The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-08-19
THE OLD CORPORAL.
SIGMA BETA.

Very few of the great number Of persons
connected with the Confederate army can
boast of having experienced much of pleas
urc during any part of the dreadful struggle.
The quartermasters, chaplains and surgeons
afforded the large majority of exceptions to
this statement
belonged to one Of these privileged class
es, and confess that the privations endured
we're too few and slight to entitle me to much
consideration on account of personal sacrifice
and suffering. Indeed portion of my mill
tary life was spent in comfort and actual en-
ioyment instead of privation and suffering.
This portion comprises several months, du-
ring which was on duty at some hospitals
located near the mountains of Northern
Georgia.
Connected with the hospital at my post
was man whose real name | cannot recall,
but who was kisUwn by the soubriquet Of
'.The Corpora" or, as it was more often had
'sThe Old Corporal" He was a German
with blue eyes and light brown hair, straight
and of ruddy, youthful appearance, verging
on fifty years of age. He had passed the
period Of life when military service is ordi-
narily exact, but had enlisted in the army
partly from his devotion to the cause, and
partly that he might keep watch over his
only child-a boy of eighteen ssor nineteen
connected with one of the Alabama regiments
The corporal was chief nurse in the hos
pital; and [ am sure that no sick or wound
ed soldier ever fell under his care who vii
not join me in affirming that in the discharge
of his duties, his efficiency and fidelity, hi!
womanly devotion could not be excclled.-
But with him, nursing the wounded, especi
ally was something more than formal duty
It was an inspirations passion--an enthu
siasm-a gift. When information reached
us that wounded were expected, the corpo
raj would appear at the station, dressed il
his newest and best clothes, ready to recciv'
them. None lifted them SO tenderly as he
none so patient and careful; none more dex
terous-not even the surgeons-in applying
dressings and bandages.
All night long, and for successive nights
have known the Corporal to be sleeplessl.
occupied in attentions to wounded soldiers
To one he brought cooling drinks, to anothe
stimulants. to others food or medicines s
| that each received at his hand the applianc
or comfort, he so specially needed. Witt
all these necessary ministrations the corpo
raj mingled perpetual cheerfulncss, he was
man of happy and hopeful temperament.
Some time in December, 1862, two laaie
came to the hospital and entered upon teri
Of service as matrons One was widow Q
not over twenty-five summers. She ha
very rosy cheeks, red lips and fine teeth an
hair. Indeed, her claims to personal beaut
we're so decided that the convalescent soldier
spoke to each other of her as "The Prctt
Widow" This therefore became her soabr
qnet ~,
The pretty widow had not been long {
the hospital before it was rumored about th'
she and the corporal were very sweet towar
zach other. What time the corporal foun
for pressing his tender suit, or how far he ha
pushed his conquest, I never knew. b
whenever he was rallied upon the subjec
the complacent, self satisfied chuckle vii
which he would reply plainly showed that
| felt entirely secure in the future possession
the prize
/ Probably in February, 1869, there came
soldier to the hospital by the name of Boge
who was suffering under some slight allme
which had occasioned his detail for post dut
Boggs numbered about as many years
the pretty widow, and was like her impress
bic to the tender passion. He was man
plastic character, and understood we'll how
+ adapt himself to surrounding Circumstance
: He had, probably, measured out calico a
snuff. at the counter of cross road store,
e the piney woods Of Alabama, and had the
by gained self-confdence and adaptabllity
/. his address. Sometimes these are wlnnl
= cards in the game Of life among the low'y
well as the aristocrat