The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-09
TWO CONFEDERATE HEROES.
A Story OF the Hospital During the Late
War.
from Mrs. Phoebe Yates Pember's Southern
Woman's StOry,"l

from Mrs. Phoebe Yates Pember's Southern
Womans Story.J
I.
After the battle of Fredericksburg, while
giving small doses Of brandy to dying man,
low, pleasant voice said Madam" 1t came
from youth not over eighteen years of age,
seeming very Ill, but SO placid, with that
earnest faraway gaze so common to the eyes
of those who looking their last on this world |
Does God in his mercy give a glimpse OF com
ing peace, past understanding, that we see
reflected In the dying eyes into which we
look with such strong yearning to fathom
what they see? He shook his heed in mega
tive to all offers of food or drink, or sugges-
lions Of softer pillows and lighter covering.
81 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 whereabouts l was ignorant.
Armed with requisition from our surgeon |
sought him among the sick and wounded at
all the other hospitals. | found him at Camp
jackson, put him in my Ambulance, and on
| my arrival at my own hospital found my pa
| tient 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 Wearily, turned over and the half-un-
conscious eye fixed itself. He must have been
dreaming OF the meeting, for he still dis
| trusted 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 recognized
his comrade the wan and expressionless lips
| curved into the happiest 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 arms, the
| radiant eyes Closed but the smile still re-
| maned-he was dead.
Private Fisher had remained through all
his trials stout, fresh and hearty, interesting
| in appearance and SO gentle-mannered and
accomplishing that we all loved him. Sup
ported on his crutches he had walked up and
down his ward for the first time since he was
wounded, and seemed almost restored. The
same night he turned over and uttered an eX-
clamation OF pain.
Following the nurse to his bed, and turning
down the covering, small Jet OF blood
spurted up. The sharp edge Of the splintered
bone must have severed an artery. Instantly
put my finger on the little orifice and awaited
the surgeon. He soon came-took long look
and shook his head. The explanation was
easy; the artery was imbedded In the heshy
part of the thigh and could not be taken up
No earthly power could save him.
There was no object in Obtaining DR.. --
He required his time and strength, and long
/ sat by the boy, unconscious himself that
|
hardest trial Of my duty was laid upon me
the necessity OF telling q man in the prime oil
life and fulness of strength that there was
no hope him.
1t was done at last, and the verdict re-
eeived patiently and courageously, some
directions given by which his mother would
be informed OF his death, and then he turned
his questioning eyes upon my face
How long can | liver"
"Only as long as / keep my finger upon
this artery" A pause ensued. God alone
! knew what thoughts hurried through that
heart and brain, called so UNEXPECTEDLY from
all earthly hopes and ties. He broke the
silence at last:
''You can let co.
But could not. Not IL my own life had
trembled in the balance. Hot tears rushed tt
my eyes, singing sound to my ears, and {
deathly GOODNESS to my lips. The pang o
, obeyiDg him was spared me, and for the frs
and last time during the trials that surround
ed me for four years. tainted away.