The National tribune., 1889-08-22
A PREMONITIoN.
A Gallant soldier Goes to Certain Death.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: / note with
great interest the items given in your paper of
incidents of the war. ! have not found any
yet from the 45th Iowa. and but few from the
25th Iowa. / am personally connected with
one Of those sad incidents which can never be
removed from my memory. During our tran
sient rendezvous near Memphis Tenn, in the
month of June, 1864, we were in doubt as TO
where we would be sent. We had in our COM
pany one Of those free hearted, lively, care
Driveway fellows in the person of Comrade
Robert A. Long. COrp'l Long was the songster
OF our company, and was specially gifted in that
talent. We all loved Robert, for no one could
feel bad il Bob" was round, for he could soon
have the boys dancing or roaring with laughter
at his matchmaking. Noble, generous hearted
was our Robert, who was a fine specimen OF
physical development, and who happened 70
my mess-mate. Soon, however, our anxiety
10 move was gratifed, but TO what point OF the
compass remained 10 Us, as to all other soldiers,
unexplained. Sunday morning, the 26th day
Of June, opened up 20 us with its balmy still
ness. the birds seeming 10 withhold their usual
morning chorus when the drums began the
reveiIle. aud the Orderly flying around among
his company with Fall in. Go. G-every man
OF you be ready to move in FIVE minutes"
While the boys were getting knapsacks, tents
etc, in readiness, C0rp'l Long came 10 me and
said:
Lyons, ] feel strange to-day. don't know
why. But am going 10 be killed. wish you
20 take this picture of my sisters and these let
ters Of mothers aud fathers aud this Tesla
ment. and should / never rstnrn again, please
send them 70 my mother in Iowa"
'Why, Robert" said ], ''what makes you so
sad. Have you not as much security and guar
aBtee OF safety as Others Of our comradesr Be-
sides, il will he terrible 10 think Of you being
killed, as we can't get along without you,
Robert"
81 can't help It," he said. "something tells
me will not see the setting of to-aay's SUM-"
Well, Robert" said 1. g hope you will find
yourself mistaken and be with us again soon !;
and 1 will take special care of these articles
which you intrust 10 my care, aud should cir
cumstaBces require that deliver them 10 your
people, will do so. And now, Robert las we
Rrasped hands,, good-by, and do not feel so de-
spondent, for we hope 70 meet you round the
mess tonight"
! shall never forget the expression In bis
face Is he said farewell, aud no word ever sank
deeper into my heart. The noise and confusion
was soon removed by the orders from the Lieu
tenant Colonel, aud at q Right face-march Z"
the regiment, with Co. q and our Robert, was
soon away aud on the cars. In short time we
saw the train pas us la the distance and We
turned our attention 10 duties incumbent of
hospital service in the field.
The regiment moved at about 9sc0 a. m.
While i was busy in the forenoon. probably
about IL q. M, the telegraph brought us the
sad intelligence Of the death Of Robert A. Long
IL seems that one of Go. Gs men was wounded
by bush whackers aud the train stopped, RS il
became necessary 10 leave this man IL a small
station (ColliervilleD in charge Of Surgeon
and three men. After the detail was made out
IL was filled by mistake. Robert Long being
one Of the detail, and another man had taken
his place. After the train started the officer
In charge called on Robert (who was still on
the moving train 10 come and help. Robert,
on hearing his name called. began 10 make all
haste 10 get off. He threw his gun, and it
stuck in the ground on the bayOnet. He then
climbed down the end Of the freight-car. aud
got around on the bumpers in order TO Jump
out. The train had now gained considerable
velocity. Robert made the spring. but there
was a large nail driven into the end Of the car,
which caught his knapsack- strap just as he
sprang, and he fell beneath the wheels OF that
heayiy-loaded freight train aad IL cars passed
over him about the middle Of his person.
While the second car was passing over him
he reached out both hands for help, but, alas
too late, as bis body was fattened as thin as a
silk ribbon. We at the field camp could not
believe it, until a second telegram confirmed
the first as fatally true. The weather being
very warm, they could do no more than bury
our comrade under the spreading branches Of
q large old oak near Colliervilie, TO await the
morning when we will all be called together 60
answer the great rolI-call beyond. / would
like 70 hear from others Of the 45th Iowa-O
]. LYON, Co. q, 45th Iowa, Sabetha, Kan.