The Butler weekly times., 1882-08-30
For kuld Lang syne


their arms in an honest spirit ant
went back to their homes to rebuile
shattered fortunes and make glac
the places desolated by grim war.
Through all the long years Of thai
strife, there was herosm and de-
votion tn cause which made the
world look on with admiration. In
the face of difficulties and beset by
Drivations such as few nations have
ever had upon them, the southern
troops marched forth TO meet their
enemies on the battlefield, matched
as one to bve.
No drawer men ever spilled blood
or rallied around the flag of their
country than these. Back at home
where wife, mother, sister, sweet
heart, whose parting words to hus-
band or bo, in grey were such as
that Spartan mother said to her boy
as she handed him his buckler.
There was pathos in war which
has no equal in any other curse. 1t
is always horrible, blightlng and
merciless. The story of the camp
life OF the southern soldier is yet to
be written. The world knows little
of his sufferings, privations and hum
ger. Unlike his enemy, he had no
wealth at home, no friends abroad.
Year by year the supplies grew
scanter and scanter, until at last.
when the immortal Lee, at Apro-
mattox, gave up the unequalled
struggle, there was scarce crust OF
bread to each tattered, dirty, smoke
beerimed and battle scared hero in
his little army. Worse still, there
was but scant store at home for the
loved ones.
But the struggle ended: the last
reveille was heard the last roll-cail
was answered; the sullen roar OF
the cannon, the shrek OF the shot
and shell, the rattle of the rifles and
the hiss of the swift bullet, died away,
and the gentle hum of industry was
heard IN the land.
True it is these valient warriors
for q cause they believed holy, went
back to home only to find shattered
fortunes, desolate fresides, Rachels'
weeping tor their slain dead. But
they were not the men to quail in
the hour of blacklist gloom. They
who had met the enemy on SO many
bloody battlefelds, where their cona-
rades were nlown down like grass,
were not daunted at the poverty and
ruin which stared them IA the
face. They went to work. and like
true men, made no sign of despon-
dencv Or regret. They conquered
in the field, the shop, the office, the
room, and in the store, and
Of their work we NAV this dav write,
Peace hath her victories no less re-
nowned than war"
But they could not forget the life
sn the field of carnage; they would |
not IT they could. These memories
are burned into them as with hot
ron, and they hold them scared,
as the badge of a true man. Year
after year they have met to meet |
tell once more of the SUIT
,erings but pleasures, of the days OF |
heir soldier life; to recount the dam |
gers passed through; the long mar
ches; the night, of chill and rain; |
he battles they fought, and the |
weary days of pam as they tossed |
IN the hospital bunk.
These are things which they talk |
md laugh and Joke.
But not all. Now then the lips |
luiver. the voice dies into a whisper |
md the eyes grow suddenly dim.
They have spoken the name of
,rave comrade who went down with
lis face to the foe, murmur1ng in
carce "uclible tones, Tell them at
lome | died like a man.
To-day these men met in their an
lual reunion, III this CITY How
earty and warm was the hand-shakc
omrade gave comratle.; how fervent
he ''God bless You, ole; bowl
To them SeGalia gives cordial
reeting. She asks them to be her
uests and to share her hospitality.
Ter hand is extended to each one OF
aese old soldiers, and her lips
peak words of welcome. They are
tered from the heart. they mean
II that they possibly can. MAY this
e reunion never to be forgotten
ecause a royal hospitality and 4
oyous communion were It's chief al
actions. Il Bazoo, 18th.