Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-08-29

t0re with a calmness and serenity on his brow which
showed that he had received comfort and assurance
from above.
The dead Of both armies were taken to the small
Islands near the Of action and were there b,t
ricd
Those waters row look as blue and as beautiful
as ii never disturbed with war, and those islands
green and as verdant as it never broken with
',eto made grares
In lS42 stood upon the wharf at Whitehall, a
bout To embark in the beautiful and famed steamer
Burlington, "Capt. Sherman" commander, for
passage up the lake. had been in Whitehall once
be'ore-it was just after the close fthe 'las. war;
when the American and captured vessels lay at an
Choir in that safe and snug little harbor. after the
memorable battle OF Plalsburg Soldiers were there
storing away the instruments of war--oil:cers were
there keeping order and directing the preparations
for peace-but as c1me again, no war vessel with
ITS mutllaed sides, rested the bosom of the lake
no officers-no subordinates crowded the streets
not vlstage OF that scene remained, every thing
wore the aspect eff business, thrift, and of better
times; and sweet thoughts of national prosperi-
ty-our peaceful and friendly relations with other
governments came 10 my bosom, and looked on the
change with great delight, enjoying the conscious
ness Of our happy and honorable position as Chris
tlan and prosperous Republic, quite safe as then
thought, from further collision warning strife!
We passed through the town down TO the place
of landing. The sky of July morning was bright
its blue deep with summer beauty, the
smooth lake scarce Wore ripple but was glowing
with light, rejecting all images like brilliant mir
ror. The gay steamer lay at her moorngs near
the wharf, seeming like thing of life, and as if
conscious of her own beauty attracting the gaze
of all eyes. The rich landscape, colored with ma
tive ovellness, with heavens own light and shade
upon the living picture was spread out, teeming
with verdue and perfume of scented blossoms The
mi 10 Occa ,akip
the place of all other considerations and was Weld
ing myself to the influence of the scene, but as we
were let down from the carriage sight met nv
gaze that fell upon my heart like a sudden sickness
The wharf was crowded with spectators that were
idly enjoying the hustle and stir of the hour; had
before strained my eyes 10 discover something that
should remind me of the past; and here an object
presented itself TO my vision in startling reality
lcreched relic of those timeSi An old man sat upon
the bare earth extending his only arm--holding out
tatered hat, leaving his bald head bare-both leps
were gone, and his sunken eyes aud hollow cheeks
wore traces of deep, deep misery! No complaint
was uttered, ii the silent elOquence of woe -
His cruches lay by his side, that poorly supplied
the place of limbs; and never had seen in life CO.
lors so eXpressivea picture Of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
numbering war, asking, by every missing limb
and every line Of sorrow, pitiance from the pas
sers by such as they might have the heart to be-
stow upon old soldicrl All, thought |, this is
the reward, the glory, that the blood monster has
for his votaries
Poets and orators may proclaim his praise. Pop
ular writers may cause the thrill of excited emo
ton to lremble in the bosom. as they bring up be-
! fore us the serrled ranks with waving plume, and
floating banners, flashing steel and brave hearts in
tent on victo:y-and 10 add still more to the inter
est of such occasions, they may give us the roll OF
the stirring drum, the shrill clear note of the OK
citing buge, as it pours ont its martial strains -
then The onset of strife, and last the shouts of ri
umph and the glory Of conquest-but let them come
when all these things have passed away and paint
the horrors OF one such scenea fac-simile of thou
sands-and You may have true life picture of ,ea,
in its naked and most hideous deformity