Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-10-03
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
AMONG THE SLAIN.


growl Grant had failed to drive Lee.
We knew that from flank to flank. If
he could not force a passage through
those gray lines he could flank them.
Before the sun went down we knew |
that he would do il. 1t was not yet |
night when the movement begun, but |
my division would be one of the last to
move, and we must hold our ground |
and prevent the eonfederates from dis
covering what was taking place. 1t
was a curious coincidence of war that
Lee was also moving by the flank, both
armies marching in parallel lines from
q battle feld which had yielded neither
victory nor defeat to either side.
Post No was under large tree on
the edge of thicket. To the south
there was strip of open ground, then
. thicket, then an old field, in which
stood a log cabin. 1t was a lonely
place, well away from the camps, the
dead and the dying, but was glad to
be alone. All along the lines there
was a growing of muslsetry; but this
was but bluff--a bit of acting to COW
er the real design. had been nearly
an hour on the post without anything
happening to alarm me, when l heard
= person moving in the thiclket across
the open strip.
Was it person? Riderless horses had
galloped about that day almost without
number; this might be one which had
found shelter in that thicket
Rustic! Rustle! Step Step!
1t was a cautious movement Who
ever it was hoped to reach me without
1.,,A
underfoot and the thiclSet was dense. A
hare could not have moved without bs-
traying its presence.
Rustic! Rustic!
Kneeling down so as to see under the
darkness as it were, suddenly made
out black object against the dark
background. 1t is neither horse nor
mule; it is human being. scout
from the enemy's picket post, only a
quarter of mile away! A wounded
man hobbling about to find succor! One
of our own scouts returning!
who comes here?"
There is silence for fifteen seconds,
and then a weman's voice answers:
81 can't find the place! 1t is so dark
can't find the placer
Aye! it was womans voice, and it
had sob in it, too. A woman there in
the darkness between the hostile lines
with powder-smolxe still in the air,
with stray bullets darting through the
thickets with whizz, as of some great
insect stirred to angerl
who comes here?"
81 wish it wasn't so dark! am so
tired-so tiredr'
nd tl,x,u, ho 20 tho "a,
toward me, making no stop, never hesi-
tating walking straight up to me- as If
she could see as we'll by ght as in the
sunsh ne of day.
II can't find the place." she sobbed,
rs she came to a stop within arm s
length.
'Good God woman! but what are you
doing here?" 1 gasped, almost terrified
At her presence.
''See! Sci" she replied, holding a
bundle out towards me- Zone time
saw beautiful spot in the woods, and
said to myself that if he died would
bury him there, but 1 can't find it-I
can't find itl''
"What is it woman? What have you
got there?"
'See! See! Don't be afraid. He.
dead He can't speak or move. Take
him!'
She put bundle into my arms and
cried out and let fall my nusket
was the body of q baby about yea
and half old. Dead? Yes! DeaC
from cruel bullet which had pierced
its little body and left great wount
which looked horrible to me in the din
light Dead and cold and bathed in it
own blood-dead for hours! And whel
reached out and touched the shawl o
wrap worn by the mother my finger
burned at the feel of blpod
II have carried him such long, lon,
way" she moaned; ''and I have seen s.
many dead men and heard so man,
guns! You'll help me, won't you-hel
me to find the plsca and bury poo
baby?"
''Was it your baby? Did you live il
the cabin beyond the thiclket?" 1 asked
still holding the little corpse.
''He was so happy" she said, as sh
patted the little bare head with moth
erly hand. "And was so happy, toe
He won't never laugh and crow AGAR
will he? I've got to find that beautifu
place and bury him, haven't L? An
you'll help me; yes, know you will
for you don't swear and curse at me.
She had lost her mind Think of it
an insane mother wondering over
bloody battlefield with her dead chill
in her arms! She had but one idea-t
bury it in dell which she had once vii
tied and remarked it's beauty-a dell i
which federal or confederate wer
doubtless then burying their own deas
knew not what to do. could nc
leave my post and did not want her
go wandering further. was trying I
soothe and quiet the woman when sh
suddenly cried out:
"Ah! it is not so dark now and ca
f. find the place. I'll go on ahead an
dig the grave and do you follow on wit
baby. Poor babyl He won't kno
kl.,+ ,e ,al will hoo oar g.,