The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-01-27

"0&A AAoWu St(opo Cudt SuOWcu lbs OWuoI
of the rank of First Lieutenant. He had
been divested of no other clothing than
the coat, and the. gray army shirt was
open upon the breast, revealing that his
wounds of whatever nature, were there.
No blanket covered his limbs, and the
tightly CLOSED, colorless lips and dimmed
eyes, spoke little hope for the life of Lieut..
Frank Gordon. Five days he had lain in
this way, trembling upon the verge Of
eternity, and pronounced by the attending
surgeon past recovery. What little could
be done in the fearful crowding of lacerated
men upon the hands of the attendants,
and the deficiency of hospital aid, had
been done, but the care to smothe the path
of death was not there. Right and left,
and in every direction he saw strong men
turn their heads and die in very despair,
with less wounds than bis own; and then
with sickening terror, he sank back upon
bis rough couch, with prayer that his
spirit might be called while bis eye re-
mained closed to the misery around him.
"With letters from Nashville to the
General in commando? Give them to my
orderly, and he will give you back the
Generala answer"
"You must excuse me, Colonel. am
under orders not to let these letters go out
of my hands, unless into those of General
Rosecrans. Ifyou say / cannot go up to
headquarters, then l must return and re-
port the fact"
The Colonel seemed to consider a mo-
ment and eyed the young officer who stood
before him we'll over, before he answered.
"It is against orders, Lieutenant, to pass
any one, but caunot see that these Or
ders extend to an officer in the service
bearing dispatches. think You may so
up. What did you say your name was ?"
"Smith Gordon, Twelfth Michigan, at
your service" ..r~.. -,
"Gordon, Gordon! have heard that
name before, l think. Orderly, haven't
we Gordon with us7''
Lieutenant Frank Gordon, on staff,
sir. Shot in breast, sir. Died this morn
ing in hospital No. g." answered the Or
derly, with the sententiousness of q veteran.
"Ah-h-h, yes, }" responded the Colonel,
slowly. Il remember. Halo, Lieuten-
ant, what's the matter? You look pale.
You are not frightened at the idea of a
man dying in hospital, are you? Here,
orderly, drop Of whiskey for the Lieu
tenant. Maybe you have never been
under tire, youngster, if it's so you are
excusable. It's dirty business. Take 8
swallow Of whisky, it'll do you good. It's
none of your internal cornmissary stuff.
Won't take any key? Well, don't know
but you are right. Whisky is bad thing
in the long run. Shall send my orderly
up with you3'
emo"
"Very good, if you think you can find
the way. You look rather young for this
kind of business. Good morning"
And the young man took his way alone
10 the direction of headquarters, until
he came to turmngsof the street which
hid him from the eyes that were looking
curiously out from the COlOuels tents, he
struck otfin an entirely different direction,
stopping one or two soldiers whom he met,
to ask questions about the way.
Within an hour afterwards he presented
himself before the attending surgeon of
Hospital No. 2.
doctor, is Lieutenant Frank Gordon
buried yet2"
Buried ?" questioned the doctor.
"He died, believe, this morning. If
his body still remains here, doctor,
should like to see it.
Buried ?" the doctor queried again.
" | don't think he is dead yet, Lieutenant.
We don't bury anybody here until they
are dead, sir, though we don't give them
much chance afterwards"
The doctor did not watch the great gasp
given by the young Lieutenant who stood
before him, or possibly he, too, like the
Colonel, would have thought that the air
OF hospital did not agree with The boy
ish looking officer.
I'VE have to get rid of them very soon,
Lieutenant, after the breath is out, to
make room for new corners: but we give
.ne!n the best care we can while the life
Is IN them. Frank Gordon is not vet
dead; but | am sorry to say, poor fellow.
tnat rnere is no hope for him. There was
a rumor this morning that he had slipped
away from US, but am glad to say that
halt an hour ago he was still alive"
~ row moments they stood by the
pallet of the dying man.
"Gordon, here's a friend ipouirino for
you" said the doctor. "I will leave him
with you, Lieutenant
1t was well he turned his back to depars
as he spoke. or he might have been wit
ness to an inexpleable scene. The
wounded man raised his eyes languidly.
and instantly started to a sitting posture
then in minute more they were in each
others arms, the wounded man Unable to
say more than single exclamation, the