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A Touching incident of the battle-field

A letter received in New York from Atalanta, Georgia, gives this incident of the battle at Stone Bridge:

A staff officer from Charleston, engaged in the battle of the 21st of July says:

‘ I rode out the day after the battle to view the ground, and passed piles of dead in various positions. Under a large tree I saw a body lying very handsomely dressed, with a fancy sword and a handkerchief over the face. It attracted my curiosity. I stopped, removed the handkerchief, and saw one of the handsomest faces I ever met with, of a boy not more than twelve or fourteen years old. His appearance and dress indicated high social position — probably he was a temporary aid to some general officer. To ascertain who he was, I examined his pockets and found a testament, in which was written--

’ ‘"James Simmons, New York. From his loving mother. My son, remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth."’

I wished very much to take the body away, but I was six miles from quarters, on horse-back, and it was impossible.

The Daily Dispatch: August 27, 1861. Richmond Dispatch. 4 pages. by Cowardin & Hammersley. Richmond. August 27, 1861. microfilm. Ann Arbor, Mi : Proquest. 1 microfilm reel ; 35 mm.

Institute of Museum and Library Services National Leadership Grant provided support for entering this text.

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