Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-10-12
THE RUTLAND HERALD.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1s. 1871.


Massachusetts, Volunteers, delivered hei
interesting and thrilling lecture on "Ex'
periences of the War In the Shenandoah
Valley" at the Opera House last evening
under the auspices OF Post Roberts of the
Grand Army of the Republic. The audi
ence, we regret to say, was barely respect
able in numbers. but was composed of oui
best and most intelligent citizens, and
their rapt attention was held for two
hours, by her beautiful word pictures and
thrilling "reminiscences of the scenes OF
rebellion, in the valley OF the River OF
the Daughter of the Stars"
Mrs. Rupert appeared on the platform
decorated with sash formed OF the stars
and stripes, and was introduced to the
audience by Mr.. J. FL. Goulding. She
commenced by describing the wondroua
beauty, almost like an enchantment or q
scene Of fairy land, of the Shenandoah
Valley, with its mountains and valleys,
its woods and rivers, and its plains TEEN
ing with grain, the most fertile and luxu'
rant portion of Virginia. Well might
the Indian exclaim, in the beautiful imag-
ery of their tongue, "Shenandosh," which
means "the daughter of the stars, "-"the
river of the daughter of the stars" But
this beautiful and peaceful panorama
alides away, for treason had, in 1861,
blighted with its foul breath the fair
scenes. In the fall of 1864, Sheridan,
with FIRE and the sword, re-christened II
"the Daughter of the Stars and Stripes"
In looking back over the scenes of the
past, one picture irresistably presented IT.
self to her mind. 1t was that Of quiet
aud peaceful home, in 1904 quaker
home. The inmates were American IN
heart and feeling, and their principles be-
ing known, from being boldly avowed,
thew had incurred the hatred of those
around them. One of the family. a young
man, was, for the first time about to exe-
cute the first act and duty of an Ameri'
can citizen. 1t was the year of the presi-
Dental election, and the mother fearing
that love for her and respect for her feel
ings and wishes might influence his vote,
instead of love of country. She ssid
nothing to him, but during his absence
spent the time in prayer. Soon be came
back, wounded and bleeding, with a mob
shouting and hooting behind him, and in
an hour the house was in ruins over them,
He had voted for Abraham Lincoln, and
boldly avowed it, and it was tNe only vote
for that noble man in the Shenandoah
valley. He fed to Baltimore, but soon
returned with troops which were not only
to avenge the burning of that house, but
to quench the fires of treason in that val
lev He still lives q resident of Mary
land.
In 1861, the fires of treason and rebel
lion had spread all over the south, but ter
ribly SO in North Western Virginia.
Another view rises, in Lexington, the
seat Of Washington College The president
was a loyal man, but he stood alone. His
sons and daughter were all rebels, fore
most among whom was Stonewall jack
son. The fat went forth that the rebel
Gag must be raised on Washington Col
lege. He prayed and protested against
1t in vain, but he declared that he would
never hear recitation under the rebel
4 ". The flag went up. He, that night,
attended prayer meeting, at which he
prayed that, since that flag had been raised,
every house ight be draped with mourn
ing until that disgrace was wiped out.
The congregation left, but the good man
prayed on while brick bats, stones and
other missiles few around him thick and
last. He lived until after the close of the
war, snd to zee his prayer literally ans
wered, for the angel of death had rested
upon every house in that town.
When Hunter visited the valley, he
found in every house, proclamation,
signed by Letcher, calling upon every
man, woman and child to use every means
/ n their power to destroy the yankee
Soldiers" Well did they carry out these
soldiers were killed in |
every way, even with cups Of poisoned
milk presented by aoOman'y hands.
Hanging on the outskirts of Hun
ter's army were hordes of rebel bush.
whackerp, and prisoners were being con-
stantly brought in by the Union soldiers.
One of these, a youpg man, was taken to
The woods near the house Of her he loved
best She, seeing him, rushed out and
asked where they were taking him. He
"God only knows" and giving
her ring told her to wear it until
hey should meet again. The next morn
ng the army left, and ruin and destruc-
ion was left behind them. The young
sdy taking with her pistol, which be
rad presented 20 her, repairs to the woods,
md beside the dead body of her lover,
,he ended her life. This was the saddest
ruin of all. Truly had she worn the ring
until they met again.
The next scene was midnight fun
,ral pile the burning of United States
isgs. For the first time she saw,
by the fire of the Unionf lgs, the re-
,el flag. I was among myown peo-
lie, yet my tears ard looks betok-
ned me stranger and foreigner. With
longing for sympathy, l remembered
me loyal family living near by, who had
ecently moved from Ohio. They were ,
n the door, looking with fearful eyes at
he light. Seeing me, (t was one o'clock
n the morning) they advanced to meet :
ne. We stood there weeping and sob
ing, strangers and aliens among our own
'eople. AS we stood there the wife said, =
don't like it, there is too much blood :
here Truly it proved that there was
too much blood there" :
During the same year she was the
principal of school for young ladies al
Newmarket, Va, but her continuance '
vas thought improper on account of her