Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-08-15
TALES AND SKETCHES
TEaE DEAD SOLDIERS IRE
TURN.


rous fellow, and we all liked him. Indeed
there was not more popular man in the
regiment, nor one who was looked upon as
u better soldier. He haG been with US from
the time we entered the service up to the
time of which we write, which was the win.
ter of 1864 lie had borne his part well in
every engagement through which we had
passed, and had at last been made sergeant
major of our regiment-the -th Massachu-
sets. At Cold Harbor he had won the ad.
miration OF every man in the command, and
late IN the evening, as we were stubbornly
giving way before the murderous attacks of
the contederates, had saved the colonel's
life, and in doing so, had received a severe
wound which sent him to the hospital for
some time. He was very silent man
rarely troubling himself to talk to any one
and we knew very little concerning his
history. He had joined US in Washing ton
city, just as we were mustered into service.
lie had said then that he was native of
New England, but beyond this we knew
nothing. We supposed he had some good
reason for his silence, and rarely attempted
to penetrate to the mystery. All who did
make such attempts were repulsed. He
had never been absent from his regiment,
except when in the hospital, or on detached
duty. Every one of US except Wilson mad
! been home on furlough, but he had never
asked for leave of absence, anG when the
colonel offered it to him, it was declined.
AT last, while we were lying in winter
quarters, in 1864, Wilson came into my hut
| and said he would like to speak to me about
a matter which concerned him very much.
Curiosity to know something more of the
man, as well as my personal regard for him,
induced me to assure him that it would
give me pleasure to assist him in any man.
ner.
He told me his whole history. He was
the son of clergyman in one of our New
England villages, and was just twenty-five
years old When a youth he had led Il wild
dissipated life, and had caused his parents
much trouble. On his eighteenth birthday
| he had come home so drunk that his father
had refused to permit him to enter the
house. Filled with rage and shame, he had
! left the town, and had never been home
since. His parents had never heard from
| him, and now thought him dead. In one
of the first battles of the war, q man of the
same name had been killed in a Massachu-
| setts regiment, and Wilson had sent home
paper containing this name among the
| list of killed. Fer several years he had
been a steady man, and lately had longed to
! go home once more.
ut is only shame that has kept ME away
| captain" he said, sadly. ~ do want TO see
| the old folks again, and am sorry that
made them think me dead. But at that
| time thought they would think more kind
| ly OF me if they believed me killed. Now
| have serious idea of going home on fur
! Tough, and trying to make up for the past
want to ask you what to do"
l urged him to go by all means, and tolG
him that felt sure he would not only light
en- the old peoples sorrows, but would, also
meet with joyful reception. He decided
at length to go, and made application fol
his furlough, which was readily granted
He arranged his departure SO as to reach
| home by Christmas The events that oc
Cured there, he related to me after his re
turn to the regiment.
He reached his native town on the day
before Christmas. He put up at the little
tavern, under an assumed name. He had
changed SO much that no one recognized
him, and some of his ole friends even asked
him if he knew poor John Wilson, who was
killed in the early part of the war.
1t showed heavily on Christmas eve, and
the night was wild aud dreary. OLD Mr.
Wilson's family, which consisted of his wife
himself, two daughters, and younger son
had finished their preparations for the next
day, and were gathered around the fire il
the sitting room. They were all silent, lis
tening to the storm that was bowling with
out, when they we're startled by loud rap
ut the front door.
"Go to the door, George said the father
to his son.
The boy left the room. and in few min
utes returned, saying that soldier was a
the door, and wished to see the master o.
the house. Mr.. Wilson went to the door
and found tall, powerful man, standing
before it, wrapped in warm army oysrcoat