The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-06-19
A PRESENTlMENT.
An Irish Soldier Who Knew He Was Go
ing e, Die-A War "Reminiscences.

An Irish Soldier Who Knew He Was GO
ing 81 Die-A War "Reminiscences.
In the autumn of go Gen. Mcclellan
was relieved from active duty in the
Army of the Potomac and Gen. Burn
side assumed command. This change
was very unpopular with the boys, who
loved Little Mac and who felt a great de-
gree of uncertainty in the ability of the
new commander. There was wide spread
discomfort in the ranks in consequence
Of this change. Added to this, the in
vincible strategists at home were still
clamoring for a forward movement, re-
gardless Of time or favorable opportunity
In view Of these facts, it was deemed
absolutely necessary that battle should
| be fought under the new leader at the
earliest possible moment. The first
battle of Fredericksburg was the result
| On the day of that battle our brigade
! climbed the heights on the southeasterly
bank of the Rappahannock, opposite
| Fredericksburg, and halted upon the
summit near some heavy batteries AS
we looked down upon the river with its
slender pontoon bridge, with the city
upon its opposite margin, and as we
raised our eyes to corresponding heights
| Just back of the city, frowning with can
| non and breastworks and swarming with
Confederate soldiery, painful and over
towering sense Of the impossible task
! before us and the deadliness of the IN
dertaking in all its horrible magnitude,
forced itself upon the minds of all
present.
A sense of duty, the imminence of the
great dangers before us, and the near
ness of the conflict, served to close up
the ranks and to keep nearly every man
in his place.
had been detailed with small squad
to act as provost general to prevent fall
ing out and struggling to the rear. Dur
ing the short halt on the brow of the
heights, before the march across the
river, several Of the boys came to the
rear of the column to leave with the
chaplain valuables and messages to their
friends in case anything should happen.
Among the number came Mike, large,
powerful and courageous Irishman, a
great favOrite in the regiment, and a
man who had always laughed at danger
and had rejoiced at the opportunity of
having 'scrimmage" with the enemy.
On this occasion he appeared to be an
entirely different man. He approached
the chaplain with tears in his eyes. He
gave him picture of a sister living in
Portland, his Catholic catechism and
other relics, and in choked voice gave
the address of his friends and what he
then declared to be his dying message to
them.
The chaplain endeavored to cheer and
encourage him, but in vain.
Chaplain" said he, I'm not afraid
to fight; Tm not afraid to die; l am not
a coward; but there is something here
(slapping his breast) which tells me my
time has come. Chaplain, will you please
write my sister kind letter? She is a
Christian Catholic and love her dearly"
Soon the word forward" rang along
the line, and Nike, with the tears cours-
ing down his cheeks, grasped the hand
of the chaplain and requested the good
man to pray for him. He then took his
place in the ranks. The long column
began 20 move slowly down to the river,
soon increasing its speed to the double
quick, over the pontoon bridges across
the river into the streets of the city, out
on the plains and hillside beyond it amid
smoke. shot and shell and death wounds,
up to the very frowninS jaws Of death
on the heights beyond. The terrible
charge, the murderous repulse, repeated
again and again that afternoon; the night
c2nnOnade. the long day following Of
sl1irmish and movement. the succeeding
night and the early morning abandon
ment and retreat across the river have
been many times told. AS soon as posi-
bic after the battle the chaplain made
earnest inquiries for Nike; but no Mike
was there TO answer him.
In the terrible charge he was seen
to fall in the forefront Of battle, and was
borne from the field fatally wounded.
His boisteroUs, cheerful voice. good ma
tured colntenancc. rich brcgUe and bury
form. were never again with Us. His
was the most marked and startling case
Of presentiment of coming death or dis
aster that came under my observation in
the army.
Army life and It's dangers made many
Of US believe in fata-th2t the decree OF
the Great Author had Fixed the span Of
life for each one. We are sometimes con
strained 10 believe that very thin cur
tain was stretched between the seen and
the unseen, and that a few noTtals we're
permitted to lock beyond the visible and
to receive the absolute ASSURANCE Of the
future fate II store for them and near at
hand.-L d. Carver in Lewiston Jour
naL