The National tribune., 1892-04-07

the blue ether above and pour forth strain OF
sweetest melody, with the last note of which il
expires
As well in the Bernese. as also in the Val
laise Alps of Switzerland, i have met with
many a hardy Alpine guide and hunter, and
nearly all have asserted that the chamois as
well as the eagle, there called lammergeier,
although shot through the very heart, will give
forth one long, piercing cry before exhaling
their last breath.
This death-note the Bernese "4elplers, y
who speak German dialect, call the gem
senschrei" for the chameis and the "geier-
schrei for the eagle, while the Montagnards
Of the Nallais, who speak a French "patois."
call the former ale cri du chamois," AMI the
latter Ie cri du faigle." This notwithstand-
ing the fact that the graceful mountain goat
and the powerful king of the feathery tribe re-
main mute during their whole existence.
Lord Lytton believe, says somewhere: "A
mystery is not necessarily a miracle" The
death-scene which Il shall here attempt to de-
scribe | will not even cndeayor to explain.
The Surgeon who had the case under treat
ment said: q IL this is not miracle, it GER
tainly is a mystery"
There probably never existed a military de-
pot Of such gigantic proportions as were devel-
oped at City Point on the James River during
the last year of the war. 1t was in fact an inn
mense city-mainly of canvas. Not only was
it the base Of supplies of every kind for the
Army of the Potomac around Petersburg and
the Army Of the James, near Richmond, but it
contained also the storehouses of the Christian
and Sanitary Commissions, the German Relief,
State Relieis Of every State that had Union
troops in the field. library, innumerable sut-
Ter stores, headquarters offices, and an i'm
mepse hospital in tents, which could accommo-
date from three to four thousand sick and
wounded until such time as the great steamers
L.. Il
situated in various parts Of the Northern
States
To these sufferers, after the roaring of the
cannon, the whistlng of the shells. the tramp
ing of horses the Unionist battlecry. the pierre
ing rebel yell. City Point was haven of rest,
peace, and quiet. To the troops detailed to
escort Confederate prisoners of war bither from
the front it was source of great comfort, for
IT was not always possible during fighting
times TO provide large army scattered over
many miles of wet Virginia clay with alb the
necessaries of life, that our soldiers clothing
was quite frequently in sad plight, both as to
cleanliness and whoeness. visit to City
Point was therefore considered a great boon,
inasmuch as the mentioned Commissions and
reliefs would supply any petitioner most lib
orally with the creature comforts asked for.
In no other place has one the same oppor-
tunity of observing how men pass from
this life into the Great Unknown as in hos
pital. Upon the battlefield there is no time
for observation, much less for reflection. Here
your friend Is struck down, but you cannot
stop; he falls, your comrade of many battles
of many faithful watches on the alert picket
line in the silent darkness of the night: per
haps You have just time TO grasp his hand in
last farewell, to say to him one last sad word,
look once more into his beloved features and
on, on you 60 to victory,-to your own death
perhaps.
Towards the end Of the great struggle late
In March and the beginning of April. 1865, the
hospital at City Point became very much
crowded. Every day the trains from the front
brought large numbers Of wounded victims of
the severe fighting at Five Forks Southside
Railroad, and nearly all along the line invad-
ing Petersburg.
On the I'd of April was also wounded, and
on the 4th arrived at City Point where was
placed in hospital-tent containing II beds, all
occupied by wounded men.
On one bed lay a man, tall and well proper
TONED, about 40 years Of age, apparently, with
silky beard and beautiful large blue ewes.
Who he was and whence he came no one could
tell, least of all himself, for he was shot Just
below his nose, the ball having penetrated
through his mustache and lodged somewhere
inside. Being also wounded in his right hand.
he was incapable Of writing. His mouth was
very much swollen, and his lips were firmly
smut. be was LED with liquid food through the
hole made by the bullet, by means of tube
As he had lost his cap we could not even 10.
cate him as TO his company. regiment, State, or
Army Corps. Speech was to him an utter i'm.
possibility, and the attending Surgeon had no
doubt that he would before long succumb to
lockjsw.
But il he was denied the privilege of utter
snce, he was unquestionably close observer
on and eager listener to, what went on around
him. You could tell that by his eyes which
were such mirrors Of his intellect as to be al
most speaking-eyes; and he was certainly very
fond Of music. This we discovered very soon.
There was in the same tent young soldier.
almost boy yet, from Massachusetts reg-
ment. de had comparatively light wound in
one ankle. dc possessed the gift of song in an
extraordinary degree Sing he would as long
as be saw he was not disturbing the rest or
comfort Of any Of Us, for he was very consider
ate. Ills voice was so sweet and soft and gentle
that we would rather have him sing than not
IL was evident TO everyone by the eager
look of our unknown patient that he greatly
enjoyed the youngsters free vocal concerts
which showed the boy 10 command quite an
extensive repertoire of love and patriotic songs.
his fayorite apparently being the martial tune
Of
We coming, Father Abraham.
Three Hundred thousand strong.
Whenever he would sing this our silent COM
Tade would gently beat the measure with his
unin jured hand upon the counterpane. and his
eyes would-oh! how they would speak
But he was visibly becoming weaker from day
10 day.
On the occasion OF President Lincoln's visit
20 Richmond Immediately after its surrender
he came 70 see US also. think ID was on April
y. lie shook hands with US all and addressed