Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-11-01
Aliscellamu.
Sam Shingles Angel.
BY col. A. D. BAILIE.

]
face and figure of the man seemed
quite familiar; but who was the boy
The two, drew near stepped back
two PAGES from the narrow path, still
facing to the front, brought their heels
together with a snap, stood perfectly
erect, eyes square to the front, and with
the right hand, as I passed, each gave
the regular military salute. 1t was COM
ical to see the youngster of eight years
or thereabout initiating with perfect
gravity and in military time the action
of the man who stood beside him. A
moment more and | rem membered the man.
Why, SAM"
"Ha, ha, colonel Bothered you a
moment, didn't /? Give us shake,
please-give us shake, just for ole
times. Iknow'd ye wouldn't forgit Sam,
and bless'd if I'd feel like a-huggin' Of
ye when / seed ye comm! Ha, hal 1t
does me as much good to see ye as it did
to see the old flag go up at Vicksburg."
Turning to the boy, who had stood
immovable at "parade rest he COM
manded,
Break ranks an come an shake
hands with yer colonel, Forty-eight."
The boy advanced with the air of a
man, and silently gave me his hand
whilst his large gray eyes seemed to be
carefully studying my face.
Forty-Eight knows ye, colonel
knows ye of DID," continued Sam" all
aDout you an the little black mare.
Have ye got 'er yet? He knows all
them little speeches ye used to make the
boys, and what ye used to sing out in
the fight when things was a-gettin' hot
all exeeptin' some strong, ye know, as it
wouldn't do boy any good for to hear"
"Go you along ahead, Forty Eight" :"
he said to the boy, an tell the old lady
we're a-comin'."
AS the child, after again saluting,
started ahead, Sam resumed:
There's man, colonel, inside them
little trowsers as General Grant'd be
proud to be the father of. Forty Eight
Sidney Fosters man billed down, if ev-
er there was one"
What ?" L asked, Lieutenant Fos-
ter's son ?"
Jist so, sir" answered Sam, whilst a
look of sorrow passed over his honest
face.
And the lieutenant / suppose he
is-?" and l looked the rest of the ques-
ton.
Yes sir, gone-mustered out-expir-
alton of term. He never got 'tirely well
of that shot in the lung and after she
the only an all that he cared fol
after she went, he seemed as though he
was always a-pinin' to be on the march
after her. An last fall two year ago
one night l heard him a-callin' loud as
he could-an' it weren't much more mol
whisper at that. Sam Samp says
he. Leftenantp says |. The boy
quick 7 says he. (You see the little fel
low always slept with me.) So wraps
little Forty Eight up an takes him tc
the bedside. The leftenant jist put his
arms round him and kissed him once
looked at me, tried to say somethin
kinder drawed a long breath, an'-an
he'd got his transfer, colonel. Both
of ems laid together jist out there-ou'
where we met YOU
Poor Sam The breaks in his story
the choking in the throat, and the big
gulps with which he tried to swallow his
grief as he slowly and with bated breath
gave me this information, let me know
full we'll that the brave fellows eyes
we're full of tears. Passing my arm
through his, we walked on for some time
in silence.
Sam Shingle had formerly belonged tt
the Forty eighth - Volunteer Infant
ry, which during the war commanded
Brave men all we're they, but the bravest
and at the same time the most trouble
some man in the regiment was thii
same Sam. A more loyal, gentle, fear
less, self-sacrifcing heart never ami
mated "six feet two A" of rough, angu
lar, Muscular, humanity, than it did il
Sam. For drinking and fearful profan
ity he was without peer in the com
mand, and when drunk he was perfec
drone.
Lieutenant Foster of his company
slight of build and delicate of frame, {
gallant soldier and an educated gentle
man, had been adopted by Sam as hi
Especial charge. In one of the assault
upon Vicksburg the lieutenant had beer
badly wounded in the right lung, anC
left upon the field within pistol shot o
the enemy's works. Sam had gone bacl
and carried him off under heavy fire
an act of self.sacrifcing heroism tha
commanded even the respect of the foe
who ceased firing upon the brave soldie
end his helpless burden not however