The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-03-09
Melodious
Voice
3, r. A. mitchell


ON the ground looking up at the stars
For moment did not know why
was there. Then suddenly 1t all came
back to me--a long brown line along
the edge Of O wood. the order to ad-
vance. a volley of clicks as the Con-
federates cooked their muskets, then
8 cloud OF smoke and 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 mans
voice. .but a 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? I listen
ed and heard 1t again:
"Poor fellow. Gently. boys. There.
Now carry him over there to the sur
| geon."
~ was ybipdthCIiCs Dut ~
| was more-it was voice that | felt
sure would never forget. IL should
hear 1t among a hundred others
would recognize It
We were near enough to Richmond
for our cannon to be heard there
all day. Doubtless this was some w0.
| man from there. who had come out
| 70 IN hn xunp ..l h1 xx,ao
however, giving us, her enemies. her
attention. for the Confederatps 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.
l never forgot the voice | heard on
that battlefield. ] thought Of 1t all
tGlOuSu IhC PCIiO0 W ut-n was tCNON-
ering from my wound and wondered IL
should ever meet its possessor. l
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
Petersburg and VIXEN Richmond was
evacuated was one Of those who en-
tered the city.
While in the Confederate capital I
went to hospital to see an officer who
was i'll. was sitting by his cot in a
ward containing perhaps hundred
invalids. Near by was screen used
to protect man who was dying.
heard a voice say:
II will give your message If l have
to take it myself"
1t was the voice had heard on the
battlefield.
was anxious to get glimpse Of its
owner. but at the moment the man I
was with was endeav0ring 20 impress
upon me something he wished me to
do for him. As soon as l could get
away from him | went for a look be-
hind the screen. | saw only corpse.
That was the disappointment of my
J life. 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 num-
ber of ladies there with sweet voices.
Besides. was soldier with other
things to occupy me than looking for
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 at Washington was
mustered out. 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 who
were attractive to me: but. somehow,
If especially liked one of them she
was sure to repel me by a 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 number of women clerks when
/ asked one of them where should
apply for certain information
wished
go to the third auditors Office on
the next floor above"
had found her.
"Were you not on the fieId." ask
ed. "after one Of the battles near
Richmond In 1862, succoring the
wOundedT
II was"
"And when we northern men oc-
cupied Richmond did you not one day
in hospital take a message for q
dying man?"
II did"