lus:^: 
 
 
 iii 
 
 
 si>mm 
 
ss E^o l 
 
 Book ■ C (^ 
 
THE 
 
 COLOR-BEAEER 
 
 FRANCIS A. CLARY. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY THE 
 AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, 
 
 150 NASSAU-STREET, NEW YORK. 
 
■ C (^'l 
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864, by the 
 American Tract Society, in the Clerk's Oflace of the District Court 
 of the United States for the Southern District of Ne'v York. 
 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 Earliest Years - - 5 
 
 CHAPTEE n. 
 Plans for Enlistment - 10 
 
 CHAPTER m. 
 Leaving Home 22 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 In Camp - - 28 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 Sailing Southward 37 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 At New Orleans - 43 
 
 CHAPTER Vn. 
 At Fort Jackson 54, 
 
 CHAPTER Yin. 
 Days of Usefulness 70 
 
4 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTEE IX. 
 The Colors Besigned 79 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 Tributes to the Soldier and the Christian 91 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 Conclusion — - - -- 101 
 
THE COLOR-BEARER 
 
 CHAPTEK I 
 
 EARLIEST YEARS. 
 
 Francis Amsden Clary, son of Deacon John 
 Clary, was born at Conway, Mass., Aug. 19, 
 
 isse". 
 
 His mother died when he was but two 
 weeks old, leaving the request that her babe 
 should be "trained up for God," that he 
 should become " a preacher and a mission- 
 ary to China." Truth-loving and conscien- 
 tious, he grew up under the influence of a 
 quiet country life, beautiful scenery, and a 
 religious home; and so situated, it does not 
 seem strange that he early understood and 
 accepted the responsibilities of a Christian. 
 
 At the age of twelve, it seemed to himself 
 and to others that he had yielded heart and 
 life to the control of the Holy Spirit, and he 
 
6 THE COLOR-BEABER. 
 
 became at that time a member of the cliiirch 
 in his native village. 
 
 When the disclosure of his mother's con- 
 secration was made to him, the fervor of re- 
 hgions impulse seemed deepened within him, 
 and his earnestness increased, to become wor- 
 thy of such a mother and such a consecration. 
 
 He adopted that wish as the settled pur- 
 pose of his heart, a purpose that never wa- 
 vered until his country's call grew more im- 
 perative than that of China : then the same 
 heroic determination which had given him 
 his first strong and clearly defined motive 
 took a new form; the same martyr spirit that 
 impelled him to lay down his hfe for the 
 needs of a distant nation, led him to sacrifice 
 it for the maintenance of his own. 
 
 Until the age of nineteen he remained at 
 home, working upon his father's farm. 
 
 He then went through a course of study 
 at the Westfield Normal school, and after a 
 brief interval of teaching, studied two years 
 at Meriden, N. H., in preparation for entering 
 college. He was enthusiastic in the pursuit 
 of knowledge, as bearing on the deeper pur- 
 pose of his life. He writes home from Meri- 
 
EAKLIEST YEAKS. 7 
 
 den thus: "My studies dry? No, indeed, a 
 stream of pleasure from Monday morning till 
 Saturday night. The toil is incessant, but 
 very sweet. Thus I am preparing to go 
 about my Master's business." 
 
 At Amherst, where he began his college 
 course in September, 1859, the same ardor, 
 combined with system and steady resolution, 
 characterized him. Towards the close of the 
 first year his health failed, and physicians 
 and friends advising rest and change of air, 
 he made an excursion to Labrador with some 
 acquaintances who were about establishing a 
 Mission house at Caribou Island. He assist- 
 ed in the work, and the voyage proved bene- 
 ficial to him, so that he soon returned to his 
 studies with spirits refreshed and health re- 
 newed. 
 
 In so hasty an outHne of his early years, 
 we can pause but a moment to notice the 
 prominence of disinterestedness and active 
 benevolence as traits in his character. While 
 at Meriden and at Amherst, he was in the 
 habit of visiting district schools in his imme- 
 diate vicinity, and exhibiting to the children 
 curious and remarkable objects wliich he had 
 
8 THE COLOR-BEAKER. 
 
 collected, for tlieir amusement and instruc- 
 tion. He took a deep personal interest in 
 the sick, the afflicted, and the dying, and 
 spent much time in visiting them, both dur- 
 ing intervals of school duty and in his va- 
 cations at home, ministering to the wants of 
 body and soul. To such a man the appeal of 
 a stricken nation could not be made in vain; 
 and he was one of those early accounted wor- 
 thy to suffer and to die in so noble a cause 
 as that of a nation's deliverance. 
 
 The time of his return to college was April, 
 1861, the month memorable in our country's 
 annals as the date of the outbreak of the 
 great rebellion. The Union found itself, with- 
 out warning or preparation, plunged at once 
 into the abyss of war. The shock which 
 stunned the nation aroused also its latent 
 energies. Young and old, the first-born and 
 the darling Benjamin, offered themselves at 
 once and freely to defend the nation's honor 
 and maintain its existence. In schools and 
 colleges the excitement was especially felt, 
 and Amherst college was one of the first to 
 offer the aid of its young men as volunteers ; 
 an example of patriotism which has been well 
 
EARLIEST YEARS. 9 
 
 sustained by the number and value of the 
 sacrifices it has constantly made. 
 
 From the first, young Clary's whole being 
 was stirred by the summons. His prompt 
 response, his patient waiting for acceptance, 
 his enhstment, and his whole soldier history 
 are best told in his own words ; and from this 
 period, his correspondence will, so far as pos- 
 sible, continue the narrative of his life — a hfe 
 too brief in its noble purposes and endeavors, 
 ever to be spoken of as *' concluded" on 
 earth, 
 
10 THE COLOR-BEARER. 
 
 CHAPTEK II 
 
 PLANS EOR ENLISTMENT. 
 
 "Amhekst College, April 22, 1861. 
 
 "Dear Friends — As yon may well suppose, 
 there is but little talked of or thought of but 
 war and its attendant excitements. Even 
 now, between ten and eleven o'clock, I hear 
 the beating of the drum in the distance. We 
 have been marching to music, listening to 
 Union speeches, and assisting at flag raisings. 
 
 "Our President made a stirring speech to 
 us at prayers on Sunday morning. He said 
 he was in Boston the day before, and wit- 
 nessed the fearful excitement there, and added 
 that he was willing to go forth to defend our 
 country's cause, should he be needed. Prof. 
 
 C has gone to see the governor to-day, 
 
 about providing arms for the college. A 
 pledge was circulated last night, soliciting 
 the names of the members who will respond 
 to the call of the governor, if he make one. 
 It is the general impulse to take the field at 
 any place or at any time during the war. I 
 
PLANS FOR ENLISTMENT. 11 
 
 think seventy have enrolled their names with 
 this intention, and my purpose, in writing this, 
 is to give speedy information to my friends 
 at home that my name is on the roll. 
 
 "I suppose Prof. C has taken the list 
 
 to the governor. I think I will detain this 
 letter, however, until I hear of his success. 
 If we are not needed, the drill will do us no 
 harm ; and if there is need of our services, 
 and the duty is made plain, surely our par- 
 ents will not hold us back. 
 
 "We expect, or at least hope to get our 
 muskets this week, and with them the services 
 of a staff-officer. You may be surprised at 
 this step, but I believe that on second thought 
 you will be glad of it. "We have the news 
 twice a day now. 
 
 "It is nearly eleven o'clock. The students 
 in considerable numbers, and some of the 
 inhabitants, have just ended their marching. 
 There was a spirited Union meeting this 
 evening, and measures were taken to organ- 
 ize a company forthwith, expecting a sum- 
 mons from government." 
 
 "April 23. Prof. C has just returned 
 
 from Boston. 
 
12 THE COLOR-BEAEEB. 
 
 " The governor and otlier military men were 
 delighted with our proposal. The faculty will 
 have a meeting to decide the matter to-mor- 
 row night. 
 
 " Yours affectionately, 
 
 *'F. A. CLAET." 
 
 "AprH 28, 1861. 
 
 "DeaeEbiends — This Sabbath opens more 
 quietly than the last. The intense excite- 
 ment has in some measure subsided, and the 
 military movement so much talked of by col- 
 lege students is becoming a failure. 
 
 "It seems that v/e are not needed just now; 
 and the faculty have decided it is best not 
 to drill with arms upon the college grounds, 
 and that too after one of the number had 
 been to Springfield to procure muskets. 
 
 "It is a disappointment iU brooked by some 
 of our martial spirits; but we are trying to 
 meet our duties as usual, quietly waiting to 
 see when we may be needed. 
 
 "Should it be necessary for our students 
 to take the field, God forbid that I should 
 hesitate a moment to obey the call of duty." 
 
PLANS FOR ENLISTMENT. 13 
 
 "June 3. 
 
 "Dear Friends — The time is passing swift- 
 ly and pleasantly. I am now established in 
 a work on the Sabbath that suits me well. 
 
 Mr. S , my intimate friend in the Senior 
 
 class, having left college, has bequeathed to 
 me his little Sabbath-school, held in the brick 
 school-house at Fort River, a neighborhood 
 in Old Hadley, about three miles distant. 
 There are two classes; six blacks and four 
 or five whites constitute the number. 
 
 "I have the negroes to teach. Their ages 
 vary from five or six to thirteen years of age. 
 I enjoy talking to them, teaching them hymns, 
 etc. I hope God will accept my labors, which 
 I shall be Hkely to continue for a long time, 
 if permitted. I am sure you will be glad with 
 me that this opening for usefulness has pre- 
 sented itseK. 
 
 "We shall soon be reviewing our studies in 
 college. I can look back upon this term as 
 a real success. My health is quite good. 
 Life seems to me more earnest. I enjoy 
 more the blessings of each day, and espec- 
 ially the hope of doing something for my 
 heavenly Father, so that I am still willing 
 
14 THE COLOR-BEAEER. 
 
 you slioiild take that enthusiastic letter I 
 wrote at the commencement of the term as a 
 fair index of my present feehng." 
 
 But now the time arrived when men were 
 trembling with fear for the safety of their 
 country. Frequent reverses and defeats 
 taught the people to look for news with deep 
 solicitude. Kentucky and Missouri were fear- 
 fully threatened. Numbers of the best col- 
 lege students were leaving to annex their 
 names to the "roll of honor." Others were 
 well-nigh ready to say, "We '11 go." 
 
 Clary perceived the nation's peril, and his 
 wavering convictions of duty sometimes troub- 
 led him. Whether he should join the army, 
 or remain at college to prepare for mission- 
 ary life, was the question for him to decide. 
 
 He loved his country with more than ordi- 
 nary devotion, and had long borne her inter- 
 ests on his heart before the throne of God ; 
 and now he felt more strongly than ever, 
 that his first impulse to leave his studies for 
 the national defence was right. The elo- 
 quence of his patriotic teachers kindled with- 
 in him new zeal for the cause. 
 
 With reference to a soul-stirring sermon 
 
PLANS FOR ENLISTMENT. 15 
 
 delivered by Dr. Stearns, he writes, "It was 
 almost enough to make one resolve at once 
 to enter the army; and perhaps I shall go, 
 as it is. I do not mean to be hasty or 
 thoughtless. I begin to regard the summons 
 as more and more urgent. Some of our best 
 young men are leaving. I want to be will- 
 ing to answer the call, the .moment the way 
 is made clear. I think I will say nothing 
 to my parents about it until I feel more de- 
 cided." 
 
 His decision, which was not made without 
 prayer, is thus communicated to his father. 
 
 "Amherst ColijEge, Oct. 1, 1861. 
 
 *'My dear Father — ^Perhaps you will be 
 surprised to read this letter; but upon a sec- 
 ond perusal, and upon careful consideration 
 of the motives prompting me to take the step 
 proposed, I think you cannot object to my 
 leaving college at once to join my brave 
 brothers and classmates here who are hast- 
 ening on to the conflict, especially if you 
 have thought earnestly of the pressing need 
 of men for the army. 
 
 " The gloom of to-day is deeper here than 
 
IG THE COLOE-BEARER. 
 
 I liave seen it at any time before. A feeling 
 of determined patriotism is prevailing among 
 the young men, and it is said that the facul- 
 ty do not seek to hinder them as they seemed 
 to do at first. 
 
 *' On this question I feel quite decided; but 
 you know, dear father, how much I think 
 of your advice, and how glad I am to se- 
 cure your acquiescence in all the important 
 changes and plans of my life. 
 
 "Hitherto you have most kindly fallen in 
 with my projects; such as going to sea, to 
 Labrador, etc. Now I come to you with a 
 proposal far different from any previous one, 
 and more important than all. 
 
 "I am hopeful that you will second my 
 proposition, and send me away with your 
 blessing. I have the feeling that you will 
 certainly grant my request. 
 
 "Please to think how supporting it will be, 
 as I make the necessary preparations and 
 take my leave of friends. Think how hard 
 it will be to go away without your ready ac- 
 quiescence. But this I do not fear. Looking 
 upon the country as you do, especially upon 
 Kentucky and Missouri; upon the reverses 
 
PLANS FOR ENLISTMENT. 17 
 
 and disasters wliich are multiplying on our 
 side, and upon the fact that men, men are 
 called for with such heart-stirring appeals; 
 looking in the face of all this, dear father, 
 and remembering that, though you cannot gc 
 yourself, you have a son, strong and able- 
 bodied, who is yearning to be in the conflict, 
 to whom it is the greatest self-denial to stay 
 at home a single day, surely you will say, 
 * Go, and the God of battles be with you.' 
 
 "You spoke about my not joining the army 
 till obliged to by drafting. I think I am 
 obliged to go now. My conscience, my con- 
 victions of duty, every thing about me sug- 
 gests the course proposed. I am well, and 
 thankful too for my health. Let it be of 
 avail for the country's service. 
 
 "Perhaps I have said enough; I will add, 
 that these words are not the hasty expres- 
 sions of only a few days' rash impulse. 1 
 have been struggling with myself — have been 
 praying; feel quite clear that it is my duty, 
 and am happy in the thought that I can and 
 must go. 
 
 "I want to receive your reply certainly by 
 Friday. Meanwhile I will try to find the 
 
18 THE COLOR-BEARER. 
 
 best metliod of enlistment. That I trust will 
 not take long; and then the sooner off, the 
 better for my conscience, my health, and 
 every thing. If I have said enough, I will 
 close with the prayer that you may give just 
 the right rej)ly to 
 
 "Your affectionate 
 
 "FKANCIS." 
 
