Year: 1863

taking was grievous disappointment. The
wounded soldier was fast becoming exhaust
ed from pain, loss of blood, and excessive
exertion. To carry him back would tax to
the utmost the powers of the young hero.
Yet he did it, while the enemy's bullets
fairly made the water foam all around them.
With the aid of what remaining strength
the wounded man had he conveyed him to
spot beyond the range of the enemy's
fire, where. after doing all he could to rem
der him comfortable, he received the words
spoken with his last breath. The two were
from the same village, and notwithstanding
the disparity of their ages, they had long
been intimate friends, and since their en-
lisiment boon companions.


The sacred duty of closing in death the
eyes of his companion was performed by
Lucius in the deepest sorrow, mingled with
regret that he should have been prevented
crossing the stream. / arrived on the
ground just as he came out of the wood
where he had temporarily left his dead COM
panion, in search of means TO convey his
body to more suitable place preparatory
to decent burial. He was completely alb
sorbed in the scenes going on around him
scenes in which there was not more
patriotic or noble-hearted actor. His grief
was sincere, and his patriotism exalted.


Generally the burial of those who fan in
action is a heartess operation. Rarely
coffined, or so much as allotted separate
grave-for usually bodies are laid several
together in shallow trench-it is seldom
that it is marked by rite or ceremony of
any kind. Especially is this the case after
great battle, when the brutalizing effects
of the life of the common soldier find an
illustration in the manner in which burying
parties frequently perform their task. 1t
sometimes happens, however, when the
dead are not numerous, and the march not
immediate, that chaplains say short prayer,
and sometimes, too, familiar hymn is sung
Exercises so rare as these are sure to col
lect congregation, respectable IN numbers,
and respectful in manner. 1t was so when.
on the day following the companion of Lu-
cius was buried. Required to remain in
the vicinity, was among the number drawn
to the spot. 1t was under clump of trees,
close by decayed mansion, then used for
hospital, where flowers bloSsomed and the
branches cast deep shade. Here single
grave had been dug. The selection of the
spot evinced at once tender sentiment and
genuine good taste, characteristic of Lucius.
As he stood by the side of the grave when
the body of his friend, wrapped in his blan-
ket, was lowered into it, and as he knelt
when the fervent prayer was said, he was
not the only one that dropped tear; and
| AZ Il
New England household, was sung by more
than hundred New England voices, the
scene, in the foreground of which was Lu-
cius, the tears streaming down his hand
some face, was deeply impressive, aud
moved to tears many unused to the melting
mood.


The next day carefully shaped tablet
of wood, in which was cut the name of the
dead soldier, was placed at the head of the
graye--I need not say whose work it was
/ saw but little of Lucius for some time
after that; and it was not till we were pur-
suing the rebels from Yorktown to Will
liamsburg that n ct him again. He was
as enthusiastic and handsome as ever
marching with his regiment, and joyous in
the belief, which we all fopdly had, that The
6 on to Richmond" had at last commenced
The battle of Williamsburg was fought the
next day. 1t was blunder for which no
body has been punished, blotch that new
er can be wiped out, a scene in the drama
of the Peninsula that has never been truly
painted.


Early on the day following that Of the
battle, rode into the village. Our troop:
had already occupied it. After taking {
general survey, and feeling the prompting:
Of hunger, stopped at a spacious mansion
on the principal street. 1t proved to bt
the residence of the oldest physician in the
place, whose name do not recall. Iva.
m at the door by the lady of The house, o
person of refinement and pleasing appear
ance. From her / soon learned that sew
4 eral wounded soldiers were in the house
among them some Federal prisoners
brought there the day before. On my ex
pressing wish TO see them, the lady con
Quoted me to spacious chamber, wher'
probably dozen men, in different stage
of injury and suffering were lying on th


floor. a


They are all comfortable, l believe
a remarked the lady; "but in this room,


she continued, proceeding toward anothe


door, ais lad in whom have taken


very deep interest, and for whose recover,


have grave doubts" Then lowering he


voice to a whisper as she placed her ham
on the LATCH she continued, " He is pa


tent sufferer-and SO handsome la mer


boy who ought not to have gone into tn


battle. He was brought here with other


late in the day yesterday, suffering mucl
from serious wound in the side. | fea


tits fatal. But were he my own child, !


could not do more than have done fer him


Having had two sons slain since this wa
henan can feel for the mother, who. fear