and papers, sent
by George II. Stuart, Esq, and others of
Philadelphia, and was able to place in the
hands OF a jucicious committee funds for the
present support OF the family.
II was touching scene. The plain, Quiet
home-the simple-hearted children, delighted
with these gifts from strangers = the stricken
widow, trembling as she grasped and gazed
long upon the sacred relic, and wondered al
the providence which made it such a minister
of aid and consolation.
The citizens of Portyile assembled on Sab
bath afternoon In the Presbyterian church,
and after an address Of greeting by Rev. Mr.
Ogden TO DIR. Bourns, had from him detail
ed account of the incident aud its results.
He gave statement of the plan proposed In
behalf of other orphans OF Union soldiers.
Several addresses were delivered, and a series
of resolutions was presented and adopted.
The Doctors plan Is. to raise about thou
sand dollars for each OF the three children, and
then make provision for other needy orphans
The picture, for the sale of which so much
has been done, aud is yet Anticipated, is itself
an ornament. "Frank, ""Fredde," and "Alice," !"
are interesting children, and In every album
In the land their little innocent faces should
tell the touching story of the dead soldier,
and thus contribute toward the relief and ed
ucation OF those on whom he looked, and for
whom he prayed in death.
ROCKFORD, ILL. JHV,