The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-10-24
A Remarkable Incident,

am much interested in the diffusion and
penetration OF sounds as illustrated by the
inability to hear the rolling of train of cars
passing at the distance of half IA mile; and
the distinct audibility of the same train af-
ter it had increased its distance from the
nearer 10 two miles. The fact that the phe-
nOmenon was uniform and independent of
the direction OF winds and other atmospheric
conditions (if understood arght) gave in
creased interest to IL. The explanations
given at various times by Mr.. Tyndall in his
report on fog horns Jog bells. steam whistles,
etc, and the explanations given by Others,
leave us in doubt whether the resonant quail
tiles of superficial soils or sub-soils the vary
ing deEsities of adjacent airstrata, or the
funnel or other shaped contour OF the coun-
try-One or all may give the true solution
OF il. l have not understood you in the
Problem or The Microcosm, TO object spe-
cially to any particular solution of it, wheth-
er propounded by Mr.. Tyndall or others; but
only 10 claim that the wave theory could not
so satisfactorily adapt itself to any solution
as could that OF substantial carnations Of
sound, by law of conduction of its own.
This paper is not designed to PROFOUND any
view Of the matter, nor to discuss any al
ready propounded; but simply to provoke
from YOU some exclamation. whether more
or less satisfactory of an incident more re-
markabe, think, than any mentioned by
Mr.. Tyndall Indeed some people may think
it rather hard story" To be sure of the
correctness of the facts, | consulted with DR..
r. A. Lewis. assistant surgeon of the reg-
ment to be mentioned presently, and HIM
self distinguished as teacher of natural
science. by whom the facts TO be stated are
fully verified
On the 10th day of July, 1861, the 21st Vir-
ginia Regiment of infantry (afterwardS at
tached to the famous division of Stonewall"
Jackson, and serving under him till the
close OF his career) left Richmond on the
cars for Staunton. Va, After hating at
Staunton for day or two. il marched west
ward for Huntersyille in Pocahontas County.
About o'clock. p. M, on the DIST day OF
July, they went into camp ABOUT two days
march west of Staunton and Immediately
after they heard distinctly the roar OF cannon
So constant, distinct and apparently near
were the discharges of batteries and single
guns that the Colonel of the regiment was
convinced that Confederate force not far
off was engaged in battle with RosecranZ
near Mcdowell, and rode TO the top of Shen-
andoah Mountain. where he met with sever
al persons, who informed him that all was
quiet in front of RosecranZ. The next day
the regiment pursued its march west
wardly and being now out of reach of
railroads and telegrsphs, it was more
than week before they heard any explana-
ton of the artillery fire, when they learned
that on that day occurred the great battle of
Manassas, and that there had been no light
ing anywhere else. 1t was impossible to
doubt that the sound of the guns heard be
hem came from that battlefield.
Now is 10 be observed that this regiment
was then in the midst of the Allegheny
Mountains, the Blue Ridge range of noun
tains and Southwest range" least OF the
Blue Ridge and parallel to it, at an average
distance of 10000 miles, both iLteryened be-
tween the hearers and Manassas, and that
the distance between the two points in an
airline is about 40 or $50 miles as may be
seen on any good map or atlas. ] afterwards
learned from various people living between
the two points, at distance of from 30 to
30 miles and upwards from Manassas that
these guns were not heard in their county.
In addition ID these facts, have been in
formed reliably and responsibility that at a
later period of the war. the guns OF the bat
tie at or near "Harrison's Lasding, on
James River, were distinctly audible at
Amherst Court House in Nirginia-a dis
lance OF about 100 miles-but for this Iast
fact can not voucn, rs for the others. :,
am well aware that any solution OF such
phenomena, must, in the present state OF
our knowledge, be more or less speculative,
and would depend on many conditions as TO
soil, contour of country, atmospheric con-
d;tious etc which | can not supply.