Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-06-26
Discharge Of the Drummer Bow.
Grace CORTLAND in New York Star I

lGrace CORTLAND in New York Star.1
Ii was In the summer Of 1868. The
Northern and Southern armies were wait
ing expectantly for the dawn which her
aided the sanguinary battle of Chatta.
nooga. The rays of the full moon CLEAN.
ed htfully through hurrying clouds, and
shed an uncertain light over the fields
not yet disfgured with the wreck and
carnage of devastating war. The white
tents of the Federal forces dotted the
camp ground, and the stacked arms with
| FURNISHED bayonets glistened in the wav-
ward shadows. The stiffness of the
peaceful night was interrupted by no
sound save that of the heavy tread Of the
tired sentinel as he paced his lonely beat
or the shrill cry of the night birds piping
through the clear air. Lyman L. had
been volunteer in the First Wisconsin
Regiment for three years, and in the fierce
and bloody battles which engaged the
Army OF the Tennessee he had been an
active participant, a bright-faced bow of
fourteen when he joined the ranks with
his brother George, and left a quiet
Northern homeLto confront the deadly
1usllades that carried destruction into
the Union Army at Falling Water
Lookout Mountain and Pittsburg Land,
ing.
he was only drummer boy, and his
sensitive nature had received a cruel
shock as he carried his brother from the
held one day, and sought in vain to stav
the crimson flood which trickled away
the life that had ever been so dear to
him. On this particular night a general
1eelng OF anticipation and dread prevail
ed the camp. Around the dying embers
OF the half-extlngulshed fires, groups of
soldiers sat thoughtfully, and speculated
on the chances Of the morrow. and the
probable result of the impending battle.
They talked of home, and the memory of |
loving faces waiting anxlouslv for their |
return, filled many heart with sad fore
bodings. Their term of three years en-
listment was almost served, and eagerly
had they waited for the happy announce.
ment Of an honorable discharge. They
talked of their wives and children. their
parents. families and friends, and of the
hearty welcome that would be extended
to them when they returned with the
record Of their hard-earned victories
The one hope that had cheered them
through all the trials and dangers of
again being restored to the comforts of
home and the absent loved ones was
1arkened by gloomy shadow
the coming battle. The fading embers
II the campfire, famed by the gentle
9reeze that stole softly in upon Them
iickering into flame that reflected their
ol-Worn 1aces as the fitful moonbeams
disappeared behind scudding clouds
|. hey spoke OF loved messages to be de-
lvered II the coming fight should prove
atal TO them and took tokens of affec-
ION from their pockets to be sent home if
hey Tell On the field Of battle. In this
.rroup sat the youthful drummer-boy
nenuy gazing into the freight. while
us thoughts reverted to the lonely grave
overed Dy his own hands, where his SOL
Ter brother rested; of a mother who was
laced away In northern churchyard
e1ore his young heart knew what it was
sorrow. His thoughts returned to the
ONE OF his childhood, to his aged father
nd sisters, waiting expectantly to see
Is lace once more. A soiled letter in his
ocket told OF the joyous preparations
hey were making for his return. and the I
wing welcome that would greet him on q
is discharge. '1 on =
Before his fancy came picture of the :
appiness IN store for him, and with his
ngers on the drum before him he tanned
le number of days to pass before his
NE expired With hopeful thoughts d
Uniting bright vision of the future he ~
rev his tired body on the ground. his h
UNI by his side. and fell into a Gentle :,
lmber 0n'le
While the drummer boy slept peacefnl u
anu the camp was hushed, an unseen r
RIM bent over the childish figure. breath.
g the the low whisper in his ear: Lyman, o.
son, your discharge will come to-mor
W." Startled, he awoke, and RUBBING
eyes, looked about the camp to cog D,
10 had called him. All was still the D.
e had burned out and the playful wind ind bo
Sis; scattering e5g the deadened ashes in II
ooui0s. lis companion was un
eplng soundly by his side, and around
n the boys of the regiment were rect OF
their tired limbs after the lone end Ike!
AIRY march: Again he covered his !
ylsh head with the army blanket. and
&c more forgot tho borJ r,. "ho