The Wasp — 1891 — page 517: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page presents a sentimental Civil War narrative rather than political satire. The sketch by Velma Caldwell Melville recounts the author's wartime experience encountering a wounded soldier named James at a hospital. The accompanying illustration shows two figures in conversation—apparently the narrator speaking with an injured soldier. The narrative describes James's suffering from a gunpowder burn and his longing for his mother. The sketch culminates in the author's attempt to locate James's mother to deliver his final message, though the effort ultimately fails. The piece exemplifies *The Wasp*'s occasional shift toward earnest patriotic sentiment during the Civil War period, departing from its typical satirical stance to honor individual soldier experiences and maternal sacrifice.