The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1903-06-11

times" because it tells of the dread
full times when we stood with bated
breath, between the Giving and the
dead, not only did we have to meet
and combat all the difficulties, trials
and hardships enumerated in the fore
going letters, but we lived in constant
dread all the while; every post, or
mail, was sure to bring sad tidings to
some sore aud aching heart Here is
a post, stating that :Your son, War
rem, was seen to go into the battle,
but heard from no more, not found on
the battle field Fell with hundreds
of others, no doubt, and found COM
mon grave with them, no loving hand
to wipe away the death sweat which
bedewed his cold mar blebrow in
death; no faithful wife or mother to
kiss him good bye as the portals of
eternity opened to receive him; no
loving father, or devoted pastor to
commit his departing spirit to that
Savior, who said, Come unto me all.
ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest. -
Another post, stating that "Your
husband was left in dying condition
on the battle field,'' the enemy had
repulsed the rebel forces and his COM
rades had to leave him or be captured !;
he sent word to wife and friends to
meet him i'll heaven. Then amid the
yelling of yankee foes, and rafting
hoofs and wheels, smoke and roar of
cannon, showers of shot and she'll, he
bid farewell to earth with all it's
blighting disappointments, and
"passed over the river to rest under
the trees" his widow has been wait
ing 40 years for the reunion to come,
patiently looking for the happy
change that will bring about that
reunion. Oh, what a meeting that
will be, when husband and wife, af-
ter 40 years dark widowhood, shall
meet on the SUNNY banks of everlast-
ing deliverance.
| Here came another son and brother,
with one leg missing, the family lift
up their eyes and, 10 and behold,
"the dead is alive, and the lost is
found. -
| 1t is early morning, sister with
dress in hand fly to meet and embrace
him; next follows poor, old patient
waiting, blind mother, who, like
Anna in the temple. had been
waiting and praying and could not
depart till she had at least. like old
Father Isaac. put forth her hand and
felt to see that it was her very son
indeed, and finding it was, the flood
gate of her soul opened, and shout
of parental joy rang through the sur
ronding hills and hollows.
/ Another son and brother had been
| killed, and sent home in such man.
g'ed condition that the family was
not permitted to look upon the dead
| form of the once living member of the
home circle.
| Again, hark! the cloudburst of war
has struck Shiloh, April 6, 1862, and
%, 500 are killed, wounded and mis-
| sing, but oh, whose husband, son,
brother or sweetheart has fallen? All
wait with deathlike silence, and with
sleepless eyes and covered head, we
sat mourning at the footstooI of fate, one
man hastens away to find lis darling
son dead on the field of carnage, lying
i'll a gully with hair washed back
from his pale face as he sleeps in the
cold embrace of death.
Look, look! do you see that man
riding down the road in great haste,
with measuring rod in hand? He.
rides up to the front gate, a few
words, and, oh, my scul! the cry Of
distress rends the air, the team can
now be seen entering the head of the
lane, bearing the mortal and mangled
remains of John, James or William to
the former happy home, to be inferred
in the family graveyard where loving
hands Ican decorate the gIave with
floral offerings, and broken hearts can
keep their faithful watch, and sing
their vesper songs. Oh! cruel war,
how thou dost stamp out the hearts
delight, and fill troubled souls with
mocking despair The recording
angel sit at the gate of pearl weep
ing as he crossed out our loved ones
from time and mortal stay.
| In this awful onslaught Gen. Al
| bert Sydney Johnston was left cold
in death, and Gen. Beaurega1d took
command. Another pest tells of
loved ones in prison camps, starving
to death, choosing rather to die
than to take an oath to the detri-
ment Of their southern home and
friends. Another post, and news
! comes of SORROW aud death to our