The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-10-23
Mine Enemy.

Al Ellr oaks, when we swept down in the gray
Of morning on Casey's division, we found two
thirds of it unprepared for our reception.
was sergeant in my company, and as we be-
gan firing, | noticed federal sergeant of my
own rank displaying the utmost energy in raj
lying the men around him TO check US. Some
OF our men noticed him as we'll and two or
three called out that he looked near enough
like me to be brother ~ his own indiyidu-
al efforts he rallied enough men to check us
temporarily, but after lew minutes we drove
them again and were IN the federal camps.
Then our lines brCb and each man fought for
himself. / had s. eed out tho sergeant and
fired twice at III a. and it was fact that he
also had slnglHd mo out and fired at me alone.
We kept adj ancing slowly, and by and by, as
we crowded them from their shelters, l got a
fair view of the sergeant For a moment
forgot that there was any one else in all that
battle. had raised my gun when he wheeled
and raised his and we both fired together.
went down like a log, having received his bull
let III the right shoulder, and for two hours /
Rugged the earth beside q log to escape being
hit again by the missiles Of friend or foe
When the fury of the battle had passed on
was lame and stiff, aud as the location was
strange to me, and did not know whether We
were still advancing or in retreat, / could not
make my way off the field. ! could not tell
front from rear, nor was there one chance in
ten Of finding field hospital. After pulling
myself up, and holding TO tree for a few min
utes felt better and advanced to the spot
where ! had last seen the federal sergeant.
found him lying on his back. My bullet had
struck him in the side, and he was fatally hit
AS lnelt down beside him he recognized me
and said
"You have given me my death wound"
"But you sought to kill me, protested, in
extenuation.
Eyes, fred at you Some of the men said
you looked like me, and ! felt desire TO kill
you"
Let us be friends" 1 said, as 1 knelt beside
him. 81 can use one band and arm, and per-
haps / can stop the bleeding"
at is too late!' he whispered.
SO IL was He had lost great quantity of
blood, and it was still pouring out and sinking
away into the black soil OF tue forest AS my
hand touched his he grasped il and said:
1--WE We're enemies. Let us be friends. Give
me water"
] held my canteen 10 his lips until his thirst
was satisfied. and then / sat beside him and
held his band and watched the shadow Of
death coming nearer. 8lie lay with his eyes
closed for long time, and at last Whispered :
Tell Mary and the children am coming!"
Ny heart smote NE as j thought Of the wife
and children who would never see him again
--Of the black pail OF sorrow which would set
tie down over happy household.
And tell father and motherl" he gasped.
"iiave them all come to the old home to meet
me-"
And there was father-and mother--and
brothers and sisters And my bullet would
bring tears and sObs and walls and mourning.
And tie sunshine Of life would 70 out Of many
hearts for months and yoars-perhaps forever.
/ prayed him over and over 20 forgive me. and
as death came nearer j dared not look away
from bis pale face Tor fear that ] should meet
the accusing glance9 Of widow aud orphans
through the drifting smoke Of battle ABdsath
finally came ho clutched my hand with irmer
grip, looked into my eyes with last effort and
family whispered
1T Is war, horrible war Let US DO friends
God blcss Mary and the children"