Smyrna times., 1880-04-28
The Dear Dead Face.

The Dear Dead Face.
The war refer to was net one of those
which we have lately had upon our own
hands, but that which few years ago ragged
so long, so fiercely, betweeR the northern
and the southern states of America. Itwas
my fortune to serve on the medical staff
with a portion of the northern army during
the most Of that terrible struggle; and it is
needless to say that many personal incidents
came under my notice, which will never
leave my memory. Not one of them, how
ever, made so painful an impression upon
me as that which | am about to describe.
Toward noon on the day after one Of the
hercest Fights qf ali the war, u young soldier
was brought in from the battle field, where
by some mISchance lie had been overlooked
and abandoned, while comrades of his, far
less previously wounded than he, had been
sheltered and tended before nightfall The
poor fellow had lain all night and during
the long scorching hours of the morning,
amid heaps of dead, both men and horses,
suffering from the loss Of an arm, and other
wounds. An army surgeon Is not a rule
a man prone 10 undue sentiment or tu fem.
nine softness at the sight of physical suffer
ing and am not cOnciOus of any weak.
ness that makes me an exception in this
particular. There was, however, in this
youths expression of countenance some.
thing which struck me irrAsistibly, and
with the strong glance of his large, bright
eye, fixed my attention and awakened my
eager interest. He was slender youth,
tall, yet gracefully made, with head which,
as the novelists phrase it would bring
ecstacy to the soul of the sculptor and
e.. III Al 4
manly beauty. A single glance gave me
this summary outline Of my patient before
| had time to ascertain the nature or ex.
tent of his injuries. A very brief examina.
ton soon told me that the life which for
hours had been ebbing so painfully away
was we'll nigh spent; and he must have
read the awful truth in my face, for he
whispered to me family and sadly, as rose:
Is there, then, no hope? p
Alas there was no hope but had not
speech to tell him so; for something was
rising into my throat and choking me, and
moisture in my eyes was binding me ;
and the only reply ! could give him was a
shake of my head. The brave spirit which
had nerved him through the fight had kept
him up till now but now, when the
dismal truth had broken upon him, there
passed over bis pallid face look of mingled
disappointment and resignation which il
was painful beyond expression to witness
lost 70 time in giving him Fuch surgical
aid as his desperate condition called for and
his waning strength could bear. / had
/ a:rdly done SO when an unexpected voice
addressed him:
"My own dear boy my brave, heroic
boyW
The tone was Of CHEEKY encouragement,
| yet fesbly Disgusting the woe Of breaking
| heart; for it was his mothers voice tha
spoke, and her lips that kissed his fevereC
brow. Gently she turned back his diser
dered and blood stained locks, dissemblins
with evident effort the mothers anguish
lest she should add another sorrow to thu
pangs of his dying hour.
Ny mother ~ he cried, with almos
frantic delight. " Is it you, my mother
How came you here? Is it you, or ana
dreamingW and as he speke he threw hi
only remaining arm around her neck ant
kissed her with all the rapture of child
"Thank God ~ he continued in snatchss
as his failing streRgth allowed hiR-"thanl
God for this blessed Joy, that l see you
face once more, my mother. All last night
as lay amid the dreadful sights around me
prayed one prayer in all my pain, ant
only one. prayed that might look one
more upon yeur face, my sweetest mother
once moro hear your voice. l seemed t
pray in vain, yet still prayed"
my poor, poor boy" she said a ours
upon the hand that has brought you t
this; p and her tears at length broke frOr
her control.
To the amazemsnt of all, there appeare
to be something in this exclamation of hi
mother that stimulated the dying youth t
a final effort of speech and melton. II
half raised himself from his bed, and wit
that unacceuntabls energy which som'
times marks the closing moments of life, h
said
"No, no don't say that. Don't sa
accurst. You know not the words you al
speaking Oh ~ he cried, after moment
pause, how shall / tell her the horribl
tale? How can l smite her down with sue
blew, at such an hour?" and he fell bac
exhausted upon bis pillow. The effort hI
been too much for him, and for som
moments we doubted if the spirit had NJ
fed. 1t was only passing weak ness, hoV
ever, and before long he rallied agail
Again he spoke, but with kind of dream
half eonciousnsss at one moment gain
into his mothers eyes, at another seemin
ly fOrgetful of her presence.
"Truly it was a bloedy field" he Rai,
81 had been in several ard.fought figh
before, but they were all childrens pastiB
!, compared with that of yesterday. \
q sooner had we come in sight Of the enen
= than the ringing voice OF the general W
q heard:
IS "At them, my boys, and do your duty
y y What happened after that, knew No
y Know not, do ! say? Oh, would it we
n true that ! knew not Begrimed wi
" dust, each man was confronted with
sr his own individual foe, and if there
q fighting ameng fisnds, then surely did o
d. fighting ressrable theirs. was mys,
4 wounded when fair haired man bore dey
IS IS upon me from the opposing line, If lins
ly could then be called, and ] received
headlong onset with q terrific bayer
thrust, and as he fell l thought of Ca
and of that deed which has made the mas
Of Cain name of maleaiction forever.
: know not why, but felt myself COMPEL
to halt i'm the midst of the melee to kns
on beside that fair-haired man and look
nt him. / turned him over and locked up
ad a@ his face-his dear, dead face. All moth
sh | il was--it was-it was my brothers fa
ie: and my own arm had slaix him ~
- The scene at that monsnt it wsuld I