SISTER--I am wounded, and must die. I have felt it for several
days. The doctor and the kind boys try to cheer me up, but I've
been growing weaker daily. The suffering in my breast is
terrible. I had a Minnie ball pass through my left lung. I have
been very much frightened about dying, and wanted to live; but
last night I had a dream which has produced a great change. Now I
feel sure I shall die, and am content. I am with the Union boys;
they are very kind. The one next me fanned me and rubbed my side
until I fell asleep last night, and slept better than I have
since I've been wounded. Now, darling sister, here is my dream: I
thought I had been fighting, and having been wounded, was carried
off the field and was laid under a large tree; after being there
a little while I felt some one clasp my hand; looking up, I found
Paul, He also had been wounded.
He handed me his canteen, and while drinking I seemed to get
quite easy. There seemed to be a great mist all over us; I could
see nothing for a little while. Again I heard my name called, and
looking up, found the mist had cleared away, and our
great-grandfather (whom I knew well, from the old portrait, which
we used to be so proud of, father telling us he was one of the
signers of the "Declaration") was standing before me, but he did
not look smiling like the face of the picture; but, oh! so sad
and stern. In his hand he had a beautiful wreath of ivy, which
he, stooping, placed on the brow of Paul, saying, "Live,
boy--your country wants you;" and stretching forth his hand, he
drew me to a stand near him on which stood our old family Bible,
ink and pen. He opened to the births, and putting his finger on
my name, he raised the pen and marked a heavy black line over the
H, and was proceeding, when his hand was caught by our old nurse,
Mammy Chloe, who has been dead years, you know, who pointed over
toward the west of us, and there stood a large shining cross with
these words over it, "Unless ye forgive men their trespasses, how
can your Heavenly Father forgive you?" And coming up to me, put
forth her hand and beckoned me to follow her. Then the old
gentleman spoke and said, "Your blood will blot out your
disgrace;" and turning the leaf, he pointed to the "Deaths," and
I read, "On the 28th of September, 1862, Harry Clay Mason, aged
21;" and then I woke up. This is the 20th; I think I shall live
until that day. Now I bid you go carry mother to somewhere North,
to Paul's friends; they will be kind to her and try to comfort
her, and go you and devote yourself to the suffering soldiers,
and find Paul, if possible; he will live, I know; tell him how I
loved him, yet, and honored him, although I thought him wrong.
Tell him good-by. And to mother, try to soften this blow as much
as possible. Tell her I am happy now. I think God will pardon me
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