 The margin of this patriotic letter was 
 filled with these lines, which illustrate the 
 eagerness and resolution with which he had 
 already entered upon his chosen work: "I 
 presume I shall go to "Worcester or Sj)ring- 
 field in a few days, if it seems best. I want 
 to hear from you, so as to be making plans 
 with more definiteness and rapidity. For the 
 present I go on with my regular lessons. It 
 is pretty hard work, however. Father, if all 
 I have said is not enough, I have the prom- 
 ise of Dr. Stearns' sermon of Fast-day for 
 you." 
 
 In writing thus, he was not impetuous, 
 but simply earnest. 
 
 During the interim, he labored as well as 
 the circumstances would allow. But study- 
 
PLANS FOR ENLISTMENT. 19 
 
 ing was iip-liill work, for liis heart was in 
 tlie war, and he was looking with hope for 
 the forthcoming letter of reply. The mes- 
 sage soon reached Conway, Mass. His fa- 
 ther immediately sent back this honest, heart- 
 felt reply : 
 
 "Conway, Oct. 3, 1861. 
 
 "My dear Francis — I was greatly surprised 
 at the contents of your letter, received this 
 afternoon. I shall not undertake to dictate, 
 but as a father you will allow me to advise. 
 
 "I am not afraid to have you go to the 
 war, nor even to engage in battle, nor to fall 
 in your country's service, if it is the Divine 
 will. 
 
 " But your circumstances are peculiar ; you 
 have been consecrated as an ambassador for 
 Christ to China. This I have supposed was 
 the land of your adopted work. I had fondly 
 hoped to live to see you enter that great and 
 glorious missionary field, where you would 
 have abundant opportunity to exhaust all 
 your energies in wielding spiritual weapons 
 to restore milUons of rebels to allegiance to 
 the King of kings. But you propose to turn 
 aside, for a season, from a preparation for 
 
20 THE COLOll-BEARER. 
 
 tlie work of your life, to serve your country ; 
 yet there are thousands and tens of thousands 
 ready to sacrifice themselves on this altar, 
 where there is one to go to China. You 
 know you were twenty-three years of age 
 when you commenced your college course. 
 You have already lost one year; and can 
 you think of losing one, two, or three years 
 more ? Indeed, should you leave now, I should 
 hardly expect to see you a graduate of Am- 
 herst college. 
 
 "But you go to 'help save the country.' 
 It is true it is now in a critical, but not in a 
 desperate condition. These temporary re- 
 verses lead multitudes to enlist with alacrity 
 for the war; and the probability is, that ere 
 long there will be a full supply of federal 
 forces. It is the superiority of your plans 
 and future work over those of most young 
 men, and even most who are pursuing a col- 
 lege course, and not the danger of war, that 
 makes me think it inexpedient. 
 
 "Should you change again so soon, many 
 of your friends might give you credit for in- 
 stabihty of character, which would operate 
 against your future usefulness. But I must 
 
PLANS FOR ENLISTMENT. 21 
 
 bring this letter to a close, as it is time to 
 go to tlie office, that you may receive it to- 
 morrow. Should you decide after all to go, 
 you will continue to have our best wishes 
 and tenderest concern. Love from all. 
 
 "Your affectionate Father." 
 
22 THE COLOK-BEARER. 
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 LEAVING HOME. 
 
 The young student tliouglitfully perused 
 liis father's letter, finding in it no sufficient 
 reason for changing his determination to enter 
 the army at once. He writes soon after, 
 
 " I allowed but a few minutes to pass before 
 enlisting, after I read father's letter, for I was 
 sure that I could answer all his questions from 
 the heart." He joined what was called the 
 Western Bay State regiment, afterwards 
 numbered the Thirty-first. Immediately on 
 leaving home, he occupied himself in enhsting 
 recruits, having been employed to do so by 
 the proper authorities. He undertook this 
 work with his usual zeal, and many instances 
 of his perseverance and success might be 
 given. 
 
 We mention but one. A young man in a 
 neighboring town had made a deep impres- 
 sion on the mind of Clary, as a brave, able 
 man, and an active Christian. " I deter- 
 
LEAVING HOME. 23 
 
 mined," tie writes, " not to leave his home till 
 I should do so with his name on the enhst- 
 ment-roll. I found him expecting to be mar- 
 ried in a short time, with a prospect of build- 
 ing and occupying a house of his own in 
 Michigan. * Shall we not pray together?' 
 I asked. ' We will,' was the ready response." 
 The young man showed the way to the parlor. 
 They knelt, both their souls struggling for 
 inward enhghtenment, for divine guidance. 
 Would not God deign to point out the way r 
 Again and again they bowed in importunate 
 prayer. Nearly an hour had passed before 
 they left the room. 
 
 Then they retired to rest, the young recruit- 
 ing officer saying, " Hope it will be all right 
 in the morning." Simultaneously with their 
 prayers, a mother's pleadings were ascending 
 in an adjoining room, that she might be ready 
 to give up her son, if it should seem best. 
 When morning came the decision was ready 
 another name was added to the list of Chris- 
 tian patriots. 
 
 While stopping at the village of Ware, 
 where the greater part of his company had 
 enhsted, he writes, " Three of my companions 
 
24 THE COLOR-BEARER. 
 
 and myself occni^y one room in tlie hotel here. 
 "We have devotions every night and morning. 
 This is exceedingly gratifying to me, especial- 
 ly as it might not have been expected, since 
 neither of them make any pretensions to re- 
 ligion. Will you not pray earnestly that my 
 influence may be salutary over these my com- 
 panions? 
 
 " I am obhged to hear a great deal of pro- 
 fane swearing, and to associate with those 
 who indulge in it. I feel sad to think I shall 
 be under the necessity of hearing oaths, per- 
 haps many times a day. Any hints that you 
 can give me as to the best way of urging men 
 to discontinue the practice, will be most grate- 
 fully received. 
 
 " Saturday night I repaired to the minis- 
 ter's, and obtained some good books for my 
 companions to read. I was glad soon aftei 
 to see one of them reading very diligenth 
 the Pilgrim's Progress. He calls it * first 
 rate.'" 
 
 " Ware, Nov. 4. — We have had pretty good 
 drilling to-day. I enjoyed it. I find many 
 opportunities to watch the development of 
 character day by day, and am amused to ob- 
 
LEAVING HOME. 25 
 
 serve the great clamor for office. Disappoint- 
 ment and ill-feeling are constantly arising from 
 disheartened office-seekers, who threaten to 
 leave the ranks imless they can be gratified. 
 I find that only a sraall number of those now 
 here are professors of religion." 
 
 At Conway we hear of young Clary, with 
 several others, addressing, one of those pa- 
 triotic meetings then so common all over the 
 loyal portion of the country. His words were 
 few and well chosen. They glowed with the 
 fire of a patriot, a soldier, and a Christian. 
 All felt their power ; and upon his audience 
 he left the abiding impression that our coun- 
 try was worthy of the sacrifice for which it 
 called — that the lives of her young men were 
 not to be offered up in vain. 
 
 He afterwards writes of this gathering, 
 " Our meeting was inspiring. Our friends 
 gave us good advice and good cheer; and 
 through the noble efforts of the ladies, we are 
 the recipients of such comforts as the soldier 
 can appreciate — needle-books, handkerchiefs, 
 stockings, and blankets." 
 
 This visit to the home he so much loved 
 was long remembered. Every thing in and 
 
26 THE COLOB-BEAREB. 
 
 around tlie " good old brick house" — as lie 
 affectionately called it — was as dear to liim as 
 " the apple of his eje." 
 
 The faithful old horse which had carried 
 him so many times to the distant church and 
 railroad station ; the wild, rural walks which 
 his feet had so many times traced and re- 
 traced ; the beautiful hills, whose openings 
 revealed sister villages; and the maple or- 
 chard where in childhood he had loved to watch 
 the process of sugar-making — all these brought 
 to mind most pleasant remembrances and 
 associations from which it was hard to break 
 away. 
 
 But how insignificant were they, in com- 
 parison with his estimate of the treasures of 
 the household ! We find Clary in his own 
 room on the day he was to leave, sad and 
 thoughtful. He folds neat packages, arranges 
 files of papers, puts away all his effects with 
 scrupulous care, the choicest relics being giv- 
 en into the faithful keeping of his youngest 
 sister. 
 
 Thus he closes up his affairs at home. The 
 remaining time, so precious yet so sad to him, 
 he spent in writing to his absent sister, and 
 
LEAVING HOME. 2"! 
 
 in calling on a few of his neighbors, all of 
 whom had some land wish to express. 
 
 Beturning home, he found his sister unable 
 to attend to her duties for grief. His youn- 
 ger brother could scarcely control his emotions 
 in parting from him before he went to school. 
 In the midst of these painful and agitating 
 feelings his father called, "It is time to be 
 going." That word "going" never before 
 broke so strangely, so sadly on his ear. He 
 says, " My heart murmured, not quite ready 
 to go from this home of homes, perhaps never 
 to return." 
 
 He hastened down. Little comforts unask- 
 ed — ^which a mother alone knows how to pre- 
 pare — he found in his valise. 
 
 An affectionate good-by to all, and he was 
 on his way to join his comrades at Ware, just 
 previous to their removal to Camp Seward, 
 located at Pittsfield, Mass. 
 
28 THE COLOR-BEAEER. 
 
 CHAPTER lY 
 
 IN CAMP. 
 
 Clary's first appearance on camp-ground 
 was under trying circumstances. Sickness 
 prevented liis marcliing mth tlie soldiers, and 
 he was compelled to ride in tlie baggage- 
 wagon — quite a trial to liis pride. He was so 
 ill, that on his arrival his captain insisted 
 upon his riding back to take quarters at the 
 hotel, in company with a fellow-soldier. 
 
 Soon, however, he recovered his health, and 
 set himself earnestly at work. It was not an 
 infrequent remark of his, "I mean to make a 
 good soldier;" and from this time until the 
 close of his life, he hterally carried this into 
 effect. 
 
 He held it to be the duty of a good soldier 
 to "endure hardness" without complaining. 
 Privations he expected, and they were cheer- 
 fully met. What troubled him most was the 
 indifference of his comrades to sacred things. 
 He could bear patiently every hardship of 
 the camp, but the profanity which he was 
 
IN CAMP. 29 
 
 obKged to hear, lie deemed the most inexcus- 
 able of all sins of the tongue, and he could 
 never endure listening to it without the keen- 
 est sorrow. 
 
 His duties as sentinel sometimes called him 
 from rest at an early hour. He writes, " I 
 was communing with my Saviour as early as 
 three o'clock this morning.. This profitable 
 season prepared me to speak to my neighbor 
 sentinel. He received my suggestions very 
 kindly, and promised that he would abandon 
 the use of profane language, and would seek 
 to do right in other respects. I enjoyed my 
 morning watch exceedmgiy, although in 
 strange contrast with my meditations ; for I 
 had a loaded gun, with strict orders to shoot 
 any man who should persist in passing the 
 line without permission." 
 
 In a letter dated Nov. 26, alluding to Capt. 
 Lee, who had been violently assaulted by a 
 soldier, he writes, " Capt. Lee seems to be a 
 favorite with all the men in camp, and a great 
 deal of sympathy is manifested for him. But 
 it is a bad place for one so sick to be in; 
 there is but a single board partition between 
 his bed and the large hall filled with nearly 
 
30 THE COLOR-BEARER. 
 
 five liimclred men, many of wliom are exceed- 
 ingly noisy and careless. Just now, as I write 
 on one of the great beams, I can liear tlie mul- 
 titude in tlieir Babel-like confusion." 
 
 " Nov. 27. Since I left home I have been 
 quite ill. A severe boil upon my neck, and 
 perhaps a worse one upon my right eyebrow 
 also troubled me. Just as I was relieved of 
 the latter, a genuine felon on my left fore- 
 finger claimed my serious attention." 
 
 " Dec. 11. Our prayer-meeting is increas- 
 ing in numbers and interest. The little room 
 is crowded at every meeting, and there is 
 some evidence of unusual thoughtfulness. I 
 hope you will continue to pray for us. Pro- 
 fessors of rehgion are in great danger of low- 
 ering their standard, for the wicked are an 
 overwhelming majority. I really believe that 
 some of them are destined to be saved by the 
 impressions they will receive in our camp. I 
 am glad to be here, with the hope of helping 
 some to a better life. This I can do the more 
 
 effectually, as Mr. E of Boston furnished 
 
 me with several dollars' worth of tracts and 
 books." 
 
 A letter to his father, dated Dec. 17, says, 
 
IN CAMP. 31 
 
 " That was a good letter yon wrote last, and 
 it deserves a long and careful reply. I thank 
 you most heartily for the deep interest you 
 manifested in my welfare. Heaven will bless 
 you for it all, be assured; but the remembrance 
 that you are constantly in the thoughts of a 
 grateful son, may cheer some of your hours of 
 loneliness. I think of yon at home a great 
 deal, but especially do I love to remember 
 you when at my morning and evening devo- 
 tions. Am I not right in thinking that I am 
 often mentioned in your secret petitions, as 
 well as at the family altar ? 
 
 " Father, I desire that you should know of 
 my constant happiness. My spirit is made glad 
 from day to day, by the consciousness that I 
 am in the line of duty. I find so much to en- 
 courage me in trying to do good, that it gives 
 me a constant feehng of thankfulness to my 
 heavenly Father for his unbounded mercy. 
 
 "I am glad you are disposed to write so 
 freely and plainly to me. You help me on to 
 a better life. Our meetings still continue to 
 be prospered." 
 
 To his sister S he wrote at the same 
 
 time, "Eejoicewithyour soldier brother, dear 
 
32 THE COLOR-BEAREE. 
 
 sister, that lie has so much to make life sweet, 
 and that that life is freely offered for the safe- 
 ty of the country, if necessity demands it. I 
 have not for a moment regretted my enlist- 
 ment. I really enjoy camp life. I feel deep- 
 ly for the anxious ones, who are much disap- 
 pointed that the meetings are soon to be given 
 up. We hope to be able to recommence them 
 some time." 
 
