Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1910-03-04
Civil War Stories
True Story of the War.


Ala The ward doctor had finished
his round The nurses had cleaned
up the long room and everything was
quiet and restful. There had been
brought into our ward just after the
doctor had made his morning prescrip-
lions a soldier from an Illinois regl-
ment-I think it was the Forty-fTst:
however, that Is immaterial-and
placed on cot next to us. He was
pitiable to look ,at; emaciated, hollow
eyed, sunken, distorted, helpless. Yet
the heroic spirit within him was
grand We were not long in becoming
acquainted. He talked about going
home, that his three years were almost
completed; that his brother would be
here in a few days and that they
would go home together; that the war
was ended and soon all the soldiers
would be discharged and sent home.
He continued in this strain for some
time, then fell asleep. But his sleep
was fitful, fevered, disturbed, restless.
His mind wandered. his feVered brain
would not let the body rest. Some
times he would bolt right up in bed,
looking wildly about him, and then
fall back on his cot limp and exhaust
ed In his fevered revelry he would
sometimes stretch out his bony hands
towards us, staring wildly, gestlculat-
ing vehemently These strange antics
from fellow soldier made our blood
run chill. However, he soon became
more quiet and still.
The afternoon was slowly waning
away; the dark magnolia trees that
stood close by the hospital were length
ening out their shadows; the spring
zephyrs were signing and soughing
among their branches; the sun was
dipping, dipping into the pine forests
that girded the western horizon. Now
and then could be heard the clear
notes OF the hooking bird. Everything
seemed quiet and peaceful. It was at
this opportune moment that thrilling
incident occurred, and which all who
saw and heard could never forget, and
which was the cause of this writing.
A young lady of exquisite beauty,
grace and loneliness of person entered
the ward, chaperoned by the head
aisle, between the long rows Of mar
row cots, looking first on one side and
then on the other, until she came op-
posite to where we were lying, and
then sat down on a low stool in the
aisle between the cot occupied by my
soldier brother from Illinois and our
own. She sat there for moment or
two, looking smilingly yet pityingly
upon us. Then in a voice that seemed
to us the very essence Of music she
exclaimed, Soldiers, is there anything
I can do for you?" After waiting q
MON ent, we ventured to say that for
our part we would be pleased to hear
her sing Responses came quickly from
their cots, Aye, aye; yes, good lady,
do sing for u.s.
She heSitated a moment, faint,
soft flush suffused and heightened the
loveIiness of face which we shall
never forget-and have no desire to
even II we could Without further ado
she commenced to sing softly and
sweetly that immortal hymn OF
Charles Wesley:
Jesus, loved OF my soul.
Let me to thy bosom fly.
While the nearer waters roll. rs.
While the tempest still is high;
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide.
Till the storm Of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide,
Oh, receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none.
Hangs my helpless soul on thee,
Leave, oh leave me not alone.
Still support and comfort me-
All my trust on thee is stayed,
All my help from thee bring,
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of thy wing
Thou, O Christ, art all want.
More than all in thee T find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is thy name,
! am all unrighteousness,
False and full Of sin / am
Thou art full OF truth and grace. "
AS the last words of the third verse
were falling from the lips of that
beautiful singer in sweet cadence on
our enraptured sense, suddenly the dy-
ing soldier on my right sprang up in
his bed, and looking wildly about him
exclaimed, What, did i not hear my
mothers sweet voice singing for her
boy like she used to do in the long
ago? Nay, nay, it cannot be. She's
been dead and gone these many years.
All, now ] know and heavenly
smile fitted across his deathly face.
A momentary pause, and again he ex-
claimed, "Ah, now | know. She's
coming with the angels in glory to wei
come her boy, to guide her boy safely
home at last. Home at last" His
hands were stretched out heavenward
His pale, wan face shone with a radi-
ance that was heaven born, and with