Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-02-28
The Soldiers Return.

Ned and Katie Hamlin lived in a western
city, happy in the possession OF pleasant
home and dear parents. No shadow of soI-
row had darkened their young lives until thc
war-cloud burst, and to the call for patriotic
men to take up arms in defense of an i'm
periled country, Mr.. H. was one of the first
to respond. He was an earnest Christian
and faithful laborer in the Sabbath-school
where, Sunday after Sunday, he met his
class of young men with heart full of So
licitude for their future, for but two out OF
the ten had that blessed hope that their sins
were forgiven, and that with them it was
well. One of the member had enlisted III
the same company over whom Mr.. II. had
been appointed captain, and it was day
long to be remembered by them all when he
and the beloved teacher took leave of the
class. Darkly shrouded was the future
They could not lift the vail to know if ever
on earth they should meet again, but after
the sad goodbye had been said, serious
thoughts followed them all home.
The night before Company A. was to leave
for the seat of war, delegation from the
Sabbath-school called upon the worthy cap
tain, and in behalf of the members pre-
scented him with an elegant sword, and its
value was greatly enhanced by the love and
prayers that accompanied the gift Nor
was the young patriot Maurice Lambert for
gotten, for the boys gave to him a nicely
bound, casped Testament TO carry in his
vest pocket, a safe companion TO take with
him in the way so lined with danger, and in
whose very air death lurked. The brave
hearted captain with his loyal men took
their places in the front ranks, and while
many conflicts with the enemy sadly deci-
mated their number, it did not lessen their
zeal or love for the cause.
One bright morning in June, 1864, Cap
tain III. was sitting in the tent drinking his
coffee and eating his meagre breakfast shar-
ing it with the young friend over whom he
had such fatherly care and interest. They
spoke often of the dear home and friends
whose cheering letters were the one CLEAN
of light that penetrated the cloud and smoke
of battle, and gave strength to their hands
and courage to their hearts.
captain Hamlin," said Maurice, taking
ont his little Testament, Z" this is going to be
dark day for the boys. | want to say a
word to you before we go into the fight. |
thiuk | can say as never before that this
little book has learned me TO trust in the
great Captain, and | want to tell you of it
before we part, for you have been to me a
faithful father and friend. know the dan
ger that is before me, and If ! fall" and his
voice trembled with the deep feeling he was
trying to subdue, 81 want you to give my
love to our class and tell them from me, to
become soldiers of the cross. | want your
Ned to have my pocket companion when |
am done with it,"
"My dear boy, said the tender-hearted
captain" our lives are all in Gods keeping.
We can trust them there. If it is His will
we shall return to our home unframed let
us not fear, but in His strength go out to
meet the enemy, and what may be the result
of the days conflict ledUe with the God of
battles. You may have to carry my last
words to home-friends, but lie knows and
do rejoice that you can trust in our faithful
Commander" and as his hands held both of
Matrices he added, " God bless YOU" just
then reveille sounded and they hastened 10
the call of duty, 1t is needless TO follow
our soldiers through the dreadful scenes of
the day. Many who felt in the morning
that they should not see the setting sun ,oert
rejoicing in life spared when the day closed
while others had fought their last battle, and
had lain down with still, upturned faces
never TO waken to the drum-call again
Captain IL. gathered his handful of mer
about him and gave thanks for the victory
so hardly won, and then inquiry was mad,
for the killed, wounded and missing,
Among the wounded was the name Of
Maurice Lambert, so speedily the anxious
captain sought the place of suffering, hop
ing TO find his boy was not fatally hurt
Passing slowly from one poor fellow L
another, giving all the encouraging word
he could frame, he came to the last cot anC