Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-22


 ing band. meeting every night. and enjoyed precious seasons with our Saviour. We kept these meetings np when in the field for twenty months, till the battles commenced in May, when the enemy broke up our nightly gather lngs by cutting of one and another, till nov, l trust l am going to meet them in that better iand. This whole subject of religion is great subject. It is not given to us here to un- derstand all about it. but there is enough given to save our souls. O, this faith in Christ is so precious! My friend, what sinful world we live iu, and how few serve God compared with those who do not"
 : Then he turned to his nurse, George, who. although not a Christian. had manifested a great desire to serve the Lieutenant because he was so uncomplaining amid his suffering, and said. :" George, won't you become Chris tian 7? Won't you promise to become Chris not promise. ''.s'' Then ;" said the Lieutenant, :" pray that your duty may be known to you" !" and spent a few moments in sileDt prayer Now he spoke ol bis brother, who was Tn the same company with himself, but careless and unconcerned about his soul, remarking. If my death can have any influence in bringing others to Christ, then there will be 30 much accomplished" .-. .-...
 Now we talked of his home, and promised him that when returned to the North I would visit his home ard friends, which seemed to please hin very much. Said he, after men tioning the names of many friends, My sister Julias influence over me Was always good.- Tell ny mother l often thought of her, and prayed for her, and wished that she could be with me in sickness" Said l, Don't you wish your mother was with you now?' |" do - dol do.' But isn't the presence of Jesus better than all?' 70, yes. Jesus can make dying bed feel soft as downy pillows are." As Jeff him took him by the hand. bade him goodbye, promising him that if he lived would be with hi,n in few hours, after had obtained little rest. If not" said he, God bless you"
 l never expected to meet him again alive, and as passed by those long rows of hospital tents, lantern in hand, thought what glo- rious prospect awaited that immortal spirit.- Early in the morning went to the tent with somewhat saddened feeling, thinking him dead, but behold he was still alive. As he pressed my hand in his feeble grasp, he said. II still linger-how tenacious, is life to this frail body'
 remained with him that morning, when he desired me to get his diary ard look at some photographs of loved ones. There was pie ture of his dear mother, and under it inscribed. " My, mother, God bless her" On the back of it." Mother, if we meet not again on earth, lst us meet in heaven:
 In heaven above,
 Where all is love,
 There will be no sorrow there.'
 On his sister Julia's was written, My sister Jula thou hast given thy heart to God :; anu may we meet in heaven if not again on earth. Pray for your brothers, that we may be strong and quit ourselves like men, in the fear oi God.' On the picture of a young sister who Was dead, and ot dear young friend, mem. Der of a praying band, who was Killed short time before, equally appropriate words were inscribed. Alter looking at these sal me- mrntos and tokens of loved home and kind friends, took d few extracts from his diary one or two of which will quote, showing tho inher as well as the outer life of the Christian patrut
 Jau. lst. 1864. New Years day is good one to form good res Ives upon. a1d to com niencc to keep them. 1 wish to live better this year than ever before. God give me the con- stant assistance of His Holy Spirit.
 May lth. (Nltten after heariug of fight ins) This nation Is living fast now--hstory is being made every day-rccords of fighting such as the world never saw before.
 May 28. How much would give to hear from home Richmond is but fifteen miles from us.
 June lst. We have been in terrible battle Our regiment charged on the rebel riAe-pits and the first battalion lost heavily. Oh my brave comrades, how have you fallen Three hundred and eighty are killed, wounded aud missiug-four of my old tent squad killed. O.. B lhis own Co.) lost 5s.
 June 2d In our fight of yesterday we cap tured many prisoners, and received the praise of Col. Upton, our Brigadier General com nanding, for our conduct; but O how sadly have we lost. God help us.
 June 5th. Received another mail this af- ternoon Homesick and heartsick, though now is the time when one ought to be stout hearted. The day has seemed very little like the Sabbath.
 His last record was dated June 22d, stating tha: he was struck by mimic ball, (which" in his own language, left severe though not dangerous wound.'' How dangerous he little dreamed.
 After had taken these extracts, he sank rapidly. and sometimes his mind would wan
  field, of fighting the enemy again. Then he would come back to consciousness, and speak of his home in heaven, and pray to be released from his suffsrings with an earnest lon .ing to be gone. Thus he fingered until two o'clock that afternoon, when with his eyes fixed on what might have been the angels coming to bear his spirit home, he fell asleep in Jesus.
 As left that c.osing scene, prayed that might live such life, that might die such a death. for it was happy and triumphant. then performed the sad duty of writing to his dear widowed mother, whose heart was wrapped up in her darling boy. Metbinks I see her read that letter, so full of sad tidings at such loss, which none but bereft mother can fell. And then comes the body of her noble son, who fell fighting 30 braveIy in his country defence. And after that is laid away there are other reminders of her son, for there is the coat saturated with blood. with his blood, with its bright, shining buttons and epaulets. and his sword, which was raised in freedoms name, his sash and belt, and that diary 50 faithfully kept, breathing love for his mother, his coun- try, and for his God. Now little package of letters, Her letters. and those photographs upon which he had often fondy gaaed, bearing the tokens inscribed of his love for them, and last, but not least, his little pocket Testament. with here and there a favorite passage marked.