The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1866-05-04


l have been thinking of 'old times and |
memories" and while thus turning over
the tablets of memory, the incidents of this
day FIVE years ago rise vividiy before me.
How we'll I remember it! Once more / |
mingle with the gay bevy of laughing girls
and fun-loVing boys, who that day assem-
bled on the messy banks of little riyulet,
ostensibly "'to fish," but in reality to chat,
to firt, aud with the avowed intention to
abandon the day to pleasure. Our place of
rendezvous. was little sheltered vale, where
the interlapping of the limbs Of tall trees
afforded delightful retreat from the sun,
which shone with unusual warmth for the
season, and where the yelling up Of spring
of clear water diffused around delicious
coolness. There too was a nice grass
platte where We could spread the lunch
with which we had not failed to provide our
Selves l think see them now-our gay
little party-seated beneath the widespread
ing branches of those grand old trees, or
strolling leisurely along under the bending
willows that lined the banks Of the little
stream.
L hear again snatehes of gay songs, and
bright sallies of wit that sounded as mer
rily as the songs of the birds overhead.
Bright eyes, merry voices, and bright foot
steps, told of the pleasure there. Fond
words were spoken, and solemn vows
plighted. And as each gay lad singled
out the girl of his affections and led her to
a distant seat, the low murmur of voices l
heard, know, spoke of love, hope and
constancy. My lot was already cast, and
as was not the charmed listener 10 honied
words Of love, 1 had time to look about me
and enjoy the beauty and freshness of the
scene. 1t was truly delightful day-soft
and beautiful as ever beamed upon the
world. Spring had clad the earth in its
robe of green, and scattered everywhere a
| profusion of buds and blossoms. The air
was laden with perfume exhaled from flow
ers, and full-blown apple trees-while the
whole was rendered vocal by the sweet
songs of birds, as they fitted from bough
to bough.
The whole surrounding country was
highly picturesque aud beautiful, and pre-
sented at one view, TO an admirer of nature Is
works. scene of most inviting loyeliness;
and I strolled in and out from the shadows
of those lofty, wide-spreading trees, and
regaled my enses with the bright prospect
around me- 1t was in the Spring, when
the black cloud Of war was Just rising-and
as the gallant youths of our little village
had responded to their country's call-this
fishing excursion was planned by them, as
the last day of plessure-seeking they would
spend with the ''girls at home' before GO
ing to i'the wars'' So we fished, danced
sung laughed, and did as we intended IN
the outset-abandoned the day 70 -
But how different the scsne ~
What changes have not a few years
wrought? The merry group whose hearts
that day thrilled with the sane pleasure 81
mine, are scattered hither and thither
Some are dead. In yonder church-yard
quietly sleeping side by side, lie two--s
brother and sistsr--their hearts are stilled
their voices hushed. The brothers. de-
votion to his country cost him his life
the sister, since the time Of which 1 write
married and died. .ags.-- rss e.e
Three little hilIockson Southern battle
g Geld, tell the sad taleof three others-bray'
youths, who FIVE years ago left home will
a springing STEP and hearts beating higl
with hope and pride-now nightly thu
South winds sigha requim over their lon'
graves. They r7 -aa ais -a-. VI
Sleep the sleep. that knows no waking,
/ @ Dream Of battle-felds no more s. .
Days of danger, nights Of waking.
Another met death in far off Northern
prison, with no kind friend to wipe tn
death-damp from his brow or catch the las
faint whisperings of home and loved ones
: and was put away to rest, among foes an,
: strangers. They are gone, forever gone
those friends of other days. Their depart
ure has left vacant seats around dear hearth
2 stones, and sad the hearts that loved them
No loving hand will ever scatter flower
! over their graves; but ever in our heart
. win their memories bloom fragrantly.
. We thought there was wickedness i
/, war; but we had never conceived Of its hor
" rors, or of the horrible length to which
might be carried, until learned at the ez
pense of so many valuable lives. Tb
noble hearts and great souls Of the South
. disinterested, generous and enthusiastic
! too proud to calculate, and too brave Il
pause-rushed into the Geld of contest
: nor dreamed Of defeat until our sunni
South was made vast sepulehre, aud thou
. sands of fond homes desOlated.
But they have covered themselves witt
= rsBown as splendid as it is desOlats; an,
!, all those who ever had noble impulse
f generous throb of the hesrt-or felt Pct
riots pride, will yield the tribute Of TeErs