Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1864-01-12

In the gusrd-house again 7 be said,
speaking to the orderly. who bad just sub,
mitted his report. There was regret as
we'll as encouragement in his voice.
What are we to do with the mani
You will have to order severe punish.
ment. Simple confinement in the guard
house is of no use
He has in bin all the elements Of COED
SOLDIER remarked the officer. No one
goes through the manual better. He is
perfectly drilled; is quick, steady and
brave. At Williamsburg he fought like a
hon. ] cannot forget, that, to his prompt
courage, lowe my life. No-not severe
punishment We must bear with him q
little longer. What is his offence now?'
He was away at roll-csll; and his res
port Of himself is unsatisfactory. The
man is restless and brooding; and some.
times so ill-natured as to made trouble with
his comrades
The officer sat 10 thought for some time.
He was about speaking, when a sergeant
came in with letters, mail having been
received. 10 running his eye over them,
the eficer Basieed two direeted Co Thomas
Rodgers, the soldier reported as in the
guard-house. He held them a moment,
and then laid them aside with his own let
tiers.
Let me see you in half an hour,' be
said to the orderly. We must do some
thing to reform this man. There is good
in him, if we can only discover the way to
make it active
The orderly retired, and the officer be-
came occupied with Lis letters. After get
ting through with them, word was passed
to have Rodgers brought before him. lie
came, under guard, but the guard was dis
missed, and the man was alone with the
officer, who regarded him more in pity
than in anger. The soldier was a Young
man, not over twenty years Of age, o: slen-
der form but compactly built and muscu-
lar. Even under disgrace, there was q
manly self-poise about him that did not es-
cape the officers notice.
Under arrest again What have you to
say for yOurself' The officer tried to be
stern and speak with severity.
The soldier did not answer; but look
half logged, half defiant, was visible in his
face
i shall have to order severe punish.
ment'
There was no reply; only slight change
10 attitude and expression of countenancs,
that. indicated bracing of mind and nerve
for more endurance.
When did you hear from home p asked
the officer, who did not remember to have
seen letter addressed to Rodgers until
the receipt of that days mail.
Not Tor a long time was answered, and
with apparent surprise at go unexpected
question.
Here are two letters to your address,
Ant the officer, who had the letters in his
hand, held them toward the soldier, who
started, with a strange look of surprise and
bewildero. ent, SEd received them with O
ha cd that tt embed visibly.
Sit down al d read Them said The offa
Ger. pointing to camp stool. The man
sat down, showing considerable excitement
and after looking curiU usly at the delicate
ly written prescriptions, opened one of
the letters and glanced through it hurried
ly. The officers gaze was on him and he
read in his cOunteSance the rapid play Of
various emotions. Then he opened the
second letter, which TiveteG his attention.
As he finished it he drew bis hand hastily
across his eyes.
'FsOm homer qneried the officer.
The young soldier stood up, giving the
usual sign of respect, as be answered in
the affirmative. The officer noticed that
his face was graver and paler, and that
the late lock of logged defiance had faded
cut.
And now, Rudgers, what have you to
say for yoursslf?' Ynu know, as well as
do. that Discipline must be enforcsd.'-
There was remembrance, not anger in the
OEeer's voice.
Only this answered the soldier.
humbly yet in a Grm voice. ] have done
wrong, and am very cory. Forgive me;
and il break q rule Of the service again,
shoot me-
Spoken like a man and q soldier! l
will trust you, Rodgers said the officer;
and dismissing the guard, be sent him to
duty.
Two days afterward came that over
whelming assault upon our right wing,
and the rext day the terrible conflict at
Gaines Mills. Among the coolest and
bravest in all the fierce battles that follow
ed, ard amnng the most enduring in the
long nights Of retreat, was young Rodgers.
He was With that body of infantry which
lay at the foot of Malvern Hill, under our
deatb-deal'ng batteries, tie fire which stag.
gered, and then drove back the rebel mas
SEES, whose desperate courage in that mad
dest Of all assaults, was worthy of a better
cause. Twice during this series of battles
as once at Williamsburg, had Rodgers,
risking his own life, saved that Of his Cap
tain; and in several of the conflicts, he had
shown such GOODNESS and courage, that po
siti DDS were saved, which but for the infus.
ion Of his spirit into bis comrades, would
have been lost.
One day, about three weeks afte- the
letters were written to Thomas Rodgers,
the young lady whom we have called An
ME, received reply from the soldier, dat
'incamp near HarrIson's Landing 1t ran
thusi
"A good angel must have put it into
your heart to send me that letter, for it
came just in time to save me. l was in
the guard house for neglect of duty and
disobedience Of orders / was reckless
and desperate. All my comrades were
getting word from home-lettsrs came to
them by every mail-but no one wrote to
me or seemed to care for me. But your
kind words-your talk about the past
when you were my teacher-your strong
appeal to my better nature-yOur calm,
puCI oNOCb oChbCDCCog OOdi 1dNy
my heart with new feelings, and filed my
eyes With tears. / was before my Captain
in disgrace when your letter was placed in
my hands.
de waited for me to read it, saw that
was touched, end like true man as be lie,
forgave my offence. Then and there,
resolved to die sooner than swerve hairs
breadth from duty. have been in fear
ful battles since. but God has kept me
from harm. To-day for bravery and faith
full service in these battles / have been
made second lieutenant. Thanks, thanks
to you, kind, good friend You have saw
ed one who come nigh being lost =
Fair reader, is there not in some far<
away camp, soldier who would be made
better or happier through letter from
your hand? Think If there is, write to
him. Brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers,
write often to the soldiers who have gone