Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-12-21


BILE and bloody battle, and that from
the dawn of the fifth until sunset of
the sixth according to history fifteen
thousand men We're slaughtered in both
armies; nor did the firing then entirely
cease on the picket lines, for the Occa-
siOnal crack of a musket gave evidence
that the pickets of both armies were on
the alert, watching for an opportunity
to do bodily harm to any one who eX-
posed his person. That night / was
detailed for picket duty and was sta
toned in front of our corps, not far
from q point where the woods We're
said to be on fire; indeed, the smoke of
the burning had already reached US 4:
but as we were informed that the dead
and wounded had all been removed we
gave the subject no thought, knowing
that beyond a thorough smoking, per
haps, 1t could do us no harm.
L had gone back into the wood q
short distance and built little fire to
cook coffee for my comrade and my
self-having been fortunate enough to
purchase a canteen of water from q
passing sOldier-and was rejoicing over
the prospect of feast fit for a king
hard-tack and coffee. While waiting
for the water TO boil I had sat down,
l.
over my feeble fire, and being weary,
it is Just possible that I fell asleep.
Whether asleep or awake the follow
ing visions passed before my mind: [
was up North among my friends and
acquaintance and was warmly greeted.
There was rejoicing on every hand, for
the "cruel war was over, " and the flag
of our Union" foated over the whole
country, It's honor no longer divided
with another. BOnfires We're burning,
cannOns were booming, and orators
were shouting themselves hoarse.
while bands were blowing Hail Column
bia" and "The Star-Spangled Banner"
to tatters. In fact, the whole country
had gone mad with iov. I was re
ceived everywhere as a hero, and
proudly walked at the head of long pro-
cessiOns in my thread-bare Uniform.
far prOuder than king in his robes of
purple and gold.
Then the scene suddenly changed
The year was 1862; stood before a
humble cottage, n cottage covered with
trailing vines and flowers, but the
fairest flower of all stood in the door
way, and, extending her hand, greeted
me warmly. This was heaping Goals
of fire on my head, for L had scarcely
DGG4 true 10 4GL 5LllL WAS uDG untrue,
only a little hayward, that was all.
Then she talked of parting, as she
had on a former occasion, and gave the
young soldier excellent advice, caution
ing him against all excess; "and, above
all things, be true to your country,
truer than you have been to me. You
are now going where you viii know
something of the realities Of war, some
thing of a soldiers life Invested of tin
sci and gold. Realities viii meet you
on every hand, cold as the steel of
your sword, and as broad as the wound
In our cOuntry's heart.
The next moment her fine lip curIed
and her manner towards me changed,
and IN place of soothing words, the
last parting was disfigured by sour
looks and upbraiding short, we
parted In anger. This was a true pic
ture of the parting which burned into
my heart, and this was the mountain OF
lead that / had carried In my breast
for many day.
How long 1 slept know not, but
was rudely awakened by the grinding
step of q man on the pine needles
and the rustling Of dogwOod bushes.
On opening my eyes, / saw the head
and shoulders of man peering over
the low bushes near me. Although he