Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-12-27
An Incident of Sherman's March.
by HUGH WHITING.


An InCl0ent OF oHerHidn Wa'o"'
BY HUGH WHITING.
FISHERMAN walks through Georgia."
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 was walking through the
State.
T Occasionally some stray half sheet OF
the ATLANTA Inteligencer' would come
around with boastful assurances that Dick
Taylor was all right and would strike a
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 sun
light seems sleeping on the soft lap of
nature. The army was crossing creek
muddy with red clay, so common in that
country.
81 say boys said a dark eyed hand
some soldier lad, "let's make raid down
the creek on the muscadines."
ais ii safe, Hal?'
Safe yes, never reb TO he seen by
the scouts and we won't go far"
So they started on the ramble, seven
brave soldier lads, for whose safety, morn
ing and evening, at seven home affairs
went up iervent prayers from pious faith
ers lips from whom mothers aud sisters
sighed and hoped.
On they strolled, their guns over their
shoulders, the bayonets flashing in the sun
light, dragging the vines down from the
trees, gathering the fruit, careless, and
happy.
"Ain't we getting too far away, Hal "
"Nol hut we will fill our knapsacks and
go back"
The knapsacks were filed.
Right face about, forward march"
Careless and free
Halt Surrender
Those words sent dismay to every heart
AndersonvlIe was the first thought
Every cheek blanched,
They were surrounded by ten times
their number, there was no use in resis-
lance. Their guns were delivered up and
with sad step, they accompanied their
captors across the desolate, wornout cotton
fields.
"D--n il, Lieutenant, have we got to
be bothered with taking these Yankees to
Andersonvie Cunfound it, shoot them
down and done with II y
mo, that wont do, we are too near their
line of march the firing might start
whole gang after US"
"Leave it to me Lieutenant, and III |
dispatch them, d--n me il | don't !"
The latter speaker was a short, thick |
fellow, his face doubly repulsive from his
broad teeth, which like "Carker's,' were
the most visible portion of bis face. %
Leave it to Dick Holmes. be bound
for him" was the cry.
Over the way then" and lao led ,h.-...
by narrow path to dilapidated negro
quarter.
"What now Dick said the Lieutenant;
as Dick halted the men
"You see that we'll yondpr it i seventy
feet deep!"
The face Of every prisoner was pale, as
If the death agony had passed over it.
Tie every Yank hand and foot" was
the order given.
There was no use in resistance.
Now first give me those g+ntlemen's
guns in charge.
One by one he dropped the guns in the
well with the bayonets upward.
"Now ALPS ready for the Yanks them
selves, reckon we are safe for all the alarm
they can give down there"
1t was but the work of moment
The prisoners were thrown in upon the
On the roll call those names were mark
ID missing. In seven homes there is a
vacant chair. Seven fathers and mothers
epeat that word "missng" with hearts of
eaden weight. Sisters weep IN vain for
be brothers they are to meet no more
n the bottom Of that old we'll are the !
zones of those seven brave boys. Many
springs shall gladden. the earth with their
udding leaves and flowers, many Sum
ners shall brighten it with their sunshine
nd shade it with their rich foliage. many
Autumns shall strew it with whhered
caves and whtened harvests, many win
srs shall cover it with white SHOWS and 81
oary frosts ! but those loved ones shall IL
eturn no more. 4
Six weeks after in a Cavalry skirmish e
Dick Holmes was shot in the head. He U
ad turned his horse the first to retreat [
lie reeled and fell, his comrads in the con- al
Ision passing over him, their horses hoofs N
amping him in the mud. One looking al
lck saw his body bleeding and lfeless- 1t
'utiand Herald,
A WEDDING FEE.-"Many and many 10
year ago" youthful couple appeared u,
the gateway of the parsonage in a town m
,t a hundred miles from Harvard ~