The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-03-27
Two Confederate Heroes.

while giving small doses of brandy to a
dying man, low pleasant voice said
"Madam." 1t came from youth not
over eighteen years of age, seemingly
very i'll, but so placid. with that earnest,
far.away gaze so common TO the eyes of
those who are looking their last on this
world. Does God in His mercy give a
glimpse of coming peace, past under
standing, that We see reflected in the dy-
ing eyes into which we look with such
strong yearning to fathom what they see2
He shook his head in negative to all Of
fers of food or drink or suggestions Of
softer pillows and lighter covering.
IL want Perry" was his only wish.
On inquiry, l 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, I sought him among the
sick and wounded at all the other hospi-
tails. I found him at Camp Jackson,
put him in my ambulance, and on arri-
val 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 awoko, weari-
ly turned over, and the halfunconscious
eye fixed itself. He must have been
dreaming of the meeting, for he still dis
trusted the reality. Illness had spiritu-
allied the youthful face; the transparent
horehead, the delicate brow so clearly
defined, belong moro to heaven than
earth. As he recognized his comrade
the wan and expressionleIs lips curved
into the happiest smile-the angel of
death had brought the light of summer
skies to that pale face.
t'Perry," he cried, and not another
word, but with one last effort he threw
himself into his friends arms, the radi-
ant eyes closed, but the smile still re-
nained-he was dead.
II.
Private Fishher had remained through
all his trial stout, fresh and hearty, inter
setting in appearance and so gentle
nered and accomplishing that we all loved
him. Supported on his crutches he had
walked up and down his ward for the
first time since he was wounded, and
seemed almost restored. That same
night he turned over and uttered an ex-
clamation of pain.
Following the nurse to his bed, and
turning down the covering, q small jet of
blood spurted up. The sharp edge of the
splintered bone must have severed an ar
terry. 1 instantly put my finger on the
little orifce and awaited the surgeon.
He soon came-took long look and
shook his head. The explanation was
easy the artery was imbedded in the
aeshy 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 his
strength, and long sat by the boy, un-
conscious himself that any serious trou-
BILE was apprehended. The hardest trial
of my duty was laid upon me-the ne
cessity oftelling man in prime of life
and fullness of strength that there was
no hope for him.
1t was done at last, and the verdict
received patiently and courageously,
some directions given by which his moth
er would he informed of his death, and
then he turned his questioning eyes upon
my face.
"How long can I live?"
"Only as long as keep my finger upon
this artery" A pause ensured. God
alone knew what thoughts hurried
through that heart and brain, called so
unexpectedly from all earthly hopes aud
ties. He broke the silence at last.
"You can let go"
But could not. Not if my own life
trembled in the balance. Hot tears
rushed to my eyes, and deathly cold
ness to my lips. The pang of obeying
him was spared me, and for the first and
last time during the trials that surround
ed me for four years I tainted away
From Mrs. Phebe Yates Pem6er's "South-
ern Won,an's Story"