The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-03-03
AND FAITHFUL. AND VALIANT FoF
BIDDEFoRD, ME-, FRIDAY MORNING.

was seen to use his bro arms, and Ii ut Ions
range, it was, nevertheless, with the best o
intentions. r..r... ..f.
1t is truo he had his loibles, and grave
ones. He was natural-born thief. and my
most impressive sermouizing totally failed II
convincs him of the gravity Of his fault. lie
seemed to consider himself naturally dcpraved
and was therefore philosophically compla'
cent with his sin, meeting my admonition'
with his usual "T'ss awful cuss, mass'r
is" In my heart, search as would / coult
find less blame than pity for him when
th6ught of the criminal neglect which mus
have attended his bringing up, with that o
the rest Of hiswronged and unfortunate race,
Besides, the material effects OF his thisying
were not considerable. There was not SO
much to steal in the first place, and when
any one did miss anything worth retaining, a
tight clutch upon Starlight's windpipe and
few prcposterous threats would generally
cause him to "shell out" the missing article
II il was really in his possession. And 1t
seemed generally conceded that his virtues
moro than counterbalauced his foible. For
his hand was as ready to support wounded
man to an ambulance as Il was ut riAing the
the pocket OF q fallen foo.
There was one thing alone which almost
redeemed him in my eyes; and that was his
passionate desire for freedom-his enthusi.
astic devotion to the cause under whose BAN
ner he served.
Ny duty as chaplin was in s.d demand in
the bloody days, when ministrations to the
dying and prayers for the dead wore so fire.
quently required, but I found some time
nevertheless, to devote to Starlight. The lit,
tie heather always listened with profoundest
gravity to every thing I said, but with per.
ceptible stolidity which often discouraged
me. except when I spoke Of the future Of his
race, Of their prospects of freedom and i'm.
provement, His oycs would light up at this,
his expressive features would fairly glow with
enthusiasm.
eyes, mass,r," he one day exclaimed, al
feels it in my bones. It'll come roun' or
mother. knows I'll bo irce"
"You are so already" said |. "The Pres
ident's Proclamation has made you 80. You
have nothing to fear"
"Jis' so. mass'r," he replied. "De Pres.
iden' he am a nice man, no am. But l
doesn't feel it in the bones yit; Incbbcr will
till I git on to him, yer know. Jis' lemme
git on to him only oncc!"
ION to whom - I asked.
"On to de Old Man-Cunncl Billy. Jis'
lemme get on him, den I'll be ffce!"
"You surely would not kill yonr old mas
ter?"
"wouldn't Yah! YAH" And thereat
Starlight began to tumble among the various
knives and pistols which adorned his person
in manner that was anything but concilia-
tory.-"'Trus' dis chicken" he continued.
81 keeps on the lookout in ebcry fight. I
seed him lick my old muddcr till do blood
few. Jis' lcmmo on to him, mass'r, and
you'll SOC the blood fly yourself. Yah! yah |!
ESQ awful cuss, lis"
Upon brief acquaintance with Starlight
should have smiled at the serio.comic man
nsr in which these sentiments were cnunciat
ed; but rs Il was shuddered at the intonsi
ty of passion which lurked in his tones.
And through all those terrible battles, and
rapid marches and counter marches, with
which General Grant terrified and confused
the rebel foe, from the Rapidan to tho walls
Of Richmond, Little Starlight conducted
himself with sterling credit, winning gol-
den opinions from all, and upon one occa-
sion hearty hand shake from the Goucral
Of our division.
1t was however, at tho severe skirmish on
our left. Immediately following our general
repulsc from the rebel works, and shortly
before tho transfer Of our army to tho south
bank of tho james, that tho part which
Starligh, played in the great drama was to
assume truly tragic phase. 1 e,a,a'
The enemy's skirmshers and ours were
hotly engaged, and the fight bado fair to be
bloody, if brief. Twas Immediately in the
rear Of portion Of our regiment, which was
In reserve, busy with tho wounded; and
Starlight was hopping about me. doing what
he could to assist but now and then look.
ing up, and throwing curious glances toward
tho fight, which was not far distant.
Suddenly an exclamation from him caused
mo to turn, when saw him gazing intcntly,
with his hand pointing towards the ground
where tho skirmishers, was progressing. ia
"Iooray! hooray! Dere ho is dere he
is!" he shouted. ...r
He succeeded in directing my attention to
ine looking rebel officer. who was cheering
on his men in charge they wcrc making up
on our position. f.,I.,,r
"Dat's him! dat's him!" cried Starlight,
at the samc timo freeing himself from his
drum, and casting Il on ono sido, whilc his
voice was wild and strange with 6erce joy.
And before could arrest him, or exactly
understand his intention, hO snatchod mus
kOt and bayonet from the ground, and ran