 He was promoted to the rank of Color-Ser- 
 geant Jan. 5, 1862. Keferring to it he writes, 
 "My situation is different from that of any 
 other in the. whole regiment. I have been 
 chosen by the colonel and adjutant to bear 
 the national colors for the regiment. The 
 of&cers had been thinking of this place for me 
 for several weeks. But the announcement 
 came as a perfect surprise. Upon second 
 thought I decided to go straight forward, and 
 do my best in the position, which you must 
 know is one of the most responsible and dan- 
 gerous in the whole line." 
 
 *' Jan. 8. On Monday our camp presented 
 a busy scene, in anticipation of Gen. Butler's 
 visit. At evening I was called aside by our 
 captain, and informed that the colonel wish- 
 
IN CAMP. 33 
 
 ed me to act as orderly sergeant, in concert 
 with twelve non-commissioned officers, form- 
 ing a body-guard for tlie general during his 
 stay of twenty-four hours. We marched to 
 the Berkshire hotel, where he was expected 
 to pass the night. 
 
 " Soon after his arrival, he signified that 
 two of our number would be sufficient. Ser- 
 geant B with myself took our posts before 
 
 the door of the parlor, while the general re- 
 ceived his friends. These became very nu- 
 merous by the next morning. 
 
 "At lOi o'clock in the evening we were ex- 
 cused till the morning. We returned to the 
 hotel early, but it was of course long before 
 the general rose, as he did not retire until 
 two o'clock. Men and boys from every quar- 
 ter came flocking to the house to shake hands 
 with or get a sight of him. The general was 
 very affable, and received his many friends 
 with a good grace, I could not but think 
 that such a man must have a patient soul, for 
 it must be annoying to be interrupted by so 
 many who are eager merely to gaze upon a 
 distinguished personage. 
 
 " A httie before noon a grand salute was 
 
 Oolor-bearer. Q 
 
34 THE COLOR-BEAEEB. 
 
 fired, the regiment was formed into line, and 
 the review took place. Just here was a trying 
 time for my humble self. I refer to my taking 
 the centre of the regiment to receive the colors. 
 The ceremony was very interesting, and I 
 had a good opportunity to hear the gene- 
 ral's speech, which was brief, eloquent, and 
 earnest. 
 
 "Then followed a thorough inspection of 
 the separate companies by the general. He 
 looked upon the clothing, shoes, and knap- 
 sack of every man, to see that all had a 
 change of clothing." 
 
 Feb. 5, 1862, he writes, "After being in the 
 hospital for fifteen days, I was released yes- 
 terday, with the privilege of being absent from 
 duty for five days, being yet quite weak, for 
 I have had to contend with various illnesses, 
 and what was worse, witness many scenes re- 
 volting to my heart. I did not submit to the 
 latter without giving an earnest remonstrance. 
 I hope it was not without effect. 
 
 "You will be glad to know that my sick- 
 ness has done me a great deal of good ; I have 
 been very happy, especially in the exercise of 
 prayer. The peculiar circumstances that sur- 
 
IN CAMP. 35 
 
 roimdecl me drove me nearer to my Sayiour, 
 who manifested himself very graciously unto 
 me." 
 
 His hospital experience was of use to him, 
 for he was disciphning himself to endure the 
 pecuhar trials incident to such a life. Of his 
 last night spent in the hospital he says, "It 
 was a solemn one, for I saw one of our num- 
 ber die. He breathed his last at half-past 
 two yesterday morning. Not a relative, nor 
 even an officer in his company, to attend him 
 in his last hours. I rose several times to do 
 for him what I could, and to be with him to 
 the last. His dying struggles were enough 
 to make one weep ; but more sad still did I 
 feel, to witness the shght impression made 
 upon some of the men, who were busily em- 
 ployed in card-playing, while the fearful death 
 rattle could be heard all through our rooms. 
 It has made a deep impression upon my own 
 mind, and the last recollection of my stay in 
 this hospital must be tinged with sadness." 
 
 It was just after this that he made a " fly- 
 ing visit," most unexpectedly, to his home. 
 This visit was often afterwards referred to by 
 himself, and by his parents, as an unusually 
 
36 THE COLOR-BEARER. 
 
 pleasant one. Tliere was then manifested 
 none of that sadness which marked his for- 
 mer leave-taking. 
 
 "Writing from Camp Chase, Lowell, Feb. 14, 
 he says, "I am in good spirits, and quite 
 elated with the prospect of being paid off to- 
 day. We left Camp Seward at 6 A. M., Wed- 
 nesday, and arrived at this place abont dark. 
 I was glad to lay hold of the colors once 
 more. I enjoyed the ride. We had twenty- 
 seven cars, eight of which were used for bag- 
 gage. We have fine quarters, but expect soon 
 to leave them for the sea. 
 
 " If I do not write again, let me tell you 
 that my last visit was by far the most pleasant 
 I ever made at home. I thank you all for 
 being so cheerful Long may I remember 
 the impressive scene at our family devotions 
 on the morning of my departure." 
 
 In his next letter, dated Feb. 19, occurs this 
 pleasant statement : " The memory of my last 
 visit home will be like a pleasant "sunbeam 
 cast upon my rugged pathway. Dear father, 
 I thank you heartily for your kind words of 
 advice, affection, and sohcitude." 
 
SAILING SOUTHWARD. 31 
 
 CHAPTER Y. 
 
 SAILING SOUTHWAED. 
 
 On the twentieth of February, 1862, the 
 Thirty-first was ordered on board the trans- 
 port "Mississippi" at Boston. The next day 
 they sailed for fortress Monroe. 
 
 Of his prospects, looking southward. Clary 
 says, " I am not sorry that I enlisted ; on the 
 contrary, I am more and more satisfied that I 
 have taken the right course. This is the deep 
 conviction of my heart. I shall still keep an 
 eye on China, for I do not by any means give 
 up the long cherished hope of standing up for 
 Christ before that people. 
 
 " My business matters are all arranged, and 
 no one will be embarrassed in case I never 
 return. I have a great desire to live, if it is 
 God's will. I have done but a tithe of the 
 good that I might have done. I do not know 
 that I have been the means of converting a 
 single soul. 
 
 " When I left college I little thought what 
 a change I was bringing upon myself. But 
 
38 THE COLOR-BEARER. 
 
 tlie dark cloud wliicli spreads over our land 
 must be removed, before I quietly resume the 
 duties and pleasures of college life. Loved 
 are those duties, and choice those pleasures ; 
 but richer far to my heart is the privilege of 
 going to defend my country in her peril. I 
 have no desire to return until she is rescued 
 from the storm, and her enemies are made to 
 repent and return to their allegiance." 
 
 Such were the sentiments of our young hero, 
 Sergeant Clary. The patriot spirit does not 
 need a Scotland or a Switzerland for its ex- 
 pression. The devotion of a "Wallace and a 
 Tell glows in the bosom of many an unknown 
 soldier in the Union ranks. " God, Liberty, 
 our Country," this is the watchword of our 
 warriors, and the motto of the banner under 
 which they will conquer or die. 
 
 The ship in which Sergeant Clary's regi- 
 ment embarked was overtaken by a severe 
 gale off Cape Hatteras, and was driven by its 
 fury on " Frying Pan Shoals." 
 
 Their peril now became imminent, for a 
 hole was worn in the bottom of the ship. To 
 add to their trouble, they discovered a steam- 
 er making towards them from the shore, but 
 
SAILING SOUTHWARD. 39 
 
 were ignorant whether it was manned by 
 friends or foes. It proved to be the United 
 States sloop-of-war Mount Yernon, bj which 
 they were rescued. 
 
 The circumstances are related by Clary. 
 "After satisfying himself that our vessel was 
 a federal craft, the captain came to our re- 
 lief; but while she was approaching, we knew 
 not whether her intentions were friendly or 
 otherwise, so there was considerable excite- 
 ment with us. Our officers gave command 
 for each man to put on his equipments, and 
 have his gun ready for action. 
 
 " The men were prompt in obeying this 
 order. I think that when our company is 
 called to fight, it will show itself v/ell. I can 
 not express to you our gratitude, as we saw 
 the stars and stripes run up by the Mount 
 Vernon. It then seemed necessary for us all 
 to forsake our ship to save our lives, for our 
 steamer was leaking badly. So on Friday, 
 just at evening, four hundred troops belong- 
 ing to the ' Thirteenth' Maine regiment were 
 conveyed in small boats to the steamer. The 
 rest of us expecting to leave, placed our all 
 upon our backs in anticipation of forsaking 
 
40 THE COLOB-BEAEER. 
 
 the Mississippi for ever. But tlio lightening 
 of the freight, by removing men and provis- 
 ions, together with the assistance of the Mount 
 Yernon as a tug, enabled us to get off the bar. 
 
 "On Saturday morning the weather was 
 delightful, and the Maine troops were return- 
 ed to our vessel, when we sailed on for Port 
 Royal. We arrived at Hilton Head about an 
 hour before sunset, but were not able to dis- 
 embark until Monday about noon, when our 
 fifteen hundred troops scattered about, glad 
 to set foot on land again." 
 
 After a brief detention at Hilton Head, they 
 again embarked; and on March 20th they 
 arrived at Ship Island, from which place he 
 writes : 
 
 " The memory of my last home visit is most 
 pleasant now ; I have often thought of it in 
 connection with the possibility that I might 
 never return. 
 
 " "Wliether I return or not, I desire to feel 
 a spirit of perfect resignation to the will of 
 God. I never enjoyed the Saviour's presence 
 more than in the XDeculiar trials of this soldier 
 life. I am in a situation to get much good 
 each day. I like the place I have in the reg 
 
SAILING SOUTHWARD. 41 
 
 iment very mucli. I find it well to spend all 
 my spare time in studying tlie tactics." 
 
 On the eighteenth of April the Mississippi 
 sailed up the river whose name it bears, en- 
 countering numerous rebel fire rafts. Clary's 
 journal has these notes of the passage : 
 
 " Apeil 24, 1862. Porter's famous mortar 
 fleet is engaged, and the heavy firing makes 
 our great ship jar, at a distance of many miles. 
 
 " April 26. We are now within five or six 
 miles of forts Philip and Jackson, and can 
 easily perceive the magnificent display of 
 bombs thrown in profusion upon the doomed 
 forts. 
 
 " April 27. Coming on deck, we find our- 
 selves near the west bank of the river, where 
 we have a good view of the warlike prepara- 
 tions of both enemies and friends. 
 
 " April 28. — Gen. B just came sailing 
 
 past us in a small steamboat, and in a sten- 
 torian voice and "^dth great enthusiasm ex- 
 claimed, ' Fort Jackson is on fire ! Get two 
 days' rations ready, and await further or- 
 ders!'" 
 
 The terrific scene of the bombardment was 
 in full view. The soldiers' hearts beat high 
 
42 THE COLOR-BEARER, 
 
 with the hope of planting the national colors 
 on the walls of the stubborn forts. It was a 
 time for tumultuous and conflicting emotions. 
 Only a soul resting on God could maintain its 
 calmness at such a time. 
 
 With reference to his own feelings Sergeant 
 Clary wiites, " I never enjoyed rehgion so 
 much as in these few weeks past. My trust 
 in God is quickened, and now on the eve of 
 conflict it is more hvely than ever. We are 
 witnessing splendid naval achievements by 
 Admiral Farragut. Forts Jackson and Philip 
 will soon be ours." 
 
 Their regiment was ordered back to the 
 gulf, to land in the rear of fort St. Phihp, and 
 take it by siege ; but this service was made 
 unnecessary by the surrender of the fort to 
 the fleet, soon after the regiment reached the 
 shore. They then returned to their trans- 
 ports and sailed up the Mississippi to New 
 Orleans, just in time to witness the surrender 
 of the citv to the Federal forces. 
 
AT NEW ORLEANS. 43 
 
 CHAPTEE YI. 
 
 AT NEW ORLEANS, 
 
 Four days after liis arrival at the Crescent 
 City, Sergeant Clary writes : 
 
 , "May 5, 1862. 
 
 " Dear Friends — I am now established in 
 one of the convenient little rooms of the cus- 
 tom-house ; the building is filled with several 
 regiments of our troops. For company, I 
 have the corporals of the color-guard. 
 
 "We were quite ready to appreciate the 
 luxury of tables and chairs, and other pieces 
 of furniture which the frightened rebels left in 
 the confusion of their hurried departure. 
 
 " I desire to thank God for our signal pres- 
 ervation through so many dangers, and for 
 allowing us to take possession of this city 
 without the loss of a single life. Surely he 
 has been better to us than our fears. 
 
 " The people of New Orleans at first de- 
 clared that the hated Yankees could never 
 take the forts or city. But when the news of 
 our success came, great consternation possess- 
 
44 THE COLOR-BEARER. 
 
 eel tlieir hearts. Mob yiolence was the order of 
 the day. The defences of the city were for 
 the most part abandoned or destroyed; and 
 on April 26, Gen. Lovell, perceiving that it 
 was of no use to resist our approach while 
 the gunboats of Com. Farragut were sta- 
 tioned directly in front of the city, ready 
 to shell it at any moment, fled to parts un- 
 known." 
 
 May 6. "After conquering the enemy be- 
 low, our gunboats had but little opposition in 
 their approach to the city. One battery, 
 thrown up on the old battle-ground where 
 Jackson fought, opened upon our men, but 
 was quickly silenced. The way was now clear 
 for the * Mississippi' and the other transports 
 to bring in the thousands of infantry. 
 
 " Accordingly on Tuesday, May 1, we sail- 
 ed up between splendid plantations on each 
 side of the river, and anchored in front of the 
 city just after noon, exchanging rousing 
 cheers as we arrived, with the crews of the 
 various vessels already anchored. We could 
 not help noticing the gloom and silence which 
 pervaded the whole city. All the stores and 
 offices were closed. But very few came out 
 
AT NEW ORLEANS. 45 
 
 on the wliarf at first, perhaps one or two hun- 
 dred j)ersons. 
 
 " We were cautioned to hold no conversa- 
 tion with the enemy; and were ordered to 
 load all the guns, to fix bayonets, and appear 
 on deck in complete readiness to go ashore. 
 We had to crowd the people back from the 
 wharf, for now they had come out in great 
 numbers. While standing before the rabble, 
 we were subjected to jeers and curses, though 
 nothing very violent in the way of opposition 
 occurred. For the most part, the people ex- 
 pressed their contempt and bitter hatred by 
 sullen silence. Some would dart back at the 
 approach of our flag, as if its touch were pol- 
 lution. There was but one Union flag in the 
 whole city, and that was floating over the 
 custom-house, where we were going to quar- 
 ter. 
 
