The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-31

the truth. Never In my life, I think,
have I wished for anything 8 much as
/ wished for ice that night. 1t was ap-
piled by chipping IL in small pieces, OF
bits, put in thin dry cotton cloth, old
ed over In just the right sizes and fiat.
to place across the eyes and forehead
enough of IL to De cold. but not heavy
on the wound The ears Of the sick
are strangely acute. Whenever the sick
men heari the sound Of chipping ice
they begged for ice water-even the
smallest bit OF ice in a cup Of water
was begged for with an eagerness that
was pitiful. 1 felt conscience smitten-
But IL was a question of saving the eyes
of the wounded men, and there was M
other way. To niaks the ice last till
morning 1 stealthily clipped 10 OF so
the sick men would Tot hear the sound.
At midnight a surgeon came over
from his tent ward with a little piece of
ice, not la, ger than his hand. / do not
know his rsme. but 1t o not matter
1T was inscribed above. This Is all
we can spare" he said. Take it. You
must keep those wounds cool at all haz-
ards. 1 have another case, very like
these, wounded in the head. I want to
bring him over here, where he will be
sure of exactly the same nursing. His
life depends on the care he will get in
the next "a hours. Have you a vacant
cot?"
There was not a vacant cot. though
we could make room for one on the
porch IL he could find the cot. He
thought he could. and went back, TAX
ing the precious bit OF ice that he real
ly needed more than we did. In the
course Of half an hour the surgeon re-
turned to say II was impossible to get a
cot anywhere. and the wounded man
must be left where he was in the tent
at least until morning.
And so 1t went on through the long
night-the patient suffering of the sick
men. the heroism of the wounded-au
fearing to give any trouble, desiring
not to do so. and grateful for the small
est attention. The courage that faces
death or the battlefield or calmly waits
for 1t i'm the hospital is not a courage
Of race or color. Two OF the bravesr
men I ever saw were here. almost side
by side on the little porch. Captain
Mills and Private Clark, one white. the
other black. They were wounded al
most at the same time and in the same
The patient suffering and hero
ism of the black soldier was fully equal
TO the Anglo-Saxon. 1t was quite the
gentleness and appreciation
they were a study-these men, so wide
apart in life-but here so
close and alike. on the common ground
)f duty and sacrifice. They received
the same care. Each was fed
ike a child. for with their bandaged
Eyes they were as helpless as blind men.
the ice pads were renewed on
Mills eyes the same change
was made on Private Clark's eyes.
There was no difference In their food or
beds. Neither ever uttered a word OF
complaint. The nearest to a regret ex-
by Captain Mills was a heavy
Ugh. followed by the words:
'Oh. We were not ready-our army
vas not prepared"
of himself he talked cheerfully-
and hopeful. II think 1 shall get
'ack with the sight of one eye," he
aid. h was all. In the early mart
Z the night he was restless-his brain
vas active-strong and brave as he
Vas. The moonlight was very bright
food of silver light. seen only in the
Hoping 10 divert him, I said:
The moonlight is too bright. Captain.
will try to put up a little screen. so
GU can get to sleep" He realized at
nee the absurdity and the ludicrous
ide. and with an amused smile replied:
But you know-I can't see the NOON
ght."
I said il was time to- get more ice for
is head. and half stumbled across the
orch. blinded by tears. When told
no his nearest neighbor was. Captain
ILLS expressed great sympathy eor
rivate Clark and paid a high tribute
the bravery of the colored troops ana
Heir faithful performance of duty.
rivate Clark talked but little. He
ould lie. apparently asleep. until the
ain in his head became unbearabie.
len he would try TO sit up. always
lreful 10 keep the ice pad on his eyes
yer the bandage. What can I 90 for
ou. Clarke" I would ask. Nothing.
lank you" he would answer: ITS
cry nice and comfortable here. But
5 only the misery in my head-ths
isery is awful"
Poor fellow There was never a moan
merely a little sigh now and then. He
as young. in his first enlistment AMI
ON Montana. The splendid physical
Of the regular army troops
Is been Invaluable TO those who were
ounded. Captain Mills and Private
ark were in perfect health. aud
seriously wounded have i'm
owed steadily. II is not unlikely that
lptain Mills viii yet have the sight Of
tn eyes ms Private Clark viii leave
re also in better shape than at first
possible. They are most anx-
As TO go home. and viii be among the