DeSoto times. (Hernando, Miss.) 1879-1898, 1890-03-27


"ouhueo 10 effect their escape, and tc
the broken and re:reating companies to
REFORM and again to face the enemy.
Throughout the whole affair. Drake'o
activity skill, and extraordinary self.
possession, wore conspicuous. The enc.
my OF course, observed it as well as his
lriends. The numerous shots directed
az MIN, however, like the arrows of
ieucer aimed at the heart of Hector,
were turned aside by Providential inter
ierence' until he had accomplished all
mat he had been sent to perform. He
then received ball through his BODY,
ana tell. A faithful corporal came to
MS assistance, and with his aid he
reached the fort; and those two were
Vhe last OF the retreating party that en-
tered 1t; Drake made it point of honor
that 1t should be So Mr.. Drake was
rendered unfit for duty for long time
Dy MS wound; he had not, indeed, re-
covered from it in the summer of 1896,
when he was my guest, at Fort Wash
lngton (Cincinnati), (where I was in
command) on his way, on furlough, to
visit his native State, Connecticut. His
friends, however, enjoyed his presence,
buta a short time; having, as | under
stood, taken the yellow fever in pass
Ing through Philadelphia, he died in
few days after he reached his home.
Il have another instance to relate:
AN officer of the army had so often
and SO unnecessarily wounded the feel
ll5s of another of the same corps, the
duties of which made their association
indispensable, that he considered him
self bound to demand satisfaction in the
usual way They met, and the injured
man fell, receiving mortal wound, as
it was anticipated he would, from the
superior skill of his antagonist in the
use of the weapon which they used.
Being possessed of high grade of tai
ents and an amiable character, he had
the sympathy of all the officers. With
others, visited him after he had been
removed to his quarters. lie expressed
a desire to see the officer with whom he
had fought, and I was present at the in
terview. | wish | could describe, as it
merits, this interesting scene. The cir
cumStances attending it were so deeply
impressed upon my mind that they can
never be effaced as long as memory
holds its seat.
'In the tent were some half dozen Off.
GERS, the friends of the dying man (fo1
he had, from his amiable qualities, many
and warm ones), exhibiting unequivocal
evidences of their sorrow. Conspicuous
above the rest, and near the head of the
rude couch, was the manly form of the
of the corps to which both
the duelists belonged (the beau ideal of
valor, and the CheValier
Bayard of the army, endeavoring to
Stife, as best he could, the feelings
which agitated his bosom. At little
distance, and in full view of the victim
Of his passions, sat insensible -;
but must restain the Indignation which
| still feel. He was my brother officer;
we shared together the perils of diff
cult war; and in battle | know that he
lid his duty; and, whatever might have
been his conduct to others, | never had
any reason to complain OF
him. But there he sat, apparently, at
least, unaffected by the mischief he had
lone, by burying in an untimely grave
man who had never injured him, whose
arm might be needed in the pending
decisive battle with the hitherto
enemies Of his country, and
whose intellect might at some future
lime have been usefully employed in its
councils.
"The severe bodily pain which the
living officer had for some time suffered
lad ceased, and that calm and ease sue
,eeded which is the unequivocal har-
1inger of approaching death, and which
. gracious Providence has provided for
he mortally wounded soldier, to enable
lin to offer last prayer for his distant
amilv, if he has one, or for the pardon
If his own sins. Turning his intelligent
,ye upon his late antagonist, he mildly
aid: "He had desired to see him for
he purpose of assuring him of his sim
ere forgiveness-tha he wished him
,appiness in this world-and that, as
he means of securing it, he recon-
nended to him, with the sincerity of
living man, to endeavor to restrain the
yiolence of his passions, the indulgence
If which had deprived one of life who
lad never injured him in thought or
Iced IN. Y. Ledger.