Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1914-08-19
MELOD|OUS VOICE
BROUGHT MARRIAGE
IN THE SOUTHLAND
SWEET VOICE HEARD IN
SOUTHERN HOSPITAL RE
SUITS IN WEDDING


body and a burning thirst. was lying
on the ground looking up at the stars.
For moment | did not know why
was there Then suddenly IL 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 storm OF bull
lets. | was one who fell. and for
awhile men tramped to and fro over
me- After that knew nothing.
Now ii 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
ii 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 it was sympathetic. But 1t
was more-it was n voice that | felt
sure | would never forget. If | should
hear it among hundred others 1
would recognize it.
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 | 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.
that battlefield. | thought of ii all
through the period when | was recov-
ering from my wound and wondered IL
! should ever meet its possessor. i
was sent north by sea and after re-
gaining my strength joined my regi-
ment shortly before the battle of Get
tysburg. | was with our army before
Datn -Ia, t.b
evacuated was one OF those who en-
tered the city.
While in the Confederate capital
went to hospital to see an officer who
was i'll. | was sitting by his cot in
ward containing perhaps a hundred
invalids. Near by was screen used
to protect man who was dying
heard voice say:
IL will give your message II have
to take Ii myself
1t was the voice / had heard on the
battlefield.
/ was anxious to get a glimpse of its
owner. but at the moment the man
was with was endeavoring 10 impress
upon me something he wished me to
away from him ! went for look be-
hind the screen. ! saw only Il corpse.
That was the disappointment of my
life. made inquiries for the woman
/ wished TO see. but could only describe
her as Il woman with a sweet voice.
1t was not enough. There were num-
Der OF ladies there with sweet voices.
1 ,trft nth
things to occupy the than looking for
a woman ! 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 ut Washington was
mustered out. ! had studied profess
sion before entering the military serv-
ice and on returning TO civil life occu-
pied myself with my profession. I
continued to be haunted by that me-
lodious voice. met women who
were attractive to me: but. somehow. I
II j especially liked one of them she
was sure to repel me by harsh tone
In speaking. Several years passed,
and though | was domestic in my
tastes and would have liked to be mar
ried | remained single.
Being called to Washington on bust |
ness with the government, / was in
the treasury department one morning
amid a number of women clerks when
/ asked one Of them where | should
apply for certain information l
wished.
Go to the third auditors Office on
the next floor above"
l had found her
Were you not on the field" | ask
ed, after one of the battles near
Richmond In 1862. succoring the
II was
"And when we northern men oc-
cupied Richmond did you not one day
In hospital take message for !
dying man?"
81 did"
Il lay near where you were on that I
battlefield and uaa uaar Vou whom