Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-23

the patncIc cOmpOSlllOn, as IL Was OH
ginally written by Matilda" and sent
by her to Lizzie" l may add that
have obtained this copy from Lizzie"
herself, who is still living. and a resi-
dent of this place. Before / proceed to
give an account of its origin. let Us all
read the poem over once more. Here
it is:
The Dyins Soldier.
BY Matilda.
(Affectionatey inscribed TO Lizzie
ChrStie)
Colonel Christie. OF North Carolina.
fell mortally wounded at the battle OF
Gettysburg while CALAMITY leading his
men against the enemy's breastworks.
He was taken to Winchester. Va, where
he was nursed tenderly until his death.
ling Lizzie. but when she reached Win
chester he was dead. His last words
were: kiss me for Lizzie')
''Tho bravest are the tenderest;
The loving are the daring
1 am dying; is she coming? Throw the
window open wide.
Is she coming? Oh. love her more than
all the world beside;
In her young and tender beauty, must,
oh, must she feel this loss?
Saviour, hear my poor petition; teach her
how TO bear this crOss.
Help her TO be calm and patient when
/ moulder In the dust:
Let her say and feel. my Father, that
Thy ways are true and just.
Is she coming? Go and listea; l would
see her face once more;
l would hear her speaking to me, ere
life fevered dream Is Ger;
! would fold her TO my bosom; look into
her soft. bright eye;
L would tell her how / love her, kiss her
once before | die.
Is she coming? Oh! it's evening, and my
dazzling comes not STILL
Lift the curtain. IL ETOXg darker. IL Is
sunset al the hill;
All the evening dews are falling; l am
cold--the light is gone.
Is she coming? Softly, softly, come deaths
silent footsteps on.
/ am going; come and kiss me; kiss me
for my darling wife:
Take for her my parting blessing; take
the last warm kiss Of life.
Tell her i will wait to greet her where
the good and lovely are,
In that home, untouched by sorrow; tell
her she must meet me there
Is she coming? Lift the curtain. let me
see the falling light;
OH want to live TO see her; surely she
will come tonight!
Surely, ere the daylight dieth, / shall
fold her 10 my breast;
With her heart upon my bosom, calmly
l could sink TO rest.
II Is hard TO die without her. Lookl l
think she's coming now:
i can almost feel her kisses on my faded
cheek and brow;
can almost hear her whisper, feel her
breath upon my cneek.
Hark. l hear the front door open. Is
she coming? Did she speak?
No. WELL drop the curtain softly, i shall
see her face no more
TIL l see il smiling on me on the bright
and better shore.
Tell her she must come and meet me In
that Eden, land OF light;
Tell her Ill be waiting foe her where
there Is no death-no night.
Tel! her that called her darling, blessed
her with my dying breath.
Come and kiss me for my Lizzie; tell her
love outlivcih death
SKETCH OF COLONEL CHRISTIE.
Daniel Harvey Christie was born in
Frederick county. Va, in March, 1888.
When quite a young man he went to
Heathsville, Northumberland county, Va,
to reside. Here he met Rev. Robert b..
Thompson, a minister Of the Methodist
Protestant Church, who afterwards in
duced him to settle in Napsemond ceun-
~. Being an Asaph, with a charming
voice that swsyed the mnltitudes who
heard him sing. he was soon led to organ
ize and instruct classes In vocal music In
the latter county. While thus engaged he
met Miss Lizzie A. Norfieet in Suffolk,
to whom. having won her hand and
heart, he was married on the 22d day Of
November. 1856. During the first two
years succeeding his marriage he lived in
Norfolk. Va. where he was engaged in
the commission business. From Norfolk
he vert with MS family. In 1858, to reside
In Henderson. n. c., where he conducted
. military school until 1861, when he re-
turned to Suffolk for a brief period. When
the tocsin of war was sounded In 1861 he
was called by his North Carolina friends
to the position OF major OF the Thirteenth
North Carolina Infantry Regiment, which
was organized at Weldon. n. c. Suisse
quently the regiment became the Twenty
third. and Major Christie was made its
colonel-a gallant regiment. with gal
liant brave, and handsome colonel.
AT GETTYSBURG.
Having previously made for itself, UNI
der its intrepid leader an enviaole record
for daring and bravery. the regiment won
for itself fresh laurels at Gettysburg. In
the battle at the latter place Colonel
Christie was Ia the front In command OF
VERSIONS Brigade when he was shot
through the lungs. Though the ball was
extracted. the wound proved fatal few
weeks afterwards at Winchester where
he died at the residence OF Mrs Smith.
who nursed him tenderly til the end
came.
Mira. Christie. with her three children.
WAS q refugee at Henderson. N. c., when
she received telegram from her husband
saying he had been wounded and was
slowly on his way home. A day or two
later the Northumberland Of the regi.
ment feIegraphed her to come at once to
Winchester 10 see her husband. who had
grown worse. She started Immediately
on the sad journey, but made slow pro-
gross. owing 10 the imperfect facilities
for travel. and the difficulties growing
out OF General Lees retreat 4 week