Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-08-27
DRUID MOSES
THE POEM OF LIFE
IN THE FOOTPRINTS
OF PROVIDENCE.
BY TOM BENTON.
COPYRIGHT 1908, BY NOAH 3. JOHNSTON
PosroFFICE: ROUTE ., IADDoNIA, MO.
CHAP, XXI. WAR IN EARNEST.

PosToFFiCE; ROUTE :, iADDONiA, MO.
CHAP, XXI. WAR IN EARNEST.
During the year 1862, there
were many hard battles fought. In
the East was Fair Oaks. COnfeder-
ates gaining advantage; then in
July Seven Days Battles" of
the Peninsula in which the loss
was thirty thousand on both sides
with Union forces succeeding.
General Lee defeating Banks, en-
tered Maryland and fought Nc
Clelland's forces at Antietam,
Sept. II, 1862. The number en-
gagged was one hundred and fifty
thousand. The loss was fourteen
thousand Union soldiers aud
twelve thousand Southern.
Gen. Lee fell back, retreating to
Richmond. General Albert sgd
ney Johnston commanded the
Southern troops in the Mississippi
valley. Gen Grant was his an
tagonist. The armies met in Ten
nessee and at Pittsburg Landing
April 6, 1862, about twenty thous-
and soldiers were killed aud wound
ed, each side losing about the
same.
Gen. Johnston was wounded;
when his surgeon told him to re-
tire Immediately from the field,
he said, Il had rather die than
lose this battle, remained in com
mand until exhausted from loss of
blood and died. General Beaure-
gard succeeded him and the battle
was no great victory for either
side.
Sept. %, 1862, President Lin
coin issued a proclamation declar-
ing slavery should cease after Jan.
/, 1868.
DavidMOses was called to mourn
a personal friend. Joe Willis, the
witty and cheerful member of the
Bethel Chum club, had a faith
er in Alton prison, for his sympa-
thy with the South; grieved and
worried Joe concluded to go to
join General Prices forces. Cross
ing the Missouri river he started
with another friend south, but
was captured and though he plead
ed for his life, that he might re-
turn to his home to take care of
his mother and sisters, was shot
and bayoneted, and buried in a
shallow grave near where he fell.
His brother-in-law, A. W.Clough,
went to the place, and brought the
body TO Bethel Cemetery where it
now awaits the resurrection.
This was a source of grief and
sorrow, for the loss of one is more
difficult to bear than the thousands
who were personally unknown.
During the year Of 1861, Rev.
John Moses had erected at David S
mothers grave heavy slab OF
marble on which was cut in the
stone a weeping willow after her
name, departing in her thirty
fourth year, "She lived the life
of a spotless Christian and died in
the triumphs of faith, telling her
friends standing around her dy.
ing couch
There is room for the re-
deemed"
The following lines decribing
the death of his beloved compan-
ion were written by David's father
She came TO the banks Of the dark rolling
river,
And penslyely stood on the shore
She looked for the friend who would com,
70 deliver,
And take her sad spirit safe DER
She had read in Gods word I'm dealt
he'll deliver
His saints who shall trust inhis grace,
And that they shall trust in His presence
forever
And hask IN tho smiles Of his face
She leaned upon the stan that had thous
ands supported.
And 5eltno danger, nor fear,
fnoe chriqt had faegad throuOh and III