Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1864-02-19

osVSu waving uto MANU- W MS luOtucV WIZ
repeats "trust in God my boy, trust in
God" and watched him until his waving
plume could be seen no longer and
then turned slowly, sadly, back to hel
chamber to pray for the absent one. There
is no outburst Of violent grief, net one tear
from those burning eyes. All! ifshe could
only weep; but no hers is that deep grief
which pierces into the heart and makes il
culver and ache With anguish, but seems to
dry up the springs whose overlooking will
sometimes take away the dull heavy puia Of
sorrow; yes. she must bear it. and bear ii
alonc-fot he to whom her heart would
have turned is sleeping meath the bright
summer flowers which seem to bloom but
to thock her anguish.
4 4 4 X
Boom. boom, boom. on the n,urkS smoke
laden air Numbered forth the terrible can
non and thick and fast with d Shrek OF
death few the Iron Eall'' carrying de.ola-
ton and destruction to the Me, s&eebing
down column after column OF human beings
with the wild battle cry ringing from their
lips even in the last agony. Rivers Of
blood flowed by the side of the living and
the brother saw his brothers eye glazing in
death yet they swcrvcd Not But drew their
breath harder. perhaps turned little paler
and rushed anew on the boiling stechin:
mass which ever and annon rolled up fresh
waves of living creatures only to be broken
and scattered by that human rock which
stood firm as the eternal hills. Bat anoth-
er onset proved too strong and that gallant
band yielded; yes! tho they yielded but
one foot that to them was almost the doom
Of death or slavery. for frmness was their
only hope. Aud now they are yielding
again when from the cAntcr springs one to
the front; his eye is wildly dilated his lip
curled with scorn while on his brow the
veins are swclled and Seem Fealy 70 burst.
In clear hasty tone he cries, "Come on
ward boys come; would you let them con-
qucr when the blood of those slain ones be-
hind US are calling for vengeance When
oiir mothers are praying for US? No! if
they reach our homes they will have to
cross a dead body for every doorstep; and
he sprung forward followed by hundreds of
brave hearts. and g'itterins sabres BORNE
by veteran hands, like thunderbolt on the
foe. bathing his sword and his hand in their
blood and cheering on his men at every
step. Soon the tide Of battle i: turned az !
victory is now resting on their banner, !"
and they are rushing after the flying foe,
but one is missing from their number and
the voice which 50 lately rung out with
cheers walled out dying liioah.. They
gathered aroahd him with tears Ia thslf
stern eyes and lips quivcring with sorrow
while in rough tho trembling tones they
ask ''comrade what shall we do z" Leave
me here to die" he whispers. ''for the
blood is chilling in my veins and around
my heart an icy band secms clasped the
light Of the sun is growing darker, is it set
ting friends = AID fast :.Lvir tears fall as
they tell him that the sun has travelled bat
one half Of his daily journey. Truly
am dying then, he iiurl.tnrs Oh! mother
and few silent tears steal from beneath
his lids and creep slowly down his pale
cheeks. And then in stronger voice he
says Il will MOI keep yoa longer, boys, du-
~ calls and | 'sould not keep you from its
performance but bear this message to my
mother, tell her that I died upon the bat.l
field but not shade of sorrow rested !,
my mind except missed tho touch of her
soft hand on my brow and the music of her
voice On lily ear Tell her that my mind
was fixed on Jesus and that Itfusted in his
blood Now farewell and leave me- They
babe him goodhy and left him for they were
needed elsewhere; left him there alone
with the life blood cbbing slowly from his
heart and lips turning purple and stiff and
cheeks paling under the bright sunshine
and soon the last breath is drawn the heart
has fiuttered for the last time and Willie is
dead Yes Willie thy eyes arc closed for
ever upon the earth aud all its beauties
forever No! III the resurrection morning
from this lone grave on the field of battle
thou wilt arise in glorious form and rise on
snowy ssings to those golden mansions
whose Beauties thy Mother sung to thee
when an infant on her breast. Slowly the
light of day fades away and the moon and
stars rise in the quiet sky and look plying
lily down oh that pale cold upturned face
while from the skies soft dewy tears Of sor,
row are shed and falling among the dark
masses Of his hair glitter in the moonlight
like rare jewels. And that same moonlight
is falling on another form miles away itis
the mothers. She too is sleeping but not
the sleep of death for her bosom heaves
with each long drawn breath and she moves
in her sleep and niurmurs Willie my boy =
and he is dead FAR far away and on the NOR
row coarse but kind hands will lay him in a
soldiers grave while no mothers hand will
wipe the dew from his brow or fold those
lifeless hands over his breast. But now
she is dreaming and in her dreams she sees
not the lone couch of death by the riverside
but bright form clothed in white with a
smile Of happiness illuminit,g those once
blood-stained features and Id tones Of glad
ness he exclaims. Mother my mother be-
hold your child! you told me what was
true, here | have mansion of gold by the
River Of Life and can bask forever in the
smileS Of MY Kedcemer; aud this is what i.
reserved for all those who to love Of coun.
try unite the blessed religion Of our Lord
Jesus. Weep not for me mother for soon the
few remaining sands of your life will Fun
out and then you, Will, share iiy heavenly
home Farewell Tbs mother woke froh
her sleep and like faint low sound Of mu
SIC, farewell fingered on Her ear. She
knew her boy was dead, but tho she knew
not where he lay she ts4 seen his bright
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