The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-06-29


 disasters of December all along the line had cast gloom over the Union army which it was not easy to dispel
 To check desertion President Lincoln gave up reviewing the decisions of court-martial and the
 first shots we heard fired were for the execution of several poor devils who were to strve examples to the rest of us If we tried to play truant. After Charlottesville we began 10 feel like old soldiers, because we both came of without a scratch. As 1t happened, our regiment was not in action again until the second day at Gettysburg. But how we wondered what was the m aning of our hurried flight to the northward during the latter part of June,
 We soon found out what it all meant-Lee had started to invade the north and we were after him. Nobody needs telling about the three first days of July, and least af all that lovely "The Hill, in whose dear heart a wound was made that only death can heal
 good many of us got letters from home while we were waiting at the Potomac. Among the lucky ones was Dick Harper, who seemed 10 get a letter or two whenever mail came into camp, and wrote one whenever he got a chance, no matter how trying the circumstances.
 On the | st we were marching all day, and got into position late at night. We heard on all sides gloomy tidings. Some said there was a very fair chance of the whole army being wiped out next day. l was tired, but poor Dick was cheerful and confident and by the light of a cook fire in gully at the rear he wrote this letter to Miss II, which, unknown to me- he slipped into the pocket of my DlOuse, prOOAOly Wmle WAS asleep:
 "My darling, you probably know the news of tbis day better than can tell 1t. We are face to face with Lees army, and at day break to morrow will begin battle on which hangs the destiny of the country. l believe we shall win, but the cost will be heavy. cannot tell you how my heart yearns for you this solemn night, while all around me weary men are lying fast asleep on their gunp, to be awakened at dawn by the bugle call only to be laid low by the shot of the enemy! My soul seems to draw near to you, and feel your sweet breath on my sunburnt cheek, and know that we shall soon meet, if not at home, why then in paradise"
 Just open the window, please, it's getting close here, That's better.
 Of course gave her the original when I came home with a broken leg, but I've always kept this copy as kind of angels message that seemed to have something divine about it.
 We'll, during that day, the second our regiment suffered fearfully, and about noon l missed Dick, whom & few minutes before l had seen fighting like tiger. The day passed and l neither saw nor heard any thing of him. The dead and wounded were too many 10 be numbered, much less to be identified. The line driven back and almost broken, but we rallied, and the night came on, helping us to hold our ground.
 My only thought was for poor Dick. Neither officer nor private had seen him either dead or alive, and became convinced that he had been shot dead and fallen into of the numerous gulies which furrowed the ground where stood during part of the fight. The thick smoke had concealeo ms Iall, Wnlcn nau pernaps, been seen only by )me of those who went down with him. On the third, was shot through the leg, and sooD afterwards was sent home
 In the reports Dick was classed among the "miss- ing" as his body not found, and when l got home Miss H. was lying at the point of death from the cruel blow occasioned by his loss. Hundreds of the bodies of men slain in cannot be recog- nized, and l always believed, until the mystery was cleared up, that Dick was to be classed with these.
 Miss H. was taken abroad by her parents for change of air and and did not get the letter had for her until the following summer. From that moment she began to look better. The fact that his last thoughts were of her and Ot heaven seemed to bring 8 ray of sunshine into her heart and though she continued to we bla K and hh never broken that custom she took more active