The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-02-04

81 s"oN 'tS NSNts
nife, even then, was not only thinking
Of me, but perhaps was on her knees
imploring pardon for my sins and be-
sceching an all controlling power to pro-
tcct me against present impending dan
crs. Ifmy conjecture was true. mingled
my prayers t1iM hers, ond have resolved
at that hour every night to pray with
you. and try again with greater energy
and faith, if possible, to conquer my sin
full and rebcllious spirit.
Compare
His musket falls slack {; his face dark
and grim,
Grows gentle with memories tender.
As he mutters a prayer for his children
And their motllcr-may Heaven de-
fcnd her
And with the expression PAINFULLY
melancholy thought:
Then drawing his sleeve roughly over
his eyes,
He dashed his tonrs that are yelling,
And gathered his gun closer up to its
AS if to Keep dozen the heart sncU-
ing.)
ave are now at a very dangerous point
and there ia little doubt that there will
be a battle in a day or two. It will be an
awful and terrific scene. have never
seen such preparations for war before.
Thousands will have to be sacrificed. and
tits hard to tell where victory will perch.
We shall fight against large odds, but it
is thought with considerable advantage
in location. thrust it may prove q final
and decisive battle, and that victory will
be ours. The yankee vessels are lying
in sight Of us, and the train on the Mary
land side arrives every day, doubtless
bringing troops. II they whip US here
their march to Richmond will he easy.
Itis only sixty miles and comparatively
few intermediate troops.
When surrounded by comforts Of a
peaceful home and the scenes Of social
life, | admit it would be almost horribly
ing to my mind to think that in such a
short time l may have tn minglc in such
a tragic scene. But here, surrounded
as ] ain by so many military demon
STATIONS, feel almost an intense ankle
ty to hasten the time and mingle activi-
ty in the hloodicst part. My mind re-
mains callous and forSetful Of life until
my thoughts rccur to the gloom and
dcsolation that will pcrvade my home in
the event the worst should bcfall me.'
Compare
He passes the fountain, the blasted pine tree
Ills foofstep Is tagging and weary,
Yet onward he goes, through thu broad belt Of
light,
Towards the shades Of the forest so drcary.
hark was it the n%ight-wind hat rustled the
Was it moonlight go wondroasly flashing I
1t looked like n rife lin ! Mary, goodbve!'
And the lite-blood is cbbing and FLASHING.
'T%hundcrbolt Battery, May 8, 1863
On the first day Of this month, seven
teen years ago, | asked you to marry
he. thought Of it frequently on the
first day Of May, and especially a,
night, rhich proved to be as mellou
and moonshiny anigAt as the n on
a0hich rode aid Ual&ed with you
and ashcA you to marry me-
Camp nenr Oclnwaha Bridge, Flori-
day, Nay "A, l864-Evcry line and
word from you has a peculiar and
charming interest, and continual alb
sence from you gives all intercourse
with you the warm zest and nrdor OF
youthful courtship. Your allusion to
our ride and visit to and from Glover's
Mill, and tho pleasant interest Herewith
connected, awakened many pleasant
thoughts and reflections, and provoke a
strong desire to renew in person those
same professions Of ardent anal uD-
changing lore" .
Compare
The moon seems to shine just as bright.
ly AZ then
That night when tho love yet unspo-
ken
Lcaped up to his lips-whcn low, mur-
INJURED vows
We're pledged TO be forevcr u%nbrokcn."
One word more from Colonel Ashton.
"He read the lines without unusual
feeling until he came to tho picture of
the little trundle- bed, when his voice
trembled and his eyes filled with tears.
That touch Of nature was contagious and
l felt the big drops trickle down my W
cheeks; and even to this day, when | re-
call that scene, nov that he is dead and
gone, feel again something Of the old
emotion"
Yes, "ho is dead and gone p Tho Hon.
Alex. II. Stephens wrote me twelve
years ago that bis brother Linton knew
him intimately, and assured him that
this early death prevented my fathers
becoming n Of Georgia's foremost