The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-05-18

HlhHcHliyi Wy Nohtihu'uo O'ciWHeIuIibS
labors, exhaustion and loss of sleep-many
died from these causes. And | can beal
testimony that the reasons were ample.
Hardly necessary TO recite attention Il
the fact that II was leading principle II
that war-as II alias much as possible Il
keep the armies disencumbered of impedi
menta. Nothing, nor all, so encumbering
as sick and wounded men-except sick
,o0meA-as have heretofore shown From
the first, I'll communication with the real
was closed, on the Great March to the
Sea, orders were frequently sent down from
superior headquarters to send all sick not
likely soon TO convalesce and all disabled
from wounds to northern hospitals. Else
at any time, we should have been wholly
overwhelmed.
n Is not to be presumed that sickness and
disability were confined TO enlisted men,
Reckoning the large roster of fully ap-
pointed regiment, and 1t aggregates about
forty. Remarkable If these escaped, when
sickness 80 prevailed among privates.
Without here making full report, 1t may
be said that Col. Hit had received very
severe injuries before Corinth; and in
these latter days of June, still endeavoring
to keep on duty, was forced temporarily to
yield. Desiring to afford himself, If pos
sible, better chance for recovery than he
could have In camp, he obtained place In
the country, few miles from Grand juno
ton at a house where one of our division
picket posts was established; whittier he
was accompanied by Lieut.. Crawford, of
Co. L, who had from Pittsburg Landing
been suffering from the then prevailing
complaint. Though II was log house, 1t
was of the better sort, having several rooms,
with many conveniences. The lady, of
course, the wife of rebel, accepted the
situation" with becoming grace. think
she passed as widow, but 1t was after
wards found that her husband was promi-
nent In the war. 1t followed that the Col.
onel and Lieutant Crawford, were likely to
need some medical attendance equally
that 1t must be rendered by myself. l have
the impression that one or two other Off
GERS convalescing were there to recuper
house affording room,-all turn.
ing in rations to the family commissary in
part account for board; being no open
market near.
One day, soon after the arrangement was
made, word came TO camp that these "out'
patients desired my attendance; and Col
Cushman proposed to accompany me, in
the two.fold capacity of guide and visitor
to the officers. And one of the objects
had In introducing this incident, was TO
relate what seems remarkable iale cir
oumstance. About year or two before the
war opened, several of our friends in La
Sale had heard reports that little son o
Col. Cushman had died of poisoning BY
eating some berries of the deadly night
shade, which 1t had picked by the road
side, near the Colonel's residence, In East
Ottawa, A lady school teacher, who then
boarded In the family, was much attached
% the child; cared for 1t tenderly till death
snsued; incurred II deeply afterward and
o the obituary notice appended some lines
If which remembered two or three. The
,hild's last words were, "Oh, I'm so tired"
She introduced this In one of the verses:
"pm tired" he said, and gently died.
If he were tired, that happy one,
Who is not weary meath the SUM-"
have spoken of the Colonel's punctili,
BUSINESS. In starting on the expedition, we
we're both duly equipped as the law di-
ects." | was careful to take my position
o the Colonel's left; especially particular
o keep my horses head a little behind
hat OF his, for have said the Colonel
vas very punctlllous; and always took
are to observe "good form" In his pres
ence. His bearing was ever strictly mill
airy, and he was a good equestrian.
A man who could talk fast enough in
private life, he was somewhat reserved,
md not without a certain hduteUr when
wearing his insignia.
1t is my Recollection l rather lead the
conversation on this occasion, The course
If It brought reference to the dead child
ndiiTerently ignoring he asked, What
,hlld was that" related the entire cir
as here stated.
Must be mistake" he said. owe
lad no such child as you mention; nor lost
my in the circumstances describedw
From then till now, this was ever
mystery. When opportunity offered to
INQUIRE into 1t determinately, my memory
allied AMI would forget It, But the facts
ire distinct In my mind. Others than l
alked of the circumstance at the time {;
md that the Colonel should have so coldly |
md impassably ignored 1t, ever has seemed
The visit to Col Hit and Lieut. Craw.
ford was, In way, an event 1t was variety.
A picket station, details for that service
we're there from the sd and other regi- |
nents of the LIST Brigade; with CAD. Seth |