 " The arrangements for this purpose being 
 completed, we proceeded to march through 
 several streets to the custom-house. Insult 
 upon insult was heaped upon the flag. It 
 seemed as if the desperadoes would actually 
 tear it from my hands. I managed to carry 
 it unsullied, and we congratulated ourselves 
 
46 THE COLOK-BEARER. 
 
 that tliis wa>s tlie first regimental color of the 
 United States that was planted in the city. To 
 our company was assigned the perilous duty 
 of clearing a passage for the general and his 
 army to pass. Our men were quite elated 
 with this honor. From eight to ten thousand 
 troops are now in the city. Martial law has 
 been proclaimed for several days; the faces 
 of the people do not wear so malicious an ex- 
 pression, and some of the traders have open- 
 ed their stores again : yet, after all, they claim 
 that their opposition to our government will 
 never be changed. 
 
 "In order to enforce martial law a large 
 number of guards are required; these are 
 posted on the various streets of the city, night 
 and day. We feel the heat considerably, al- 
 though the building where we are quartered 
 is quite cool. The water which supplies this 
 immense structure is forced up from the river, 
 and is suitable to drink. 
 
 " Our trip up the river was the most novel 
 and enchanting May-day excursion that we 
 ever enjoyed. The river for a long distance 
 is higher than the wide sj)reading plains on 
 either side. Our vessel often sailed so near 
 
AT NEW ORLEANS. 4T 
 
 the bank we could speak with the negroes, 
 many of whom would stop their work, and 
 give expression to their delight by clapping 
 their hands, throwing up their aprons, hoes, 
 etc. 
 
 " Many of the planters' mansions are rich 
 and neat; some almost hidden by the dense 
 fohage of willows, cypress, oak, or orange 
 trees. 
 
 "May 19. Among the strangest sights 
 here, I must mention the great bread crowds — 
 crowds of women with their baskets, rushing 
 for tickets to enable them to secure provis- 
 ions ; for Gen. Butler has taken such a course, 
 that provisions are allowed to be brought 
 from Mobile and the mouth of the Red river 
 and dehvered at the market. The people 
 have been almost on the verge of starvation, 
 for the flying rebel soldiers took all the pro- 
 visions of the city with them for their own 
 sustenance. A little girl came to our camp 
 to sell eggs last week ; I asked the price ; she 
 replied, ' Ninety cents a dozen !' 
 
 " The weather here is much like that of our 
 July days, although the nights are quite cool 
 and damp. I am one of many who are affected 
 
48 THE COLOK-BEAEEB. 
 
 by a sensation of languor, from the excessive 
 heat ; but we are favored by being required 
 to drill only a short time in early morning and 
 the cool of evening. 
 
 " We had fine opportunities for writing in 
 the custom-house, but of these we are now 
 deprived. Annunciation square, where we 
 are at present quartered, is a fine level sjDot, 
 ornamented with a few shade trees, of which 
 we take full advantage, for the heat is quite 
 oppressive. The families immediately sur- 
 rounding this park are said to be among the 
 most bitter secessionists. We feel it neces- 
 sary to keep a vigilant guard, and our pickets 
 have seen actual service now for the first time. 
 
 " On Friday night I acted as sergeant of 
 the guard. My duties required me to be up 
 all night. I went the round five times, but 
 saw nothing very exciting. This was extra 
 duty, but I was ready for it, since the colors 
 are seldom called for in our present position. 
 I am grateful to find my health so good in 
 this hot climate. The imprudence of many 
 in excessive drinking and other evil habits 
 tends to increase my own watchfulness. I 
 hope that by rigid self-denial and prudence, 
 
AT NEW OELEANS. 49 
 
 I shall be able to escape disease, and tlirongh 
 the kindness of our heavenly Father to see 
 my dear home once more. 
 
 "June 2. We are still at Annunciation 
 square. During three days of last week, a 
 portion of our company was required to take 
 up quarters at a station-house near by, and 
 serve as city police. My experience there 
 was rough, I assure you. I never before had 
 my eyes pained with such revolting scenes. 
 I had read of the characters at Five Points ; 
 here I found their equals in degradation. 
 Time and again I had to conduct armed 
 squads, in search of some Of the most reckless 
 desperadoes in the city, into the streets where 
 many a man had perished by the assassin's 
 knife. 
 
 " One day last week, I took a company of 
 fifteen men and two corporals, and searched 
 a large suspicious looking house, in hopes of 
 securing a man who had taken a gun from one 
 of our sentinels and deliberately discharged 
 it at a sick woman. Having my trusty re- 
 volver drawn, I had nothing to fear ; but our 
 search proved fruitless, and we returned dis- 
 appointed. 
 
 Color-bearer. 4 
 
50 THE COLOK-BEABER. 
 
 " Some runaway slaves were brouglit to our 
 quarters to be locked up for safe keeping. 
 
 But Mrs. I and all mj friends may know 
 
 that I liave had nothing to do with this hated 
 work; and I never will assist it in any way. 
 
 " The appearance of things in the city is 
 very much improved. The people begin to 
 understand that we have not come to plunder 
 and destroy. Gen. Butler has certainly 
 wielded his power in a very judicious manner. 
 But we have no Sabbath here. I believe 
 this is the most abandoned, God-forsaken 
 city in the whole Union. Trading of all sorts, 
 running of cars, etc., mark the day; while 
 those who attend the services of the sanctuary 
 are very few." 
 
 " July 15. The weather is steadily and in- 
 tensely hot, with the thermometer in the vi- 
 cinity of 100^ from a little past sunrise xmtil 
 sunset. The occasional showers, which cool 
 the heated air, are most agreeable. We have 
 recently obtained three hogsheads to hold 
 rain-water for drinking. This we find much 
 better than the muddy water of the Missis- 
 sippi, which we have been using. There is 
 now a plenty of ice in the city, and we soldiers 
 
AT NEW ORLEANS. 51 
 
 have just a little for a taste. We are eacli 
 allowed usually a loaf of soft bread — like 
 mother's of the smallest size — to last for three 
 meals, given out at noon. For the rest of the 
 dinner, we have sweet potatoes and meat, 
 sometimes beans, once in a while rice, and 
 occasionally hasty pudding. Irish potatoes 
 are too high-priced for common folks to in- 
 dulge in — fifteen to twenty dollars per barrel. 
 
 " I neglected to say that for breakfast and 
 supper we receive just about nothing at all. 
 Our coffee is so miserable an apology for the 
 real article that I fairly despise it, and of 
 course refuse to drink it. I buy milk pretty 
 often at a picayune a pint." 
 
 " August 7. My health is not very good, 
 but still much better than when I wrote last. 
 I do not exj)erience much difficulty about 
 sleeping, when an opportunity offers, for I can 
 lie down upon the brick or stone pavement in 
 almost any street in the city, and sleep as 
 soundly as you can at home. This is the way 
 we rest too when we go out on guard. "We 
 take turns in lying upon the pavement, having 
 our rubber blankets to shield us from the 
 dampness. 
 
62 THE COLOE-BEAFER. ♦ 
 
 " Our food is goo i, espeaally the bread, 
 and I do not take much else. My weight is 
 one hundred and forty-five po mds now, while 
 at Labrador I weight d one hi mdred and sev- 
 enty-six pounds." 
 
 He ^mtes to his idster Aug. 22, "I hav© 
 thought very much oc death of late ; and the 
 more intently I fix my mind upon this theme, 
 the more I enjoy the ( exercise. Yes, I may be 
 nearer home than I think, ancl I feel perfectly 
 willing to leave the is 5ue entii ely in the hands 
 of God. 
 
 "I do not wish to darm you, or cause you 
 to regret my accepts, nee of Ihe office which 
 has been in my hards for more than seven 
 months. Yet you mist remember that it is 
 one of the most dai.gerous positions in the 
 whole regiment, in (^ase of action. At the 
 fight before fort Don ildson, i.o less than five 
 successive color-beari ts were ihot down; and 
 at Baton Rouge, in tlie recert conflict, three 
 rebel color-bearers were kill 3d. There is a 
 prospect of our being called iato battle. Our 
 situation is getting nore ani more critical; 
 the enemy threaten io make a desperate at- 
 tempt to recapture 'S'ew Orleans. We are 
 
AT NEW iLEANd. 53 
 
 looking eagerlj- for reinforcements, as we 
 greatly need thorn." * 
 
 So our young soldier stands with his face 
 to the foe, caln:ly awaiting the approaching 
 footsteps of Dtath, whose coming his heart 
 already prophet ies. Tl ousands are standing 
 to-day with the same fearful prospect before 
 them. Would that they anight share the 
 faith which kept his soil in "perfect peace." 
 
54 THE COLOE-BEAREE. 
 
 CHAPTER YII. 
 
 AT EOET JACKSON. 
 
 With a part of his regiment, Sergeant 
 Clary went to garrison fort Jackson. His 
 friends were glad to receive from him this 
 description of the fort where he spent so much 
 time. 
 
 " The fortification is a large one, built of 
 brick. Immediately surrounding the walls 
 there is a moat from forty to fifty feet wide, 
 and fifteen or sixteen feet deep. Outside of 
 this is another moat ; and over each of these 
 is a drawbridge, designed to be taken up in 
 case of an attack by an enemy. 
 
 " The fort has five sides, and as many bas- 
 tions, which make considerable addition to the 
 strength of the fort proper. 
 
 " On a level with the space in the interior, 
 are numerous casemates, or arched ways, 
 which are really under ground. These are 
 covered by the ramparts, which extend all 
 around the fort. The highest gTOund is term- 
 ed the parapet. On the rampart against the 
 
AT FORT JACKSON. 55 
 
 parapet, a rougli slied is built for eacli com- 
 pany, from eighty to ninety feet long." 
 
 It was in one of tliese sheds that the sol- 
 diers of Company D made their home. The 
 sergeants occupied one end, separated from 
 the other by a piece of canvas. 
 
 " Within these narrow hmits— sixteen by 
 seventeen feet— there are three beds, a table, 
 a chair, a bench, and a trunk, together with 
 all the arms and accoutrements under our 
 charge." 
 
 Writing to his friends at home, Aug. 27, he 
 regrets that so much work was done on the 
 Sabbath. "I feel sorry that so much of holy 
 time is used in such a way. I presume that 
 not one half of the men had a thought of the 
 Sabbath ; I almost forgot it, the day was so 
 busy. There are about one hundred and 
 forty contrabands here; they are daily em- 
 ployed in improving the condition of the 
 interior of the fort, for the shells made terri- 
 ble havoc with the brick walls which shel- 
 tered the officers* quarters. The outer walls 
 were not severely damaged. The fight was 
 a terrible one. I am credibly informed, that 
 during the space of one hour and a half, 
 
56 THE COLOE-BEARER. 
 
 eleven thousand pounds of powder were used 
 inside this fort." 
 
 Sergeant Clary had a few intimate fiiends 
 in the regiment, whose tastes and aspirations 
 for a better life than the many led, made them 
 truly congenial spirits. 
 
 " Sergeant J. E. W , Lieut. B , and 
 
 Corp. W , make up my trio of particular 
 
 friends. The first is almost -perfect, the sec- 
 ond is a loved classmate and Christian friend, 
 and the last is ever ready to perform acts of 
 Christian kindness." He enjoyed the society 
 of these friends, and spoke of them always 
 with much enthusiasm. Appreciative allu- 
 sions were often made to his commanding of- 
 ficers, both as to their military skill and gen- 
 tlemanly demeanor; and it was a cause of 
 gratitude to the dear ones at home, that amid 
 so many circumstances tending to harden 
 the soldier's heart, he could still find some 
 tried friends, and with them take sweet coun- 
 sel. 
 
 Other dear friends he had whose names are 
 unknown, but who made his brief life happier 
 by their kindness and manly sympathy, while 
 they shared with him the vicissitudes of an 
 
AT FORT JACKSON. 51 
 
 army experience. To the Cliristian soldier, 
 companionship with the generous and en- 
 hghtened is especially precious. In the army 
 particularly is the motto needed, "Let your 
 conversation be in heaven." 
 
 It was the habit of Clary always at the 
 return of the anniversary of his sainted moth- 
 er's death, to turn his thoughts to her, to 
 heaven, and to the Life to which her prayers 
 had consecrated him. Hence, Sept. 3, 1862, 
 he writes : 
 
 "My dear Father — I am glad to secure 
 some time for myself this day, as I was anx- 
 ious to devote much of the leisure of this 
 solemn anniversary to the memory of my dear 
 mother, as far as I recollect what you and 
 others have told me of her. I desire to be 
 more like her in spirit; and am grateful to 
 God, that he permits me to be so earnest and 
 hopeful. I trust that your prayers and hers 
 will avail much. 
 
 "I cherish a glad remembrance of that 
 home-scene of prayer, as I left for the war. 
 Week after week glides swiftly by, and I hear 
 every sound but that of prayer. I need yours 
 for me, for peculiar trials beset me. I am 
 
58 THE COLOR-BEAKER. 
 
 greatly strengtliened by prayer and home 
 letters. They help me to maintain a purer 
 walk and holier conversation before careless 
 and criticizing observers. 
 
 " We have been in the fort now nearly a 
 fortnight, and I have seen no papers except 
 a conple of 'Deltas' from New Orleans. 
 This is rather too bad, when we are so anx- 
 ious to hear from Richmond. We are in a 
 state of trying suspense with regard to the 
 news, having heard that fort Donaldson is 
 recaptured, and that Pope and McClellan are 
 defeated. Oh, how earnest the soldiers in the 
 fort are for the papers ; but we feel that we 
 must be contented, and forego many of the 
 conveniences which to our friends at home 
 seem indispensable. 
 
 " We have begun the drill upon our heavy 
 guns. At the time the war commenced, the 
 fort was furnished with twelve barbette, four- 
 teen casemate, and nine howitzer guns. Now 
 it contains about eighty. 
 
 " The rebels cast many of theirs into the 
 moat; this is a formidable trench, filled with 
 stagnant water. In it are several ugly alli- 
 gators, and some large fish equally repulsive, 
 
AT FORT JACKSON. 59 
 
 which serve, however, in a measure to purify 
 the water. Surrounding all is a lowland 
 swamp, furnishing an abundance of serpents, 
 lizards, tree-toads, and myriads of mosquitos." 
 
