The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-03-03
The ranks Of the robols were broken, and
they scattered back toward their abatis and
tho thick woods on their right; but tho OFF,

tho tnicK WOouS on tnelr right; out tno om-
GERS retained their ground, cndovoring to in.
spirit their men by their own examples, and
fighting bravoly. Isaw Little Starlight rush
he,dlong at tho man to whom he had direct.
cd my attention, and could hear his shrill
cheer como floating to mo on tho wind. He
seemed to be but half the size Of his antago-
mist, yet they mot with shock which seemed
equal on both sides. The officer evaded the
bayonet Of his puny foe, and struck out
sharply with his sword and I saw the blood
spring out from tho ncgroa neck. But tho
next instant they closed /; the rushing bayo-
net gored the breast Of tho officer. and ho
rolled to the plain. Twice-thrico I saw
tho flashing bayonct leap into the air. and
flash down again upon the PROSTATE man {;
and then with louder whoop than before,
Starlight sprang on farther into the fight /;
and tho whole scene was shut from my view
by the gathering smoke, for the breeze had
died away. r.. -- r-...7
The fight was soon over. The rebels waro
driven far back into the woods. their abatis
captured and held, and wo in possession Of
the field. My interest in what had wit
messed was 60 intense that I Immediately
hastcned to the ground. i aH
Our loss had been inconsidorable, but that
Of the enemy was large. Their dead and
wounded lay in all directions. ! found the
officer with whom had seen Starlight en-.
gagged. He wore tho insignia Of rebel
captain, and was stone dead, with his breast
pierced many times with bayonet thrusts.
As was standing beside the body. Sergeant
K-,of company O, camo up to me with
troubled look. a.r
"Little Starlight is dying Sir" was his
greeting, sand ho wishes to SEQ you very
much"
"Starlight dying Impossible =" Iejaculat-
ed, at the samo time hurryiug to the point
indicated.
II was but too true.
Little Starlight lay at tho edge Of tho en-
emy's works, with frishtful gunshot wound
in the back part Of his head. and rs many
Us twenty bravo fellows wcro clustering
around him with 'sympathiziug looks and
fearful eyes. You may not believe me. but
nevertheless speak the truth when I say the
brave boy grinnod joyously when ho saw me
"Yah yah! Mass'r Chaplain" he cried,
as knelt by his side and took his hand /;
"dis ng's done for, he is. Did yer SEQ me
tackle dat ole coon Cunnel Billy? Yah yah I!
I'so got it at last, mass'r! ESQ got 1t at
last :"
"Got what, my boy7" whispered with o
trembling voice.
Freedom :" cried Starlight, springins to
his feet.
saw that wild, strange glcam Of passion
leap into his rude features, and then ho fell
back into my arms.
"It am lubly day, mass'f," he contin-
ucd, speaking with great difficulty. alt am
obcning now an do sun am setting mass'r.
But hears de big drum oh dc sky rollin' do
rebcllie oh do Lord. Do day am breaking
for dis chile, mnss'r; for Use gOth at last"
His voice failed him here. He moved his
lips: but in moment they were stilled for
cvor. IIo was dead,
I laid him down gently on the grass.
The Major had also been standing by.
"Come," said he, taking mo by tho arm.
"comc. let us CO."
And as We We went away I saw his mus.
tacho tremble porceptibly.
There were three regular members Of Com
pany O, who died tho death in that skirm
ish, but think not one Of them was mourned
with deeper sorrow than was Little Star
light. One Of the sergeants who was rude
rhymstcr, In his way, composed brief cpl
taph for him. Others Of tho company per-
formed what little offices they could and
the Colonel inquired particularly into the
circumstance Of his death. The Union slain
were buried scparately-thcy ,werc 50 few.
Starlight also Lad o little grave Of his own.
lio was free at last, and he thus camo into
che ownership Of about 6vo feet Of that earth
which had not been very afsctiouato moth
or TO him. M 11
7 said he had an epitaph. Il wns scrawled