The Republican journal., 1882-01-26
NUMBER 4.

ed along its banks The ground was in many
places very rough and after dark it was difficult
| to find some of the posts upon which the mel
were stationed One dark and stormy night
member Of our regiment was stationed upon one
OF these posts His reef was to stand from
eleven to one O'Clock, but in the darkness ard
storm the corporal in charge Of the relief had
failed to find him and consequently he vas not re
| leved The moments passed slowly he knew
something was wrong, but disdanng to call the
corporal, tor whom he had great contempt he
stood and growled and stamped his feet in the
cold storm and as he reviewed all these petty an
noyances have named. his anger was kindled 10
greater degree. He was at last aroused by tho
tramp of men aud horses approaching him AS
they came down the line, with stentorian voice
he yelled; : We there p and the wncing
ply Of newly tedged colonel commanding New
York regiment, who that day in charge of the
picket line, was Tho grand rounds sir Imagine
his surprise when the exasperated son of Maine
yelled back in reply: 10 h--ll with your grand
rounds | want the corporal Of the second relief :
Perhaps under the great provocation the profani-
ty was eXcusable
SICKNESS AND DEATH
During the Eve weehs Of inactivity in the Army
Of the Potomac after the battle of Antetam one
Of the most disastrous features Of the gloomy stu
alton the terrible sickness of the soldiers
and this was especially true in the new regiments
The men unused to the climate the expo
sure and the food 50 that the whole experience
was direct contrast TO their lite at home Many
we're sick and discouraged Strong men grew
eak with disease No sanitary measures were
enforced in camp The buildings used as hospi
tails were lily adapted to such purpose, being
very imperfect in cleanliness ventilation, and
general convenience 1t was sad sptctacle to
walk through the hospitals at the old Antietam
Iron Wolks, ard see the helpless condition of so
many Of our comrades men who had left their
homes but few weeks before, strong, healthy and
hopeful-now weak, sick, opeess ard dying The
strong men Of middle age from " WhGm 20 much
was expected, were tie first to yield, while the
mere boys, Of whom 20 account had been made,
seemed to more easily adapt tbe mstlves to the sit
ualion 1t a sad mission to sii By the dy Ing
il the midst Of all the dirt and disorder th which
they were suruunGed; tc satht I ~ little trinkes
to send as priceless keep sakes 10 distant irends
TO write the last good tJts and messages OF lovt
whispered from dy ing liz s-ald 10 hold their THU
hollow hands as The spirit hoated away from ils
earthly casket and then would follow he corr of
ais guard with reversed arms keeI il step to the
soldiers burial. 1t hard bitter expert, nee,
aud the survivors never forget the hilsides OF
| Maryland, where laid the bodies OF the first
victims that death called from our regiment. Ii
has been urged d. fence for thls long delay OF
the part OF u neral Mcclellan, that he disliked 10
| sacrifice his men, aud that special regard Tor
their welfare caused him to move 50 slowly. II
this be true II was mistaken policy, fur expert
ence taught US that lead was less cruel butcher
than disease and If soldiers are 10 die they prefer
to die in battle There is some satisfaction IN
meeting death in the shock Of col tllct here the
spirit seems to 20 tolih il whnlwn Of fire 10
escape from the sull huious smoke With which the
body is surrould, d but no satisfaction to cops
with disease. all grow weak ard shadony updtI
its touch, and to know from the beginning that
death " the only relief AN Old PRIVATE