The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-08-26
For hs Citizen.
Our Confederate Dead.


Mr.. FDIToR:-I do not know of
subject nearer my heart than the
one presented by Estelle Vehse
through the columns of your paper
last week. Gladly would l unite
with you and her in pleading a cause
so noble and sacred, did l not feel
that words of mine are inadequate
to the task. Besides, l do not think
the ladies of Pulaski need more
than a timely hint to remind them
of their duty. However, l will give
YOU a scene / witnessed in the hos
pital during the war, trusting it may
awaken in the hearts of those who
read it, some interest in the graves
of our Confederate dead.
1t was on a beautiful evening,
that several ladies had assembled
at the hospital with various little
comforts for the sick soldiers. After
administering to the wants of those
in the lower wards, we passed up
stairs, and on entering the upper
hall, were saddened by beholding
the remains of one of the inmates
who had a few hours before breathed
his last As we gazed upon the mo-
tionless form of the dead, we could
but think of the loved ones at home,
who, when arms were stacked for
the last time, and the roll of the
drum hushed, would watch for his
coming in vain. 1t was growing late,
and the sun was sending his part
ing rays through the western win
dows like messengers of light.
laden with love for the sufferers
there, seemingly 10th to withdraw
his CHEEKY beams and leave them
alone with death and darkness.
Suddenly our attention was arrested
by the appearance of the matron
ascending the stairs, followed by a
strange woman and a gray-haired
old man. The woman gaZed eager
" into the face of each soldier as
she passed, evidently searching for
some one; but no familiar face
greeted her eyes, and she disap-
peared from our view still pursuing
her search. The kind hearted ma
tron seeming to have some premo-
milton of the blow that awaited her,
fingered as long as possible among
the living, then led her back to the
dead. AS the blanket was raised
from his face, one piercing cry of
ooh, my husband" rang through
the house, bringing every one able
to walk to the scene. There was no
continued Outburst of grief, but the
poor woman as if crushed by the
blow, sank upon her knees literally
overcome. 1t was pitiful to see the
tears streaming from the eyes of
those brave soldiers, Injured to hard
ships and scenes of death, while the
wife's refused to flow. There was
no such relief for her, but we knew
that from her heart there flowed
great tears of blood. We learned
after some time, that, a few days be
| fore, the dead man had written to
| his wife of his whereabouts and con
valeseence, Wishing To see him be-
| fore he returned to his command,
she had gathered up such articles OF
clothing and food as she supposed
he might desire, and leaving her lit
| tie children, had persuaded her aged
uncle To come with her to visit him.
| have often imagined how, on her
journey she pictured to herself her
husbands glad surprise, and her
own sweet JOY at meeting him. But
what a cruel disappointment was in
store for her! No tender clasp OF
the hand or fond embrace, no warm
kiss or loving glance. Only the
still cold hands, the purple lips and
glazed eyes to mock her keen an
guish. Next day the husband was
laid to rest in our cemetery an. now
sleeps in one of those neglected
graves, while the wife returned &c
her little ones with the sad intelli
gence of their fathers death. On
passing the Methodist church a few
days since, l noticed n single grave
in the rear of it. thought per
haps it was that of little boy l saw
dying in the church when it was
used as hospital. He was just be
tween the ages of manhood ano
childhood, had been wounded or
Hoods retreat, not seriously it il
true, but the pain caused from NOV
ing him here gave him Ock-jaw
from which he died. AS l looked
upon his contracted face and quiy
ering frame, longed for sister {
privilege that l might smooth the
hair rom his clammy brow, and will
his cold hand in mine, whisper words
of peace and hope to his departing
spirit. He too lies in a neglected
grave, while a mother and sister il
a distant home may have visions o
well kept and beautiful resting
place where their darling sleeps.
would say to the ladies, let us rescH,
these and the others from weeds anC
briaIs, and give them a burial tina
shall he an honor and pride rathe
than a shame and disgrace to Pu
/ laski. HAROLEEN HAROLD.