The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1864-11-15

THE ROMANCE OF THE CANT. 1T
has ils romantic side also. The camp
fires CLEAN brightly IN the far dis
lance, aud more near the flames dance
in the breeze, the sparks flying up
ward into tie darkness, while the dus.
ky forms of the soldiers, passing to
md fro in the fre-light, seem like gi-
ants as they loom up against the glare
aud then are lost to the vision. Look
ing upon this scene and the great ar
my lying about, other thoughts are
suggested. So do the spirits Of those
brave men in the hour of battle rise
grandy TO the height Of self sacrifice,
and, dying, are lost to mortal sight
not in the darkness, but rather into
The respleudent radiance of the Eter-
nal Future. Noble exhibitions Of the
divinity in man do we see here in the
army. ! know it is a universal belief
that war is brutal and demotalizing
in It's tendencies, and while the very
thought of taking human life is shock
ing TO the sense Of refinement and civ
ilization, yet this very extreme, op
posed 10 the social organization, CALI
forth The highest attributes OF man.
1t is like one Of Rembrandts MASTER
pieces, where the solemn sombre SUR
roundings are subordinate and in strik
ing contrast TO the grand iden, where
is concentrated the most brilliant ef-
tects Of color and light | am sure
that this truth is in measure uuder
stood al home, yet 10 feel it one must
be here, and see with the soldier
In truth, our philosophers and stu
dents OF human nature have learned
but hall their lesson until they come
10 the army and see men in great.a
my and see men in great masses, sep
arated from the soltening, refining in
fuences OF homeand social life aud,
above all. the subtle power Of woman's
presence, and yet SO brave. so manly.
20 selfsacrllicing. One sees here
very little sadness or repining, Ilav-
ing made up their minds 10 accept
the worst that can hefall them. all less
or pains are scorned or invested with
wit and humor. Alter fight We had
the OF her day, several men were broi
under the Shade Of the boughs Of the
trees which formed temporary hos.
pltal near the battle ground, Don't
snore so loud, Billw said one with
boIe through bis face, made by the
passage Of Mimic ball, to another
slightly wounded, but groaning terri.
bly, want to take nap directly"
Grim humor, that
CAMP HUNoR.- One day, as we
were riding along the road from Sum
mervile 10 Gaylrville, inbe midst Of
fog, dense in Itself, bu now almost
black from the smoke Of a thousand
fires vainly striving TO rise into the
upper air, we passed poor broken
down mule, who lad evidently done
good service in the cause Of his conn
try, but who had now fallen and was
houndering in the mud, unable TO 70
spond satisfactory TO the cries, kicks,
and strokes Of bis driver. A column
of troops WAS passing, and at once
there broke forth, like tie scattering
fire Of line Of skirmishers, flashes Of
wit aud humor. "Who will care for
mother now p shouted a red. headed,
reckless-looking chap on the right
20 put him in an ambulance" says
another. This reflection upon the
weak, sorefooied animal, was follow
ed by shout of laughter. A well-fed
sergeant at once replied, "Giye him
some hard tack--that viii bring him
TO-, aud 80 on. The mule, as il con-
cious Of their jokes At his expense,
workej the mud out Of bic eye, wag-
ged bis ears Indignantly, rose TO bis
feet, and staggered on his slippery
way.