The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-06-02

the death-like silence save the groans of the
| wounded and dying and the soft murmuring OF
the blood-tinted waters of the Shenandoah
whispering their funeral dirge to the fallen
brave. The smoke of battle lifted and hung
with undulating motion along the hazy face OF
The mountain like soft, gray curtain, as II TO
unval the dread scene of the strife below, while
the dusky figures OF the litter bearers moved
to and fro on their mission of mercy like spec
tiers In that dread scene of death. The camp
fires of the enemy along the slopes across the
river began TO peep out like glow worms III the
forest, while the pale yellow moon lit up the
picture with melancholy awe and soemnlty.
Through these wierd scenes myself and
four litter bearers deployed as miniature
picket-line and prosecuted our search noise.
lessly until we found the man with sign.
Placing him tenderly upon the litter we con-
veyed him TO our line, which, in disoTdered
lsnguor and WEAKNESS, was stretched at rest on
the stubble in the pale moonlight, like dead
mon. I was delighted to find that my friend,
when placed upon his feet at his request was
able TO stand without assistance. lie conVersed
without reserve and although his LETT wrist
had been shattered by minie-ball, and
another had penetrated his body above the
hin and he must have been suffering excruci-
ating pain, he was the most perfect example OF
innate politeness and gentlemanly dignity that
/ think I have ever seen. Two hours before
we confronted each other as deadly enemies In
war; now We recognized and felt the strong
ties OF brotherhood aud humanity. took from
his breast pocket, at his request, q small blank
book, in which / wrote Lieut.. j.. l.. Polk, Co.
], 43d n C., Wadesboro, n. c. Aud, strange as
il may seem, had been so intensely interested
that had not as yet asked his name. But
did so as / drew a blank-book from my own
pocket snd this was his answer, as wrote 1T
down in the moonlight: Lieut.-Col. Edward
Murray, 18th n. Y. Heavy Artillery, New York
City, These addresses were exchanged with
mutual promise that If either of US survived
the war we would communicate with the others
family. sent him to the field ipfrmary in
charge of Sergeant and borne by four volun-
teer litter bearers with note to the Field Sur
geon, bespeakiug for COL Murray his prompt
and kind attention.
about daylight the next morning the Ser
geant came and aroused me and handed me
this belt, with little note from my friend,
which ran about thus:
My dear friend, Lieut.. POLK:
send you my belt, a. slight token OF my ap-
probation of your brotherly kindness to me. Send
it to your children and tell them how you got it.
Yours E. MURRAY, Lieutenant Colonel, etc.
"Idid not send the belt home, as he requested,
for the simple reason that our railroads had
been cut and was afraid to risk it, so put on
and wore it as long as continued in service.
But the story does not end here. i at
tempted TO send his little blank book contain
ing his address home to my family, but it was
captured by raid made upon one of our rail-
roads near Richmond.
"Some months after the war closed began
TO write to officials and other prominent gen.