Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-03-14
TwO CONFEDERATE HEROES
From Mrs, Phoebe Yates Pcmber's rSouther
Woman's Story" y

From Mrs; Phoebe Yates Pcmber's ''southerr
Woman's Story,"l
I,
After the battle Of Fredericksburg
while giving small doses of brandy e
a dying man, a low, pleasant voice sale
Madam" 1t came from a youth moi
over eighteen years of age, seeming
very Ill, but so placid, with that earn
est, taraway gaze so common to the
eyes OF those who are looking theii
last on this world. Does God in his
mercy give a glimpse of coming peace
past understanding, that we see re.
Elected in the dying eyes into which
we look with such strong yearning Il
tathom what they see? He shook his
head in negative to all offers of food
or drink or suggestions of softer pill
lows, and lighter covering.
want Perry" was his only wish.
On inquiry | found that Perry was
the friend and companion who marched
by his side in the field and slept next
to him in camp, but of whose where
abouts | was ignorant. Armed with a
requlsltion from our surgeon | sought
HIM among the sick and wounded at
the other hospitals. | found him at
Camp jackson, put him in my ambu-
lance, and on arrival at my own hos
pital found my patient had dropped
asleep. A bed was brought and
placed at his side and Perry, only
slightly wounded, laid upon it. Just
then the sick boy awoke YEARLY, turn
ed over, and the half-unconscious eve
fixed itself. He must have been
dreaming Of the meeting, for he still
dlstrusted the reality. Illness had
spiritualized the youthful face the
transparent forehead, the delicate
brow so clearly defined, belonged more
to heaven than earth. As he recop-
nlzed his comrade the wan and eX-
pressiOnless lips curved into the
happlest smile-the angel of death
had brought the light of summer skies
to that pale face. Perry" he cried,
Perry, and not another word, but
with one last effort he threw himself
into his friends arm, the radiant eyes
closed, but the smile still remained
he was dead,
Private Fisher had remained
through all his trials stout. fresh and
hearty, interesting in appearance and
so gentle-mannered and uncomplain-
ing that we all loved him. Supported
on his clutches he had walked up and
down his ward for the first time since
ne was wounded, and seemed almost
restored. That same night he turned
over and uttered an exclamation of
pain.
Following the nurse to his bed. and
turning down the covering, a small
of blood spurted up. The sharp
edge OF the splintered bone must have
severed an artery, I instantly put my
finger on the little orifce and awaited
the surgeon. HIS soon came-took a
long look and shook his head. The
explanation was easy, the artery was
Embedded in the leshy part Of the
thigh and could not be taken IN. No
earthly power could save him.
There was no object in OBTAINING
Dr. lie required his time and
his strength and long ] sat by the boy.
unconscious himself that any serious
trouble was apprehepdol. fhe hardest
trial OF my duty was laid upon me-
the necessity Of telling a man I'M the
prime of his life and fallness Of
him,
IL was done at last, and tho verdict
received patiently and o~ourageousIy.
some directions given BY which his
mother would be informed of his
death, and then he turned his qucs-
tioning eyes upon my face.
"llow long can / liyo2n
Only as long az / keep my finger
upon this artery A pause ensued
God alone knew what thoughts hurried
through that heart and brain, called
50 unexpectedly from all earthly homes
and tics. He broke tho silence at
9foq can let me CO.
But could not. Not if my own
life had trombled in the balance. Hot
tears rushed to my eyes, a surging
sound TO my cars, and a deathly cold
ness 70 my lips. The pang Of obeying
him was spared me, and for the first
aud last time during the trials that
surrounded me for four years | tainted
away.