Early this morning the Seventh takes up the line of march
for Blandville, Kentucky, to join McClernand's Division, already marched on
before us. Upon our arrival there, we find that he has left with his command,
moving in the direction of Columbus. We hasten on, and join him in the evening
after he has gone into camp. Everything seems to indicate that Grant means
action. The camp fires are now seen burning away on the fields as far as the
eye can reach.
The men have all sunk to rest upon the earth, save the weary
sentinel who is pacing quietly over his lonely path.
Though the heroes seem to sleep soundly, they may be
dreaming of the clash of men, and the clang of steel, of the groans of the
dying and the shouts of the victors. The Seventh boys are now all still. How
nobly they all look as their eyes are closed, with the shadow of the pale moon
playing upon their faces. We are wont to feel sad when we look around here and
know that in this war for the Union some of those who lie here will go down as
victims on the alter of human freedom.
SOURCES: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 21-2
No comments:
Post a Comment