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


the free and homo Of tho brave, to-, name one
Of tho tSouths great chieftains in tones, of
praise is treason but since you are o. true son
of hers / will venture to. relate to you the
story, connected with this precious relic of
Stonewall Jackson and how.it came into my
possession" .s..s. F..,.-st,., IS ..5..., LII.
"Some months ngo, while visiting the G.
hospital, my attention was attracted towards
oneof the patients who had been brought. in
the day before. He was young man, appa-
rently about twcnty years of hge, and although
almost wasted to skeleton, his broad open
brow, delicate, high-bred ncsc, and general air
of refinement indicated that his was no mean
lineage The beautiful brown eye, followed
all my motions with such ycarniug, besecch-
ing expression that was irresistibly drawn
to his bedside. az Offering him an orange to
cool his parched tongue, and seating myself
beside him, inquired into his condition
"Wil you bathc my head, as my mother used
to do, said he, "and then talk to met is SO
long since have heard q sweet, low voice. like
yours"
Taking out my cologne, 1 did as be badc
me, talking in an encouraging, hopeful manner
meanwhile, until by degrees he revived lit
tic, and told me his history
"I am Virgininn," said he, and his wan
check flushed with pride; "ny 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
generals commission in any other corps.
Jackson was my hero; for him l would have
scaled any height, undergone any hardship,
and since his death / 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
mir, the confinement of prison had under
mined his health, and the home sickness and
despair of "loIv dcferrcu" prcyetl on his mind
until slow fever ensucd, which was then
draining tho strength from his youthful veins
Of course all this was not told at once, but at
intervals, ill answer to my questions. Finally,
fearing the excitement would prove injurious,
| enjoincd 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 Gu
trance was the signal for Frightening of the
sad, hopeless eyes. Sitting by his side, with
his thin hand clasped i'll mine, he would relate
many little incidents of his campaigns with
Jackson, always dwelling on the famous cx-
ploits of his ndored commander, or else pour
fourth n tide Of recollcctions Of the mountain
home, of the dear old father and mother whose
pride he was, the fair haired sister who SO
fondly awaited his rcturn-his horse and
dog, and n thousand minor details of the sweet
ionc iifo dearly treasured iii lis heart Du;
| shuddcrcd to mark how fast his life was cbb
ing away, and wept at tho 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 countcnance. No glad
smiles greeted me as approached his cot but
only a faint pressure of the hand as bent
over him. "Will you not taste this cooling
drink have prepared ior you Z" | said.
"No, dear lady" replied lie in IL faint voice.
and then continued, painfully laboring for
breath, 'Savc it for some one else; l am dying.
The surgeon would not tell me just now when
asked him, but l 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 my
chcck-never again to hear my fathers bless
ing, or receive my mothers good night kiss.
Will you not do me ore more, favor write to
my mother -
I asscntcd, and drawing forth paper pen and
ink, wrote as well as my fast dropping tears
and trembling hand would allow. After speak
ing of his situation and my Kindness, he pro-
cccdcd to send ailcctionatc farcwclls to various
members Of his family, not forgetting the SER
wants whom he mentioned by name, There
was pause, and he lay silent for some mo
mcllts, the large tears gathered III his eyes, aud
rolled 1own fhn w,,, cbcoE.is Thcn ,nint;,,o, t,,