The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-10-20

Tho dead having been buried and the
wounded removed 10 the churches and
COLLEGE buildings in williamsburg. the
fatigued troops sought repose upon
visiting the wounded rebels | saw sew
eraI whom had met in Yorktown, among
them the Sergeant of the picket post who
had piven me a friendly shake and told
me if | slept on my post he would shoot
me like a dog. He was pretty badly
wounded. and did not seem to remember
me.
A little farther on young darby lay
rroaninc upon the floor. ] went to look
at him and asked If could do anything
for him. l rccopnized in the distorted
face before me the same darky who had
befriended me at Yorktown, and 10 whom
had offered the five-dollar greenback
l assure my friends that repaid tHaI
bows kindness with double interest; i
told DIR. F. what he had done for me
when my hands turned traitors. lie
was made an especial object OF interest
and care.
Some few of the rebel prisoners were
pentlemanly and intelligent. and thelr
countenances betokened a high state OF
moral culture Many were low, InSolent
bloodthirsty creatures, who helinSI
feared God nor regarded man "hlIe
others there were who seemed not to
know enough to be either one thing or the
other, but were simply living, breathing
animals, subject 10 any order, ana VINO
would lust as soon retreat as advance, 50
long as they did not have To fight. 1hey
did not care which way the battle went.
On the whole there was a vast contrast
between the Northern and Southern sol
dierS as they appeared in the hoSpltalS,
but perhaps prejudice had something to
do in making the rebels appear so much
inferior TO our men.
BRAVE SERGEANT.
In passing through the college building
noticed a young Sergeant, mere boy,
who was shot in the temple He at
tracted my attention, and | made some
inquiry concerning him. He was Fed
eraI, and belonged TO the - Mass. An
old soldier sitting by him told ME the
following:
"That boy is not 1G yet; he enlisted as
a private. and has, by his bravery and
good conduct. earned the three stripes
which you see on his arm. He fought all
day yesterday like a young lion, leading
charges again and again upon the enemy.
After we lost our Captain and LleutenantS
he took command Of the company, and
led il through the battle with the skill
and courage of a young BrigadIer, until
he fell stunned and bleeding.
Il carried him off the field, but could
not tell whether he was dead or alive.
washed the blood from his face; the cold
water had a salutary eject upon MN, Tor
when Hancock and kearny had com
pleted their work, and the cheers OF
victory rang over the bloody field he was
sufficiently revived TO hear the inspiring
tones of triumph.
Learning TO his feet faint and sick as
he was, he took up the shout OF victory IN
unison with the conquerors on the field.
But he had scarcely uttered the notes OF
victory and glory when his strength de-
serted him and he fell insensible TO the
ground" The cid man added:
Gen. - says If he lives through TINS
he will 60 into the next battle with
shoulderstrapS on
l vert up TO him, took his fcverish
hand and told him that ] was glad that
his wound was rot mortal. lie thanked
me. and said with enthusiasm, Il would
rather have been killed than TO have lost
the battle"
CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS.
There IS one thing that | have noticed
on the field in every battle that | have
Witnessed; viz, that the Christian man is
the best soldier. Says Minister Of the
Gospel writing upon this subject:
1t IS Il common saying among the
officers that as a class, the men who
stand foremost when the battle RACES are
the Christian men. Many time i have
talked with them about such scenes, and
they have told me that their souls have
stood firm in that hour OF strife, and that
they have been perfectly calm.
i have had Christian Generals tell me
this. ] have heard Gen. Howard often
say that in the midst Of the most terrific
portion Ct the battle, when his heart for
moment quailed he would pause, and
lift up his soul to God and receive
strength. And" said he, Il have gone
through battles without a particle 81 fear.
j have thought that God sent me To de-
fend nay country. | believed ii was a
Christian duty 10 stand in the foremost OF
the fight. and why should ! be afraid?
] once heard an eminently piGus lady
say that she never could reconcile the
idea in her mind Of a Christian going into
the army la fight; il was so Inconsistent
with the Christian character, that she was
tempted TO doubt the picty OF all fighting
men. ] respect the lady's views upon the
subject, but beg leave to differ from her;
for / believe that a man can serve God
Just as acceptably in fighting the enemies
Of liberty. truth and righteousness with
the musket down South as he can in the
quiet pulpits Of the North; in fact, ! am
inclined 10 think he can do so a little
more efiectualIy in the former place.
/ only wish that there were more OF oul
holy men willing TO take up the carna
weapons Of warfare, forceo the luxurcs o
home, and, by setting examples worthy o
emulation. both in camp and on the
battlefield, thus strike fatal blow a
this unholy rebellion.
SOLDIERS DEATH-BED.
The last night ] spent in the hospital
before leaving Williamsburg, l witnessed
the death Of Christian soldier, Il perfect
description Of which l find in the Me
MORALS Of the War"
1t was the hour Of midnight when the
Chaplain was summoned 10 the cot OF q
wounded soldier. He had only left him
an hour before, with confident hopes oil
his speedy recovcry-hopes which were
shared by the Surgeon and the wounded
man himself But a sudden change had
taken place and the Surgeon had come IL
say that the man could live but an hour
or two at most, and to beg the Chaplain
10 make the announcement TO the dying
man He was soon at his side, but, over
powered by his emotions, was utterly
unable TO deliver his message.
. The dying man, however, quickly read
the solemn truth in the altered looks 0
the Chaplain, his faltering voice anC
ambiguous words. He had not before en-
tertained a doubt Of his recovery. III
was expecting soon TO see his mother
and with her kind nursing soon to be well
He was therefore entirely unprepared 70
the announcement, and at first it wa
overwhelming.
CLOSING SCENES.
"'I am 10 die then; and-how long,? A
he had before expressed hope in Christ
the Chaplain replied: You have mad
your peace with God; let death come "a
soon as it will, He will carry you safel.
the river Yes hat this