The National tribune., 1888-09-06
A SOLDIER FOR A DAY.
The Captare Of Fort Fisher, n. c.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The following
little episode from the war ! think may inter
est some of the readers of your valuable paper.
As one of the storming party from the fleet
and of the crew from Z. 5. gunboat Chippewa,
who landed on that sandy beach of Fort Fisher
Jan. 10, '65, to take part III the storming of the
fort with the troops under Terrys command, |
relate my little story of the events which oc-
Cured rs | saw them.
To spin yarn is the pastime among sailors,
but our soldier-ComTades OF the GAR. will
spread as much canvas as any Jack tar when
under full sail" Many pleasant hour have I
spent with ever-growing interest in listening
10 some humorous incident of camp life or
tragic scene from the battlefield More than
once has it recalled to me an event from my
soldier day " as touching a scene as I can re-
call. If You will listen TO my tale, will make
il as brief as | can
1t was at break of day. The soldiers lay in
peaceful slumber after their victorious charge
and capture of Fort Fisher A merry crew of
" blue-jackets," belonging to the st0rming party
from Admiral Porter's feet, came cruising"
through the camp, and when about to enter a
bomb-proof an explosion occurred. OF that
light-hearted crew but one escaped, being the
only one to reach the bomb-proof through
which he was sent flying, and buried under
mass of sand and mutilated bodies. To eXtrI-
cate himself took but short time, and after
making sure no damage was done to " hull
or SPAR" stood forth TO take an observation.
No sign Of camp was &c be seen; over those
sleeping veterans old mother earth had spread
her mantle Over the mounds men were max
ing for safer ground, expecting every moment
the whole fort TO be blown up. a calm seemed
to have settled over all, but from under that
cover Of earth came smothered sounds Would
it be possible TO save any of these men! was
the thought of this young sailor, and with
spring he was down by the camp, on his knees
and with his hands commenced digging. Soon
a blue-e0at was eXhumed, then another. While
so ut work men were coming back into the
fort, and with their help the work went on.
Among the few thus saved was one, a large,
fine-looking soldier, with sandy complexion,
not over 80 years Of age, if memory can be re-
lied upon. This soldier, after being restored
to his full senses. gave vent IL heart-broken
words to his lamemtation aud sorrow over a
comyade who had gone to the war with him.
For three years We have faced the battles,
and now, when we were in hopes soon to re-
turn TO our homes, TO lose him now; o, my
GOd!" These were the words that reached
the ears Of those at work, in hopes to fad this
lost comrade. By encouraging words the sor-
rOW-striCken soldier was bid to be Of good
cheer, and when at last the body, and then the
face, all black from strangulation, were eX-
posed TO view, who can express that eager look
Of doubt and fear those trembling lips, when
in the man just brought TO light this bereaved
soldier recognized his lost comrade. BY great
effort, after beating, rubbing, and by free use
OF water, respiration set in; this man SO near
unto death was restored TO his comrade, and as
we viii hope to his beloved ones at home. To
describe that moment when these two were
closed in manly embrace with tears trickiing
down their weather-beaten cheeks and kisses
freely given, is more than pen can do justice
to, and I leave it for you to picture, as none
better than a comrade can understand.
! dot my cOlors. l salute you, comrades
VICTOR LANDERGREN, Z. S. n, Omaha, Neb