Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-12-21

came. recall the mafcn 10 Dun nun
the columns moving in stately or
der along the roads of the Old Do
minion-the sunlight cleaning from
gun barrel and bayonet-the soldiers
singing-their pulses beating high
with expectation and hope. 1t was a
jolly bivouac-that first night at vi
emma, where Tyler's division spread
itself out upon the surrounding wheat
fields. When the tattoo was beaten
the soldiers could hardly bring them
selves to lie down to sleep, SO jolly
were they, so full of life for the NOR
row.
remember making my own bed on
the floor of a doctors office-with
branches of catnip, thoroughwort and
miraioram over my head-filling the
small apartment with delightful ar
oma.
| recall scene of the morning
the upsetting of dozen bee-hives by
the soldiers, and regiment put to
flight by the exasperated swarms, who
thrust their sharp-pointed bayonets
into the ears and noses of the maraud-
ers.
| hear the ring of the first shot fir
ed at the foe. | hear the whirr Of
the first shell from the enemy coming
toward us. 1t is the screech of de-
monl Every nerve in my body is at
its highest tension. Where will it
strike? l would give the world, were
it mine to give. if | could shrink to
the size of a mustard seed. W-h-i-r-r-
r-r-r,r! Louder-nearer- ter
rible. My hair stands on end. My
heart is in my mouth. | can feel that
the blood is leaving my face. If there
ever was a man more frightened than
| am, l should like to make his ac-
quaintance. l am as light as feath.
er, and weigh, as guess. about two
ounces. can almost fly.
80 that had wings like dove"
The burden Of the old song rings
through my brain. But | cannot rise
or stir, except to curl into the small.
est possible heap. A food Of memo
ries sweeps through my brain-a thou.
sand thoughts ari5e--home and friends
are in mind.
While memory lasts | shall recall
the first horrid scene | saw of war
the first wound. 1t was a member o.
the 1st Massachusetts, who was struck
down by a solid cannon shot tha
plowed through his thigh, mangling
the flesh, crushing the bones. l heal
his wall OF agony. The grounC
around is thick with gore. Drum!
may beat and bugles sound; banners
may wave and men may march, bu
all the pomp, parade and circumstance
OF war has passed away never to re
turn.
The slaughter at DonelsOn, Antiet
am, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, an(
on all the blood stained fields from
the Wilderness to the close of the wa
was not so CHASTITY or terrible as tn
sight of that first wound.
Bull Run-especiallv the run
shall not be likely to forget. The pan
ic that had its beginning when Rick
ettS and Griffen's horses and me
were shot down was like the begin
ming of hurricane--a little puff c
air-a whirlIng up of dust-an in
crease of the tempest-and then tn
tornado.
We can laugh now when we thin
Of it, but it was no laughing matte
then-when cannon, baggage wagon;
cavalry, infantry, were mixed in ine1
tricable confusion, fleeing from the tel
rible Black Horse Cavalry of the rel
els that was never in pursuit, that or
ly made dash to cover the propose
retreat of Beauregard. We laugh now
but it was gloomy enough throug
that long, weary night, as | plodde
on foot to Washington. How refrest
ing that drink of milk, given me at
farm house nestled among the tree
on the road from Fairfax to Washing
ton, by a loyal woman, who, with bea
ing heart and blanching cheek, lister
ed to the story of the disaster an
wrung her hands in agony! a har
lot was hers, as | afterward learned
Her husband died in prison at Rich
mond, because he was loyal. Hi
property was confscated, his hous
burned, his wife and children drive
from home. One by one the chi
dren were laid beneath the sod, an
the mother was left alone. Wha
her final fate, | know not.
CAIRO.
The scene changes. Months hay
| -, To;r4 A Iricro 10