Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-10-22
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
AMONG THE SLAIN.
a Pathetic Incident of the struggle Be
tween Grant and Lee.


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 it. 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 confe6erates from dis
covering what was taking place II
was a curious coincidence of war that
Lee was also moving by the flank, both
armies marching in parallel lines from
battle field which had yielded neither
victory nor defeat to either side.
Post No. was under large tree on
the edge of a thicket. To the south
there was strip of open ground, then
a 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 musketry; but this
was but blutf-a bit of acting to COW
err the real design. had been nearly
an hour on the post without anything
happening to alarm me, when / heard
> person moving in the thicket across
the open strip.
Was it a person? Riderless horses had
galloped about that day almost without
mum Der; this might be one which had
found shelter in that thicket.
Rustlel Rustlel Stepl Stepl
1t was a cautious movement Who
ever it was hoped to reach me without
discovery, but there were dead leaves
underfoot and the thicket was dense A
hare could not have moved without be-
traying its presence.
Rustlel Rustlel
kneeling down so as to see under the
darkness, as it were, l suddenly made
out black object against the dark
background. 1t is neither horse nor
mule; it is a human being. scout
from the enemys picket post, only
quarter of mile away A wounded
man hobbling about to find succorl One
of our own scouts returning!
who comes here?"
There is silence for fifteen seconds,
and then woman's voice answers:
II can't find the PLACED 1t is so dark
can't find the placel''
Ayel it was a woman's voice and it
had a sob in it, too A woman there in
the darkness between the hostile lines
with powder-smoke still in the air,
with stray bullets darting through the
thickets with whizz, as Of some great
insect stirred to angerl
''Who comes heTe?"
II wish it wasn't so dark am so |
tired-so tiredr'
And then she came to the open strip
toward me, making no stop never hesi-
tating walking straight up to me, as if
she could see as well by night as in the
sunsh ne of day
Il can't find the place." she sobbed,
as she came TO stop within arm
length.
Good God womanl but what are you
doing here?" gasped, almost terrified
at her presence.
"Seel See" she replied. holding a
bundle out towards me Zone time /
saw beautiful spos in the woods. and
said to myself that if he died would
bury him there, but l can't find It'll
can't find itl'
'What is it woman? What have you
got there?'
"Seel Seel Don't be afraid. He's
dead. He can't speak or move. Take
himr'
She put bundle into my arms and
cried out and let fall my musket II
was the body OF baby about a year
and half old Dead? Yesl Dead
from a cruel bullet which had pierced
It's little body and left great wound
which looked horrible to me in the dim
ight Dead and cold and bathed in its
own blood-dead for hours And when
reached out and touched the shawl or
wrap worn by the mother my fingers
burned at the feel of blood
II have carried him such long, long
way" she moane6; land have seen SO
many dead men and heard so many
yunsl You'll help me. won't you-help
ne to find the place and bury poor
Daby?"
WAS it your baby? Did you live in
he cabin beyond the thicket?" l asked,
till holding the little corpse.
He was SO happy" she said, as she
,atted the little bare head with moth
'rly hand. "And was so happy, tool
lie won't never laugh and crow again,
win he? I've got to find that beautiful ,
'lace and bury him, haven't 1? And
+ou'n help me; yes, know You will,
or you don't swear and curse at me-"
She had lost her mind Think of it.
N insane mother wondering over a
,loody battlefield with her dead child
n her arms. She had but one idea-to
Jury it in dell which she had once Wis
ted and remarked its beauty-a dell in
which federal or confederate were
doubtless then burying their own dead
knew not what to do / could not
cave my post and did not want her to 5
o neutrality-suspicious.. ! was trying to
oothe ana quiet the woman when she {
cried out:
All 1t is rot so dark now and / can {
ind the place. I'll go on ahead and
'he grave and do you follow on with 7
'aoy. Poor baby He won't know
he Is buried will he? I can find