Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-05-19
A Touching incident.


Our city readers will remember Jimmie Stinson,
who died few months since. We stated at the
| time that his two brothers-lIarry S. and Alonzo
who enlisted in the 9Th Me-, at the breaking out
of the war in 1861, both died for their country,
one dying on the battle field, the other from
wounds contracted while in the service. Mrs.
Slin,on resides in this city. Gen. o. O. Howard
has recently written the following touching story
of the Stinson brothers:
Harry S. left his home when mere boy. He
could not have been more than sixteen OF seven
teeu years OF aye when he followed the example
OF his father and elder brother and enlisted in the
army THE vol Inteer dvision). The two brothers
were in the Fifth Maine Regiment which was
brought TO the field by Col. Mark II. Dunnell at
present q member of Congress from NJ innesota.
AT the hrst battle OF Buu Run, the elder brother
was wounded near the hill where Ricketts, battery
was located, and nearly DESTROYED during the &C.
ton. The Fifth being at the time part of my
brigade, was sent IN at that point to support that
| battery. 1t was already disabled when Harry =
egiment came up, but the enemy had not ceased
to play vigorously upon the exposed position. Ii
was near the hill where Hsrry's brother was
wounded.
The regimen is of the brigade began to dsintr-
gate. There was retreating in every direction
Officers failed 10 re-enforce the new, untried I'M
disciplined masses OF soldiers that the men were
finally allowed to pick their own way and get
back the best they could. The brother said
Harry, cannot 90 am bleeding badly, | am
growing weaker Harry tired to help him to
the rear and spoke cheeriully and encourayingly
Come, BROTHER try again. | will help you along"
"Oh, Its OF no use, Harry, my strength is vast
ing Let me lie down, you go on. Tell them at
home how died doing my duty like a man and
trusting with all my heart in the Lord!"
NO, brother, shall not leave you, nv rcgi-
ment rs broken in pieces. l can do no good in it
now. | shall stay with you and do what cam
But they'll come Harry and take you prisoner
oh, how weak am. How dark it grows. Kiss
me, brother as our mother used to- Good bye.
food bye-llarry meet me in" He murmur.
ed the last sweet words in Harry's ears, as the
young man kissed him, and tr led his best to keep
up his own heart and rally him. When in this
loving work the confederate skirmshers swept
over the Ricketts, Hill, Harry was taken away
from his brother just fallen into the sleep of heav-
emily sweetness and perennial peace.
Harry was prisoner, that is calling at the best
lie was marched with others under guard 10 Ma
nsssas Junction, and conveyed by rail to Ander-
sonvlle. Make 1t the best we can, giving him
his blanket and coarse food at least once a dsy
while en- route, giving him the floor of box
car to lie down. and stern cross words of com
mand as his welcome at the gate of his new home,
still It IS tough TO bear. Let him enter within the
dead line. The heat of July and August is intol-
cradle IN that larlng sun, the space is limited
the NTH oil human beings, so many in the enclosure
is disgusting and dIsheartening. Ii is not neces-
safy IN these days OF forgiveness to paint eNagger
ated pictures OF horrors and gloom, yet at the best
the very best. it was dreadful place to be in
Harry TOO was not prepared not yet scknowl-
edging himself Christian. He lay down there
for awhile almost in despair. He was at first daz-
ed with his misery, but finally he fell asleep.
How wonderful, often, Is the effect of sleep.
suspension OF present consciousness allows bright
play to the Imagination, and he thinks he is al
home again taking pleasant supper with his lit
tie brothers. Of course the reaction is strong
when the spell is broken and he opens ais eyes
upon the stockade, the guards and the thousands
OF prisoners around him. But the de.pairing,
half paraytc feeling, or no feeling, was over. He
sat up, pulled out the little Testament that nobody
cared TO take from him in his humiliation, and
read the words OF Jesus: Come unto me all We
that are weary and heavy laden and | viii give
you rest"
These common words so often heard never had
such meaning before He thought of his elder
brother, OF his peaceful death the battle field,
OF his last words not completed, He there PRAYED
III his heart, and made covenant with God, "Bring
me out of this place aud let me 20 home and |
will confess my Saviour" In few days be was
sent to Charleston, where his circumstances were
much improved soon after this he was carried to
Libby Prison 10 Richmond, Va, and there waited
Few months when he was exchanged and per-
mited to 90 home. His whole heart was given
unreservedly 10 Christ. He confessed his Lord
before men in his own town. lie came back to
the army and rose rapidly in rank. lie was
wounded in Georgia. No one ever found him
other than the true, consistent cheerful Christian.
His wound ultimately caused his death. His la
bors were abundant, and his eternal peace secure.