ore the grave, the broken hearted soldier would offer up a
prayer to God for the repose of the souls of those beneath the sod.
The tears which fell on the grave on such visits, and watered the last
resting place of the loved ones were the holiest that ever flowed from
the eyes of man--they were the homage of a bereaved husband to the
memory of a pure and spotless wife, and an angel daughter. Alfred is
still alive, and has passed unharmed through many a hard fought
battle. Those who know not the tale of his family's sufferings and
unhappy fate, think him moody and unfriendly, but those who are
acquainted with the trials of the soldiers wife, regard his reserved
and silent manners with respect, for though the same sorrows may not
darken the sunshine of their lives, their instinct penetrates the
recess of the soldiers heart, and the sight of its shattered and
wrecked remains often cause a sigh of sorrow, and a tear of
commiseration. Let us trust that a merciful God in His divine wisdom,
may alleviate the poignant grief of the soldier, and restore him to
that happiness he once possessed.

And now kind reader, we bid you a last farewell; but ere the pages of
this book are closed, let us speak a word to you, for those
unfortunates who abandon their homes on the approach of the enemy to
seek refuge in the Confederate lines. Many--alas! too many of its
citizens consider the term "refugee" synonymous with that of
"_beggar_." In this idea we err. It is true they are in many
instances, reduced to penury, but in their poverty are as different
from the mendicant as the good are from the bad. Many of these
refugees have lost their homes, their wealth--their everything to
retain their patriotism and honor. Some of them adorned the most
polished circles in their midst, and many held an enviable position in
the State of their nativity or residence. For their country, for our
country, for your country, the brave abandoned all they possessed,
preferring to live in want among the people of the South, than to
revel in luxuries in the midst of our enemies. Seek these exiles. Look
upon them as suffering Confederates, and extend the hand of friendship
and assistance to all who are in need. Let the soldier know that his
wife and children are provided for by you. It will cheer him while in
camp, it will inspire him in battle, and if he falls by the hand of
the enemy, the knowledge that those he loves will be cared for, will
lighten the pangs of