The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-06-01
tors In tactics, drill and actual practice Of

hC hihfaNt s''NAi S''-y ~'Nf'e5 6s's"'N
In all directions around the college build.
Ing, save on the side near which had been
cut through the NJ. IL o. railroad, had
afforded the best possible field for drills,
parades and reviews; and especially for
artillery and cavalry practice. was told
that some very prominent rebel leaders
had received instruction there. Ii is prop
er 10 remark that subsequently came 10
the knowledge and inspection of MAJ
ny such institutions during our excursions
through the south. Everywhere there,
also, like evidences that where the least
advantage could be utilized In this direc-
ton, II was done, showing that military
education, firing the youthful southern
heart" and training up its mind TO that
habit Of thinking, had very long been a
chief institution and universal industry
there. Probably no nation nor people, In
the domain of history was ever go united,
during generations, rs were the rebel
states on secession. 1T had been "born in"
all; taught them from infancy up; "grew
with their growth and strengthened with
their strength" Said an old seed rebel of
great force and "inilooence" to me, at the
Meridian Raid, Feb. "a Some o. you.
'uns has got the ideer that there's Union
men In Mississippi. If there is one who
has been residenter in ten yers yere, /
don't know IL. Wuz born an raised yer and
know um'z wells 'nuther man" And he
might have well been called representa-.
tive man.
1t shortly appeared that the alarm and
movement of the previous night had re-
suited, among other things emergent,in first
raising the large station flag on the first
convenient staff in the most conspicuous
position in that region, and converting the
building into temporary reception hos
pital; with the design also of use as field
hospital, should the threatened battle of
the previous night chance to materialize
in that vicinity. My men, sent forward by
ambulances in charge of Mr.. Summers,
had been promiscuously placed among the
rest-the regimental camping place not
having been fixed upon,-l decided that
they remain there until 1t was, having my
office tent pitched on the grounds adjacent
to the building, both for retirement and
near contiguity.
Absurdities obtrude into scenes most
serious. Harlequin is not seldom present
at the court of death! My attention was
shortly called to what Yves said to be a
specially bad case, jaSt brought In. The
man was bad much reduced by the lien
teric diarrhoea, and general debility at
tendant, before referred to, contracted
" Before Corinth." He had been excused
from duty, and rated as "sick In quarters"
His complaints were as clamorous as his
falling strength would permit him to make
them What proved to be on his mind,
however, was not pain, nor even his weak.
ened condition, that prevented his COM
posing himself to rest and needed sleep,
even with reasonable exhibitions of ano.
dynes He claimed much attention
sending urgent calls to me. lie
was of class, who, not "underwitted,"
was said to be "a little otf'-whatever that
Island impossible TO convince by reason.
On minute examination found that while
his condition was serious In all respects,
on his mind explained more
than all his excitement and restlessness.
Urgency of duties forbade unnecessary
of time. Pressing him once
more for all to explain If the flames of
some terrible secret were consuming him OF
what | could possibly do more for him,
he became of blank countenance and left
him.
Requested by the steward to revisit him
sometime later, the immediate process of
death had vlsibly begun; Of which he was
not conscious, as now and then happens
without any self-warning in cases of grad
ual exhaustion. could do no less than
decisively announce to him that "the inev-
liable hour" for him had come. Whatev-
er little services | could do for him would
be done gladly; but no time could be vast,
ed. If anything could astonish me, in a
situation so fraught with surprises and
strange contrasts, | admit the establishment
then. One would suppose that whatever
earthly concerns had disquleted his mind,
the visible and rapid approach of that grim
messenger whose missions are never fruit
less and will never be put off, would have
dispelled all other concerns. What fol-
lowed was ludicrous. At my announce
ment, he instantly appeared horror .strick-
en His whole remaining strength and
conscious soul, seemed. concentrated In the
last expiring effort, when he broke out into
the exclamation: "Dying! Mg GOd!-and
what is to become of my money!" He
had $25 left over from previous payday,
which he had before asked me to keep for
him, as several of "the boys" had some
times doue,-a service had declined
whenever | reasonably could, being a