Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-28
writ n for The Evening star
SERGEANT BILLY.
An Incident of Decoration Day and what
Came Of It

An Incident of Decoration Day and what
Came of ~.
Not long after the close % the war. aud after
the country had settled doNn 10 n state a
tranquility, on the So,h day Of MAY the Grand
Army met for the purpose 81 decorating the
graves OF their fallen comrades and of pavins
tribute 20 their memory. The veterans were
Arranging ON Pennsylvanin avenue preparatory
10 their march 10 Arlington. where Law thou-
sands who gave their lives for their countrv's
sake. While waiting for the procession to move
! noticed a fair-haired lad u perhaps eleven
wears approach the commanding ofiocr OF
division and salute him in true military STYLE.
Captain began the boy. Il want 20 20 over
with the soldiers. NV papa was "A soldier. hut
I be was killed at Anueiam. nv dear little
man. replied the officer. he gnzed AZ his
youthful visitor. 1.-THE distance il too great for
you TO cover, and then, again, yoa might get
lost. ="
Some Of the soldiers viii take care Of me.
captain, hyou II let me go, quickly replied Ina
Il guess Won had better not 60 90 far" was
the captains answer a. he walked avay to con-
verse with one Of the aids. Poor little fellow,
his feelings were crushed Feeling sure II sue
! cess, he had told his scho1lmatcs that he was
/ going ~ the ranks and ill his fathers nlaca
/ He walked 70 Che curbstouo and seating himslH
/ NiiNu u " ulH ntiit nuaFt would nsNuk. The
! spirit within me moved and would huve taken
him gladly with me. bu; IN vain did I try 10
console him, tor his heart was n ,cd on filling
the place that his father would have occupied
had he been spared from the rayuges of war
His -obs attracted the attention Of one Of the
soldiers. who asked, ''Whnt'- the matter INV
little soldier bow" The hide follow tried 20
speak. but it was some time before he could
say. Captain won't LET me 60: NV father was n
5oliler and want to go over and roe his grave;
wanted 90 come last wear. bnt poor mamma
was slck 80 much and couldn't work aud 1
couldn't get enough money o. buy thi. gun aud
these soldier clothes. but this wear ! worked
after school and bought them myself. and now
can't go, and again he gave vent
TO his feelings. Dear little man. Won
shAl so, said the tsnder-hearted sol
der what is your namey' BILLY Ken
nedy, was the boys answer, "and INV father
was a sergeant in company "a. seveuty-ninth
New York volunteers ''lhll kcunedy's bow"
sasped olecland. as he grasped the lad. Tor be
TOO had been soldier in the same regiment and
company did you know nv papa" the lad
asked innocently. Big Cleelaud couli not an
swer, Tor he was overpowercd bV rocolloctious
OF the past Of the terrible day nj Antietaru.
| when rebel ball had cut down his old friend
and comrade. BILL kennedy whose parchoa lius
he had moistened IN his diving moments and re-
ceived blessing for IL. Attention" Numbered
down the line. Immediately the column had
obeyed the order. Forward. march, and.
aihlu the stlhlhs on music, the soldiers moved
on their patriotic mission. Bile was with them
marching close TO Cleeiand's side. His little
form was nobly erect; his little gun carried with
military precision. He was as proud asa peacock
and perhaps n little vain. for he wnnted his
schoolmates 10 see him marching with read
soldiers. The procession headed up the becuti-
ful avenue TO the grounds of the Executive
Mansion. where they were reviewed by Presi-
dent Grant. The general, together with a num-
Der OF army officers, was standing on
the poruco, and as the tattered battle
flags met his gaze he displayed a beautiful
kerchief-a complete American flag-and
waved Il to and fro. IL slipped from his fingers
and fell TO the ground just as Billy passed. The
little fellow picked II up and WINS about 20 hand
II back as the general said, Keep n. nv boy,
keep II. BIlly's joy knew no bounds--a hand
kerchlet from the PRESIDENT; what news he
would lnye 20 tell his mother; how proud she
would be. All the way mp the long avenue he
kept looking at his present, scarcely needing
the strain from the long march; but at last the
little form became less erect the little gun WAS
carried less correctly, and ~ ueeland gazed
upon the little face beside him he observed
great tear drops streaming down HE cheeks.
Whats the matter, sergeantY' hs said to Billy.
"l-l-lm afraid i can't go much further"
sobbed the boy; Il m tired out, but | amt
going TO give up. tleeland saw that the Young
hero was in pitiable condition and that every
step he took was absolute torture; the cid vet
eran could not see the boy suffer. and IL was
put an instant ere ne had the boy seated com
fortably ON his shoulders, and IN tins way Silly
reached Arlington. The soldiers Ind prepared
a bountiful lunch. TO which Billy did ample jus
tice, for he was nearly famished. Down
the avenues OF the silent city n goodly
number Of people were strewing the graves
Of the fallen heroes with beautiful flowers,
while the bands played solemn dirges. Clee-
land directed the boy to has fathers grave and
an affecting scene occurred. The little fellow
knelt beside the grave while he read the inscrip-
ton upon the tombstone. For awhile he
| overcome with grief and his sobs brought tears
| to many who had heard the lads story through
| Cleeland. After his tears had spent themselves
he raised his head and, while yet kneeling de-
iyered a most beautiful aud touching prayer,
whose eloquence completely surprised tho-s