Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-05-24
A SOLDIERS DEATH.
BY MARIE.

men upon the frontier were watching the faces
Of each other to identify the side Of contest to
which each were partial, aud when still there
was easy access to either section, l parted with
MIR. NJ, on the streets of a western city; he to
return TO the old North State, with which his
family name was familiary associated, to join
her troops on the way to Virginia, and | to fol-
low the fortunes Of as noble a hero, as ever
straddled horse or drew sabre-Sterling Price.
Both Of IDS we're married men. Each OF US had
Done Child His girl, beautiful, golden
haired two years old, and mine boy, just
enough her senior to be her playmate and pro-
tector. We were intimate friends and often
on the sweet Sabbath evening have we watched
them play, and woven the realities OF our lives
into the romance of theirs. Both of us were
domestic men, and engaged very little in the
politics that we're maddenlng men. But the
music of artillery at Sumpter had fired our
Southern blood, and it was but few weeks
afterwards that we parted, cheerfully, gayly
parted-to meet again in victory and peace,
but alas-aas
Seigel's artillery startled my .gayety into
earnestness at Wilson's Greek, but before night
as we spurred on after the flying Dutchman, !"
il came again, mingled with the stern JOY a
soldier feels in his first victory.
| returned to Northern Missouri, with com
mission of Colouclcy in my pocket in the
''Missour State Guard, authorized to raise a
regiment and command it. The first was more
easily accomplished than the latter. The Mis-
souriaus were eager for the fray, and l soon
had my compliment of men, armed with Butta-
10 guns, revolvers and sabres About this time,
with as gallant, but as untaned set of men, as
ever rode on foray | found myself cut OFT from
Price at Lexington, by Sturgls' large. command
and was informed by spies that Gen. Price
was retrea,ipg. | knew that the retreat was
on account of want Of ammunition, which
could be obtained only by mastering the State
Guard into the Confederate service IN rkan-
sas. did not feel quite strong enough to hold
the State. and besides that my regiment had
acquired rather an unenviable notorlety-the
men had been rather roughly handling some
Union men who had been oppressive to South
cru women Again bridge had been cut on
the Platte by some thoughtess or wicked guer-
rillas, and although was fifty miles away, |
had the misfortune to incur outlawry tor 1t; SO
| thought had better force Sturgls lines aud
catch up with cold Pap lu the attempt
WIS driven back by heavy force, and in the
skirmish was shot in the foot. Two days after
wards wounded and with incipent typhoid
fever, turued the regiment over to the Lieu,
tenant Colonel, and retaining shrewd and
trusty kentuckian, took up my quarters IN
cabin on the side of a by road. The regiment
succeeded in joining Price, never did La
two weeks, by the faithfuluess OF my kentuck-
ian, my wife had been informed Of my condl-
ton, with my intention to come to Virginia,
and nv directions for her and my boy to go to
Quincy. ILL.,, and await my arrival.
My Kcntuckian carried me across the State
of Missouri, partly by wagon roads and partly
by train, to Quincy, and delivered me dehr-
lous to my wife.
/ had been accurately described in the pub
Ecatiou of outlawry,-but my emaclated copdl-
tion. and the loss of my heavy beard so com
pletely disguised me, that my wife at first
doubted my identity. In the strange freaks OF
that disease was in few days able to travel,
and with a Union badge pinued on my little
bows collar. (for which he has not yet forgiven
his mother) we arrived safely in BALTIMORE
There relupsed, and for months aching eyes
watched for the spirits flight from my frail
form Thanks to good nursing aud a sklltul
physician, was enabled to do more service In
the cause of the South. 1joined Gen. Lee
joined him by strategy-no matter how
Early had swept across the mountain cross
cd the Shenandoah at Front Royal, attack ked
teri to the Cumberland Valey.-Lee soon fol-
lowed, aud the army pushed rapidly across the
Potomac at Williamsport. Two or three days
of absence to visit some friends in the Valley,
and the sudden movement into Maryland, lett
me several days in the rear Of my command.
When | heard the army was moving, and the
direction, rode hard. and caught up with it's
rear at nightfall, at Martinsburg-l gave my
horse to an old family servant who lived there,
and went to the United States Hotel to lind
food and lodging. The food was scarce IN
proportion to the quantity OF the hostess, Wnom
I am told had fed armies before, but not as
1>J,, a9rDataQ
floor. The house was packed from garret 70
cellar with officers in my condition, :,
About nine O'Clock in the evening was SIT,
ting in the hall eonversing with COL Davis, OF
Miss, when the daughter of the hostess APP
proached US and enquired whether we knew
f,ol NJ ofthe--North Carolina regiment.
was certain as if by instinct, that it was my
friend from whom had parted in Western
CITY at the opening of hostilities, and answer;
ed that "I knew him very well. She sad
will you go up stairs and see him. ne is oy
when entered the room saw one OF God $
noble Southern daughters standing Dy MS Deu
side, with eyes brim-full Of teaFs-and Inele
lay my friend, the poor wreck OF glorious nope,
with his mind wandering, wandering " n.'
The rattIe Of nv .purs startled him, and ne
rose unon his elbow, and feebly said, STEADY,
men, steady, my boys, but falling n. BACK ne ne
said no no. was dreaming, esse aFGa@ns mV Sweet ct
little Jessie mv-bead d-hurts-let your hair
fail upop nv face, Jessie. Tell Mama TO-
comeNcome-ouiek. Papa-is-dying--little
Jessie Little Jessie, | could see her as
plainly as her dying father, but she was @ not
there: she was way off in her home with her
hand, and barely could utter Charley, do you 70 !
know me p Know you, Know you, yes' oan a,n
you bring Mary and Jessie ?" l know you you
brought them, God promised to let me se'
them before died. y o,,
mo, Charley, they are far away-What snail
tell them p