The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-11-24
MURDER or MERcYs

J. A. watrous in Chicago Times Herald
"Was It MURDER"
No; II was mercy.
The questioner commanded a company
at Williamsburg. the first battle of magni-
tude fought by Gen. Mcclellan. The next
day the captains regiment was visited
by Mcclellan. While I'm line Little Mac"
rode to their front and warmly thanked
the men for their superb conduct. His
command was i'm the brigade of Han
cock, the superb" II was Hancock's
first battle as a brigade commander; it
was there that he established his repu-
tation as a commander and a fighter;
there that he endeared himself to his
men; there that he was marked for pro-
motion and a higher command.
After the battle the captain went over
the field and assisted In caring for the
wounded and gave directions for the bur-
ial OF the slain. one young man, an as
ISOLATE in school, a lifelong friend, was
shot through the body-mortally wounded
His sufferngs were intence. lie knew he
had to die His ceptain and comrades
knew he must soon pass away. lie
beckoned the captain to come cloac 10
him The officer sorely afflicted at the
loss of his friend. and in great agony oyer
his sufferings. knelt by his side, took his
hand and listened to the messages he
do you think am going to Ole, cap
tain? Don't be afraid 70 tell me"
II am afraid you are, old friend.
II know | must die. ! wish l might dfe
now, this instant. Only God ard myself
know how / am suffering. Come closer; let
me whisper to you. captain, IN God $
name help me out of the world-free me
from this torture. DO not be shocked; 1t
would be no crime. 1t Is the last favor 4
have to ask; IL Is the greatest favor J
ever asked Of anyone; If you love me
"a I lrFa Nrffr ~ mo ffFf az -
world. DO Il now; do il any way. This
pain is unbearable; it will make only IL
few hours difference. Help me, captain.
Oh, help mel
"Can't do ii. my dear boy; can't do It.
/ know IL would be a mercy; / know It
would a kindness; know II would not be
a sin, but how can do ity' The captain
gently pressed the poor boys hand, said
gOod-by, and started away The young
fellows groans drew him back. Again he
knelt at the sufferers side. With his
eyes and his lips he begged again ana
again for help" once more the officer
started away Again he looked back a.
his comrade Then, as If he had nerved
himself for action, he reached into a
pocket, took from it box and from tina,
morphine enough to produce the fnai
sleep His courage was weakening He
stood looking at the soldier, offered a s.
lent prayer, and then sprang 10 his size,
gave him the medicine and a drink from
THANK you. captain, thank you; God
bless you-God bless you. A thousand times
] thank you. l have not been a very bad
boy have I2' The captain could not an
swer but / wish you would pray for me
pray just little God knows / am not
afraid to die: that's what / want most to
do but pray for me. please, captain" The
officer was not praying man, butsthere.
on that battlefield. surrounded by dead and
dying, he prayed for his comrade and ask
ed the Almighty to forgive him if he had
done wrong In Fastening the soldiers ap-
prOach to the pearly gates and golden
streets al the end Of the last march.
II was not long until the pain ceased t.
was not long until there was another sol
dier to bury-another recruit for heaven
In telling the story the captain said: 4
have never felt that ! did wrong. There
murder: IL was mercy. Strange as q may
seem, good came TO me from the scenes
/ witnessed that evening, for the part /
took in the quiet tragedy. Howe III tell
you Not a morning or an evening, sick or
well has come and gone since that sor-
rowful event on the field Of Williamsburg.
nearly thirty-four years ago, without see
ing me on my knees IN prayer. Don't
smile when tell you that nothing but ex-
IRENE sickness or death win interfere with
that custom
Isn't there a sermon In that remark2
u Is a sorrOwful story. this Of the dying
soldier. but II Is one phase OF army life M
those years from 1861 10 1865 VIII the read
er be shocked when ] say that there were
hundreds Of Instances whore Door fellows
begged for such help and were helped in
both the unicn and confederate armies7
Many pleaded in vain. IL required more