Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-08-19
A True Story of the War.

LAURA NJ. pooLITTLH.
In the autumn of eighteen hundred
sixty-twoI made the journey from Wash
ington to New York. The excitement
consequent on the war was at its hight.
Nothing else was talked about Men,
women and children were alike eager
and anxious. The whole North was at
work trying to aid our brave boys in the
field. We can scarcely recall even now
the intensity of those days, and though
only seven years havepassed, are already
beginning to forget. Never during the
whole struggle was the loyal heart more
anxious than at the period of which !
speak. 1t felt that it had endured
enough of encouragement and defeat,
and though there was no thought of fail
ure, yet hearts were sick with hope de-
ferred. The railroad trains were throng-
ed with officers and soldiers. Many re-
turning to their regiments after sick
leave, wore serious air as if grding
their spirits for the coming strife, and
feeling the weight of the harness they
had put on anew. Perhaps a dim pre-
sentiment of Antietam, SO soon to follow,
oppressed their souls. Others again, just
out of hospital, were seeking health in
their native air. All were objects of in
terest. The sight of a sick soldier touch
ed the heart as if his suffering had been
that of a brother.
Our train stopped at Philadelphia, and
to reach the New York depot it was nec-
essary to cross the city in the horse-cars
distance of two miles. 1t was nearly
dark when l arrived. As stepped from
the platform saw two soldiers, one of
whom was with difficulty bearing along
an invalid companion toward the cars.
There was the usual amount of the hur-
ry and jostling Of crowd of people in
tent upon securing seats, yet every one
gave way for the invalid soldier. When
he reached the door several persons Of
fered him their places, but his compan-
ion said, "No, he is too weak to sit; he
will have to lie down on the floor" We
folded shawls for pillow, and he lay
down. His frame was large. He had
evidently been man of great physical
strength, but was now mere skeleton.
The weary expression of his face, and
the appealing look of those large lus-
trous eyes l shall never forget--eyes too,
from which hope had not gone out, for
was he not going home? home to wife
wife and children?
/. "Your friend is very i'll" l said to
the soldier.
Yes" he replied, he was taken
prisoner at the first Bull Run, and was
exchanged only little while before the
seven days battles. He had hardly got
strong before he had to go into the fight
again, and vas wounded at Malvern
Hill. He has suffered everything, poor
fellow am afraid it is almost over
him. He went into the army from pure
love of country, and there was no BRAY
er spirit, but he seems TO have lost all
heart, and the only thing now is to get
him home to Maine. 1 was afraid
should never accomplish it, but knew he
would die if he staid, SO l started with
him weak as he is."
"You know him, then p l asked.
Eyes, we were neighbors."
just then the invalid feebly moved his
hand toward his breast pocket, and the
friend, understanding his wish, drew from
it card photograph, we'll thumbed, the
corners rounded with wear, and put it in
his hand.
1t is the picture of his wife and
children" he said as he resumed his
seat.
The sick man gazed at it with a look
of unutterable longing, his brow knit as
# with pain, and tears flowed from his
eyes. He motioned to his friend to put
The picture back. An expression of in
.ense anguish came over his face, his
whole frame seemed convulsed. In .
however, he became calm, and
ais look gradually changed to one of re-
,ose. For several moments be lay thus,