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mother's neck, and returned her fond embrace and kisses, sent by her a kiss to each of his sisters, and one by me to his brother Willie, now in General Bragg's army.
The struggle lasted until Tuesday, September 30, at 2 o'clock P. M., when the tranquil, happy spirit was released from its clay prison.
The casket was broken and the jewel was gone.’
Dr. Bennett thus describes scenes which occurred at Second Manassas, and at Sharpsburg:
“Give my love to parents and friends,” said a young soldier, dying of his wounds; “tell them all is well; I am not afraid to die, for I know they are praying for me.”
Another, the son of a faithful clergyman, fell mortally wounded by a shell.
A friend near by gave him water, for which he thanked him, saying, “I am a dying patriot,” and then added, “Tell my father I died like a man and a hero.”
A brave young Christian, when told by the surgeon that he could not live, sent home his last message: “Tell my relations, father and mother, sisters and brothers, that I trust I am prepared to meet my God.
Farewell, one and all, I bid you a long farewell; I hope to meet you all in heaven.”
Another gallant soldier, who was killed as the line of battle was being formed, left a pleasing testimony.
Just before leaving to join the army, he wrote: “I wish only to know my duty; it then remains for me to perform it. It was a great trial to part with my family; I seemed to realize that the parting was final; but my country calls, and I cheerfully go forward to death.”
It was soon after that he went from the carnage of battle to the peaceful home of the blessed.
J. W. Mills, chaplain of a Florida regiment, gives a graphic picture of the havoc of war:
Many of our regiment fell in the terrible battle of Sharpsburg.
We occupied the centre, where the enemy made his fiercest attack, hoping to break our lines in that vital part of the field, and so win the day. The enemy were formed in a semicircle on the side of a hill.
Our brave men marched up to the attack until they could see the heads and shoulders of their adversaries over the summit of the hill, when firing commenced.
From the two wings and the centre of this semicircle they poured upon us a murderous fire for about one hour.
Five times our colors fell, but as often our men rushed to the spot and raised them to the breeze.
Finally, a retreat was ordered— at that moment the colors fell and were left.
The enemy had
