Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-12-14
Written for the Rutland Herald.l
An Incident of Sherscan's March.
FISHERMAN walks through Georgia. "
BY HUGH WHITING.


A gloomy frown would rest on every
brow and half muttered curse on JEFF.
Davis would escape. This was the
only news to be gained in the remote
towns and plantations of the state and
that only through chance travellers.
Yes, Sherman eas walking through
the State.
Occasionally some stray half sheet OF
the Atlanta Intelligencer" would come
around with boastful assurances that
Dick Taylor was all right and would
strike decisive blow, when the time
came he was drawing Sherman from
his base etc. But that Sherman was
walking through the State was not to
be doubted. And so he walked on
down to the sea. History has recorded
that march. Song and story repeat it.
1t was one of those mellow days of
the Southern Autumn, when the golden
sunlight seems sleeping on the soft lap
of nature. The army was crossing
creek muddy with red clay so common
in that country.
II say boys" said dark eyed hand
some soldier lad, 'qet's make raid down
the creek on the muscadines."
"Is it safe, Hal"
"Safe yes, never reb to be seen by
the scouts and we won't go far"
So they started on the ramble, seven
brave soldier lads, for whose safety,
morning and evening, at seven home
affairs went up fervent prayers from
pioue fathers lips, for whom mothers
and sisters sighed and hoped.
On they strolled, their guns over their
shoulders, the bayonets flashing in the
sunlight, dragging the vines dowa from
the trees, gathering the fruit, careless
and happy.
"Ain't we getting too far away, Hal 2"
"No but we will fill our knapsacks
and go back"
The knapsacks were filled.
Right face about, forwardqnarch.
Careless and free
HALT Surrender
Those words sent dismay to every
heart. Andersonville was the first
thought. Every cheek blancned.
They were surrounded by ten times
their number, there was no use III re
sistance. Their guns were delivered W
and with sad step, they accompanied
their capt0rs across the desolate, worn
out cotton fields. "..
Or ii, Lieutenant, have we got t.
be bothered with taking these Yankee
to Andersonville? Confonnd it, shoe
them down and done with it"
"No, that wont do, we are too nea
their line Of march the firing nigh
start a whole gang after u.s.
Leave tito me lieutenant, and II
dispatch them, d--n me If don't"
The atterepeaker was short, THO
fellow, his face doubly repulsive fror
his broad teeth, which, like "Carker's,
were the most visible portion of hi
face.
'Leave 1t TO Dick Holmes, be boun'
for him." was the cry.
cover the way then" and he led Their
by narrow path to dilapidated negr
quarter.
"what now Dick" said the Lieuten
ant, as Dick halted the men.
"You see that we'll yonder, Il is sey
enty feet deepP' .... ........
The face of every prisoner was pal'
as IL the death agony had passed over i
"Tie every Yank dland and foot, =" wa
the order given.
There was no use in resistance.
Now FIRST give me those gentlemen
guns in charge.
One by one he dropped the guns In tn
! well with the bayonets upward.
"Now all''s ready for the Yanks then
selves, reckon we are cafe for all til
alarm they can give down there"
1t was but the work Of momen
The prisoners were thrown in upon tn
bayonets. ...
On the roll call those names wer
marked missing. In seven homes ther
is vacant chair. Seven fathers an
mothers repeat that word missing wit
hearts of leaden weight. Sisters wee
In vain for the brothers they are to NEE
no more. In the bottom Of that oil
we'll are the bones OF those seven BRAY
boys. Many Springs shall gladden. tn
earth with their budding leaves an
towers, many Summers shall brighte
1t with their sunshine and shade 1t wit,