The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-05-09

THE HORRORS or WAR.--George Alfred Townsend
in his Campaigns of Non Combatant," gives tho
following affecting conversation, which took place be-
tween lady ard himself while travelling on the
Chesapeake:
woman approached me, as stood against the
great anchor, thus absorbed. She had a pale, thin
face and sdantily clothed, and spoke with dis
trustful, timorous yoice
You don't know the name Of the surgeon-geners,
do you sir?
"At Washington, ma'am'"
"No sir; at OLD Point"
offered to inquire of the captain; but she stopped
me- agitatedly Its Of no consequence" she said
" that is it is of great consequence to me but per.
haps it would be best to wait" / answered as obi
gngly as l could, that any service my part would
be cheerfully rendered.
"The fact is sir" she said, after pause, 81 am
going to Williamsburg, to--fnd-the-ths body-Of
my-boy."
Here her speech was broken and she put thin,
white hand tremulQusy to her eyes. l thought thas
any person in the federal service would willingly assist
her, and said soI
% He was not federal soldier, sir. tie was a Ton
federated"
This considerably altered the chances Of success,
and was obliged to undeceiye her somewhat. 81
am sure it not my fault, she continued, that he
Joined the rebellion You don't think they'll refuse
to let me take his bones to Baltimore, do you, sir!
He was my oldest boy, and his brother, my second
son, was killed alt Balls bluff: he in the federal
service. hardly think they will refuse me the poor
favor of laying them both in the same grave"
! spoke of the difficulty Of recognition, OF the re-
moteness of the field and Of the expense attending
the recovery of any remains particularly those OF the
enemy that, lefthasfy behind in retreat, COM
monty buried in trenches without headboard record
She said sadly, that she had very little money, and
that she could barely afford the journey to the fortress
and return. But she esteemed her means well III
vested if her object could be attained.
"They were both brave boys, sir; but could never
get them to agree politically William was norther
ner by education, and took up with the New England
views, and James was in business at Richmond when
the war commenced So he joined the southern
army It's a sad thing to know that ones children
died enemies sn'tt? And what troubles me moro
than all is that James was at Balls bluff where his
| brother fell It makes me shudder to think, some
times that his might have been the ball that killed
him."
The trcmor of the poor creature here was painful
to behold. spoke soothingy and encouragingyr but
with presentiment that she must be disappointed
While I was speaking the supper-ben rang and
proposed to get her'a seat at the table.
"No. thank YOU" she replied Il shall take no
meals on the vessel must travel economically, and
have prepared some lunch that will serve me. Good
by, sir J"
Poor mothers looking for dead sons! God help
them l have mict:them often since but the figure
of that pale, frail creature fitting about the open
deck-alone, hungry, very poOr-troubes me still ~
write | found, atterward that she had denied her
self state-room and intended to sleep in saloon
chair. | persuaded her to accept my berth, but
German, who occupied the same apartment, was ul-
willing to relinquish his bed, and had the power only
to give her my pillow.