The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1907-06-08
s.,
IN
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within the Federal lines, and we mar
r.owly escaped being captured. II
learned that Colonel Sullivan was dan
gerously wounded. Everything was
confusion. The Confederates' confu-
sion approached paralysis. But soon
they recovered from their shock Their
dead and wounded We're within the
Federal lines. Friend and foe COM
mingled in death and heplessness. The
blood of the grey and blue blended
in the crimson penciling of the south
ern sward.
From an ambulance squad I learned
that Father Ryan was administering
to the wounded in the battlefield. n
found him. What ministering angel
he was; how we'll his labors gave tes-
timony that he love the Southern SOL
diers bore for him was deserved! u
approached and grasped his hand. He
did not recognize me- He appeared
as if he had lost the human, that the
spiritual alone possessed him. "oh.
Gracious God!" he exclaimed; will
not this sacrifice satisfy Thy wrathc
Look with pity on Thy erring peo-
ple."
The scene was appalling. But 10!
the strangest of all appeared. Strug-
gllng up the crimson crags was girl
ish form with small lantern in one
hand The nuns sarb in which she
was attired was nigh torn to shreds,
and the Cruciflx, which was suspended
from her girdle, was wet with the
blood of the wounded, while she held
the sacred emblem in her trembling
hands, and asked forgiveness of Him
whose blood was shed on Calvary for
ALL She hurriedly approached the
priest, and said: ooh, Father RYAN,
come at once there is a soldier in
grey dying in yonder thicket, and he
is craving to see you before he dies.
Come for mercy's sake" The good
priest beckoned me to assist her, and
we soon reached the thicket. There
lay Miles Driscoll, the orderly, his
life-blood ebbing slowly. Father Ry-
an he muttered family. II was afraid
you would not come The doctor or
dered the ambulance not to wait for
me; that death would claim me soon.
Father, send the news to my mother.
May God comfort her. Send her this
scapular: I got it from my sister
Eileen from the convent in Baltimore"
He ceased talking. The good priest
told ME to make a note that Miles
Driscoll Of the glen of Aherlow was
killed today.
AS he repeated the name the nun
gave a scream and sprang forward.
and looked with a dazed and far-off
eyes, and exclaimed: "Oh, Miles nv
brother, is it you?" and swooned away.
The dying soldier raised on his elbow,
and looked wit ha dazed and far-off
stare at Father Ryan, and family said:
eyes looked into mine? Answer me,
Father Ryan, where is she?" The good
priest was holding the swooned sister
in his arms. the voice seemed to bring
her back to consciousness, and she
knelt by the side of the dying boy,
and kissing his pallid lips she whis-
light came into his eyes, and eagerly
he asked her: What, Eileen, are you
soldering. too?" The effort was too
much for him. and he sank back again.
and closed his eyes while the tears
of the anguished sister fell on his
brow.
Again his strength seemed to return
Reaching out. he grasped her hand
and said: oh Eileen. I am so glad
you are come. Kiss me. darling, l see
the clouds are falling over the CAL
tees. l hear the birds singing in the
woodland. Mother is waiting for me at
the old Boreen. and little Willie. who
has slept so many years in the old
churchyard is with her. and they are
reckoning for me to cope Pray for
me. Eileen. kiss me. for I must co."
Resting his head on her bosom. his
spirit passed away. Father, Ryan
could not speak for a time. then rails
ing his hands to Heaven. he exclaimed:
"Oh. Mother Ireland. how gloriously
your tame is earned by these soldiers
of the sword and of the Crucif1x.''