Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-10-26
For the Spectator.
Pen Sketch from a Battlefield.

/
/ have climbed upon the parapet of'the old
round fort, situated upon the highest point OF
the battlefield OF Aileghany. have driven
past the Church, round which the fight ragged
| so terribly on that memorable morning eight
years ago-past the spot where some OF our
gallant dead lie
Recking nought of friend or foeman
Hand of man, or kiss of woHlan-
and the scene of the battle, the Church, and
the graves is now before me-stretcbng out to
the right fanked on the West by dense chap
parai tinted with all tie colors Of The. rainbow,
ard on The South, by clearly defined belt Of
maple and sugar trees, decked IN their lush
and gorgeous foliage now crimson and yellow.
Further on rise the highest peaks OF the NOUN
tain, with the great Hellebore ridge towering
above them all, and from the waving of the
timber, and the roaring OF the wind, | know
that the sterm-king is fighting his old, old bat
tie with the oak trees, and the pines. Clan
cling to the right along the Western slope Of
the mountain, see lying in the clear sunlight
hundreds of the ridges and ranges which are
but portions of this great chain terminating,
or rather eliminating, in a mighty peak which
appears scores of miles away. To the left and
in the shadow of this peak are the cleared
lands, known as the "Jinks, which has the
appearance of round plateau or table-land
defined lines of fir trees.
A little to the right rises great boulder sur
mounted by majestic yew- pines, now leafess
and branchless, which, to the strained imagi-
nation. seems huge fortallce erected by some
race Of giants for the protection OF so fair
scene anc; me pines, in their naked grandeur,
the G.isInanted fag-staves long since stripped
of their banners by the fierce king Of the winds.
To the left, the great ridge, known as Boffa
10 mountain, branching off from where sit,
runs to the Southwest, and, gradually descend
ing, finally nerges It's ridges, and ravlnes in
the valley below look to the 'front.' from my
elevated perch, across veritable valley Of
mountains dotted here and there with cleared
fields and little cabins, which appear in the dis
tance no bigger than chlidren's toy-houses-on
to the little belt OF meadow land, which | re-
cognize as the beautiful valley of Greenbrier
River, whittier | am going tonight, and where
my friends are, aud raising my tired eyes up
ward, [ look through the now clouded vista to
where the mighty cheat seems to meet the
heaven midway, and to minge its purple out
line with the azure and the clouds.
The sky is now overcast by dark clouds A
moment since and the sun shone respendently,
but gloom adds grandeur to the mountains, and
sunshine beauty to the vaies. There are scat
tered, however, through the grand landscape
lush hues of Autumn with a golden glory,
while the dark green of the shadows, aud the
full foliage of the eyergreens, and long reach
of branchless trees, that have been bllghted by
the hurricane, produce blending of all the
seasons, awfully typical Of our own progress
from the freshness OF youth, 10 the helpless
ness of age.
Yonder, d score Of miles away, | see the
field in the rear Of White s house from whence
Gen keynolds marched to meet old Blucher'S
bloody welcome, and to make thls spot historic.
am waiting now tor the cloud that obocures
the sun to pass away to catch a view OF the
valley Of Gro8noank down to the LETT, and can
not but reflect that ali the moods Of this fickle
cline are invested with their peculiar charms
| almost wish that the storm King, Iii his anger,
would burst upon this spot, where man has
striven to rival his deepest diapason OF wrath.
The sun breaks out suddenly from it's thradom
of cloud, and the glare reflected from my fools
cap is almost painful, involuntarily cast my
eyes downward to the beautiful valley beneath,
lying outstretched for .nics--a moment since 1t
was wrapped III gloom, Gad now, ike woman,
i is smiling in its loveliness. Farm houses,
aud groves, and groups of white cattle, aud
ioGp reaches Of iores. with a n0ultaIu III re-
lief, and the mis-. ATTY Cheat IN the back ground,
all form picture that cannot be described ex
cept ~ the artists pencil In its look Of
placid beauty, in its nesting attitude of securi-
ty, almost fancy ii conscious that the giant
sentinel5 standing around will protect it from
every storm.
Words of mine cannot convey an idea Of the
grandeur of this scene. 1t must be seen to be
appreciated. Thought, which is In some sense
infinite may catch for an instant grand ideas,
which flash like lightning rays through the
film that dims our mortal Intelligence, but van
ish ere the finite tongue can give them utter
ance, and The heart, which meets and feels the
divine spark, sinks back to its cl4yey casket.
Break, break, break
On thy cold gray stones. 0 sea-
And [ would that my tongue could utter
The thoughts that arise in me-