 One of his favorite ways of usefulness was 
 writing letters for sick and illiterate soldiers. 
 These often called forth affecting expressions 
 of gratitude in return. The following letter 
 is from a Christian lady whose husband had 
 for a long time been sick in the hospital at 
 fort Jackson. It furnishes a bright example 
 of that womanly patriotism which has so often 
 and so freely laid its dearest upon our coun- 
 try's altar of sacrifice. 
 
 "Me. Claey — Your little note which I re- 
 ceived last night with the welcome letter, was 
 very pleasing and encouraging to me ; esp'ec- 
 
 ially as it informed me that my dear A had 
 
 so kind a friend to be with him, now that he 
 is removed from those who love him and who 
 watch so anxiously for his good. I cannot 
 tell you how much I appreciate a friend who 
 will be with him in all hours ; in those of 
 danger as well as those of pleasure and safe- 
 ty ; in hours of suffering it may be ; and who 
 will be true to him as a Christian brother. 
 
60 THE COLOK-BEAEEK. 
 
 "I thanked God Ijist night, and I thank 
 him now from my hea^t, that he has seen fit 
 to bless my loved one with the friendship of 
 one who has given hiiaself so entirely to 
 Christ and his canse. 
 
 " Your extracts please me much, very onuch, 
 and I find myself thiaking of them and re- 
 peating them often. The last you wrote, 'In- 
 quire every evening, if the day has been an 
 improvement on the past/ was very appropri- 
 ate; but my particuLir favorite is this: *If 
 your life is dark, thei] walk by faith ; God is 
 pledged to keep you as safely as if you could 
 understand every thir g.' 
 
 " These and the others I will try to remem- 
 ber and practise; and I doubt not they will 
 assist me many times when the 2vay is dark, 
 coming as they did from a stranger who had 
 the kindness to copy :hem. I thank you for 
 them, and also for your kindness in speaking 
 in so pleasant and friendly a manner of him 
 whom I have given up, as I would have given 
 myself, had it been possible, for my country's 
 service. 
 
 " I will implore the blessing of heaven to 
 rest upon you both, that you may be filled 
 
AT FOET JACKSON. 61 
 
 with tlie Spirit, and te enabled to do mncli 
 for the Master whom jou serve, and whose I 
 trust and believe you are. I would ask an 
 interest in your prayers that the one left be- 
 hind may trustingly and cheerfully fulfil her 
 tasks with submission 1:0 the will of God." 
 
 Clary's nature was a grateful and apprecia- 
 tive one; he loved to express his thankful- 
 ness to those who had in any way lightened 
 the burdens of his soldier life. Of one lady, 
 whom he regarded as his principal benefac- 
 tress when in camp at Pittsfield, he writes, 
 
 "Mrs. F , you know, is the benevolent 
 
 lady who cured my felon, refusing all remunera- 
 tion for the same, and who, when I was ill in the 
 
 hospital at P brought a generous supply 
 
 of chicken broth and apples ; and now Mary 
 C , the little granddaughter — whose pic- 
 ture I enclose — has. S(int me such a box of 
 comforts as will remind me for a long time of 
 
 their benevolence. Mrs. F is a second 
 
 Florence Nightingale iii spirit. Many a weary 
 soul has she saved from suffering; many a 
 sad heart has she made light by her self- 
 sacrificing labors." 
 
 Writing Sept. 19, he says, "We have been 
 
62 THE COLOK-BEAREE. 
 
 thrown into quite an excitement by the es- 
 cape of three of our rebel prisoners, who had 
 been sentenced to confinement here. We 
 turned out and tried the pecuharities of 
 swamp travelhng in such a way as to give us 
 a yivid remembrance of it for a long time. 
 The wily fellows put us to a deal of trouble, 
 and drew us out into a drenching rain. But 
 with the help of negroes — ^better pedestrians 
 than ourselves — who understood this swamp, 
 we found them. They had been parley- 
 ing in vain with a Frenchman, for a boat to 
 pass the wide bayou, full of alHgators, and 
 had just gone back towards the wood, proba- 
 bly to remain till night, when they could ob- 
 tain the boat without permission. A little 
 before sundown they were brought into the 
 fort in triumph, when each had appended to 
 him a chain with a sixty-four pound ball at- 
 tached. The weather here is a little more 
 comfortable now; but the torments of the 
 mosquitos are unabated. I am trying to 
 write this letter under great difficulties, hav- 
 ing a swarm of these insects buzzing about 
 my head, compelling me to pause to give them 
 due attention. I hope my friends will ap- 
 
AT FORT JACKSON. 63 
 
 predate the letters prepared at sucli a sacri- 
 fice." 
 
 And so they did. Too well they knew the 
 hardships the soldier endured. Their anx- 
 ious inquiries regarding health, spirits, and 
 exposure, elicited this reply: "Of all these 
 I will speak freely, except in reference to one 
 point, that is, our manner of living. Unless 
 you urge the matter, I would rather say noth- 
 ing about it. You can regard it as a case 
 * where ignorance is bliss.' 
 
 "As soon as our sixty days expire, two 
 weeks longer, it will be the turn of some oth- 
 er regiment to enter upon the prison life of 
 the fort, and thus give us an opportunity 
 again to visit the outer world. I, for one, 
 shall be glad to go. While here, our mails 
 are greatly hindered. We of Company D 
 must cherish some sad memories of this un- 
 healthy spot. To-day we must bury one of 
 our number here. We have reason to hope 
 that he died a Christian. 
 
 " Dear father, I am heartily glad that you 
 referred to the danger to which our morals 
 are exposed. Yes, even our ofl&cers, many of 
 them, are in the wrong path. I need caution, 
 
64 THE COLOR-BEAEER. 
 
 that I may be no stumbling-block before oth- 
 ers. I need your prayers, which I have faith 
 to believe will be answered in my behalf. 
 
 " Yes, I need all the help I can gain from 
 every source, in order to bring honor to my 
 Saviour's name. It certainly requires much 
 wisdom, to devise and put in practise means 
 of usefulness to others. Camp-life has a mul- 
 titude of seductions, and I have an opportu- 
 nity to witness its terrible effects upon the 
 morals of those who yield to the wiles of the 
 tempter. Sad havoc has been made by strong 
 drink. I have seen more than one sergeant 
 reduced to the ranks on account of its use. 
 
 " Father, I feel like praying that your de- 
 clining days may be your best and happiest, and 
 not imbittered by the thought that I am yield- 
 ing to temptation. And, mother, I often ask 
 myself, why am I not more grateful for the 
 early restraints of my home ? I entreat you 
 to accept my thanks for your self-denying 
 efforts for my good — for every prayer that has 
 gone up to heaven for a blessing upon me. 
 My home was never dearer to me than at the 
 present time ; never was I happier in follow- 
 ing the plain path of duty ; nor have I ever 
 
AT FORT JACKSON. 65 
 
 been so hopeful as now, that we shall check 
 this terrible war, and celebrate the anniver- 
 sary of its close with -unbounded joy." 
 
 Sergeant Clary manifested great interest 
 in the little son of Rev. Mr. Howland, mis- 
 sionary at Ceylon, who had been left in 
 this land, with his brothers and sisters, to be 
 educated. John was at the^home of Clary in 
 Conway, and was almost overjoyed at the re- 
 ception of the following letter, which he show- 
 ed not only to all his brothers and sisters, but 
 to almost the entire neighborhood. 
 
 " FoKT Jackson, La., Oct. 14, 1862. 
 
 "My dear John — I must write you one 
 letter while we are in fort Jackson. I am 
 all the more glad to do this, because father 
 gives me so good a report of your conduct. 
 Then again, I would like to write to you for 
 your father's sake, as well as your own. You 
 remember how I used to enjoy visiting at 
 your house in Conway. I should miss your 
 parents much if I should visit home now. 
 But I do not expect to do this for a long 
 time. 
 
 " Of course we have a good deal of talk here 
 about good soldiers. Now I observe those 
 
 Cr'flr-bearer. 5 
 
66 THE COLOR-BEAKER. 
 
 men make the best soldiers, who, when they 
 were boys, were obedient and good. Such 
 boys find it much easier to perform their duty 
 when they are men. Since I commenced 
 writing, one of the company, a large strong 
 man, has been ordered to prepare for picket- 
 guard : instead of going quietly forward and 
 cheerfully obeying, he has been grumbling 
 and swearing in a very unpleasant manner, 
 telKng what he tvill do, and what he wo7it 
 I have made up my mind that he was not 
 one of the best of boys when young. 
 
 "Tou have heard about the alligators in 
 the moat that surrounds this fort. Some of 
 these are from ten to fifteen feet in length, 
 and I have seen several of their young, with 
 bodies no longer than my hand. I saw the 
 adjutant to-day with one of these creatures. 
 He had it in a tub of water, and several of 
 the officers were looking on while he tried to 
 make it eat some sponge-cake. His alligator- 
 ship would not be imposed upon. Don't you 
 think the adjutant would have acted more 
 wisely, if he had given the cake to some 
 soldier, and fed the alligator with something 
 less expensive, and better suited to his taste ? 
 
AT FORT JACKSON. 67 
 
 "Oct. 15. A bright sunny morning tliis, 
 and we are glad to get a little warmth, for we 
 have had a cold snap. We wore our over- 
 coats all day Sunday, and felt cold then. 
 Some of us were obliged to go to bed in or- 
 der to be comfortable. I am told that such 
 changes are quite frequent during the cold 
 months. So you will see that this is a very 
 unhealthy place. Many of the men have 
 what we call the ' shakes ;' properly, the fever 
 and ague. 
 
 "A short time since, we heard guns fired 
 as if by our distant pickets, and straightway 
 the long roll was beaten, and the different 
 companies turned out in a hurry. There is 
 always a strife at such times to see which 
 company will be out in line first. At length, 
 after much running to and fro, we were sent 
 back to our quarters, and were told that this 
 was a plan of the colonel's to see how quick 
 we would turn out. 
 
 " "Well, John, what do you think I did last 
 evening? I'll tell you. On invitation of 
 
 Sergeant N , I visited his quarters. He 
 
 and a squad of men under his command, re- 
 main there to man the casemate gun, in case 
 
68 THE COLOB-BEARER. 
 
 the guerrillas should make a land attack. I 
 found tliey had an old fashioned fireplace, 
 ^nd a fine blaze made by the good dry pine. 
 Now would you like to know what use the 
 sergeant made of this fire ? He took a fry- 
 ing pan down and sliced into it sweet pota- 
 toes, and placed thereon a piece of alligator 
 meat. We chatted a while and told stories, 
 while the novel mess was cooking. At length 
 it was done, and by the light of the pine fire 
 I proceeded to devour this strange dish with 
 a relish. The sergeant asked me what my 
 mother would say if she knew what I was 
 eating. 
 
 " Well, this alligator meat tasted very much 
 like beefsteak. A good soldier will eat al- 
 most any thing that comes before him, and if 
 not so nice as he would like, will not com- 
 plain; so I conclude mother will think that 
 as far as eating is concerned, I am a good 
 soldier. 
 
 "I have heard a little about that false 
 alarm night before last. The contrabands, 
 who live in small rude huts upon the shore, 
 when they found the pickets rushing by them 
 to gain the fort, and firing their muskets, and 
 
AT FORT JACKSON. 69 
 
 crying, ' Turn out the garrison,' thought there 
 was real danger. So they bustled out of their 
 little dens, shouldered a few clothes, and hur- 
 ried up to the outside drawbridge. That was 
 a time for the sentries who were in the secret 
 to remember. The negroes begged and wept 
 even to get across the bridge and inside the 
 fort. It required a sergeant and seven men 
 to keep the crowd back. 
 
 " We have a dove-cote close by our door, 
 which contains a flock of beautiful doves. 
 There are two or three dogs in the fort, and 
 the prisoners have a number of chickens. 
 These remind us of home. Oranges are plen- 
 tiful now at a cent apiece ; the worst of it is 
 we have no money to pay for them. But we 
 manage a barter trade — bread for oranges. 
 Since dinner to-day, our colonel sent enough 
 oranges around to give each man in the regi- 
 ment one." 
 
to THE COLOR-BEAEER. 
 
 CHAPTER YIII. 
 
 DAYS OF USEFULNESS. 
 
 Attacked with a fit of illness the last of 
 October, 1862, he was taken to the hospi- 
 tal, where he remained for several weeks. 
 
 There he gained friends by his thoughtful 
 attention to the wants of others, by his ten- 
 derness and Christian zeal; and he was able 
 to hold conversation with many with refer- 
 ence to their souls' interests. His life was a 
 bright example of love and of earnest devot- 
 edness to the service of God, and this to 
 such a degree that his unconverted comrades 
 would often say, "Clary is a Christian." 
 
 But yet his own conscience was so sensi- 
 tive, that he felt and expressed the strong- 
 est regret for the slightest omission of duty. 
 These sentences were constantly recurring in 
 his letters: "Pray that I may conquer my 
 easily besetting sin — that of speaking against 
 others." "Pray that I may have courage to 
 rebuke swearing." "Pray that I may be a 
 
DAYS OF USEFULNESS. 71 
 
 more active Cliristian." "Pray tliat I may 
 'stand up for Jesus.'" "Pray that I may be 
 a burning and a shining light." 
 
 He knew that these requests were not 
 shghted by friends at home, and he was as- 
 sured that their prayers, as well as his own, 
 were heard in heaven. His doubts were few, 
 and his cup of joy often -well-nigh full, as 
 was evident from the expressions of hope 
 and trust that gushed from his pen. "I am 
 happy;" "If God should see fit to take me, 
 I am ready;" "Eejoice with them that do 
 rejoice ;" "There is rest for the weary," were 
 sentences that were often found in his letters 
 to his friends. 
 
 Writing to his father November 6, he 
 says, "Dear father, you pray for me I know. 
 The assurance does my heart good. I feel 
 strengthened when my thoughts turn back, 
 and I seem to see you bowed in prayer. I 
 fancy I can almost tell the words that form 
 the petition for your absent son. I feel hke 
 pleading with you in all earnestness, to pray 
 that I may be a more earnest Christian. 
 There is so much in the army to prevent 
 one's making positive effort, that I feel a 
 
72 THE COLOR-BEABER. 
 
 want of sufficient wisdom and courage to 
 approach the hearts of our men, so steeled 
 against the tender and winning influences of 
 the Spirit. I am ready to weep for their 
 hard-heartedness ; and one might almost as 
 bitterly weep for the unfaithfulness of some 
 of the professed believers in Christ. Oh 
 how would such repent, if they realized that 
 they are wounding the Saviour in the house 
 of his friends. 
 
