The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-01-15

since tho sound of the last gun of tn
war Of the Rebellion died away in 81
ience. The enmities engendered by tn
bitter struggle are buried with the na
TONS dead. The blue and gray whit
fell lie peacefully side by side, and We
the blue aud gray who live, have clasped
hands together, and spoken loyal word
Of courtesy and friendship.
But the children of that dark houl
have grown to be young mon and WON
en-, and know little OF war but its holi.
day pomp and glory; so have brought
this little sketch from memory's port
folio that they may catch o passing
glimpse of its stern reality, and part.
ly, too, that they may see how suffer
ing heroism sometimes finds its home
in young. brave hearts.
Early in the year 1863 the Uuion for
ces, in one of the regiments OF which I
was an officer. lay enc,mped near Will
nington. North { rolina. There had
been an exchange o. rrisoners, and the
sick from Andersonville had been car
ried by boat down the Cape Fear River
to Wilmington.
Partly from sympathy, and partly,
perhaps. from curiosity, had come in
from our camp, which was located o
few miles out Of the city, to visit the
hospital. An old brick warehouse was
utilized for this purpose. 1t was long,
low. narrow building and the sick men
Lay on the door, with their heads to the
wall. il tive rows up and down the
room. A entered from the street
and passed slowly along between them,
the wan. haggard faces Of the sick men
seemed ghastly in the uncertain light.
II WAS forlorn and desoIate sick-room.
indeed, and I did not wonder that the
poor fellows were discouraged and al.
most despairing.
As moved on was startled at see-
Ing what seemed to be the face of
mere child among the sick men-a lad
Of not over thirteen years-propped up
against the wall. A tattered old blan-
ket covered him. His hair WAS long and
his cheeks sunken and fever
ish, and his body emaciated almost be-
yond belief.
I can give no idea of the pitiable,
skeleton like thinness Of the little fell
low. On his arms was hardly any
flesh. His knees pointed the worn
blanket sharply as it covered them. and
bis diseased feet had become utterly
lifeless, with the toes and the ball OF
The foot entirely gone from one of them.
was in horror at the sight; but as
The poor little sufferer noticed my
startled look. he said. in bright, CHEEKY
voice, "They Amt good for much, are
they, ieuteasnt? See here!" and to
my unspeaksbls dismay. with his fingers
he broke OF piece OF the dead aesh,
" one would snap of the end of v chalk
pencil.
While I shuddered at the sight, my
heart WAS taken captive by the cheer.
hui, uadaunted spirit of the boy. OBJ
tanning permission. I bathed him,
sombcd his hair. and in . short time
had him in clean clothing and under .
aecQpt blanket. He was 80 patient,
gratGfi and enthusiastic over his new
that my admiration and af-
lection Tor the little fellow rapidly in
30 lieutenant. sint they JUS. splen-
1idy" no hurst out a. ha first saw the
aew blue llouse with its bright brass
buttons. and felt Of the soft blanket.
Amt I glad 70 be clean again! I
wish I could SEQ myself now. You're
right COED 70 mo. sir, and thank you
very much.
He must have been . beautiful boy
before privatiea and disease had enact
lted him. He had thick, curly, brown
hair, large, speaking eyes. delicate nos
trils. and chin in which there nestled
he shadow Il what must have been
dimplc. Exposure and sick
hess had clouded, but not entirely
Ipoiled. fair. clear complexion, and he
till retained o frank and wonderfully
smile. and out Of his eyes
ooked dountless spirit, which evil as
,ociations had failed TO corrupt or cap
.ivity to subdue.
He was, in . word. boy whom every
woman woald have been drawn to and
nave loved. whom any man might have
,een preuA 10 call his son.
His name. he told me, was Arthur
Perry, his homo in Ohio, his mother
W,dow. He WAS . drummer boy, had
,eea captured some months before
vhile with - ammunition train, and