New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-05-21

, MAY u. 1876.
they looked mp into mine, uttered ct once
poem and . prayer. Lot ~ heed the poen
and mako the prayer our own.
Now this 10 merely an incident-one the
many which attracted my attention
during my experience in camp and battle
feld-but to it and the lesson it impartl
my thoughts have reverted more frequently
than to any of the fierce struggles in which
played . humble part.
On another occasion, in the Wilderness,
found the skull of an unknown soldier il
which little bird had built ito nest and
reared its young. At the time the fledglingl
were menaced by serpent, and the mother
bird was flying hither and thither in q
terrible state of excitement and alarm.
! interviewed in behalf of the threatened
fiedglings in their solemn birthplace, and,
like knight of old, slew the asssulting
serpent. The mother bird seemed to be
most grateful for the protection rendered,
and gave to her gratitude really intel.
hgent and Ineligible expression. Her
notes Of alarm were at once changed to the
pleasant chirpings of thankful approval,
and as plainly and delicately - she could
she invited me to draw nearer that might
the more easily witness the beauty and
happiness Of her little brood, now that the
danger which instinctively alarmed them
was removed and the basilisk eyes of the
serpent had become glazed and still.
But must not inger on these reminis-
cences, or my book will be filed before my
story is fairly commenced. l will simply
pause here to relate curious circumstance
which occurred during the battle of Chan
cellorsville. There had been Q fierce fusi-
lsde Of muketry, and before it was over
found myself in an unprotected position,
midway between the lines. On both sides
the shooting was high and wild. While on.
deavoring to understand the strategy of the
opposing chieftains and it's possible results,
something dull and heavy fell 90 near me
as to touch the front of my military cap in
it's descent. l stopped and picked it up.
The substance l found to be two mimic
balls, of about equal size, which, being fred
from the opposing lines, met in mid air,
and were 90 completely solidifed, a. if,
when partially melted, they had been
welded together. Where the two balls
struck each other, end to end, they were
tiattened to the thickness of about half IN
inch, and the union was perfect, but on
each side the rearward flsnges of the op-
posing bullets were represented by little
and regular cup-like indentations.
A strange thought struck me while this
still warm double shot was undergoing its
FIRST inspection in my hands. To me it
seemed prophetic Of the wars ultimate re-
suit. Az these two balls had been launched
forth in sulphurous anger on hostile mis-
sion, 60 the opposing sections of our coun-
try after long nursing the sulphurous fires
If luminosity had joined each other in q
deadly conflict; but rs the two balls coming
'hus together lost their hostility in q en-
brace OF a most suggestive solidarity, 80
rom the fierce warmth of the conflict and
heat of hostility, / imagined there would
arise the cement of "a more perfect union"
After that the imagination became .
nope, and the hope will ere long become q
7erity. That more perfect union, for which
a their infancy the feeble States of the re-
public sighed, could never be effectively
occurred without tug of war in which Sec
ional strength was measured, and those
Constitutional changes by which the sources
# sectional Giscord were removed.
The meeting Of these two balls in air and
he melting of themselves together, is some
hing entirely exceptional. Ont of the
many billions Of bullets sent forth with hos
lie intent during the continuance of our
nternecine strife, probably 20 two we're
YER before thus welded. In order that
UGH union might be effected, the proiec-
lies must meet under circumstances exactlv
imilar. Their weight must be the same.
heir speed the same, and they must ap-
roach each other point to point. If the
peed of one be greater than that of the
ther, the one advancing at the highest rate
f velocity would cut it's way through the
pposing obstacle, and if they did not come
ogetner exactly point to point each would
urn the other aside, and proceed with di.
finished velocity until its momentum was
expended.
When the surrender Of General Lee was
was greatly rejoiced. Though
etermined to serve my country till the |
lose of the contest, l had long been weary
camp life; and, though regarding war
8 duty and right, when the national |
attn or existence is threatened. yet had |
ong considered it as by no means the high.
st calling in which human beings can en-
age. Nor was l alone in these opinions.
hose who had coined the blood of their
ountry into wealth for themselves we're |
'illing enough to have the war CONTINUES:
ut those who, like myself. fought simply |
Dr. the preservation of the life and honor
the republic, hailed the dawn of peace
9 blessing from on high. We knew that
est and recuperation were conditions pre-.
edent to assured prosperity, and the soon
r the commencement was made the sooner
ne animosities of the conflict would be for
often and its better fruitage realized.
Though faithful to my duties as a citizen
'ldier, l was mustered out of service
ithout achieving the first step towards
romotion. Perhaps did not deserve ad
ancement. certainly had no desire for
lch distinction.
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT suNDAYl
The Largest lrOn.Clad Ahoat.