 "We have no regular chaplain to check 
 the men in their profanity ; the Bible is sel- 
 dom seen in their hands. The profanity is 
 much worse than ever before in our regiment. 
 Boys that would not swear when the regi- 
 ment was first formed, now blaspheme with 
 the utmost indifference. 
 
 "Let me tell you of the time I have for 
 my evening devotions. You know our lights 
 have to be extinguished at half past eight. 
 Well, it is the few minutes after this time 
 that I steal away for silent communion with 
 God; and at such times I do enjoy a rich 
 blessing. So now you can sometimes join 
 me at this sacred hour. 
 
 "I am satisfied that silent irifluence should 
 
DAYS OF USEFULNESS. 73 
 
 not satisfy the Cliristian ; positive effort is de- 
 manded. I have not done my duty; and if 
 called to lie down in death this night, the 
 burden of souls unwarned by my entreaties 
 would hang like a heavy weight upon my 
 spirit. Dear parents, my heart is full to- 
 night; I feel ready to resolve and to practise 
 self-denial, and I have hope that I shall be 
 able to tell you of something done for Jesus 
 in coming days." 
 
 And this he was able to do. In a letter 
 dated December 3, 1862, he writes, " I must 
 give you a little of the experience which has 
 fixed the memory of the last week in autumn 
 with a deep impression on my mind. Of late 
 I have been assisting in the hospital. For 
 four nights I sat up four hours, and had 
 charge of eleven men, some of whom were 
 very sick, and one at the point of death. 
 Those were solemn hours to me, for I knew 
 that death was coming on apace, and would 
 not tarry long before claiming a victim. I 
 
 refer to poor C . He had been in the 
 
 hospital since the eighth of November. The 
 chief nurse having returned, I went back to 
 my company quarters last Saturday night, so 
 
74 THE COLOR-BEAKER. 
 
 tliat I did not see liim alive after that. He 
 died on the evening of the last day of au- 
 tumn. 
 
 "About a week before his death, he re- 
 quested me to call upon him. I did so, and 
 read a passage of Scripture, and prayed with 
 him. When I realized hov>^ habitually pro- 
 fane he had been, when I remembered that 
 he was soon to go to his account, and that 
 there was not one besides myself to speak to 
 him about a preparation for death, I was 
 weighed down with a sense of responsibil- 
 ity such as I never felt before. I chose to 
 read to him the account of the prodigal son. 
 This comforted the sick man ; and the mem- 
 ory of his gratitude will be one of the pleas- 
 antest reminiscences of my life. 
 
 " One night after this I was with him 
 when his sufferings were more than usually 
 intense, and I asked him if it would not be a 
 relief for me to kneel by his bedside and 
 pray; he at once replied in the affirmative, 
 and I earnestly prayed that the dying soldier 
 might be prepared for all God's will. 
 
 "His mind was remarkably clear to the 
 last. He did not seem to be afraid of death. 
 
DAYS OF USEFULNESS. 75 
 
 I cannot help clierisliing the hope that God 
 forgave the sufferer, and took him to a heav- 
 enly home. There is much of sadness con- 
 nected with this case, inasmuch as it pro- 
 duced little or no impression upon the sur- 
 viving members of his company." 
 
 A little later he writes to his father, " The 
 weather is quite cool to-day ; the north-east 
 wind has no mercy on the sentinel, to whom 
 the ' two hours ' are long and dreary in the 
 night watch. The Mississippi water is quite 
 clear and pleasant to the taste now ; I like it 
 right well. I have a great deal of respect 
 for the ' father of waters,' after all. The river 
 will be muddy enough next spring and sum- 
 mer, however. 
 
 " On Tuesday evening news came that Gen. 
 Banks had assumed command of the gulf de- 
 partment, relieving Gen. Butler. We don't 
 know what the latter is to do; but we can 
 conscientiously praise him for his skilful 
 management of affairs in the 'Crescent City,' 
 since he first assumed the fearful responsi- 
 bility. We have received the aj)pellation of 
 Butler's Pet Eegiment, and I think Vv^ith 
 some reason. At all events he made the 
 
T6 THE COLOR-BEARER. 
 
 Thirtj-first his body-guard, on his trinm- 
 phant entrance into New Orleans. Gen. Weit- 
 zel called for our regiment to make up his 
 brigade. Gen. Butler told him he could take 
 any but the Thirty first." 
 
 Writing to his mother about this time, he 
 says, " Sometimes our sleep is sweet, but you 
 know it is cut suddenly short by the report of 
 the morning gun, which is often more loud than 
 welcome. But it must be promptly obeyed, 
 and straightway all the companies are form- 
 ed into hne in front of their respective quar- 
 ters, for roll-call. Yery soon ' coffee ' is an- 
 nounced, which is the substitute here for 
 those significant words, so pleasant at home, 
 * breakfast is ready.' " 
 
 Sergeant Clary often wrote with special 
 earnestness to inquire for the sick and afilict- 
 ed ones at home. On the reception of a letter 
 from his father which conveyed the intelli- 
 gence of the death of a good lady of his ac- 
 quaintance, he writes, 
 
 " I am glad that you wrote me so minutely 
 
 about Mrs. G . I have indeed lost a near 
 
 friend, and I cannot realize that she has gone. 
 I believe we shall one day greet her in heav- 
 
DAYS OF USEFULNESS. tt 
 
 en. For the orphans let us pray in faith, 
 for I cannot forget the mother's anxiety for 
 them." 
 
 As has been before remarked, he found 
 much to do by way of writing letters for 
 the sick and illiterate. In making mention 
 of this kind of labor, he speaks with surprise 
 of the great number of men who were unable 
 to read or write letters, and gives a detail- 
 ed account of some of the labors which he 
 assumed in carrying on their correspond- 
 ence. 
 
 Every thing of this kind was cheerfully done, 
 and he derived much amusement and pleasure 
 from the efforts thus made to assist others. 
 He writes particularly of one unlearned com- 
 rade for whom he acted as reader and aman- 
 uensis, who would scarcely allow him to open 
 his own package from home, before demand- 
 ing his services. 
 
 And thus the few remaining days at fort 
 Jackson were passed — filled up with httle acts 
 of kindness and greater services to those 
 about him. In the army, as in every situa- 
 tion, seeming trifles often make up the sum 
 of human happiness or discomfort; the small 
 
*IS THE COLOR-BEAREE. 
 
 •sacrifices whicli life demands are often hard- 
 er to make than the great. 
 
 Sergeant Clary exemplified in his life the 
 sacred maxim, "He that is faithful in that 
 which is least, is faithful also m much." 
 
THE COLORS RESIGNED. 79 
 
 CHAPTEE IX. 
 
 THE COLORS RESIGNED. 
 
 Orders soon came for the Tliirty-first to 
 leave fort Jackson ; and on February 14, 1863, 
 Sergeant Clary writes, "Having received a 
 large addition to our force, we think that we 
 may be destined to Port Hudson. I feel will- 
 ing to leave the issue of coming events with 
 God. He has blessed me so signally, that I 
 will not distrust him now. 
 
 " I am glad to assure you of the smile of 
 Jesus upon his unworthy young servant, and 
 further, that he has heard my prayer, ' Lord, 
 increase my faith.' Now we will continue to 
 pray for each other in the full assurance of 
 hope." 
 
 "Magnolia Geove, below Baton Kouge, 
 
 March 9, 1863. 
 
 "We are now, I think, on the eve of meet- 
 ing the enemy in his strong-hold at Port Hud- 
 son. Here we are gathered in large force, 
 probably about forty thousand infantry. We 
 left camp Kearney last Friday, and arrived 
 
80 THE COLOK-BEARER. 
 
 before tlie city of Baton Eouge yesterday. 
 At noou we disembarked, and remained witli 
 arms stacked for several hours, waiting for the 
 officers to select a camp-ground. 
 
 "During this interim many of the Fifty- 
 second boys came to see us, and I will assure 
 you it was no small gratification to meet a 
 number of young men from my own native 
 town. I could hardly make it seem other 
 than a pleasant dream. I felt a thrill of hap- 
 piness in grasping their hands, such as you 
 might suppose would visit one in my isolated 
 condition. Poor boys ! they have had much 
 struggling with sickness, and have lost twenty- 
 nine by death." 
 
 March 10, his diary shows the regiment 
 to be under marching orders, with seven days' 
 rations cooked. " Our knapsacks are also 
 packed, and the little mementos that we can- 
 not part with are snugly transferred to our 
 pockets. The colonel called me with the cor- 
 porals of the color-guard to his tent this even- 
 ing, and gave us an excellent speech. His 
 words were few and well chosen, and glowed 
 with such enthusiasm as fired my soul most 
 deeply. I was deHghted with his full expres- 
 
THE COLORS RESIGNED. 81 
 
 sion of confidence. May I never forget that 
 noble speech." 
 
 In writing to his father, March 31, he says, 
 " Father, I thank you for all your letters, and 
 for all the words which have cheered and en- 
 couraged my heart, when I have had bitter 
 trials to meet. 
 
 " I ought to have dated this one day soon- 
 er in commemoration of your birthday. I 
 wish you a most happy new year, my dear 
 father." 
 
 His diary of the date of April 4, shows that 
 his days were not without hardship and trial. 
 " I have been suffering somewhat from sick- 
 ness and a peculiar undefinable languor, which 
 the debilitated soldier only knows. I never 
 before had to struggle so hard to keep from 
 falling out of the ranks. Great exertion in 
 following up the rebels has been required 
 during the forced marches of the last four 
 days. I was obliged to throw away my wool- 
 en blanket, the gift of Mrs. F , because 
 
 I had not strength to carry it further. I was 
 forced to take an ambulance the last two 
 days." 
 
 After a few changes of location, their brig- 
 
82 THE OOLOR-BEAEEB. 
 
 ade was ordered to move up the Teche valley, 
 with three days' rations. They enjoyed the 
 whole march. In one of his letters he speaks 
 of the cattle quietly feeding upon the hills, 
 unmindful of the glittering host moving on to 
 scenes of strife. The sight brought back 
 thoughts of the peaceful home left behind, and 
 formed a striking contrast with the warHke 
 designs of the expedition. 
 
 A letter dated May 1, written to his friends 
 at home, furnishes us vdth more instances of 
 his gratitude for a merciful preservation 
 through the dangers of battle. " Strange, 
 sad, wonderful, is the closing record of my 
 life for April, 1863. A multitude of mercies 
 to gladden your hearts. It seems as though 
 I could not be sufficiently grateful to our 
 heavenly Father, for his goodness and care. 
 This is the most remarkable and eventful 
 month of all my life. 
 
 "These rapid, fatiguing marches, and the 
 want of stationery, have put it out of my 
 power to write frequent letters. 
 
 " Our fight was a complete success ; our 
 advance kept up a running combat with the 
 retreating rebels. On Sunday another ad- 
 
THE COLORS RESIGNED. 83 
 
 vance was made, and we did not have to wait 
 long for tlie enemy. About 3 P. M. a com- 
 pany of rebel cavalry dashed boldly out of the 
 woods, and made a close reconnoissan.ce di- 
 rectly in front of us, hardly a fourth of a mile 
 distant. Our battery took position, and by 
 a few shells which did good execution, put 
 them to flight. But we were soon surprised 
 by a rebel battery, to which our own respond- 
 ed with terrific fury. There was now heavy 
 firing on either side. The shells were burst- 
 ing around us nearer and nearer. 
 
 " The flag was getting to be a conspicuous 
 mark. The shells were flying thicker and 
 faster, bursting around us and over our heads. 
 
 One piece of shell went between Corp. W 
 
 and me, burjing itself in the earth. A few 
 minutes after, a heavy cannon-ball struck 
 close beside our colonel, and threw the earth 
 a dozen feet into the air. The rebels were 
 getting excellent range, and our situation w^as 
 becoming critical. The order was given for 
 us to fall back under shelter of some trees; 
 then darkness came and we lay down to rest, 
 ready to spring into line at any moment. 
 
 " The colors were close to my side that 
 
84 THE COLOR-BEAEER. 
 
 night, as I lay sleepless on the battle-field. 
 During the night the enemy had approached 
 our lines with gunboats and batteries. The 
 firing in the morning became hot and heavy. 
 But reinforcements were coming to us over 
 the bridge. The Thirty-first were sent out as 
 skirmishers, and I was ordered to the rear 
 with the colors until they should be needed. 
 There I remained in suspense, listening to the 
 terrible cannonade. 
 
 " One of our regiment, of company B, was 
 shot through the heart early in the morning, 
 and three of our own company were wounded. 
 
 " Finally, our regiment being reheved by 
 the Thirty-eighth Massachusetts, the adjutant 
 rode up to us with the order, ' Out with those 
 colors — double quick !' A welcome summons 
 to the color-bearer." 
 
 Our hero was still suffering from debility, 
 but God sustained him wonderfully, and the 
 successful issue of the Teche battle filled him 
 with joy and gratitude. 
 
 His letters for some time had become in- 
 fi-equent, and now the pause was longer than 
 ever. His fond parents looked for news from 
 the army with great anxiety. The non-arrival 
 
THE COLORS RESIGNED. 85 
 
 of letters for a few weeks was sufficient evi- 
 dence tliat something unusual was taking 
 place. They perused the newspapers more 
 eagerly; and went about their daily occupa- 
 tions with thoughtful and care-burdened 
 hearts. 
 
 They remembered also those words in his 
 last letter, "We slept on the battle-field, 
 where we had been fighting. It was cold and 
 raining; we had no blanket to shelter us. 
 The groans of the wounded and dying filled 
 
 our hearts with sadness. Corporal P and 
 
 myself made a mutual promise that if either 
 should fall in death, the other would visit the 
 home of the deceased and give particulars." 
 But a merciful God preserved his life during 
 these battles. 
 
