Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1914-06-29
TheEvcning Story
Melodious
Voice
BY r. A. mitchell

seriousness, with soreness all over my
body and burning thirst. was lying
on the ground looking up at the stars.
For a moment ! did not know why l
was there. Then suddenly it all came
back to me--a long brown line along
the edge of wood, the order to adj
vance, volley of clicks as the Con-
federates cooked their muskets, then
a cloud of smoke and a storm of bull
let's. l was one who fell. and for
awhile men tramped to and fro over
me. After that knew nothing.
Now 1t was dark. / managed to
change my position by turning on my
side. could see lights moving about.
Then heard the words:
Bring stretcher."
They were not spoken in a mans
voice, but woman's. Moreover, the
tones were soft and melodious. Was
it the contrast with what might be ex-
pected on battlefield that moved me.
or was the voice really sweet? listen
ed and heard it again:
Poor fellow. Gently. boys. There.
Now carry him over there to the sur
geon."
Surely 1t was sympathetic. But 1t
was more--it was a voice that / felt
sure would never forget. If l should
hear it among a hundred others /
would recognize 1t.
We were near enough to Richmond
for our cannon to be heard there
all day. Doubtless this was some wo-
man from there. who had come out
to minister to the wounded She was,
however, giving us, her enemies. her
attention. for the Confederates had not
been in this exact part Of the field. She
went from me. speaking In that same
melodious voice, first encouraging the
wounded man being carried on the
stretcher. Then l knew by her words
that she was kneeling over some other
unfortunate.
Poor boy! You should be with your
mother instead OF here"
Those were the last words / heard
her speak. | had hoped that she would
stay by me, but we were lying very
thick, and only few could be favored.
I never forgot the voice heard ON
that battlefield. / thought of 1t all
through the period when l was recov-
ering from my wound and wondered IL
should ever meet its possessor. /
was sent north by sea and after re-
gaining my strength Joined my regi-
ment shortly before the battle of Get
tysburg. l was with our army before
Petersburg and VIXEN Richmond was
evacuated was one of those who en-
tered the city.
While in the Confederate capital |
went to hospital to see an officer who
was Ill. | was sitting by his cot In a
ward containing perhaps a hundred
invalids. Near by was screen used
to protect a man who was dying.
heard voice say:
II will give your message If have
to take 1t myself"
1t was the voice / had heard on the
battlefield.
l was anxious to get glimpse of its
owner. but at the moment the man !
was with was endeavoring 10 impress
upon me something he wished me to
do for him. AS soon as l could get
away from him l went for a look be-
hind the screen. I saw only corpse.
That was the disappointment of my
life. l made inquiries for the woman
| wished to see, but could only describe
her as a woman with sweet voice
1t was not enough. There were mum.
Der of ladies there with sweet voices
Besides. l was soldier with other
things to occupy me than looking fol
woman l had never seen. At any
rate, left Richmond without seeing
or again hearing her.
The war having closed. my regiment
with others was sent north and after
the grand review at Washington wa.
mustered out. I had studied profes
sion before entering the military serv
ice and on returning to civil life occu
pied myself with my profession.
continued to be haunted by that me
lodious voice. met women VIII,
were attractive to me: but. somehow
IL especially liked one Of them She
was sure to repel me by harsh ton,
In speaking. Several years passed
1 duu LuOuSA i WIS 0UulcSlI
tastes and would have liked to be mar
ried | remained single.
Being called to Washington on bust
ness with the government. l was IL
the treasury department one mornin;
amid q number OF women clerks whel
! asked one OF them where l shoul,
apply for certain information
| wished.
go to the third auditors office OIL
the next door above"
| ! had found her.
Were you not on the field" ask
ed. latter one OF the battles nea
Richmond In 1862, succoring tn
woundedT
IT was.r
"And when we northern men oc
cupied Richmond did you not one da,
In a hospital take q message for
dying manY'
IT did"