Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-01-24
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
HIS LAST BATTLE.
Tho Pathetic End ofn Bravo Young Confcd-
crate Hero.

Ing" says an eX-Confederate, ~ had oc-
casion to visit wounded comrade in
one of the hospitals Mt Memphis. occu-
pying the same ward with him was n
lad fifteen years of age named Charlie
Jackson. His case was hopeless and
the little fellow knew it, Dr. Keller
the surgeon in charge, related his sto-
ry, and it so aptly illustrates the char
acter of the private soldier, whether
fighting under the stars and bars or the
stars and stripes, that it is worthy of
repetition. Several months prior to the
battle his father had raised company,
in which Charlie was permitted to drill,
and eventually he became so expert in
the manual that at times he was permit
ted to net as drill-master. After while
marching orders We're received, when
the father, considering the age of the
boy, and probably his own paternal
feelings, told him that he must remain
mt home. To this Charlie strongly de-
INJURED, and gave his parent to under
stand that If he could not go with him
he would join another company. Yield
ing to his obstinacy, n sort of silent con-
sent was given, and the lad left home
for the front with the rest of the boys.
"The regiment to which they belong
was ordered to Burnsville, several miles
from Corinth. Here it remained until
the Friday or Saturday preceding the
battle, when orders were received to re-
pair at once to the field and take pos
session. Charlie was asleep at the time
of the departure, and the father, un-
willing that one so young should under
f,As. - ,.Nff
ty miles and the dangers of the coming
fight, gave orders that the boy should
not be aroused When several hours
afterward, Charlie awoke and took IN
the situation of affairs he instantly de-
termined to follow. Selling his gun he
started alone on the trail of his absent
regiment. Hour after hour he trudged
along, and just as they halted prepara-
tory to going into battle, he succeeded
in joining his company. His father chided
him, but how could he do otherwise
than admire the indomitablc spirit of
his boy? The fight began and Charlie
was soon in its midst. A bullet struck
him and made an ugly wound that
would have sent most men to the rear,
but the lad pressed on with unchecked
enthusiasm, firing, cheering and charg-
ing with the remainder of his regiment
until at late hour of the day he fell
with another bullet in his leg. Giving
n cheer he called to his father to Go on.
Don't mind me. Keep on. I'll lie here
till you come back This, of course,
the feelings of the parent would not per-
nit him to do, and taking his son in his
arms he carried him to the. nearest field
hospital. A day or two after the battle
the little soldier was sent to Memphis,
feeble, yet lull OF hope and courage.
when DR.. Keller, the surgeon-in-
chief, examined the wound he saw that
the poor boy was beyond recovery, and
that an amputation of the limb would
only increase his sufferings without pro-
longing life. Chall lie noticed the sober
countenance of the physician as he
turned away to break the mournful
news to the weeping father and mother,
for nothing could be done but admins
ter opiates that would allay the pain.
When, few minutes afterward, the
surgeon returned to the bedside of the
sufferer, the young hero abruptly met
him with the remark:
doctor, will you answer me
straightforward question and tell me
the truth?"
1.-The physician unused moment, then
said: Yes, Charlie, will; but you must
prepare for bad news
'"Can live?"
mo; nothing can save you but mir
acle. You have a mortal wound"
'"Well, thought so myself was the
response. Il feel as if l was going to
die. Do father and mother know this?'
'"Yes,' answered the surgeon, Il have
just told them
'"Please ask them to come in here
''When the parents had done so and
taken their places by the bedside Char
lie reached out, and, grasping their
hands, said:
"'Dear father and mother, Or. Keller
says that can't live. I'm not afraid to
die, but want to ask your forgiveness
for all the wrong have done. have
tried to be good boy in every way but
one, and that was when disobeyed you
both and Joined the army. i couldn't
help that, for felt as if l ought to be
right where you We're, father, and to
fight as long as / was able. I'm only
sorry that l can't fight through the war.
If I've said or done any thing wrong,
won't you forgive me?'
The afflicted parents could only weep
their assent.
"'Now, father" continued the boy,
'one thing more; don't stay here, but go
back to the boys in camp and tell them
how you left me. Mother will take
good care of me, and you are more
wanted in the company than in the hos
pital. And, father, tell the boys how l
died-just as a soldier ought to, and that
shall watch them and pray for them
in camp and in battle
"A few days afterward Charlie
breathed his last, and the soldier told
me that, Injured as he was to spectacles
of suffering and woe, when he stood by
the side of that dying boy his heart
overfowed in tears, and he knelt down
and sobbed like child. In. Y. Press.