Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-31
Editorial and Literary Department.

er boys his idea about burning the
bridge over the James. They were to
be soldiers. little Peter had saved Hol-
land. 50 why could they not do this
TO save their homes. Naturally James
was TO be the captain. since he had a
cap and was the oldest. not TO men-
ton having been tho originator OF the
plan There was no time to lose. SO
with slowly catching stop, and erect
somewhat too stitt bearing. the excited
little company marched proudly off
Real soldiers rarely have tho courage
OF those manly little fellows. who had
no Elimmcr or their uncertain and sad
future. Tramp. tramp. tramp, they
went over mile of rough foot-paths
forgetting school When the boys did
.,lmos, reach 1t. family on the distance
came the mclodious sound OF the tr,lm-
ociS and huElcs as ;hcy rolled forth
marching music. our suldicrs" came
ioEfuiiy from the younger ones, VINO
nod heard no other war music
James grew white 10 the lips and
ci"nched tightly tho matches in his
rocket. Too we'll nc knew what it
would be II ,hcr plo, wac found out.
ana nc Wa TO blame
Around tho curve OF the road. just
crossing the bridge vanc "a company Of
Union calvarymcn. Feeling himself
ut 'hcir mrrcy. ne gave the Conrcd-
crate salute. timiiiy followed h.- the
others OF the little band y sardonic
laugh broke from the blcaminE eyes
III the Northern captain.
What is Your cNcciicnCy planning
10 do, colonel ! believer
Anger elared through the honest
gray eyes Of the Southern boy. We"
nc began, and everything was sim.
save the impetu"usness OF his eyes
are willing TO die for our south"
some OF the soldiers smiled cynically
others stared in something like pity
ia n s.t-1N Il
boy. but tho others held themselves
like the proud carriage OF their leader.
Tell me what you were going TO do
colonel" smiled the Yankee captain.
Take the one with the cap up to the
prison with us Tho others just as
vel! go. lieutenant Wcll. sonny.
trust YOU meAnt what YOU said about
your cause. Hope SO, anyway. Now.
my pretties. If YOU don't get away your
iale., may he like Your leader"
The band of boys looking on trcm-
Pied Asain there was the beat OF
ho"iS and another company relieved
ms ono from duty James had never
been any farther from hom" than Rich
mond and the future looked none too
pleasant TO him, poor little lad, He
waved Coodby to his playmatcs for
the last time and rode away to tho prt-
son During the next two Ionr years
on that bleak spot known as Point
lookout. on the Chesapeake Bay like
g ca ccd bird he sobbcd his life away
I' HIS reuters nome the boz spoke OF
ono maj surgeon. VINO had been kind
10 MN This Northcrner wrote n beau
ti'ui letter 10 tho lads mother. speak
ing or how dear James had become to
him. On the 18th day of July in 1864
n" cried himself: TO death in prison
cell
II the boys had burned the bridge
they would have hecn in history. but
though they were not able 10 save
their families. their loader died for his
cause AT the ag" of sixteen. Racl to
ole NirEinny. where his heart was
always and where n" grew IN as y
boy. the body was hrniic hi for burial
Mono Sri"v"d NOR" than tho old
slaves when young "MarSe Jim" was
brought hack TO them, and homo. thus
y" marble monument or even a slab
mari the grave % this brave Southern
lad. hut in The hearts of those who
hnrw nm his sweet memory is eyer
immortal.
irtdicated 10 the memory OF my crca,
uncle, James ''unnn&ham. Of l'owha-
tan. I'OCAHcNTkS WIGHT