Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-19
RESTORED AFTER MANY YEARS.
The Body of a Young Confederate OFF,
Ger Taken Back to His Old Home.

To the Editor of THE EVENING STAR:
While our late war is to many only a sad
memory and to others only history, more or
less colored, incidents connected Herewith are
frequently recorded which prove how the hand
of time has softened its asperities and evidence
the brighter and better side Of mans nature.
When first was sounded the bugle call to arms
a company composed of the flower of the young
men of their neighborhood enlisted under
trusted and gallant leader and left their homes
in the parish of st. Martin, La, for the seat of
war in Virginia. There on many a well-fought
field, from the first battle to the last folding of
the confederate colors, they displayed their
bravery and proved their devotion to the flag
they followed, the greater number sealing that
devotion with their lte's blood.
Among them and one of those who found
soldiers grave i'll the sacred soil" was young
officer barely twenty years of age, who both as
boy and man had been a universal favorite.
The same traits of character which had made
him beloved at home followed him into the
camp and endeared him alike to the officers
and men Of his regiment, the eighth Louisiana,
which formed part of Stonewall Jrckson's di-
vision. When the bloody day at Malvern Hill
was almost done this young officer fell to the
earth III death, pierced by ball from the
ranks of the enemy his command was sorely
pressing.
When night had come and partly hidden from
the sight of the men the bloody work they had
done i'll the bright light or day the sad duty of
burying the dead remained to be performed.
In hastlly-made graves, by worn and weary
comrades, the fallen were placed for their final
rest. There this young officer, with the others.
has lain III all the years that have since elapsed
until a few weeks ago One of his brother Off
GERS, as a last testimonial of his friendship.
had. after much search, found a thick pine
board, upon which with pocket knife he had
cut deeply his name, Edmond Leblanc, his age,
rank and regiment, and this board he drove
into the earth at the head of the grave.
The superintendent of the national cemetery
in that locality an old soldier who wore the
blue, while lately walking over the memorable
battle field, which now gives little token of
the deeds once done there. stumbled upon this
headboard, and reading the tale it told, lofty
and generous impulse seized upon him and he
determined if possible, to restore the remains
of the young officer to the family who must
have held him very dear. He wrote to the gov
ernor of the state, Nichols, and was put in
communication with the friend of the occu-
pant OF the lonely grave.
The sequel might have been witnessed few
days ago i'll the old town of st. Martinsyille,
whose beauty III the olden time was by Long
fellow. i'll Evangeline, so sweetly sung. long
funeral procession composed of former COM
radcs, OF old people who had known him as
boy and OF the young generation which has at
tanned manhood since the day he marched
forth to his death. followed the remains of the
young soldier to the family tomb, where young
girls scattered garlands OF flowers and eloquent
tributes to his memory were spoken, while the
knightly antagonist who had thus restored his
body to his family and friends received full
need of praise Should Superintendent Os-
borne visit st. Martnsvlle. it is safe to say
he will receive an ovation. L.