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people could do, were to be seen lying on a handful of straw, or on the floor or ground, without a blanket to cover their lacerated and bleeding bodies.
In the midst of these scenes of horror there was many a bright and joyous departure to the world of peace and rest.
Speaking of the death of his son,
Mr. Talley says:
My son, after he had lain in a storehouse from Monday to Tuesday evening on a blanket and a handful of straw, was furnished by a kind lady with a straw mattress, on which he is now dying.
May God remember her in mercy “ in that day.”
The night of the 29th was a night of pain, anxiety, deep, unutterable emotion.
We sat or kneeled by his couch, and poured out our souls in prayer for the sufferer.
He wanted me to pray for him, and almost suffocated with emotion, silent prayer yielded to sobs and prayers.
At the close, I asked him if he loved Jesus.
He answered “Yes.”
I asked him if he was going to heaven; he said: “I hope so;” and wanted us all to meet him in heaven.
He then threw his arms around his 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 Gen. Bragg's army.
The struggle lasted until Tuesday, September 30th, 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.
The same triumphant death scenes were witnessed on the battle-field of the
Second Manassas that had cast such a radiance over Southern patriotism in the previous battles of the war. “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
