Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-07-11

THE FOURTH IN WOODSToCK.-At
an early hour, about the dawn Of day,
many Of our citizens arose and quietly
left the town, each endeayorlng to Sc
cure the best place on the river, for
catching fish. At about seven O'Clock
there was quite a throng hurrying to
the depot, where they anxiously waited
for the trains which carried two hundred
and twenty of them to the town OF
Harrisonburg where they witnessed the
parade and listened to the speeches
delivered by gentlemen chosen for the
occasion. Woodstock presented a quiet,
Sunday appearance. The stores were
closed, all business suspended and with
the exception of group of four or five
in front of Bargelt's store, scarcely
living being was to be seen. In this
small group the proposition to celebrate
the day was suggested, and Immediately
adopted. The drum and fife was brought
into requisition, and upon the first notes,
sounded by Messrs. Bargelt and Ander-
son, there was scene which was only
equalled in Hamelin town, just five
hundred years ago, when in answer to
the pipor's notes,
'There was rustling, tina. seemed like busting
Of many crowds justhng a: pitching and hustling
Small feet pattering, little shoes Gathering;
Little hands clappns and little tongues chattering
And like fowls In the farm-yard when barley Is
scattering,
Out game the children running.
All the little boys and gi rls
With rosy cheeks, and haxen curls,
And sparkling eyes, and teeth like pearls.
Tripping and skipping, ran merrily after
The wonderful music with shouting and laughter"
Order, however. was soon restored,
and the large crowd of little boys were
marshalled in ranks by Andey Fateley,
a deaf and dumb commander. Of military
mien and appearance. In a few mo-
ments they were keeping time with the
tap Of the drum, the procession marched
up street and down street, and through
cross streets. at times shouting joyous
ly and giving full evidence, that liz no
town in the United States was the
Nations anniversary more ioyously
celebrated than in Woodstock. On
every street the inspiring strains of
martial music awoke recollections OF the
past when to the tap ofthe drum thous-
ands of drilled soldiers kept step. 1t
was an inspiring scene and with such
patriotic enthusiasm did the musicians
perform their several parts that the
music was distinctly re-echoed among
the river hills and gently waited along
the placid waters Of the smoothly flow
ing shenandoah to ears that were intent
only to the approach Of the jumping
bass or slippery eel. Having COM
pleted their march, they broke ranks to
meet at the tap Of the drum. At S
O'Clock P. NJ, the company promptly
assembled and now the roar Of
musketry reminded us that this was in
deed the Fourth OF july. After the re-
turn of the fishermen, Capt. Lambert
recruited a company, among whom
were many old veterans who showed
that Notwithstanding they had been en-
gagged in only peaceful pursuits for the
last twelve years, they could drill and
fire with the precision Of regular
soldierly. In fact, some Of the yollies
which reverberated among the hills Of
the Valley, would have done honor to
the best drilled companies OF any army.
Having performed their patriotic duties
Of the day faithfully, the small band
dispersed to their respective homes
filed with the idea that there is some
thing peculiarly glorious about this
thing called liberty.