Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-04-04
The Drummer-Boy of Marblehead.
BY ANNIE SAWYER DOWNS.

The whole city was wild with triumph
at the victories of Fort Doneson and Rc-
anoke. Cheer upon cheer went up from
the Exchange, and people were almost mo-
mentarily jostling each other in the throng-
ed street, and instead OF begging pardon
would burst into shout for the old flag.
Woman that ] am, as hurried home in
the twilight Of that glorious day. / had TO
hold my muff close 10 my mouth to pre-
vent 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 l likewise saw figures
moving rapidly. ran up the steps, and
soon discovered the reason, for as opened
the door, all my own children and several
of my neighbors' rushed with great sweep
into the hall. and for a moment was near
ly stunned with their cheers for the foit,
the soldiers, the stars and stripes, etc. AT
last, at the volley for the gunboats, they
stopped from sheer exhaustion, and asked
very meekly, What are you down in the
parlors for ?"
Well, mother" gasped VIII, /" we want
ed toplay we were gunboats, and the nurs-
cry wasn't large enough. See me now
am going to run up within four hundred
yards of the guns of the fort" and with a
yell like a wild Indians he brandished a
cane and made a charge at bookcase, COM
ing within an inch of smashing my Dante
and Beatrice.
! WINGED, but did not sculd them, only
enticed them into the less crowded dining
room, where we played gunboats and cheer
ed until their father coming home TO tea,
rather shocked US by saying gravely, that
he thought he should have to send us all to
the watch house. Many incidents of the
battles he told the eager children as we
took our tea, and just before their bedtime,
as they stood around him for the customary
story, lie told them the one / shall try to
tell you:-
You all know" said their father, !" how
last April the Massachusetts troops were
attacked and murdered in 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 that Jay
wild with Indignation, and told his mother
that he was going to war; he couldn't
say at home. Why, Albert laughed his
happy mother, they won't have you you
are too little my boy : l can drum, can't
|, mother? guess those old rebels will
run when they hear me play the Star-Span-
| gled Banner, and out he went, and his
mother heard him playing the smart old
tune as he marched down the street at the
head of a tatterdemalien set of urcEns,
called by him his regiment. lie had gift
for drumming, and thinking of his words
that mothers heart stood st;ll with fear.
He was her only child, her handsome boy
how could she let him 60? But she scold-
ed herself for even thinking of it. OF
course his father would keep him at home.
! At dinner time Albert attacked his father
on the subject, but his father peremptorily
answered no. and told him there must be
no more talk on the matter. Usually his
fathers decision settled things, but this time
Albert argued manfully. He could do just
as good service as anybody; he ought to go
he must go. But Mr.. Mansur was firm,
and he had to yield, although the struggle
was so severe that he grew pale and thin.
/ At last, to divert his attention, they sent
him TO his grandiather's in Augusta, and
fervently hoped he would forget his fancy.
But when he arrived there, he found reg
iment all ready 10 so into camp a short way
from the city, lie 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 street, 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. He had kept his prom
ise with them, that is, he had not enlisted,
but they felt from that day they must let him
go. He went home with them, and after a
few weeks they gave hin up, and lie enlist
ed in the Massachusetts 23d, Col. Kurtz,
as drummer for one of the companies, be-
ing the youngest in the regiment. Dear
little ones, | can never tell you how his
mother felt, how the father in his bitter
grief prayed, how many hot tears st lined
the few articles lie could carry, and then,
almost as sorrowfully as to his burial, they
went TO see him start. That day the poor
patents talked long together, then the ia-
ther went out, and while he was gone the
pale mother knet with her face hidden,
asking for strength and patience. When
he came in, Albert knew that he should not
90 alone his father had enlisted as private
in the same company, so as 10 take care OF
that idoliz,d boy. They sailed in the Burn
side exnelifioa and On all that Ionsr 1rearv