 The next letter that came from the gulf de- 
 partment was written by a strange hand. 
 The fears of his friends were realized. It an- 
 nounced Sergeant Clary's death. It was ^vrit- 
 ten by his college friend Sergeant "Wilder, who 
 fell at the battle of Sabine Cross Roads, April 
 8, 1864 — a young man of much promise, a 
 brave soldier, and a true Christian. 
 
86 THE COLOR-BEARER. 
 
 " Cahip neah Poet Hudson, June 15, 1863. 
 "Dea. John Clahy: 
 
 " Dear Sir — It becomes my mournful duty 
 to inform you of the death of your son Fran- 
 cis A. Clary, color-sergeant of the Thirty-first 
 Massachusetts Volunteers. 
 
 "Yesterday morning the Thirty-first, with 
 other regiments, advanced, with the expecta- 
 tion of charging upon the enemy's works, un- 
 til they arrived under a hne of entrenchments, 
 where they were ordered to lie down. For 
 some reason, no charge was ordered, and they 
 remained in the same position all day, exposed 
 to a galling fire. 
 
 " In the afternoon your son was mortally 
 wounded, and lived less than an hour after. 
 He retained his consciousness ; and although 
 in much pain at first, finally died easily. His 
 wound was in the neck on the left side, the 
 ball not coming out. When first struck ho 
 said, *I am wounded; some one else must 
 take the colors now.' He afterwards called 
 several times for water, which was given him ; 
 and he bade his companions ' good-by.' 
 
 "These facts I gathered from those who 
 were with him when he died. As I am now 
 
THE COLOES RESIGNED. 87 
 
 in the quarter-master's department, I was not 
 ■with, the regiment in battle, and had no op- 
 portunity of seeing him myself until he was 
 gone. 
 
 " This morning I saw him laid in his last 
 earthly resting-place, beneath the shadow of 
 a large forest-tree. 
 
 " The night previous to his death, I had a 
 pleasant interview with him; he appeared 
 very cheerful and happy, and said that he had 
 enjoyed his devotions to an unusual degree 
 for some time previous. 
 
 " He desired me to take charge of his little 
 diary, and said that for the few past weeks 
 he had not had an opportunity for writing 
 home, owing to the long and fatiguing march- 
 es, the fighting, and the care which he found 
 it necessary to take of his health. He said 
 that no gloomy forebodings caused him to 
 ask me to write to you, if any thing should 
 befall him in battle ; and I am of the opinion 
 that his usual forethought, in view of what 
 might happen, and not any presentiment, led 
 him to do this. 
 
 " From what I have heard my friend Clary 
 say of his father, I know that you are one 
 
88 THE COLOR-BEABER. 
 
 Tvlio recognizes God's hand in every event — 
 that you will say, 'The Lord gave, and the 
 Lord hath taken away;' blessed be his holy 
 name. The conduct of your son, ever since I 
 first knew him, has been such as became a 
 patriot and a Christian. You sorrow then, not 
 as those without hope. The Saviour whom 
 he loved, in whose service he lived, hoping to 
 spend many years among the benighted of 
 foreign lands, has called him to himself. 
 This thought makes me feel less grieved at 
 the loss of my friend. I know that what is 
 our loss is his gain ; and assured of this, I feel 
 greater freedom in writing to you, and in this 
 feeble way offering to you the balm of conso- 
 lation. Few hve so exemplary a life as did 
 your son ; few die a nobler death ; and though 
 dying so early, he has accomplished the work 
 which God gave him to do. 
 
 " You must feel deeply afflicted by the dis- 
 appointment of so many fond anticipations ; 
 but may God grant that like the Psalmist you 
 may be able to say, *It is good for me that I 
 have been afflicted.' May you and those other 
 dear ones who are called to mourn, be drawn 
 nearer to God by this affliction, feel more of 
 
THE COLORS liESIGNED. 89 
 
 liis love in jour hearts, and be able to say 
 with childlike submission, ' Thy will be done.' " 
 
 Following this touching letter, there came 
 some testimonials from the army. 
 
 The Greenfield Gazette published the fol- 
 lowing notice : 
 
 "July 6, 1863. Francis A. Clary, son of 
 Dea. John Clary of Conway, color-bearer of 
 the Thirty-first Massachusetts regiment, was 
 another victim to the rebelhon, in the assault 
 on Port Hudson. He was killed while bear- 
 ing the banner of freedom up to the rebel 
 works. He is spoken of as a promising young 
 man, and of excellent principles." 
 
 The same paper of 'a later date contained 
 a testimonial from a member of his regi- 
 ment. 
 
 " Sergeant Francis A. Clary of Conway, 
 Company D, killed. He was color-sergeant, 
 and often said he should be killed in the first 
 severe engagement. In the army his was a 
 beautiful example of a consistent Christian 
 life. That he was ready to die none can doubt. 
 * I believe Clary was a sincere Christian,' was 
 a remark recently made by a comrade, speak- 
 ing of the occurrence. Struck with tht re- 
 
90 THE COLOR-BEARER. 
 
 mark, I cannot lielp asking, what better epi- 
 taph, could a man desire?" 
 
 An extract from a letter of Captain Nettle- 
 ton of the same regiment, published in the 
 Springfield Eepubhcan, and dated July 10, 
 contains this statement : " Color-sergeant 
 Francis A. Clary was killed holding the colors 
 in his hands. He was a brave man, one who 
 would not shun death, nor seek it recklessly, 
 but who would meet it calmly and with true 
 courage. He was a sincere and well-tried 
 Christian — not only professing, but perform- 
 ing his duty ; and was universally respected.'* 
 
THE SOLDIEK AND CHEISTIAN. 91 
 
 CHAPTEE X. 
 
 TRIBUTES TO THE SOLDIER AND THE 
 CHRISTIAN. 
 
 The death of the young soldier was a crush- 
 ing blow to the friends who had centred so 
 many hopes upon him. The work to which 
 he had been destined was so sacred, and he 
 so well fitted for a life of usefulness, it almost 
 seemed as if God must spare him for the ful- 
 filment of a mother's prayers. But the mourn- 
 ing hearts bowed in submissive silence, know- 
 ing that He who appoints every human lot 
 understands best how his children can serve 
 him, and remembering that the issues of life 
 and of death are in his hands. While they 
 sat thus "in the shadow of their great afflic- 
 tion," sorrowing, yet not without hope, many 
 tributes to the worth of the departed came to 
 them from friends outside the family circle. 
 Some of these letters, whose tenderness and 
 sympathy lightened the burden of their sor- 
 row, illustrate also the character of Sergeant 
 Clary. 
 
92 THE COLOR-BEARER. 
 
 Tlie first is from Mrs. Howland, tlie mother 
 of the boy to whom Clary wrote so long a 
 letter from fort Jackson, and in whom he al- 
 ways had taken a deep interest ; it is dated 
 at her missionary home in Ceylon, Sept. 9, 
 1863. 
 
 " The loved Francis — how many pleasant 
 conversations we had with him in our Con- 
 way home ! He would sit down by Mr. How- 
 land, like a son or a brother, and speak free- 
 ly of his difficulties — his feelings — his plans. 
 I remember just how he looked, when he 
 came to bid us good-by. He said he never 
 felt more fully persuaded than now, that he 
 was in the path of duty. 
 
 " "When we have had anxious thoughts 
 about him, it has been a comfort to us that 
 he had consecrated himself to the work as the 
 Lord's work; and we felt that he would be 
 blessed, whatever should happen to his earth- 
 ly form. 
 
 " Though you feel his death so deeply, yet 
 how different are your feelings from those of 
 parents whose sons entered the war impeni- 
 tent. But I need not recall such thoughts to 
 you ; your own mind has supphed them. You 
 
THE SOLDIEK AND CHRISTIAN. 93 
 
 have had the sympathy and prayers of a 
 large circle of friends, but the Saviour has 
 given you that comfort which they cannot 
 give. 
 
 "Mr. Howland spoke in monthly concert 
 last Sabbath about Francis. We hope his 
 example may do good here in India, and thus 
 help to accompHsh his wish to labor as a mis- 
 sionary." 
 
 The following letter from Geo. W. Barber, 
 a student at Amherst college, who had him- 
 self lost an arm in battle, shows the influence 
 Sergeant Clary had over him. 
 
 ♦'Oct. 11, 1863. 
 
 " I esteemed Francis as one of my dearest 
 friends. Ever since I became acquainted 
 with him at the Normal School at Westfield, 
 I have been strongly attached to him. His 
 warm heart, correct example, and self-sacri- 
 ficing spirit stimulated me to set my own 
 mark higher. His consistency and zeal in his 
 Master's service quickened and encouraged 
 me moi-e in the Christian race than any oth- 
 er influences that were brought to bear upon 
 me, when I had but just commenced to run. 
 
 " When I had finished my course at West- 
 
94 THE COLOR-BEAKER. 
 
 field, I had a desire to climb fartlier up the 
 hill of science, that I might make myself more 
 useful in the world; but as my means were 
 limited, I saw no way of attaining my desires. 
 About this time I visited Francis at his home, 
 and made my wishes known to him. He re- 
 plied to me in substance as follows : 'Dedicate 
 yourseK to the Lord, and he will open a way 
 before you to usefulness. If you feel it to be 
 your duty to proclaim the gospel, do not 
 hesitate, or expect to see the path clear from 
 the beginning through your whole course; 
 but take the first step in the path of duty, and 
 the succeeding one will be more evident.' He 
 then told me of the academy at Meriden, 
 where I could obtain some assistance, and 
 advised me to go there and prepare for col- 
 lege. I did so, and am now at Amherst. 
 
 "It was his advice that led me to make the 
 trial, trusting in the Lord. I now feel grate- 
 ful for the salutary influence which he exert- 
 ed over me ; and for the kind counsel and ad- 
 vice which he gave. I had hoped to express 
 these thoughts to him; but I never can on 
 earth. I hope to meet him in a world where 
 wars and fightings are not known, and to 
 
THE SOLDIER AND CHEISTIAN. 95 
 
 enjoy his society, with all the blood- washed 
 throng around the throne of God." 
 
 C. M. Lamson, a college classmate, writes 
 of him: 
 
 "July 27, 1863. 
 
 " We always honored him for the integrity 
 that made him scorn those httle meanness- 
 es which college morality so often winks at. 
 We admired in him that love of order and 
 those correct habits of study, which go far to 
 make up the perfect student. To mention his 
 correct, consistent Christian character, would 
 be to relate nothing new to you, who have 
 watched the earnestness of his piety from the 
 beginning, and the constant strengthening of 
 his j)urpose to carry out the wishes of a dying 
 mother. 
 
 " We missed him in our meetings for pra}^- 
 er, for in these he showed that his spirit 
 walked with God. Must we not believe that 
 his mission is now accomplished, and that his 
 walk is where no veil hinders his vision? The 
 first words I heard after the announcement 
 of his fall were, ' There is one killed who went 
 to the war because he thought it was his 
 duty.'" 
 
96 THE COLOR-BEAKER. 
 
 The following tribute was received from 
 Lieut.-Col. W. S. B. Hopkins, of the Thirty- 
 first Massachusetts Volunteers. 
 
 "Baton Eouge, La., Sept. 22, 1863. 
 
 "Your letter of the 7th inst., making in- 
 quiries about the late Sergeant Francis A. 
 Clary, was duly received, and although I am 
 unacquainted with his history before his en- 
 listment, I gladly pay my tribute of honor to 
 the memory of a brave soldier. 
 
 "Sergeant Clary left Amherst college and 
 enlisted in a company which I was then rais- 
 ing for one of the regiments which Gen. Butler 
 was organizing in Massachusetts for his ex- 
 pedition against New Orleans. He was early 
 selected for color-sergeant of the regiment, 
 on account of his soldierly bearing, and the 
 accuracy of his marching. From the first, 
 every one felt that the colors were safe in the 
 hands of Clary; for there was in him that 
 quiet but intelligent determination, which 
 stamped him as a gallant man, even before 
 his bravery was ever tested. 
 
 "If a life of consistent Christianity, with- 
 out obtrusiveness, amid all the excitement of 
 
THE SOLDIER AND CHRISTIAN. 91 
 
 army life, can make bravery more admirable, 
 then was Clary a model soldier. 
 
 '^I think that he always had the impres- 
 sion that he shonld not live long. His posi- 
 tion in line of battle, as the bearer of the 
 colors, was one of more than common dan- 
 ger, and that fact he fully appreciated. He 
 was however at last killed by a chance shot, 
 when the regiment lay on the field, within 
 two hundred yards of the guns of Port Hud- 
 son. Through' three other battles, he had 
 borne himself gallantly and safely. He was 
 reserved as a sacrifice for the last fight of 
 that siege which finally opened the Missis- 
 sippi river. 
 
 "Beloved by his comrades, respected and 
 admired by all, he died the death of a Chris- 
 tian soldier. Able, gallant, and conscientious, 
 he has fallen in his prime, without any other 
 personal glory than that he died a patriot 
 martyr. Who would wish more?" 
 
 Sergeant Wilder was with the subject of 
 this memoir during his army life probably 
 more than any other person, and we add one 
 more letter from him, written to a fiiend of 
 the deceased soldier. 
 
98 THE COLOR-BEAEEB. 
 
 "From tlie time of Sergeant Clary's enlist- 
 ment until liis cleatli, we were together much, 
 and I can testify truly to his worth. Dearly 
 as he loved his country, he loved his heaven- 
 ly Master better, and in volunteering to de- 
 fend the one, he sincerely believed he was 
 advancing the cause of the other. Few mark 
 out for themselves so self-denying a life as 
 he did ; but I know from what I heard him 
 repeatedly say, after the hardships of a sol- 
 dier's life had been experienced, and ample 
 time had elapsed for the early enthusiasm 
 to subside, that he never regretted his course 
 in entering the army. 
 
 "That so conscientious a young man as 
 Sergeant Clary should have been so fully 
 j)ersuaded that this was his post of duty, in- 
 stead of being in China in fulfilment of his 
 long-cherished plans to become a missionary 
 of the Cross, is one of the highest tributes to 
 the real nature of our cause, and to the mo- 
 tives which actuate many of its defenders. 
 Religion to him was not a Sabbath garb, 
 donned once a week; it was the deep con- 
 trolhng iniluence which moulded his whole 
 life. In private, he was much given to med- 
 
THE SOLDIER AKD CHRISTIAN. 99 
 
 itation and prayer; and I have recently neard 
 one who was with him much during the long 
 marches in the Teche country and to Port 
 Hudson, remark that from morning till night, 
 when not otherwise necessarily employed, he 
 was engaged in devotion. With truth can it 
 be said of him, he walked with God. 
 
