Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-08-20
STAUNTON, VA, TUESDAY, AUGUST 90 1867

exception of Lieut.. Col Bondurant. The South
ern loss was seventy-fve killed and about as
many wounded The Federal loss was eleven
killed and thirty wounded.
Gen. Garnett, on learning of the engagement,
left his entrenched camp at Huttonsville with
the main body of his army, and advanced to
the succor of Pegram, and had arrived within
three miles of Beverly, when he was met by
Pegrams flying forces. As they rushed in
which compelled the General to retreat in the
direction of St. Georges. Mcclellan followed
up his immense conquest of a handful of Spar
tans, and marched towards Beverly, encoun-
tering Garnett, with the main body of Confed-
crates at Laurel Hill The overwhelming num-
bers of the invading army did not deter the gal
liant Garnett from disputing. his advance. He
formed in line of battle, and poured raking
fire into the enemy ranks, which was prompt
ly returned: A charge was made upon his
battery, which was feebly resisted by the Con-
federates. In short time the line gave way,
and the brave Garnett was struck by musket
ball, and fell dead while in the act of rallying
his men. This, my friends, is all the intelli-
gence have obtained. have not received a
list of the killed and wounded-some Of you
may get one when the mail is assorted"
The agony Of suspense and curiosity were on
ly deepened by the intelligence given. Many
Of the faint-hearted despaired of the cause,
many speculated on the fate of relative or
friend, and not a few young girls might be seen
weeping on the breasts of their mothers in an
ticipation of the sad news of the death Of a
brother or lover At length the office was
opened, and but one letter touching on the bat
tie was received, and that was directed to Phe-
leg Potts, Esq. 1t was from the surgeon of the
- Regiment, and announced the death of
Preston Wallace.
A crowd of sympathizing friends gathered
around the old gentleman when it was observed
that he had received distressing news. He was
so absorbed in sorrow that some time elapsed
ere he could speak, when he did recover his ut
terance, he exclaimed
''My friends, condole with me. Where l
shall get another such tenor, / am at a loss to
know. Poor Efie who will tell her that Pres
ton is dead p
Bathos was so mingled with pathos in this
short speech, that the by ISLANDERS scarcely knew
whether to laugh or to weep. Preston Wallace
was favorite with all classes, and there was a
general expression of regret when the news
spread round
But how felt the gentle EAie when, with fall
tering tongue, her father broke the sad story to
her ear? A long sermon on christian fortitude
and resignation, prepared her for the heavy
blow. She listened while her heart beat quick
ly, for she knew by. the solemnity Of the parent
that bad news was in store for her. At length
placing both hands upon her pale face she fell
upon sofa and wept aloud.
''Oh, father!'i sobbed she, "what care [ for
State Rights, political quarrels or Southern lib
erty? They have robbed me of one dearer than
all power, all rights! He loved me, Oh how
dearly. You may talk as much as you please
about honor and glory won on the battle field =
but where, where shall Iagain find happiness !''
She would not be consoled; her grief bor-
dered on madness, and she was taken to her
bed so prostrated that all medical aid was of no
avail. Days, weeks passed; delirium came on
apace and hurried her to an untimely grave
Just before the Pickering lamp expired, there
was lucid moment, and she begged her sor-
row-stricken father to place the body of her
husband beside hers in the cemetery. This he
did, and they now sleep side by side in the 81
lent city Of the dead.
Poor Potts he lived on with very little ''mu,
sic in his soul" His choir dwindled into in
significance, Notwithstanding the efforts of Job
Sledge, who kept on forging thunder tovery lit
tie purpose. The inner walls of the house of
God no longer throw back the sweet and plain
tive voice of the leading soprano-.its echo is
no more heard in the hollow dell where the
wild notes of the songsters of the forest an
swered in glad refrain to their sister warbler
The good pastor falters while he reads out the
hymn, and, as the last line fingers upon his
lips, his eye fell upon the vacant seat where
once sat the loved one of all, who was the first
to lead off the tune after the deacon had given
the pitch. The soft tenor of times past too,
is missing-in fact, but few of the male portion
of the choir of better days are left; some sleep
with the unknown dead' under the valley
sod, and others have wandered to foreign lands
rather than live under the lash of tyrant power.
Wars chariot rolled on and on, carrying with
it desolation and despair-towns and villages
were sacked and burnt by the squadrons of the
ing brand there are still to be seen many a
ruin Of once happy home-dark monuments
looming up before the gaze of the traveller.