The daily Alaskan., 1906-05-12
A Soldiers Ghost

OuI lO uSult Oul Alg P1ASAS9 SNNSNNNe' in preventing me. It was not till the close of the struggle that l enlisted, just in time to participate in the last campaign of the war, and probably the most terrible-the battles of the Wilder. ness. l had neither smelled powder nor seen blood and was obliged to stand my ground among men who were all, or nearly all, veterans. It was the trial Of my life.
 My initiation on the firing line was in withstanding cavalry charge. A long line of horsemen, the color of tho dust they stirred ups emerged from the edge of a wood and, making a nasty alignment, dashed forward to the mu' sic of the rebel yell. As soon as they got within range we opened fire on them. They came on and attempted to ride over us. Right in front of my company a young officer led his men. He was handsome fellow, with long wavy hair and eyes black as coals. l took deliberate aim at him and shot him. He saw me do so, and as he fell gave me a look that shall never for get. It seemed to me that the feature most predominant in 1t was reproach. Had 1t been hate or revenge l think l could have borne it with more equa- nimity. As 1t was, 1t filled me with remorse. I felt like a murderer. l dreaded lest the face of the man I had killed would haunt me through life.
 The charge was repulsed, and we stood at rest where we had received 1t. I was obliged to remain for an hour right where I could look at the dead body of the man 1 had killed. Then, when we were ordered forward, I marched over 1t. The sightless eyes looked straight up at me, and, whether 1t was imagination or not, l saw again that horrible look of reproach-a look that seemed to say: At my home there are loved ones who will look for me in vain to return to them. You have pre- vented"
 A few days later we were fighting in the woods-the wilderness 1t has been justly called - and when the ground was covered with the dead and dying a horrible flame and smoke swept down on us, burning the dead and wounded together. My regiment had been much cut up, and I had become separated from 1t. I was searching for some of my comrades, hurrylng along, when, looking down, was paralyzed with horror. There beneath ne was the of ficer I had killed staring at me with that same look of reproach.
 Are you going to let me be burned to death hereT he said.
 I struggled with two impulses. One was to get away from a reincarnated ghost that had come back to life to re- proach me for his death, the other to make him some atonement for having killed him. The latter prevailed, and, stooping, raised him and, throwing him on my shoulder, carried him be- yond the reach of the flames. While doing so I had no view of his face, and 1t was fortunate that had not, for his reproachful look would have rendered me powerless. lowered him upon the grass near a rivulet and, understand ing the craving of the wounded for wa ter, was starting to get him some when, glancing at him, saw that he was dead. -
 Had he been alive?
 Under other circumstances might have fingered near him from curiosity, but, as 1t was, I had but one desire to get away as soon as possible. And vet he, or, rather, 'ft" fascinated me. hurried away to short distance and, turning, looked back. There was the same reproachful look that had seen before. did not for a moment at tribute 1t to imagination, though l knew the power of that faculty. turned and fled from the corpse ghost or whatever it was, and found the roar of battle a relief.
 I was present at the final surrender when General Lee and the remnant Of his army laid down their arms and peace came again after four years of fratricidal war. We were all glad at the prospect of getting home, but for me there was another reason of far greater moment. The man had killed could not again haunt me, at least on the battlefield. He might visit me at home in the dead of night, but hoped that having been a soldier, now that peace was attained, he would rest peacefully in his grave.
 Our army was drawn up to receive the surrender. Perfect silence was maintained throughout the ranks. The men stood waiting. l was in the front rank, where would be able to see plainly the Confederates who were about to march past. Presently l heard their tramp and in a few min utes the head of their column came along. There were infantry, artillery and cavalry. was not fifty feet from the line of march. My eyes rested on the face of a man marching at the head of a few men who were Supposed to compose a company.
 He was the man I had killed.
 My captain, seeing that something was the matter with me, ordered me