The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1893-01-14

evil preSentimentS now, but go away
with light heart. Write me when
you can. i shall always want to hear
from yon."
He gave me his hand and slowly an
swered: MIR. 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 q 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 n deep in
terest in the young man, and believing
he was entitled to better position
than that of a private, interested N.Y.
self with the authorities, and in 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 ont 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
handing officer that his commission
had been received, and he could go i'm
mediately to Ohio.
Dan replied: Il am glad to receive
this appointment, and ! will try to fill
the place acceptably, but hope, sir,
you will permit me to remain here a
few days. We are probably on the eve
of an engagement, and ! 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 next
day occurred one of the bloody battles
of the war. In the heat of the con-
test the Seventh regiment was holly
dous fire of the enemy.
Dan Wright was wounded by a shot
in the face. Capt. Reed said to him:
lyon are badly hurt; better go to the
rear"
Dan answered: sit is not so bad, cap
tain. / can still use my musket."
Hardly had the words been uttered,
self in his brain. He fell dead on the
field.
The battle still wagcd with terrible
fury, and when the day was over the
ground occupied by the union army in
the morning, with its bloody burden of
union dead, was occupied by the con-
fcderate forces. Dan Wright's life was
over. His prophecy was fulfilled.
day or two later the daily papers
announced the fact that in the battle
of Cedar Mountain the union loss was
fifteen hundred killed, wounded and
missing. A little later the list of dead
was given, and in the list was the name
of Dan Wright. 1t was only one life
gone out. and to the great world at
large little notice was taken of it. But
up in the good old town of Freedom,
where Dams people lived, the news was
received with sad interest. Men and
women talked in low and tender words
about the lad who had grown up in
their midst, and who row slept his
last sleep on the field of battle. OF
course, his body was not recovered.
and they could never give it the rites
of burial, and they could have no
funeral in the ordinary acccptation of
the term. But they determined to have
funeral services. and SO on one Sunday
afternoon the church bell was rung,
and people from for and near gathered
at the church.
Twas not q preacher, but they asked
ne to speak for them, and consented.
The grly-huired and venerable pastor
was there, and made prayer full of
tenderness. did the best / could.
Dan Wright's character and life, his
services rs soldier, his bloody and
heroic death, and the cause of the
union in and for which he died, fur
nishcd grand theme. 1t was text
enough for good many sermons.
This was only one life among the
many, and the blood that triclxled from
his dying wounds went to make up the
great river whose increasing volume
bore rcd contributions frora million
homes.
Here, in the ordinary course of things,
my little story should draw to close.
But while have my pen in hand,
wish to record n further incident con-
nected with Dan Wright. Fifteen years
after the close of the war a letter was
received one day by the family of Dan
Wright. j don't remember to whom it
was directed. 1t was postmarked
Charleston, S. c. When opened it was
found to be written by e person of
whom they had never heard. 1t stated
in substance that the writer was, in
1862, soldier in the confederate army
under jackson; that he was at the bat
tie of Cedar Mountain, and when the
contest was over he and some of his
comrades were detailed to bury the
dead; that among the union soldiers