The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1892-11-12

The time had come for him TO gb lack
TO his regiment, and the train was
nearly due upon which he was to take
his departure. AS he turned to go he
said: "Good-by, Mr.. H, ! want to
thank you for the kind things you have
done for me. My time has come to 60
shall never see you again"
Struck by this remark, as well as his
impressive manner, / replied: "Cheer
up, Dan. No doubt we shall meet
often again. When the war is over,
you will come back here 10 live, and
perhaps you will bring that pretty
Winchester girl with you. Good-by
and good luck to you. Don't have any
evil presentiments now, but go away
with light heart Write me when
you can. shall always want to hear
from YOU"
He gave me his hand and slowly an
swered ''Mr. H, shall never re-
turn. think the contest now going on
will result in final victory to the union
cause. The government will be saved;
but shall not live to see it. do not
hesitate to go. 1t is in the line of duty,
and a brave man ought never to fear
death. shall probably die in battle;
but, whether in battle or elsewhere, my
death is sure TO come before the war is
over. Good-by.
He went away. Feeling a deep in
terest in the young man, and believing
he was entitled to a better position
than that of private, interested my
self with the authorities, and in a short
time it was arranged that he was TO be
appointed lieutenant in one of the
companies of the One Hundred and
Fourth regiment, then forming, with
headquarters at Camp Massillon. His
credentials were duly made out and
forwarded to the colonel of the Seventh
regiment, then in the field, with in
structions to send Wright to join the
new regiment in Ohio. The papers
reached the regiment the day before
the battle of Cedar Mountain. Wright
was sent for, informed by the COM
manding officer that his commission
had been received, and he could go inn
mediately to Ohio.
Dan replied: 81 am glad to receive
this appointment, and will try to fill
the place acceptably, but 1 hope, sir
you will permit me to remain here g
few days. We are probably on the eve
of an engagement, and l shall be bet
ter satisfied to stay with the boys till
the fight is over. 1t wouldn't be manly
to go away now"
The request was granted. The mex
! day occurred one of the bloody battles
, of the war. In the heat of the con.
, test the Seventh regiment was hotlJ
/ engaged and suffered from tremen
dous fire of the enemy.
' Dan Wright was wounded by sho
in the face. Capt. Reed said to him
: "You are badly hurt; better go to the
. rear"
, Dan answered: "It is not so bad, cap
? tain. l can still use my musket."
? Hardly had the words been uttered
: when another ball came and buried It
self in his brain. He fell dead ON tn
: field.
e The battle still waged with terrible
f fury, and when the day was over tn,
g ground occupied by the union army il
S the morning, with its bloody burden o
l. union dead, was occupied by the con
federate forces. Dan Wrights life wa
S over. His prophecy was fulfilled.
J, day or two later the daily paper
d announced the fact that in the battl
It of Cedar Mountain the union loss wa
n fifteen hundred killed, wounded an
d missing A little later the list of dea
e was given, and in the list was the nam
v of Dan Wright. 1t was only one lif
:, gone out, and to the great world &
t, large little notice was taken of it. Bu
J. up in the good old town of Freedom
n where Dams people lived, the news wa
q received with sad interest. Men an
II women talked in low and tender worC
" about the lad who had grown up
their midst, and who now slept h
re- last sleep ON the field of battle. {
n course, his body was not recovered
e and they could never give it the rite
20 of burial, and they could have Il
e. funeral in the ordinary acceptation
IS the term. But they determined to hay
20 funeral services, and so on one Sunda
afternoon the church bell was rum
) and people from far and near gathere
n at the church.
at was not a preacher, but they aske
ne me to speak for them, and consente
re The gray-haired and venerable past,
r. was there, and made a prayer full
of tenderness. l did the best 1 coul
v. Dan Wright's character and life, h
IN services as a soldier, his bloody al
r.. heroic death, and the cause of Il
q union in and for which he died, flu
h. nished grand theme. 1t was te!
,e enough for good many sermons.
w This was only one life among Il
Mt many, and the blood that trickled fro
lis his dying wounds went to make up Il
great river whose increasing volun
nt bore red contributions from millit
th homes.
lie Here, in the ordinary course of thing
Ii my little story should draw to clos
nd But while 1 have my pen in hand
n wish to record further incident co
ut nected with Dan Wright. Fifteen yea
he after the close of the war letter W
10 received one day by the family of D
10 Wright l don't remember to whom
We was directed 1t was postmark
ot Charleston, S. G. When opened it w
a found to be written by person
he whom they had never heard. 1t stat
ad in substance that the writer was,
nd 1862 soldier in the confederate arr
nd under Jackson; that he was at the bt
lid tie of Cedar Mountain, and when t
he contest was over he and some of
comrades were detailed to bury t
er- dead; that among the union soldie
,se who had fallen on the field was a you
of man of dark cOmpleXiou and someWh