The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-04-07
AN INCIDENT OF THE WAR.

In the latter part OF the year 1862, | was
residing in Fredericksburg. Va, with my
mother, an old lady suffering from a compli-
Gated form of spinal disease, which had con-
fined her to her bed for u very long period
The doctors pronounced her case hopeless
and, indeed, there were times when the
slightest noise in the room or the feeblcst eff
fort TO move, brought upon her such parox-
ysms Of pain as We're hcar:-rcndng to wit
ness.
We lived completely alone, in 4 small cot
tage in the suburbs. not a relative or protec-
tor neal us. form father had long been dead
and my two gallant brothers had both fallen
in the first battle ofManassas.
While thus unfortunately situated, the
neiohborhood OF Fredericksburg became the
scene of hostilties General Burnside, with
an immense force appeared upon the northern
bank of the Rappahannock, and endeavorcd
to effect a crossing of the river.
Some time before, the main part ofthc pop
ulation of the town had deserted il :; but my
poor mother. more weak and i'll than usual.
could not be removed to any place of safety.
Imagine our position. reader. if you can !
Two feeble women, with q small keg OF stale
biscuits to support us, left without the reno
test prospect Of help, in a city already under
the muzzlcs Of nearly q hundred and fifty
Federal cannon. A dull lcthargy, like that
of despair, overpowered me. could only list
en-, stupehed to the meanings of the invalid,
and to the frequent crashing rolls of musket-
~ lower down the river.
With the hight of hope, every vestigc of
apprehension and fear seemed to have LETT
me. | was absolutely certain we should both
perish, for to abandon my helpless parent,
was a thought which never once entered my
mind.
Suddenly, on the morning Of the llth of
December, just as | was trying, after sleep
less night. to prepare some food for break
fast. the dreadful bomblrdment broke forth
in all its fury
''Ah, il has came at last, and we shall soon
be out Of all our misery" said |, stepping
quietly to the window, and looking out upon
the terrible scene. No words could convey
picture of what | then saw-the air filled
with flame. and kissing with deadly missiles :;
the crash OF buildings crushed by round shot
and torn open by bursting shells houses
momently catching on fire, in every direction ;
and what was more horrible than all the rest,
the frantic shrieks Of women and children
who too late, We're seeking safety in flight.
As stood by the window-Heavcn knows
how long, for was dreadfully fascinated by
the spectacle witnessed what even now, as
recall it, makes me Shudder
grey horse, with Il man driving it, and u
little boy holding fearfully to the skirts of the
mans coat, had just come rafting into view.
had barely caught sight of these figures,
when Il she'll burst directly under the animal
feet--or possibly two Of these missies-fol
the horse, the vehicle, and the human beings
in it, We're literally torn to pieces | could
see the mangled limbs of the poor boy quiz
cring on the sidewalk.
At once and utterly, lost all my resolu-
ton. In fact | must have tainted, since the
next thing of which | was conscious, was
my mothers voice, pititully begging me tc
answer her, and say whether | had been
wounded.
| staggered up from the seat on which ]
had fallen, and attempted to re-asslrc her
but as may be supposed, unsuccessfully. Fol
IL whole hour after this we remained motion
less in our chamber. while the firing appear
ed 10 increase in violence. The Windows
ratified like skeleton bones and the very
foundations of the house trembled and shook
at every discharge
was fast becoming calm lgain-despair.
ingly calm-whcn | heard somebody walk
ing up stairs, and then well-known voice
shouting our names. 1t was old Robin, oul
negro servant, whom had sent, the day be-
fore, into the country, to seek for provisions
Wy itlhei > Si'N e.ahu my Sfand1atherS, Rob
in, now seventy years Of age, but more ath
letic than many y young man, had chung
with pathetic devotion to the poor remnants
of 'the family" as he called us. Nv hear,
lcaped up when saw his honest black face.
and the notion that we might be saved, after
all, brought back all my strength of will and
courage.
Saved! but how? People in times of despe.
rate danger, think quickly and are apt to re-
sort to singular expedients. CHANGING about
the room, my eyes fell upon a large but ex-
ceedingly light straw chair, which l had pro