Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-03
The Private Soldier,


From the Union Veteran.
The private sol dier deserves some public rec.
ignition at the hands OF the country, sa we'd by
his loyalty and courage The parks and public
squares of our city bear the names of distin-
guished leaders Of the army and navy and elab.
crate statues in bronze and marble will carry
their name and fame down to future ages.
There is a glamor surrounding military men
who wear stars and gold lace on their uniform.
that is wanting in the plain private soldier in
the regulation blue blouse. But there can be
little dispute as to whom the country il mos,
indebted for its victories on land and sea. Dur
ing the four years Of war for the Union the
rank and file braveiy withstood the shock OF
battle and bore the heat and burden of siege and
march. They carried their guns and knapsacks
on campaigns. in rain and sleet and mud, and
at night they slept on the damp ground with the
sky alone for a covering. They formed the Skin
mish line and the advance guard, and with sword
or bayonet charged the enemy in the fercest
conflicts. while their comrades we're falling
about like autumn leaves, cut down by the
leaden hail from rifle PIT and battery. Their
courage was attested in every engagement from
the beginning to the close of the rebellion.
With McClelland in the Peninsula, with Steele
at Little Rock and Camden, with Thomas at
Chickamauga, with Sherid Ian in the Shenandoah.
with Sherman in his march to the sea, with
WITH
Grant at Donaldson Shiloh, Vicksburg and
Appomattox-through all the private soldiers
performed their part a. bravely and nobly as
their commanders. Shall we not give them
equal recognition? By the memories Of their
hardships in camp and field and prison pen. by
those who fell in battle and those who still live
to join the reunion this year at the national
capital let us do an act of justice by erecting
here a monument to their valor and LOYALTY.
Let the G.. A. II. and the U. v. U. orders call
for q subscription for the purpose. The re-
Spouse would be liberal and a fund could soon
be raised to build suitable testimonial to per-
petuate their service and gallantry. Shall we
be less grateful to our defenders than ancient
Hellas? Greece was saved by the brave 800
under Leonidas Mt Thermopolea. and above the
bones of those who fell at this fatal noun tain
pass was erected a monument with the inscrip-
ton, "We lie here in obedience to our country"
More than a hundred thousand equally brave
in the war for the Union gave their lives for the
same purpose. They were the very flower of
the land. They did not leave farm and shop
and college for pay or for a commission. An
unseifsh patriotism has Set its seal upon their
motives and embalmed their memory in the
hearts Of their countrymen forever. MANY of
them were well educated and fitted 10 COM
mand. Those who escaped the perils of disease
and battle returned to prove their manhood in
the peaceful walks Of life. They have made
good citizens. They have taken conspicuous
part IN pubic AFFAIRS and hled every situation
with honor and credit. Their monument should
be worthy Of their services and As enduring as
brass. Shall it be lofty, imposing arch, span
ming Pennsylvania avenue ct Market place? l
would have it elaborate in design and artistic in
construction, embracing emblematic represent
ations Of every rank and grade OF the service.
Above all, at the very center and summit, /
would place the private soldier In blue, to whom
Columbia il directing tic admiring gaze Of
every other figure in the group a. with one
hand she places the wreath Of laurel on his
brow and with the other points to the legend,
IAN our victories We owe TO thee"
J. !. THOMPSON.