The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1866-05-31

we did till about ,leven OClOck,' said Mr..
-. Finally we got the pit dug, be-
tween the house and The spring. But
when il was done it looked so much like
a grave the weemen dreaded to go into it,
and so much like q breastwork we men
was afraid both armies would turn their
artilleries onto it. So my wife give her
consent we should take to the swamps.-
But what to do with the pit? for if the
pit got shelled, the house would be tfes--
troyed and then thar was danger the ar
mics would use the hole 70 bury their dead
in, and the bodies would spoil our spring.
And as we couldn't take the pit with us,
it appeared like thar was but one thing to
do. So we put in and worked right ear
nest till we'd filed it up again. A rain
had come on Friday night, and begged
down some of Johnson's artillery between
hyere and Corinth. and that's my under
standing whv the fight didn't come off on
Saturday. That give us time to git off. I
took my family three miles back tn a cab
iu in the swamp, ami tn ar thcv stayed till
| twas all over only Zeke and mo come
back for some loads of goods. We took
one load Saturday, and come for another
Monday. That was the second day Of the
| fight. We found the place covered with
rebel soldiers. The battle was going on
then. The roar Of the artillery was soloud
YOU couldn't converse at one end of the
house where the echo was. The musket-
rv sounded like roaring wind the artil-
lerv was like peals of thunder. ..
= Thar was one family caught out on the
hOttle-field. They hal stayed because the
'man was lying dangerously sick, and they
dreaded to move him. After the fighting
| begun they started to get away. The little
| bov was shot through the head. and the
horse killed. The weemen then just took
! up the sick man and run with him down
/ into the swamp
I'VE had nephew living on the battle
| field, said Mrs.---. 'The family was
down with the measles. But when they
see thar was to he fight. they lust moved
! a plank in the ceiin overhead, and hid
up all their bacon and lard. and corn meal
and everything they had to eat they
couldn't take with 'em. Then they tuke
| up child apiece and come on for us
| They STAYED with us in the cabin TIL after
the battle. Bv that time his house was oc-
cupied bv soldiers. He'd been right i'm
genious hiding his provisions so nobody
could find 'em. but the soldiers went to
. tearing offceilings to get planks to make
boxes. and down came the corn meal and
| bacon so they had pretty rich supply
| after that said Mr., his house got
burnt. Nearly all the houses and fences
for miles. on the battle field was burnt
! 1t was Just one common. Thar was
nobody left. You never see such desola-
/! ton. Then the armies moved off. leaving
rich pasture. I had my cattle pastured
| thar all that summer
Mrs. proposed that the children should
sing for me little piece called 'The Drum
mer Bow ofShiloh." Her husband favor
| ed the suggestion. saving it was "a right
nice composed little song
I've plumb forgotten it, said Ztke.
And the little girls, who hlushinglv un-
dertook it after mnch solicitation. could
remember only few lines here and there,
| greatly to tho parents chagrin. .. ....
At eight o'clocd. Zeek. weary with his
/ long ride that day said. Il believe TIL lad
down. and without further ceremony toov
off his clothes and got into one of the heks
| in the room. Mrs. - thought 1 mus
he tired. and said could go to bed when
! pleased. Thinking it possible I might
cluded to sit up until the audience became
somewhat smaller. The girls presently
went I'M stairs. took courage then to
saw that 7 was ready TO retire. and, to my
qualification. saw a candle lightod to show
me to my chamber. though / marvelled
where that could he. for supposed had
seen every room in the house. except the
loft to which the girls had gone. when /
had seen the sitting-room and kitchen.
Mr. took me first ont doors. to n
porch on the side of the house opposite the
great opening. Thence door opened into
little framed box of room built up
Hoalnst tne log mousse, aS an andltlon.
There was scarcely room to turn in il. The
| walls consisted of naked. rough boards.
There was not even a latch to the door.
which opened into the universal night. and
which the wind kept pushingin. Mfr
advised me place the chair against which
did. set the candle in the chair and
blew it ont after Ind Got into bed. Then.
gazing upward, saw with calm iov a star
through the roof The bed was deep and
comfortable, and did not suffer from cold
although could feel the fingers of the
wind towing with my hair. The night was
full Of noises. like the reports Of pistols.
1t was the old house cracking its joints.