American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-01-25
NUMBER !
y JeHo'cs again" The trio sloped, and
some of their friends say twas fair hit.
Tho Dead Soldier and his Children.

i
Tho Dead Soldier and his Children.
Sergeant Humiston lived at Portsville,
N. Y, an upright and industrious me-
chanic In thesummer of 1868 he offer
ed himself on the altar of his imperilled
country, and enlisted in the 154th regi-
ment New York Volunteers, on the assu-
rance of citizens that his dependent fam
| lily would be we'll cared for.
The testimony of his captain was that
Humiston made one of the very best of
soldiers. The 154th regiment was in the
11th corps, and suffered terribly in the
first day of the Gettysburg struggle, only
handful of men reporting themselves
after the battle 1t was here that Sergt.
Humiston fell
News came from one and another that
went from Portville, until all were heard
from except Humiston no tidings came
from him. Some four months had elaps-
ed, and hope had wellnigh died out in that
poor wife's heart And here occurred one
of those remarkable providences, had it
not been for which the fate of Sergeant
Humiston would have ever remained
mystery-one of those beautiful illustra-
tions of the kind care of our heavenly
Fother, who watches over the humblest
individual
DIR. j Francis Bourns Of Philadel-
phia, very eminent physician and kind
hearted gentleman, went to Gettysburg as
a volunteer surgeon, and delegate of the
U. S. Christian Commission; and after
completing his duties, started for " the
front" ON the Potomac In crossing the
mountains, he aud his follow-traveles
were forced by an accident to stop at the
house of Mr.. Schriver, late Sheriff Of
Adams county. While there, one OF two
relics of the battle field which they had
with them, when Mr.. S. remarked that he
had relic that he would prize more
highly than all these. lie then produc-
an ambrotype of three children which was
found, he said, in the hands of dead
Union soldier on the field the day after
the battle. 1t appeared from the nature
of the wound that the soldier might have
lived some time after it was received
His coat and hat we're gone, and there was
nothing found upon him by which it
could be known who he was or to what
regiment he belonged. The unknown
soldier died o! to him how precious
must have been this picture-how his
thoughts must have wandered back to
home, wife and children, as he gazed up
on it
When DIR. Bourns returned to Philadel-
phia, he related the incident. The pub
lie becsme much interested in it; and he
conceived the idea of identifying the sol
dier by means of the Picture. He pro-
cured it from Mr.. Schriver, and had it
noticed in the Philadelphia papers. The
notice was copied by other papers all over
the country.
A lady at Portville saw it, the thought
occurred to her that itmight be picture
of the Humiston children. 1t was as
certained that such picture had been
sent to the father while before the bat
tie of Gettysburg. A letter was dispatch :
ed to the Doctor. He Immediately sent
a copy of the picture, and 10! he lostsol-
dier was identified!
DIR. Bourns had previously been turn
ing this touching event to material advan-
tage. He had the pictuae exposed for
E sale, the proceeds to go for the benefit of
the family when discovered; and when
the aid Of many kind people of Philadei-
, phia, it became decided success Peo-
r pie from abroad began to Inquire for
them, and soon he could not get them
printed fast enough to supply the de-
7 mand.
He is hoping now not only to provide
, good home, maintain the family, and ed
!. ucate the children, but to provide for the
orphan children of other soldiers who
have perished in defending our country
This is truly praise-worthy and Chris.
tian object. May the hearts Of the peo.
e pie be inclined toward it, and may no sol
a diers widow aud no helpless orphan be for
0 gotten in the prayers and aims of Chris
: tian Patriots. Soldiers orphans are Of
right the children of grateful country
e Standby School Times.
2 Seek society. Answer your letters
II o,ood man