Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1889-10-04

| nOtnlnR, courage Is eVory tnlnRi Wnen
"a mans man for a. that" and from
the smoke of connics he emerged uu,
harmed and stood forth In bold relief,
a grand soldier OF tho Republic tn,
peer OF my man in the splendid regi
mont that never turned its back upon
the foe. No uncertainty about him
now; knew what he was good for, and
to the end ho had my unwavering con.
fidence and respect Time wore on,
and the term OF our service came 10 be
counted by days His comrades no.
ticed that, Cincinnatus like, his mind
had turned toward the farm again, and
he talked cheerfully OF wife, children
and friends, laying plans for the future
and already treating tho war as n thing
OF the past Conscious of soldiory
record above repronch; happy In the
prospect OF enjoying a well-earned
peace, he went about his daily duties
contentedly humming tho quaint old
tunes familiar TO him in the days OF his
boyhood
He had served up to this time with
out harm, and il he had ever boeu abb
sent from the regiment do not know
it His longings for home were apprc-
ciated by the mon and officers of his
company, and his Captain, having his
safety in view, obtained for him de-
tail in the ambulance corps.
We were now investing the works at
Blakely, busily burrowing in the
trenches, exchanging desultory shots
with the enemy defending them, and
with so little effect that we all became
careless OF results. 1t was the 9th OF
April, only one day before the fall OF
Mobile; only one day before the SUR
render OF Lee; only one day before the
close OF the war. / had just returned
to my tent from n trip along our lines
when some one burst in and said Ser
geant Harte was badly wounded. No
one seemed to know just how it hap
poned, and ! lost no time in useless
questioning, but. under the shade OF
tree, with his pale face turned toward
the east, and far-away look in his eye,
found the man of whom We had been
so solicitous, almost breathing his last.
1t seemed to me as IL his life, from the
guard mount to tho grave, flashed
through my mind with the rapidity OF
Kneeling by his side, talk
ing his cold hand in mine, / spoke, rs
best | could, words OF comfort and
cheer Slowly turning his face toward
me, tho light of recognition came into
his eyes, and, with n smile of rare
sweetness spreading over his face, he
softly said; ITS all right, Colonel"
and gently pressing my hand, once
more turned his face away
With one foot on the threshold OF |
his home, just about to embrace his |
wife and children, he received stern
to about face and take SER
vice forever in another army. Still the
same simple-heqrted, obedient, patri-
otic, uncomplaining soldier, he obeyed
the call without protest There was
nothing could do for man like that,
and with heavy heart / left him
where he lay, patiently waiting his
turn to be ferried over the river to his
new command.
| always think of this sergeant. SO
'ough upon the surface so gentle at tho
core, as typical American volunteer
soldier. A law-abiding citizen. striv-
ng TO do right. as God gave him light,
| lover OF peace, understanding and
the institutions OF the
and a sturdy defender OF them
when attacked.
There are hundreds and thousands OF
hem in this country just like him, and
hey will rise up when occasion re-
Iuires. 1t is this fact that renders
tanding armies unnecessary, and
makes this great Republic the most
peaceful and the most powerful OF all
he nations OF the earth.