Jasper Republican, Volume 1, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 January 1875 — Three Brave Boys Gone. [ARTICLE]

Three Brave Boys Gone.

O£ young Cushing, who died at Washington of brain fever after a short sick* ness one cannot as yet say “ amen,” as he was only thirty-two years old and never more fitted for the work of his life than now. With the years that had come to him since the war had come that wisdom which time gives; and with a most true and proud love for his country it seemed as though he was needed to America. How many times he has been heard to say: “I live for my country; if necessary, I am ready to die for it.” When all matters had been arranged for the destruction of the Albemarle he came to Massachusetts to say what he supposed would be his last good-by to some dear relatives here. He did hot say what he was going to do, but “I am going upon an expedition where, fail or not tail, there seems not the faintest chance of my life.” “ But, Willie (his pet name), are ‘you willing?” “YeS, perfectly,” he answered, “ifby so doing it helps to achieve for my country what I am determined it shall —success —and the close of this war.” He gave the good-by kiss with a quivering lip and eyes full of tears. Ah, indeed! the bravest are the tenderest. He well considered all the liabilities but he was no weakling to foolishly give up his life, and after placing with his own hand the torpedo in position and hearing the repeated call to surrender, and the cannon tearing out the bottom of hiß boat, he calls to his men, “ No surrender!” then with a shout again to the foe—“No surrender!*’—and pulling off his boots and outer garments struck out for his life. He was in the water all night, swimming back once to help along a sailor. In the earliest dawn he reached the land which seemed to offer security, and then he had only strength to rest his arms upon the bank. He was too weak to rise fully out of the water. After a while he drew himself into the high sedge'or grass, pushing himself along by his heels to a shelter. He lay and listened, but apparently between life and death. But he was not the man to yield to any circumstances, if by any possibilities they could be overcome; so, alone and unaided, with feet bare and cut to the bone, half dead, he was seen paddling to his fleet. He was not known at first. He could only say “ Cushing,” and fainted. That night and the time of suffering impaired his old and natural robustness of constitution and he has never been quite as well. Thus three Cushing brothers, sons of one mother, have not reluctantly given their lives to their country. Alonzo Cushing graduated at West Point at the commencement of the war. His record all through the terrible ordeal was most noble and wise. He was killed at Gettysburg, just on the left of Cemetery Hill, on July 8. Gen. Garnett was killed by his guns. He was buried with military honors at West Point. Lieut. Howard Cushing was killed by the Apache Indians in Arizona, after doing great service for that newly-settled land. Recently there has been a fort named “ Cushing” in his honor, the Governor of Arizona giving official notice of the fact to his mother," wbo stands now still as brave a Spartan mother as when she said to her boys: “My sons, death, but not dishonor.” — Oor. Boston Transcript.