The Maine bugle ... campaign; 1-5 Jan. 1894-Oct. 1898 - Maine.gov

294 THE MAINE BUGLE.
few rods ahead tempted me to it, and I let myself rest against its trunk. The ambu-
lance train was in sight and soon the doctor was probing the wound, a bandage was
put on the arm wet with cold water, and I was crowded between two comrades who
were suffering intensely. By consent of the driver I took a seat with him, and thus
made more room for my comrades. This seat gave me, boys, the first real view of a
grand contest— three bayonet charges in an open field and a contest occupying about
two hours of time. The last charge came near dark. I was thinking I might have to
stay there, but God was on our side and that night we were taken from what the boys
called the bull pen. Oh, how well do I remember the groans of those two comrades
inside as we were driven over those rough roads all night. I want to thank the com-
rade who came to me during the afternoon, while in the ambulance, with my overcoat.
I cannot recall his name, but if he is alive and sees this letter let him accept my hearty
thanks. It did me so much good that chilly night, when the cold winds blew with
painful sensation on my body, weakened by the loss of so much warm blood. The
morning of the twenty-eighth found us in a long open field, where I wailed my turn
through the whole tiay to have, as I desired then, my arm amputated. Help among
doctors was not plenty and they did not reach me that day. The next day we were
loaded on an old freight train and forwarded to the hospital. Comrades of the army,
you all well know about what that meant to me when I tell you I was there eight long
months before I was considered able to go home ! I want to close this letter by say-
ing that many of us who are now living can but think that it is due largely to the will
of God, who may have some little work yet for the old gray-haired veterans to do, if
nothing more than speaking a kind word by way of cheer to those more unfortunate
than ourselves.
Edward Trenchard, of New York, writes:
Tn the issue of the Maine Bugle of January, 1894, appears a poem entitled "An
Old Blue Cap," by Kendall Pollard of Company K. Now this pt)em, the true title
being "Company K " was written during the early part of the rebellion, 1862 or '63, by
Mrs. E. L. Beers; the well known poetess, Ethel Lynn, being her nom de plume. At
that time the boys in l)luc of Maine were too l)usy in the field of reality to indulge in
poetic fancy, and I am sure you and your gallant comrades will in justice to one of
the fair sex, (departed this life). be pleased to make this correction in your valuable
journal. The original and only is to be found on page twenty in the volume "All
Quiet Along the Pnti-mac " and other poems, by Ethel Lynn Beers, ? rter & Ctates,
Publishers, Philadelphia.
Note. — The correctivn is made with the consent of Kendall P. Hard. It was a
misunderstanding on the part of the edit