ePub The Laws of War in the Late Middle Ages (Routledge Library Editions: Military and Naval History) (Volume 13) by Maurice Keen in History

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Excerpt: ...their dead. I was distressed to hear of a young Federal lieutenant who had been severely wounded and left on the field by his comrades. He had lived in this condition from Saturday until Monday; lying in the burning sun without water or food; and the men on both sides Pg 102 could witness the agony of the life thus prolonged; without the power to assist him in any way. I was glad; indeed; when I heard the poor man had expired on Monday morning. Another soldier left on the field; badly wounded in the leg; had begged most piteously for water; and lying near the Confederate intrenchments; his cries were all directed to the Confederate soldiers. The firing was heaviest where he lay; and it would have been at the risk of a life to have gone to him; yet; a Confederate soldier asked and obtained leave to carry water to him; and stood and fanned him in the midst of the firing; while he eagerly drank from the heroic soldier's canteen. The officer who related this little incident had not yet obtained the name of the noble man. Truly; "the bravest are the tenderest; the loving are the daring." How generous