The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-06-23

SAD RITES OVER LOST COMRADES.
MORE TROOPS AT CAIRO-PoMP AND
CIRCUMSTANCE OF WAR.
The two wounded boys died shortly after
Bronson reached the hospital with them.
The next day there hung over the camp the
sadness that always reigns after the first loss in
battle Violent death was as yet too startling
visitor not to have his presence cast long
continuing gloom over the comrades of the
slain The flag of Fort Defiance, raised To
half-mast hung detected in the melancholy
drizzle that fell from the slow-moying, dark
clouds. The dark waters of the Mississippi
hurried past as if fastening from one scene
of desolation to another to where they could
wreak more. When the rain ceased for
little while the band came out and played
the ''Vacant Chair"
Meanwhile some carpenters belonging to
the regiment were hard at work making with
tools and lumber procured by the Quarter
master, three plain but neat collins for the
dead. The bodies, prepared as near as posi-
bic to the way they would have been at home
were placed in them, and when all was
ready the funeral was ordered to take place
The entire regiment, headed by the hand
playing a 1irge. marched with arms reversed
to point on the levee which had been
selected as the burial place, there being no
other ground in the neighb0rhood high
enough for the purpose Our old acquaint-
ance, the Rev. Aaron Narbrett who had
been commissioned as Chaplain of the reei-
ment, conducted the spiritual part of the ceTe-
monies. His ire as not abated in the least
by the sadness of the day and the 'untoward
occurrences OF the previous night. His zeal
had the feTyid temperature of molten iTon
which decomposes the cold water thrown
upon it into fuel to heat itself still hotter
He had ridden at the head of the column
with the Colonel on the expedition, and dur
ing the wirole of the weary night march his
high, nasal, sing-song voice rang down the
line with words of cheer and encouragement
to the boys. 1t Is one OF the Inconsistencies
of human nature that we always love tie
man who is willing to lead us into danger.
and so those who had sneeged at his cant and
sniile " now reyered his vocal Ina!ueTism
as Characteristic of the voice of inspiration.
When the regiment was drawn up along
the levee near the graves, and facing the river,
and all had come to parade rest, " he took
his place il font and gave out the old
familiar hymn:
''Sold eIoof Christ arise
And put your arIlor on.
Strong IN tire str, Myth which God SUPPLIES
Through las Eternal son"
Hundreds Of voices which had sung the
hymn IN other days in the church and
Sabbath-scbool now sang il with new mean
lng and with an emphasis that brought the
echo ringing back from the green wall of
cottonwoods or the Missouri shore.
The singing finished, he reciied in high.
Teedy, incsiye tone that penetrated TO the
well-spring of every hearers emotions and
brought all into instant accord, the Saith
Psalm, that lyric of wars passions, so full of
hopeful comfort for those who are in the right
and so OVERLOOKING with terrors for those in
the wrong.
He continued ia the same kew of impas
stoned recitation:
These comrades whose bodies we now
commit TO the earth TO await the Resurrection
are pledges TO God and the country for the
complete fulfllfaent of our duties. They
nave gwen all there is of earth for the cause
and by 50 dong have solemnly bound us TO do
even so much, rather than see that cause fail.
We cannot turn back now, since their blood
kas been shed Did we dare to do 50 their
stony eyes would haunt us through life. and
their spirit voices whisper 10 Us in the deal
hours Of the night: We died for our country:
why feared We to do likewise q
And how could our consciences answer
that question: They are our first sacrifices
upon the altar OF freedom. Their innocent
blood, shed by tTaiiorous hands calls for
each one Of Us to be an aveneer The desc.
iatlon which viii enter their homes with This
mouTniui news must be visited 70-iold anon
the homes Of their muIderers. 1t mnst
sharpen each OF our bayonets and give deadly
direction to every bullet We fire
We lay their bodies here bv the side of
the great river whose waters our muskets
must and viii free from the accursed do,,in-
Ion OF rebels and traitors Every stem that
we march will he in that direction. Every
wave that ripples past their graves will be a
message from them 10 Us to persevere in the
good work, and desist not until the last
enemy Is kneeling in the dust suing for mar
1oh; GOD Is now trying our faith. but be-
hliia this browning Providence He hides a
siiiiliiis FACE mat VIII soon CLEAN on glorious
victories, won by our determination in
good cause, over the adherents of eyiI.u
In this strain he continued for Gonna
minutes until he had wrought all who heard
MN TO ms OWE pitch Of enthusiasm and the
gloom disappeared in its blaze as the Germs
oi choking mlasma are burned away in
cheerful flames of great fires When he com
ciuded Co fired a rattling voley over the
graves The clouds rolI,d away the bright
June sun shone out, the fiag at Fort Defiance
was raised to the top of the pole and fioated
out brayely, the band struck up stirring
march, the regiment shouldered arms and
marched briskly back to the camp.
do you reminder TO have sane Mr.
Peory and his friends wild us on our LITTLE
excursion into Missouri yesterday % asked
" Neii alter the regiment was dismissed
bronson, to whom the question was adj
dressed, answered, 'O