Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1889-05-22

G days battle OF Shiloh with the
firm conviction that one of us must fall.
This You may call superstition, or what
you will, but the soldier understands
the pressure of these peculiar conyic-
tions, which to him are premonitory-
shadows Of events cast before their
coming. As / have said, we were SOL
der friends-in fact, we were bound to-
gether by a far more delicate tie-our
hearts beat NJ one, and we soon ascer-
tanned that the above premonition set
foot in our consciousness at the same
moment, and thus, to us, became truth.
It was with dreadful apprehension
that we bivouacked in clump of bushes
. little apart from our companions after
the terrible first day Of Shiloh. Being
worn out with fatigue we forgot i'm
pending danger, falling asleep as soon
as IN heads touched our k~napsacks:
sleeping as sweetly on the ragged edge
of battle Is though nesting in our own
warm beds at home.
During the night I became conscious
that Jack had lefs me, but gave the
matter no thought, and was soon
dreaming OF q white cottage with O fair
face at the window-it was my atii-
anced.
Some other faces appeared at the
window and | recognized my mother
and sister. While I gazed in ecstasy
upon my loved ones, q shadow rs of
impending evil yelled their faces, and
they raised their hands as in warning.
Their attitude and the intense longing
created in my mind seemed to Cypress
me, and . sense Of falling took posses
sion of my mind. There was q load
upon my breast that was hurting me
downward as an mrolite until I sank in
earth and was lost. The shock awak-
ened me, and / knew that q human foot
vas upon my breast. On opening my
eyes l saw that my friend lucknow q
fiend incarnate-was standing over me,
with glazing eyes and tightly-drawn
lips. In the dim light of the stars and
the moldering fire, his eyes shone like
those of . beast ready to spring upon
its prey. The truth burst upon me at
once. Jack had suddenly become de-
ranged, caused no doubt by exposure
and insufficient food and poor water,
and here stood the maniac with one foot
upon my breast and o sword-my
sword-at my heart ready to thrust.
Seeing my eyes open he exclaimed:
~Poor Frank, l pity you. Your friends
are calling from the other shore and I
will send you to them"
Knowing that it was useless to pit
my puny arm against this mindless
giant, / humored his within, or, rather,
threat, saying: @I'm ready, Jack; yea,
anxious. Strike home, that no time
may be lost. l can brook no delay.
Farewell! Remember me to Cleo"
This was . happy thought, for / had
no sooner spoken than in a loud voice
he declared: aYou would rob my sister
Of hersweetheart! You shall 20 North"
Then in . lond voice he gave the order:
Right about, face! March, Obedi-
ent 10 the order he brought his sword
to position, and obeying his own order
fell heavily upon the ground, while
blood burst from his mouth and NOSE III
profnsion. The loss Of blood relieved
the pressure on his brain, and he re-
turned TO consciousness. We at once
conveyed him to the field hospital.
where he was we'll cared for. He was
soon ordered North, but never recov-
cred. He slowly faded as the flowers,
and died unconscious of the terrible
night assault upon the friend that he
loved an his life.
BARRE CENTRE. N. Y.