The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-05
The Dfummer-Boy Of Marblehead.
by ANNE SAWYER DOWNS.

lWehave the ASSURANCE lhaI si' o'oiJ 40 A''U"-' - ~
Eds. Independent
The Whole city was wild with triumph at
the victories of Fort Doneson and Roanoke
Cheer after cheer went up from the Exchange
and people were almost momently jostllng
each other in the thronged streets, and instead
Of begging pardon would burst into shout
Tor The old flag. Woman that l am, as
hurried home in the twilight Of that glorious
day, had TO hold my mutf close to my mouth
to prevent my voice from swelling the great
thanksgiving. Turning the corner of my own
street | was astonished to see that my parlor
was brilliantly lighted, and through the thin
curtains | likewise saw figures moving rapid.
ly. [ ran up the steps, and soon discovered
the reason, Ior as | opened the door all my
own children and several Of my nelghbors'
rushed with a great sweep into the hall, and
for a moment was nearly stunned with their
cheers for the fort, the soldiers, the stars and
stripes, &c. At last, at the volley for the
guuboats, they stopped from sheer exhaus.
ton, and asked very meekiy, " What in the
world are you down in the parlors for?
We'll, mother, gasped Win, we wanted
to play We were gunboats, and the nursery
wasn't big enough. See me now am 60
ng to run w within four hundred yards OF
the guns OF the tort, and with yell like
wild lLdan's, he brandished cane and made
It charge at bookcase, coming within an
inch OF smashing my Dante and beatrice. !
s. nced, but did NOT scod tEem Oh y eutlced
Ihen into the ,ess crowded dining room, where
we played guuDoats aud cheered until their
father, coming home to tea, rather shocked us
by saying grave,y that he thought he should
have 10 $ nj US all to tn; watch-house. Many
incidents OF the battles he tod the eager chi!
Iren as VIC took our tea, aud just before their
bedtime, as they stood around him for the
customary story, ne told them the one shall
Try to teIl you.
You all know said their father, how last
April the Massachusetts troops were attack cd
and murdered ia the streets OF Baltimore, and
how the whole heart OF New England thrilled
to avenge their death. There was young
BOY OF Marblehead, only fifteen years old,
Albert Mansur by name, who came from
school on that day wild with indignation, and
told his mother that he was going TO the war !;
he couldn't stay at home. Why, Albert,
laughed his happy mother, they won't have
you; YOU are too little my boy I can
drum, can't |, mother ? guess those old
rebels will run when they hear me play the
Star Spaugled Bauner, and out he went, and
his mother heard him playing the smart old
tune as he marched down the street at the
head of tatterdemallon set OF urchins, called
by him his regiment. He had gift for
drumming, and thinking Of his words that
mothers heart stood still with fear. He was
her only child, her handsome boy; how
could she let him 20 But she scoded her.
self for even thnAing of it. OF course his
father would keep him at home. AT dinner.
time Albert attacked his father on the subject
but his father precmptorily answered no,
and told him there must be no more talk on
the matter. Usually his fathers decision set.
tied things, but this time Albert argued man.
fully. He could do just as good service as
anybody; he ought to 60. But Mr.. Mansur
was firm aud he had to yield, although the
struggle was so severe that he grew pale and
thin. A. last, to divert his attention, they
sent him to his grandIathers in Augusta, and
ierveutIy hoped he would forget his fancy
Blu; when he arrived there ha found rogi.
mcu: all ready to go into camp short way
from the city. He accompanied them as
drummer. His father and mother, as the
weeks went by. became impatient, and at last
went for him. AS they rode through the
streets, almost the first person they saw was
Albert, marching IN fine new uniform, with
this same company, who were ON their way
to the station. lie had kept his promise to
them, that is, he had not enlisted, but they
felt from day to day that they must let him
80. dc went home with tnem and al.ur "a
few weeks they gave him up, and he enlisted
in the Mass. 23d, Col. kurtz, as drummer
for one OF the companies, being the youngest
In the regiment. Dear little ones, can
never tell you how his mother lett, how his
father in his bitter grief prayed, how many
hot tcais stained the few articles he could
carry, and then almost as sorrowiully as to
hi. burial, they went to see him start. That
day the poor parents talked long together,
then the father went out, and while he was
gone the pale mother knelt with her face hid
den, asking for strength aud patience. Whoa
he came in, Albert knew that he should NOT
go alone ; his father had enlisted as private
in the same company. so as to take care Of
that idoized boy. They sailed in the Burn.
side expedition, and on that long dreary pas.
sage Albert was the light and JOY of his reg.
lment, and indeed of all the regiments on the