The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1864-05-04
A DAYS MARCH.
BY FRITZ.

Right above our heads blazed the over
powering sun. We looked up piteously
at the glaring sky, hoping to see some
friendly cloud to interpose in our behalf
and cast generous shadow over our
painting columns. But nothing save the
clear blue of interminable space, unreliev-
ed by a single cloud, and emblazoned by
the scorching sun, met our despairing
eyes. Still we marched on, our blouses
saturated with perspiration, and our tenn
Piles throbbing painfully amid the tramp
of thousand brogans. Eeach one of the
innumerable straps, which complete the
harness of a soldier, seemed to sink grad
ually into our burning flesh. We dare
not drop from the ranks and stretch our
wearied limbs on the yellow grass, or we
would famish for water, rs none had been
seen for many a weary mile, SO still we
marched on. Beside me walked pale,
slender young fellow, whom the boys had
christenod "gentle Joe," doubtless on ac-
count of his mild disposition. Joe and l
had been great friends since he had been
with our regiment, into which he had been
transferred along with some eight or ten
others, some six months previous. He
was meek little fellow, and as a matter
of course was tyrannized over by the rest.
l often met him about camp, and eventu-
ally took an interest in him, protecting
him as far rs lay in my power, from i'm
position; and, indeed, one day rescued
him from the hands of drunken rascal,
who, with an iron ramrod, was about to
impose summary punishment on poor Joe,
because, forsooth, the little fellow declin-
ed visiting the quartermaster's tent, for
the purpose of realizing canteen Of
whiskey. After this / made an attempt
to have him transferred to our mess, and,
to his evident JOY, succeeded. Here, un-
der my protection, Joe seemed perfectly
happy; for, though in action he was as
brave as the bravest, he appeared TO have
mortal terror to the rough ways of the
men. His modesty formed capital sub
ject for the witty, and l would often see
him turn scarlet at some rough joke. He
was very fond of me, however, and by
many little incidents Of self-sacrifce |
knew the patient affection Of "gentle Joe" )"
But to return to our march. AS | said,
l was dragging my weary limbs along
beside my friend, who, in spite of my own
suffering, inspired me with pity. His eye
balls were turned painfully towards the
lids; his dry lips cracked and bleeding,
were drawn tightly across his teeth; his
knapsack hung Tapping from his narrow
shoulders; aud but one drop of sweat
rolled down his cheek--a drop of mortal
agony, pressed from ar unwilling BRAIN
Yet he bore up, and. his burning feet still
echoed to the thousands around. On, on
we tramped clothes powdered, our boards
gray, and our lungs singing with hateful
dust. Anon an unfortunate falling in
commissions by the way, and the surgeon
bending over him in pitoous helplessness
for his flask is long empty, were the on
ly interruptions to our monotonous march
But no sign of commiseration disturbed
the dogged expression of the grim faces
that passed. Allfeelings, all senses were
lost in one intense thirst. No familiar
shout greeted the colonel ms he rode along
the line, trying with ghastly smiles to cheer
his men, or with husky voice and swollen
tongue to venture melancholy joke. E'er
the dumb stones received no curse as they
struck the soldiers foot as he went STUN
bling on.
LET me take your musket, joe" said