National Republican., 1885-08-03
TIE cAnNAnr Ar MA1rrnN NIL.


From Gen. F'iiz.John Porter's account
of the last Of the seven days battles in
the August Century we quote the follow.
ing; "While taking Meagher's brigade
to the front, | crossed q portion Of the
ground over which large column had
advanced TO attack us, and had n fair
opportunity Of judging of the effect of
our fire upon the ranks of the enemy.
1t was something fearful and sad to con.
template; few steps could be taken
without trampling upon the body of q
dead or wounded soldier, or without
hearing a piteous cry, begging our party
to be careful. In some places the bodies
were in continuous lines and in heaps.
In Mexico had seen fields of battle on
which our armies had been victorious,
and had listened to pitiful appeals; but
the pleaders were not of my countrymen
then, and did not, as now, cause me to
deplore the effects of fratrcidal war.
"Sadder still were the trying scenes
met in and around the Malvern house,
which at an early hour that day had
been given up to the wounded, and was
soon filled with our unfortunate men,
suffering from all kinds of wounds. At
night, after issuing orders for the with.
drawal Of our troops, | passed through
the building and the adjoining hospitals
with my senior medical officer, Col.
George II. Lyman. Our object was to
inspect the actual condition of the men,
to arrange for their care and comfort,
and to cheer them as best we could.
Here, as usual, were found men NOR.
tally wounded by necessity left unat.
tended by the surgeons, so that prompt
and proper care might be given to those
in whom there was hope of recovery. 1t
seemed as if the physician was cruel to
one in doing his duty, by being mercilul
to another whose life might be saved.
''While passing through this impro.
vised hospital heard of many sad cases.
One was that of the major of the 18th
New York Volunteers, a brave and gal
liant officer, highly esteemed, who was
believed to be mortally wounded. While
breathing his last, as was supposed, a
friend asked him if he had any message
to leave. He replied, Tell my wife
that in my last thoughts were blended
herself, my boy, and my flag Then he
asked how the battle had gone, and
when told that we had been successful
he said, God bless the old fla and
fell back apparently dead. For u long
time he was mourned as dead, and it
was believed that he had expired with
the prayer left unfinished on his closing
lips. Though still an invalid, suffering
from wound then received, that officer
recovered to renew his career in the war,
and now, for recreation, engages in lively
contests Of political warfare.
son the occasion Of this visit we fre.
quently met with scenes which would
melt the stoutest heart; bearded men
piteously begging to be sent home;
others requesting that widowed mother
or orphan sister might be cared for;
more sending messages TO wife or chill.
dren, or to others near and dear to them.
We saw the amputated limbs and the
bodies of the dead hurried ont of the
room for burial. On every side we
heard the appeals of the unattended,
the means OF the dying, and the shrieks
of those under the knife of the surgeon.
We gave what cheer we could, and left
with heavy hearts. There was no room
then for ambitious hopes of promotions;
prayers to God for peace, steady peace,
that our days might be thereafter de.
voted TO efforts TO avert another war,
and that never again should the country
be afflicted with such a scourge, filled
our hearts as we passed from those
mournful scenes"