Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1892-06-23
oua SoLnlras
Our SOLDIERS.
spoken by Miss Lisetta Biederman az Fo-ri
more Reunion.

QUA SOLDIERS.
spoken by Miss Lisetta Biederman al FernL
more Reunion
We live on day after day eniovin0
the blessings Of free and progressing
nation. Do we ever pause a moment.
ard ask to whom we are indebted for
all this? DO we stop in this turmoil Of
life and bless our soldiers, thank our
God for giving us such brave and noble
men?
Our soldiers are our sufferers. Wa
can not realize how much they endur-
ed. None but the soldier can tell what
1t is to depart from friends and home
where all is bliss and happiness, for the
bloody fields and there stand face to
face with death.
We can not see an individual expire.
though stranger or an enemy. without
being sensibly moved and prompted by
compassion TO lend him every assistance
IN our power. Every trace of resent
ment vanishes in moment; every other
J
emotion gives way to pity and terror.
In the last eXtremities, we remember
nothing but the respect and tenderness
due to our common nature. What a
scene. then, must a field of battle pre-
sent, where thousands are left without
assistance, and without pity. with their
wounds exposed to the piercing air.
while the blood, freezing as it flows.
binds them to the earth, amid the
trampllng of horses, and the insults of
an enraged foe! If they are spared by
the humanity of the enemy. and carried
from the field, it is but proloncation
OF torment. Conveyed in uneasy yehic-
les. often to remote distance, THROUGH
woods almost impossible, they are
lodged in ill-prepared receptacles for
the wounded and sick, where the yari-
ETY. of distress battles all the efforts of
humanity and skill, and renders it inn
possible TO give to each the attention he
demands. Far from their native home.
no tender assiduities of friendship. no
we'll known voices. no wife or mother.
or sister, are near to soothe their sor-
rows, relieve their thirst, or close their
eyes in death! Unhappy mani and
must you be swept into your grave
unnotlced and unnumbered and no
friendly tear be shed for your sufferines.
or mingled with your dustP
But for him who fell while defending
our flag. the poet has written these
lines.
Though thou art fallen, while we are free
Thou shalt not taste the death
The generous blood that flowed from thee
Desdained to sink beneath;
Within our veins its currents be,
They spirit on our breath"
We must remember however. that "a
a very small proportion of military life
is spent in actual combat, so is
very small part of its niseries
ascribed to this scource. Confined to n
scanty or unwholesome diet, exposed in
slekly climates, harassed with tiresome
marches and perpetual alarms. their
lie is continual scene OF hardships
and danger. They grow familiar with
hunger. cold and watchfulness. Crowd
ed into hospitals and prisons, contaeion
spreads among their ranks, till the
ravages of disease exceed those of the
enemy.
Enough can not be done for those
who survived the horrors of our late
war. They are deserving of every
honor we can bestow upon them. We
respect them for their faithfulness.
They are the pride of our country, the
wealth of the world
Soldier rest thy warfare DER.
Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking,
Dream Of oattled fields no more,
Days Of danger nights n waking.