The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-03-31
Three Soldiers Loves.

Many incidents in the life of soldier
are quite affecting, as witness the fol-
lowing fact related by one of the ectors,
now resident of Philadelphia:
sin the fall of '63, we were on the
march from Culpeper Court House to
the Rappahannock. One day our regi-
ment, the Thirteenth Pennsylvania
cavalry, encamped at the town of JEFF
fersonville, where GreggH, In whose
brigade was, proposed to take rest.
Everything about US was peaceful and
we made ourselves quite comfortable.
That night when we stretched ourselves
beneath the trees the three tent mates
Edell, Cameron and myself-talked, as
all young people will, over their love
affairs. Each one had a girl who was
waiting for him at home; each one had
selected some business in which he
would embark when the war was over,
and we were all happy over the early
termination of the war, as we believed
its days were numbered. The three of
US talked in whispers long after taps
had sounded, but each one passed into
the land of nod with the anticipation of
pleasant dreams of love and home. It
seemed to me we were all in much
better humor on this particular night
and we closed our eyes while the
twinkling stars seemed to watch over
US with benign kindness.
"Exactly how long we had slept do
not know, but the stars were still
twinkling when we were suddenly
aroused by rapid firing. We jumped
to our feet and ran for our horses.
Then in quick rapidity came the bugle
blasts Of boots and saddles,' then
mount and we stood awaiting the
next order. Daylight had Just COM
menced to dawn and things commenced
to be visible. The firing was all about
US, but as yet we had not had sight of
the foe. 'Dismount-spare man hold
the horses, was the order which next
greeted our anxious ears. We knew
what it meant. We were to act as skir-
mishers. The horses were led to the
rear and we began filing out in the d.
rection Of the firing. As usual, Edell,
Cameron and myself were together.
AS we marched along we chatted over
the affairs which had engrossed our at
tention the night before, and 1 am sure
no one of US believed that our last con.
versation on earth had taken place.
"Retire, retire." cried our captain as
we caught vOlley of musketry from
the front and another from the flank.
We tried to execute the order, but he
might as we'll have ordered us to fly.
Edell started for the right and we un-
dertook to follow him, but it was no
use; it was now devil take. the hind
most and each man. did the best he
could for himself, We had not gone
far to the right when our progress was
halted by whitening volieys then we
started to the left and the same recep-
tian met us in that direction. Thus
far Edell, Cameron and myself had
managed to keep together, but now we
became separated. The firing became
more and more severe, at length ran
plumb into the rebel lines and was
made prisoner. Where my COM
panions were 1 did not know, but
shortly after was taken was marched
to the rear, and as we marched along 1
saw the body of poor Cameron lying by
the path. knew him at once and
asked permission to take farewell
glance at his face, which my captors al
lowed. AS turned him over little
hole in his forehead told the story-he
had been hit by bullet and had no
doubt died instantly. When we reached
the rear of the rebel lines form was
carried by me which l thought recog-
nized. 1 took a closer look and Edell's
body was before me. He had been hit
in the stomach and died within an
hour. Thus had the two young men
who the night Before had opened their
book of life and anticipated many
pages yet to come, now shut the book
forever. I was taken. to Richmond,
and thence from prison TO prison until
/ had spent the best part of sixteen
as q prisoner and was returned
a physical wreck to my home at the
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