The National tribune., 1886-05-06

without fear that crack of musket or scream Of
shell would summon them to the battle.
After breakfast was over Company Q, of the
200th Indiana, was drawn up i'll line for roll
call, for the first time since the havoc of the
fight. One of the Lieutenants had been killed
and the other wounded. Only the Captain re-
mained of the officers. The company looked a
mere squad when compared with the full -anks
that went so bravely into battle. There were
sad faces and aching hearts as the men thought
of loved comrades who had marched by their
side whose familiar touch they would feel no
more.
"Call all the Names" said the Captain to the
Orderly, land let the men answer for their
comrades who are not here to speak for them
selves"
"Sargeant Gibson"
Killed. shot through the head!"
"Sargeant Wagner"
"Here!"
"Sargeant Thompson"
"Wounded in the thigh while holding the
colors."
Corporal Brown"
"Mortally wounded; died the morning after
the fght!"
Corporal Klegg"
"Here!"
Sis response was clear and full, as if he was
proud to be here" There was perceptible
tremor in his voice. however, for his heart was
full Of tender memories of those who had gone
down before the storm.
Private Anderson"
"Here!"
"Aultman."
dead! fell by my side and never spoke a
word!"
Fright arm torn off by piece of she'll; in
hospital"
Bowler"
"Here!"
Connolly"
KILLED in the charge when we drove 'em!"
"Day"
"Here!"
And so it went Oh through the list. Little
wonder that the Captain wept, as he stood with
folded arms listening to the responses and
looking with feelings of mingled pride and
grief upon what remained of his gallant COM
pany! Little wonder that tears trickled down
through the dust and CRIME over the faces of
men strong and brave! Little wonder that
lips quivered and voices trembled with emo
ton, and the words, in answer to the call of the
Orderly found difficult utterance!
After the call was finished the Captain tried
to speak few words of compliment to his
men, but heart and voice failed him. Vainly
striving to control his emotions he babe the
Orderly dismiss the company, and turned away
with streaming eyes.
Later in the day an order was issued for a
detail from each company to go upon the field
where the regiment fought and discharge the
last sad duty-that of gathering and burying
the dead. AS yet the slain of the army were
lying where they fell, scattered over miles of
field and thicket and wood.
The Orderly of Company Q called for volun-
teers, and the necessary number stepped
promptly to the 'front.' ST Klegg and Shorty
among them. Picks, spades and stretcbers
were supplied, and the detachment from the
200th, in charge of an officer, started upon its
mournful mission.
A suitable spot was selected and long
trench dug, seven feet wide and four or FIVE
feet deep. Then the mangled and stitfened
corpSes were borne thither upon stretcherS.
They were wrapped in the blankets which they
had carried over their shoulders when they
went into the fight, and which still encircled
their lifeless bodies, many of them Redeemed
by the blood of those who bore them. The
men laid their dead comrades side by side in
the trench. Then the earth was shoveled in,
and those familiar faces and forms were hid
den forever from the eyes of the living. At the
head of each was placed bit of wood. perhaps
a fragment OF a cracker box, with his name,
company and regiment penciled upon it for
future Identification Few words were spoken
during these sad rites. Hearts were too full.
Shorty" said 81, as they marched back to
the bivouac, that's the best we could do fer
the poor boys, but it d make me feel bad to
think was goin' ter be buried that way hun
dreds O. miles from home m friends, N 'thout
even anybody to speak prayer. l think a
man t willin'ly gives his life fer his country
as they did-an' ye know that's jest all man
kin do-desarves suthin' better'n that kind O.
plantin', like SO many pertaters in row."
"Yere still gittin' sentermental, 81" replied
Shorty; that's all well 'nough but it don't
matter much what they do with ye after bull