Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-10-14
A BABY AMONG THE SLAIN.


A BABY AMONG THE SLAIN.
An American officer writes of one OF
the conflicts in the Civil war:
Darkness had come at last, and the
roar of battle had died away to a low
growl. Grant had failed to drive Lee.
We knew that from flank to flank. II
he could not force passage through
those gray lines, he could flank them.
Before the sun went down we knew
that he would do it. 1t was not yet
night when the movement began, but
my division would be one of the last to
move, and we must hold our ground
and prevent the Confederates from dis
covering what was taking place. 1t
was a curious coincidence Of war, that
Lee was also moving by the flank, both
armies marching in parallel lines from
battlefield that had yielded neither
victory nor defeat to either side!
Post No. 7 was under large tree
on the edge of thicket. To the south
there was strip of open ground, then
a thicket, then an old field, in which
stood a log cabin. 1t was a lonely
place, we'll away from the camps, the
dead and the dying, but I was glad to
be alone. All along the lines there
was growing of musketry; but this
was but a bluff-a bit of acting to
cover the real design. had been
nearly an hour on the post without
anything happening 10 alarm me, when
I heard movement in the thicket
across the open strip.
Was it person., Riderless horses
had galloped about that day almost
without number; this might be one
which had found shelter in that thick
ct.
Rustic rustic Step step! 1t was
a curious movement. Whoever it was
hoped to reach me without discovery
but there were dead leaves underfool
and the thicket was dense. A hare
could not have moved without betray'
ing its presence.
Rustic rustic! Kneeling down, sc
as to see under the darkness, as il
were, suddenly made out black OBJ
liect against the dark background. II
lis neither horse nor mule !; it is hu'
man being. A scout from the enemy's
picket post, only quarter of a mile
awayp A wounded man hobbling
about to find succor? One of our own
scouts returning2 "Who comes here?'
There is q silence for. 15 seconds, and
then a woman's voice answers: 81
can't find the place! It's so dark
can't find the place."
Aye it was woman's voice, and II
had sob in it, too. A woman there
in the darkness between the hostile
lines-with powder smoke in the air
and stray bullets darting through the
thickets with whizz, as of some grea,
insect stirred to anger
"Who comes here? ~ wish II
wasn't so dark! I am so. tired-st
tired p' And then she came to the
open strip toward me, making no stop
never hesitating, walking straight uI
to me, as if she could see as we'll BY
night as in the sunshine of day. "l
can't fine the place." she sobbed
as she came to a stop within arm'
length. "Good woman! but what art
you doing here?" I gasped, almos
terrified at her presence. "See see !
she replied, holding bundle out to
wards me. "One time saw a beauti
full spot in the woods, and said to my
self that if he died 1 would bury hin
there; but can't find it can't fine
tw "Wbat is it, woman? Wha
have you got there ?" See! see
Don't be afraid. He's dead. He cam
speak or move. Take him."
"She put bundle into my arms ane
cried out and let fall my musket. Il
was the body of baby about yea
and half old. Dead? Yes! Dead
from a cruel bullet which had pierced
it's little body and left great wounc
which looked horrible to me in the din
light Dead and cold and bathed il
Ii its own blood-dead for hours ! Anc
when I reached out and touched the
shawl worn by the mother, my fingers
burned at the feel of blood. Il have
carried him such long way she
moaned; 'anG 1 have seen so many
dead men and heard so many guns
You'll help me, won't you--help me
to find the place and bury him there :?
WAS it your baby? Did you live in
the cabin beyond the thicket" | asked
still holding the little corpse. He
was so happy she said, as she patteec
the little bare head with a motherly
hand. And I was so happy, too
He won't ever laugh and crow again
will he? I've got to find that beautl
full place and bury him, haven't !
And you'll help me, l know; yes,
know you will, for you don't swear
and curse at me-"
She had lost her mind. Think o.
lit-an insane mother wandering over
bloody battlefield, with her dead chilo
in her arms She had but one idea
to bury it in a dell which she had once
visited and remarked its beauty
dell in which the Federals or Confed
crates were doubtless then buryine
their own dead. l knew not what te
do. I could not leave my post and
did not want her to 60 wandering fur
ther. 1 was trying to soothe and quie1
the woman when she suddenly criec
out "Ah! it is not so dark now anc
1 can find the place. I'll 60 on aheat
and dig the grave and do you follow