And one man knew this and stood there in the dangerous passage,
warning the men. When urged to go himself the safe way, he said, "No;
some one must stay here to guide the others." Is there any heroism of
this world's life finer than that?
It was at Fredericksburg, after a bloody battle. Hundreds of Union
soldiers lay wounded on the field. All night and all next day the
space was swept by artillery from both armies; and no one could venture
to the sufferers' relief. All that time, too, there went up from the
field agonizing cries for water, but there was no response save the
roar of the guns. At length, however, one brave fellow behind the
ramparts, a Southern soldier, felt that he could endure these piteous
cries no longer. His compassion rose superior to his love of life.
"General," said Richard Kirkland to his commander, "I can't stand this.
Those poor souls out there have been praying for water all night and
all day, and it is more than I can bear. I ask permission to carry
them water."
The general assured him that it would be instant death for him to
appear upon the field, but he begged so earnestly that the officer,
admiring his noble devotion to humanity, could not refuse his request.
Provided with a supply of water, the brave soldier stepped over the
wall and went on his Christ-like errand. From both sides wondering
eyes looked on as he knelt by the nearest sufferer, and gently raising
his head, held the cooling cup to his parched lips.
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