The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1868-09-19

then lowering hor voice, said: I" In this land of
the free and, homo of the brave, to-, name one
OF tho fSouth'sb great .chieftans in. tones, Of
praise is treason but since you arc q. true son
Of hers i will venture ! to relate to you the
story connected with this precious relic Of
Stonewall Jackson and how it came into my
possession" .1u.skl !.}.,gls, 1T .,..., ....,.
"Some, months ago, whilo visiting tho G.,
hospital, my attention was attracted towards
one of the. patients who had been brought in
the day before. He was q young man, appa-
rently about twenty years Of age, and although
almost wasted to a skeleton, his broad open
brow, delicate, high-br nose, and general air
of refinement indicated that his was no mean
lineage. The beautiful brown eye, followed
all my motions with such ycarniug, bcsecch-
ing expression that was irrcsistibly drawn
to his bedside. Offering him an orange to
cool his parched tongue, and seating myself
beside him, 1 inquired into his condition.
"Will you bathc my head, as my mother used
to do, said he, "and then talk to mc-it is so
long since have heard sweet, low voice like
yours"
Taking out my cologne, 1 did as be balc
me, talking in an encouraging, hopeful manner
meanwhile, until by degrees he revived lit
tic, aud told me his history
"I am Virginian," said he, and his wan
check flushed with pride; "my home is on the
banks of the Shenandoah and was one of
the first to answer the buglc note when our
fair Valley was invaded. jackson was my
leader, and belong to the Stoncwall Brigade
Although only AN humble lieutenant, had
rather be II private in the noble band than hold
a generals commission in any other corps.
Jackson was my hero; for him 1 would have
scaled any height, undergone any hardship,
and since his death I have scarcely cared to
live, have by the faithful performance of my
duty to assist in winning fresh laurels for the
brigade he loved SO we'll" He then went on
to tell me he had been taken prisoner six
months before, and, accustomed to an open
air, the confinement of prison had under
mined his health, and the home sickness and
despair of "l,oru deferred" preyetl on his mind
until slow fever ensucd, which was then
draining the strength from his youthful veins.
OF course all this was not told at once but at
intervals, i'll answer to my questions. Finally,
fearing the excitement would prove injurious,
[ cnjoincd quiet and rest, bidding him good
bye, with the promise to return the next day.
For week, at the Same time every morning
| attended my "Virginia boy" and my en-
trance was the signal for Frightening Of the
sad, hopeless eyes Sitting by his side, with
l.; l., Ill
many little incidents of his campaigns with
Jackson, always dwelling on the famous cx-
ploits of his ndored commander, or else pour
fourth tide Of rccollcctions Of the mountain
home, Of the dear old father and mother whose
pride he was, the fair haired sister who so
tondly awaited his rcturn-his horse and a
dog, and a thousand minor details of the sweet
homo life SO dearly treasured in his heart But
| shuddercd TO mark how fast his life was cbb-
ing away, and wept at the thought of the sor-
row that would fall with crushing weight
upon that absent household
Upon the seventh day was shocked by the
distressing change which had taken place in
his appearance, that peculiar pallor and con-
traction of features always the herald Of death
having settled upon his countcnancc. No glad
smiles greeted mc as approached his cot but
only faint pressure Of the hand as bent
over him. ''Will you not taste this cooling
drink l have prepared for you Z" | said
"No, dear lady" replied he in IL faint voice.
and then continued, painfully lahoring for
breath, "Savc it for some ono else I am dying.
The surgeon would not tell me just now when
asked him, but feel the death damp on my
brow. am not afraid, for am soldier, but
it is so hard to die alone, never again to see my
native mountains, and feel the cool air fan nv
chcck-neycr again to hear my fathers bless
ing, or receive my mothers good night kiss
Will you not do me orc more favor write to
my mother -
asscnttd, and drawing forth paper pen and
ink, wrote rs well as my fast dropping tears
and trembling hand would allow Ailer spoak
ing Of his situation and my kindness, he pro-
cccdcd to send a!ioctionatc farcwcls to various
members Of his family, not forgetting the ser
wants whom he mentioned by name, There
was a pause, and he lay silent Tor some mo-
mcnts, the large tears gathered IN his eyes, aud
rolled down the wali check Then pointing to
the worn uniform that hung fromin :rcr ON