 "He was very sensitive, earnestly desiring 
 the good opinion of others ; but he never 
 allowed this to interfere with his duty, what- 
 ever odium he might incur by its perform- 
 ance. 
 
 "As a soldier he held a high place. Ever 
 faithful in the discharge of his duties, he 
 never grumbled at the trials incident to a sol- 
 dier's hfe, but cheerfully bore them, and so 
 far from shirking any part of his duty, he 
 seemed to desire to know and perform work 
 from which he might have been exempt. For 
 instance, at fort Jackson, where the regi- 
 ment remained as garrison for many months, 
 he voluntarily went on guard, participated in 
 the drills, and performed other duties, which 
 as color-sergeant he might have avoided. 
 His tall manty form we shall no longer see 
 bearing the colors of the Thirty-first; but 
 
100 THE COLOR-BEARER. 
 
 tlie example wliicli lie set ns of true piety 
 and ardent patriotism, will not soon pass 
 away. Those wlio were but sligiitly acquaint- 
 ed with him unite in praise of his worth; 
 while others more familiar with him feel 
 most deeply that by his removal they are 
 bereft of a fiiend whose loss cannot be made 
 good. As a Christian, I know of no one in 
 the regiment who is worthy to wear the man- 
 tle of Sergeant Clary." 
 
 Thus those who knew him well, loved and 
 appreciated him; but the Friend above who 
 called him so early home, knew and loved 
 him better still. His virtues blossom now in 
 the light of a sinless world, in the sunshine 
 of his Saviour's nearer smile. 
 
 If none other wears his mantle, every sol- 
 dier may share the grace that made him 
 what he was — a true man, a brave soldier, 
 and a devoted Christian. 
 
CONCLUSION. 101 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 The deatli of one wlio falls in a noble cause, 
 is like a torch at which the enthusiasm of 
 survivors is kindled. The flame of heroic 
 emulation flashed up in the soul of many a 
 young man who had not yet enhsted in the 
 army of the Union and of freedom, when he 
 heard that another color-bearer had been 
 struck down by rebel bullets in the attack up- 
 on Port Hudson. 
 
 That young color-bearer held yet another 
 flag in sight of his regiment — the banner of 
 the Cross. " Conquer by this," had long been 
 his motto; and under this banner have the 
 great victories of the world been achieved. 
 
 The struggle in which our nation is engaged 
 would indeed be a fruitless one, if the Cross, 
 if the pure principles of Christianity thereby 
 typified, were not its deepest source of inspi- 
 ration. When Clary fell, calling, "I am 
 wounded ; some one else must take the colors 
 
102 THE COLOR-BEABEK. 
 
 now;" he spoke for the standaVd of the Cross 
 as well as for that of the Union. How many 
 of his fellow-soldiers have felt the meaning of 
 his dying cry, and have rushed to catch both 
 banners from his faithful hand ? 
 
 If the death of a good soldier speaks so 
 loudly to his comrades, what then is the mes- 
 sage of his life ? "When a spirit so full of holy 
 enthusiasm as his passes away from earth, 
 we feel more deeply the need of true men — 
 men of sincerity, energy, and unfaltering 
 principle. The world itself is bereaved when 
 a young man of such promise dies. The 
 barren plains of China mourn for Clary, as 
 well as the bright hills and blossoming fields 
 of his pleasant Conway home. Christian 
 ardor and resolution like his are rare, yet not 
 unattainable. 
 
 The work that drox3ped from his dying 
 hands has the same need of accomphshment 
 as if he had lived. There is a yet louder de- 
 mand than ever for Christian soldiers. Chris- 
 tian citizens, and Christian missionaries, be- 
 cause of those who have fallen in the dew of 
 their early consecration. The blood of the 
 martyred dead calls out to their brethren 
 
CONCLUSION. 103 
 
 from the ground, to fill the posts they so 
 bravely held on the battle-field of life. If 
 ever there was a time when the young men of 
 the nation should especially feel their respon- 
 sibility to God and their fellow-beings, it is 
 now. 
 
 And the secret of Sergeant Clary's excel- 
 lent life, at home, at college, and in the army — 
 that which gives the clue to his faithfulness 
 in meeting duty, his calmness and courage in 
 facing danger — is his constant reliance upon 
 the Saviour in whom he trusted, his habitual 
 reference of all that concerned himself and 
 his friends to the power and love of God. 
 The word of God was dear to him — the com- 
 panion of his days and nights on the battle- 
 field. On the morning of June 14, he read 
 his last chapter, the second of the second 
 epistle to Timothy. Surely he had endur- 
 ed "hardness as a good soldier of Jesus 
 Christ." 
 
 The 11th, 12th, 13th, and 15th verses were 
 marked by his own hand, as having been 
 committed to memory on the morning of his 
 last day spent on earth. 
 
 The fifteenth verse, the last one marked in 
 
104 THE OOLOK-BEABER. 
 
 his Testament, must ever bring a precious 
 memory to liis friends, as giving the key to 
 his early closed life ; and as showing that to 
 his latest hour he cherished faithfully the 
 thought of his early vows, " Study to show 
 thyself approved of God." 
 
 He had for some months previous been 
 reading in the " Soldier's Text-Book." The 
 passage of Scripture in that, for the morning 
 of the fifteenth, was peculiarly appropriate: 
 "And God shall wipe away all tears from their 
 eyes ; and there shall be no more death, nei- 
 ther sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be 
 any more pain ; for the former things are pass- 
 ed away." Rev. 21:4. The accompanying 
 beautiful remarks are, "Happy prospect, 
 when I shall forget my present aching hours, 
 this racked body and wearied spirit, and be 
 ushered into the bright sunshine of a tear- 
 less, painless, sorrowless world." 
 
 " Oh, that I had wings like a dove ; for then 
 would I fly away, and be at rest." 
 
 And doubtless in those last fearful hours of 
 the battle-field, he remembered and adopted 
 as his own the words of his favorite psalm, 
 the 27th : " For in the time of trouble he 
 
CONCLUSION. 105 
 
 shall liide me in his pavilion; in the secret of 
 his tabernacle shall he hide me ; he shall set 
 me up upon a rock. And now shall my head 
 be lifted up above mine enemies round about 
 me; therefore will I offer in his tabernacle 
 sacrifices of joj; I will sing, yea, I will sing 
 praises unto the Lord." 
 
 The source at which this young soldier 
 quenched his soul's thirst in hours of bodily 
 and spiritual conflict, is free to all. The 
 treasure-house that supplied him with sword 
 and shield, and armor of proof, remains open ; 
 and the cause of the nation, of humanity, of 
 God, calls aloud for defenders. 
 
 First a soldier of Christ, then of his coun- 
 try; this was Sergeant Clary's example. 
 
 There is lonehness in the home that once 
 echoed to his footsteps, in the hearts where 
 the fragrance of his memory yet lingers. 
 They who are regretted in death are they who 
 have blessed others by the usefulness and 
 hohness of their lives. 
 
 But the voice of the Christian hero is not 
 wholly hushed by the ceasing of his mortal 
 b>reath. Clary yet speaks ; and the message 
 that comes from his grave, and fr'om his 
 
106 THE COLOR-BEAKEB. 
 
 abode of peace in tlie heavenly world, is 
 this: 
 
 "Live in the truth. Die for the truth." 
 
 "Figlit the good fight; lay liold 
 Ujpon eternal life: 
 Keep but thy shield — ^be bold; 
 
 Stand through the hottest strife. 
 "With thy great Captain on the field, 
 Thou canst not fail, unless thou yield. 
 
 *' Trust in thy Saviour's might; 
 
 Yea, till thy latest breath 
 Fight, and like him in fight, 
 
 By dying, conquer death; 
 And all- victorious in the field. 
 Then, with thy sword, thy spirit yield." 
 
WQ)it lh% YQ)mmg. 
 
 LIFE ILLUSTRATED. 
 
 MAY COVERLEY. 
 
 The trials and success of a young dressmaker. 224 pp. 
 18mo: 
 
 ABEL GREY. 
 
 A young musician rising from poverty to distinction. 
 212 pp. 18mo. 
 
 HANNAH LEE. 
 
 Severe trials and reward of a faithful domestic. 208 pp. 
 18mo. 
 
 DOWN IN A MINE. 
 
 The miner's mode of life, his dangers, and his security. 
 208 pp. 18mo. 
 
 THE LITTLE SEA-BIRD. 
 
 A child rescued from a wreck, trained for God, and re- 
 stored to her parents. 192 pp. 18mo. 
 
 KATIE SEYMOUR. 
 
 Youthful piety illustrated in doing good. 152 pp. 18mo. 
 
 MY BROTHER BEN. 
 
 The struggles and victories of a fatherless family. 142 
 pp. 18m0i 
 
 HARRY THE WHALER. 
 
 His voyage to the northern regions. 138 pp. 18mo. 
 
 HARRY THE SAILOR-BOY. 
 
 By the sam« author as the above. A story for boj^s. 
 119 pp. 18mo. 
 
 THE NAUGHTY GIRL WON, 
 
 By ^the power of Christian love. 135 pp. ISmo. 
 
 MARCIA AND ELLEN. 
 
 An example of filial affection and patient industry. 126 
 pp. 18mo. 
 
THE GOLD BKACELET. 
 
 The rewards of honesty. 122 -p-p. 18mo. 
 
 THE ROCKET. 
 
 The story of the self-made George Stephenson of Eng- 
 land. 118 pp. ISmo. 
 
 MACKEREL WILL. 
 
 The reclaimed children. 116 pp. 18mo. 
 
 AMY'S HEW HOME. 
 
 Trust in God our safety in trials. 112 -pp. 18mo. 
 
 TRAMPS IJSH NEW YORK. 
 Lively and instructive sketches of institutions and scenes 
 in a great city. 104 pp. 18mo. 
 
 STEPS UP THE LADDER, 
 
 Or the Will and the Way. 103 pp. 18mo, 
 
 THE FLOWER-BOY OF THE PRAIRIE. 
 
 Benny of the West rising from poverty to be a success- 
 ful merchant. 102 pp. ISmo. 
 
 GRACE ABBOTT, 
 
 Or the Sunday Tea-party. 95 pp. 18mo. 
 
 THE YOUNG HOP-PICKERS. 
 
 Successful Christian effort for the neglected. 85 pp. 
 18mo. 
 
 The above, with about three hundred other volumes of 
 great value and attraction for children, 
 
 ARE ISSUED BY THE 
 
 150 Nassau-street, NE^IV YORK; 40 Cornliill, BOS- 
 TON; 939 Cliestiiiit-st., FHILiADEIiPHIA; 75 Stati- 
 st., ROCHESTER; iC3 'Walniit-st., CINCINNATI; 
 170 Clark-st., CHICIAGO ; 9 Soiitli-Fiftli-st., ST. 
 liOUIS; 73 ^'est-Fayette-st,, BAL.TIMOI?E, and by 
 Booksellers in tlie principal Cities and Towns. 
 
BY A FAVORITE AMERICAN AUTHORESS. 
 
 IN LARGE, CLEAE TYPE, FINELY ILLUSTEATED, AND OF 
 GREAT INTEREST. 
 
 "CHEERILY, CHEERILY." 
 
 The straggles and triumplis of a widow and lier children. 
 205 pp. 18mo. 
 
 THE BLUE FLAG, 
 
 Or the Sailor's Home ; very attractive. 200 pp. 18mo. 
 
 THE BOY»PATRIOT. 
 
 A charming book for boj^s. 180 pp. 18mo. 
 
 EMILY AND UNCLE HANSE. 
 The power of Christian love in an adopted child. 150 pp. 
 18mo. 
 
 AMY AND HER BROTHERS. 
 The rich reward of love and labor united. 149 pj). iSmo. 
 
 KELLY NASH. 
 The boy who * ' didn't care. " 138 pp. 18mo. 
 
 HANNAH'S PATH. 
 How love clears np life's pathway. 118 pp. 18mo, 
 
 THE WOODMAN'S NANNETTE. 
 A touching story of a deaf mute. 110 pp. 18mo. 
 
 BUSTER AND BABY JIM. 
 
 Hope for the perishing. 109 pp. ISmo. 
 
 THE FISHERMAN'S BOY. 
 The stammerer taught of God. 101 pp. 18mov 
 
 THE PROMISED ONE, 
 As revealed in the Old Testament. 63 pp. square form. 
 
 STRANGERS IN GREENLAND. 
 
 wThe missionary family and Dr. Kane. 5G pp. square. 
 
SQUARE SIZE. 
 
 iTirst iTootsteps hi tlje tOaj? of Enot33Ubge. 
 
 Beautiful lessons for j'oung cliildren. 
 
 CHILD'S HISTORY OF THE APOSTLE PAUL, 
 By the author of "That Sweet Story of Old;" embodying 
 the great outlines of his life, teachings, and lah.ors, in a 
 manner adapted to the young. 
 
 SKETCHES FROM THE HISTORY OF JERICHO. 
 In illustration of the power of faith. By an accomplished 
 lady. 
 
 Strangers in C?5recnlanb. 
 
 Depicting the adventures of Dr. Kane, and the greater 
 courage and patience of the first Danish missionary, and 
 his heroic wife Ann IJlgede. By a favorite authoress. 
 
 BETHLEHEM AND HER CHILDREN. 
 
 Containing the Grave at Bethlehem, the Bride, the King, 
 and the Babe of Bethlehem. With colored frontispiece. 
 
 THE MORI^imG STAR, 
 
 Or, Stories about the Childhood of Jesus. 
 Colored frontispiece. 
 
 EASY LESSONS FOR THE LITTLE ONES AT HOME. 
 Colored frontispiece, and other engravings. 
 
 "THAT SWEET STOKY OF OLD;" 
 
 Or, the History of Jesvis. 
 Colored frontispiece. 
 
 Joseph and his Brethren. 
 
 Colored frontispiece. 
 
 PUBLISTTED BY THE 
 
 AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, 
 
 And for sale at its Depositories, 150 Nassaxi-st., New York ; 
 40 Cornhill, Boston ; 929 Chestnut-st., Philadelphia; Bal- 
 timore, Rochester, and Cincinnati. 
 
km 21 W)'^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 m 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 013 763 710 8 ^