The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1868-03-21
Written for the Opelousas Journal. ]
EDGAR PECKWORTH:
THE VILLAINS EXPOSURE.
A TRUE STORY.
BY IAN ZAV Err,

"Oh, what authority and show of truth,
Can cunning sin cover itself wthal ~
The facts and incidents of this nara
tive occurred during the year ls64-ir
what, by military designation. was
termed the Trans Mississippi Depart
ment. The only changes made in the
main features OF the story, are the names
of the individuals who compose the
dramatis 'ersonae in its scenes which
the writer torbears giving, through deli
cate, as well as prudential motives
Definite localities and actual districts
will also have to be omitted, in order to
mask its identity from those who might
. recognize it by such landmarks.
The tempest of "grim visaged war, "
which had been raging with such terri
blr violence for the three preceding years,
deluging the land with torrents of blood
and desolating in its mad fury SO many
happy homes, still kept its "rugged
front " in an onward course of destruc.
tiol. From the Potomac to the Rio
Graude river, including almost the en-
tire Southern country, the clangor of
arms resounded in mortal combat; the
sharp ring of musketry and thunder of
artillery making hill and dale vocal with
the misery and suffering then enacting.
The bonds of civil society, and the
dearest ties of nature, were sundered to
replenish the decimated ranks of hungry
Mars, whose greedy appetite seemed
Unsuitable in its thirst for human gore.
Youth in its freshness and vigor, i" smit-
ten by love for generous Deeds" and
burning with an ardent ambition to win
the wreath of glory, gladly responded to |
the Bugle's Call" To them the ex-
citement Of camp, the pageant Of flying
banners, the cleaning Of bayonets, and
the emusic of bullets" was charm that
exceeded the romance of Froissart.
They drank in the spirit Of Homer's old
heroes, and by prodigies of valor and 4
glorious deeds of prowess, won 5atoas
of chivalry, that will make the Ameri-
can name the equal Of Bonaparte's most
favored soldier. =
Middle aged and old men, whose en-
thusiasm had matured into sober patri.
otic impulse, heard the call of theirt
country with seriousness, yet with pleas
ure and ,promptitude. To them, the
tented feld had lis attractions and re.
nown; but the sacred and intimate re-
lations of homes, with wives and child
rem, made the sacrifice a strong contest I
between daty and inclination. They,
however, like true Spartans, want forth s
TO battle for their. country's cause and II
If necessary, to yield their lives a willing
offering upon the altar Of Liberty. 9th, q
ers again, who should have shared q "
kindred inspiration of glory, if not of t
he more solid actuation of patriotism, 9
'knlked the field of honor and military | g
distinction; either by evading the lists 4
lltogether, or by donning the soldiers '
Uniform only to disgrace and tarnish its d
right escutcheon. IL r It,
Kind reader, the foregoing reflections V
nay appear to have been needless di- s.
ression from the true thread of our Il
tory; but be patient, and you viii find y
nat they were necessary prelude. to b
xplain the history aid sequel to it. b
OF Edgar. PeckWorth's early Life we fl
now nothing, nor does it have any part al
} play i'm the unfortunate episode which
Q are now relating. The first we know in
him, is as q man of handsome and W
repossessing appearance, dressed in the &C
egant uniform ola Confederate States in
flcer, and transiently stopping in the hi
own OF .----- in the State Of A.. vi
rom the fuency Of his speech, his easy su
anners, and his. general information,