The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-12-29
CHAPTER XVIII.

The ordinary scene which presents it
self after the strife of arms has ceased is
familiar to everyone. Heaps of slain
where friend and foe lie side by side,
mangled bodies, shrieks and groanS of the
wounded and dying, are things which we
always associate with the victories anC
defeats of war. But we seldom expect OF
hear Of songs of praise and shouts o
triumph from dying lips on the dreadful
battlefield.
| The following account was received from
| the lips OF brave and piouS Captain LII
one OF the Western regiments as some
| friends were conveying him to a hoSpita
| from the battlefield:
| The man had teen shot through both
thighs with a rifle-bul!et; it was a wound
| from which he could not recover. While
| lying on the field he suffered intense
agony from thirst. He supported his head
upon his hand, and the rain from heaven
was falling around him. In a short time
a little pool OF water collected near his
elbow, and he thought If he could reach
that spot he might allay his raging thirst
He tried 10 get into position witch would
enable him to obtain a mCuthful of the
muddy water, but in vain: and he must
suffer the torture OF seeing the means %
relief within sight while all his efforts
were unayailing.
Never, said he, did / feel so much
the loss OF any earthly blessing. By and
by the shades OF night fell around us,
and the stars shonc cut clear and beau
tiful above the dark field, where so many
others lay wounded, writhing in pain or
faint from loss of blood. Thus situated
Logan to think of the great God who had
given His son to die death OF agony for
ne, and that He was in the heavens IT,
which my eyes were turned. that He was
there above that scene of suffering and
above those glorious stars; and felt that
| was Fastening home to meet Him and
praise Him there. | felt that | ought t.
praise Him then. even wounded as was
on the battlefield. could not help sing
ing that feauti.uf2hy1hin-"W hen l car
read my title clearP
And though wassnot aware of it till
then he continued, ID 1T proved there
was a Christian brother in the thicket
near me. | could not see him. but was
near enough to hear him. He took up the
strain from me, ard teyond him arother,
and another, caught the words, and made
them resound far and wilde over the terri
BILE battlefield. There was a peculiar
echo in the place, and, that added to the
effect. as we made the night vocal with
our hymns Of praise to God.
The presence Of such men in the army,
animated by faith In Gid, and conscious
of serving Him in serving their country.
added materially toB its elements OF
strength and SUCCESS. oI'he religious ele
ment has always been. acknowledged as
great power III military success. ne
more intelligent that principle is, the
more efficient it must be in securing this
result.
FOPS ON THE FIELD.
The only amusing incident after a bat
tie is the crowd Of spectators from Wash
ington and other places. If they are in
carriages, their vehicles are sure to get
smashed, and then the trouble arises,
What are they to do with their baegaee7
Garry il, OF course. or leave it behind.
Even the wounded soldiers cannot help
laughing at their sorry plight, gesticula
tons, and absurd questions.
Among all this class of individuals
there are none to be compared with Gov
ernL.ent clerks for importance and alb
On one of these occasions re-
member Of a number of those pOmpous
creatures being distressed beyond meas
ure because they could not return to
on train that was crowded
beyond description with the wounded.
After the train moved off, there they stood.
sazing after ii in the most discons0late
manner.
Said one: 81 came out here by invita-