Omaha daily bee., 1883-05-31

secession was TO besupportei by the sword.
With q unanimity worthy Of the cause the
gage Of battle was take up by the northern
ststes, and men left their peaceful homes,
their wives and children, their mothers
ard sisters TO fgbt--an1 IL need be TO die
that the nation might live. How far the
active sympathy Of those mothers, wives
and sisters aided in the accomplishment
OF this noble work for the records Of the
Christian and sanitary commissions bear
upright testimony, There was not o town
or hamlet in the north where work for the
soldier was not going on; not q regiment
left for the field that did not carry with IL
numberlops tokens Of affectionate remem-
brance. Every knapsack contained some-
thing that might cheer or comfort on the
march or in the camp. Into every hospi-
tai, not only those that were permanent In
fixed camps or In towns, but the tempora.
ry ones located by the roadside or under
the shelter Of q hill when
THE BATTLE WAS NIGH
| at hand, poured q continual stream OF
comforts the government could not supply.
| SO actively was this work carried on that
| there was not q place our armies went the
| agents of these noble women did not fol.
low; no detachment Of soldiers 30 small as
to be overlooked in their ministration. The
| self.denial, ths patience. the unwaveripg
faith, the courage and perseverance OF our
northern women sbone conspicuously
| through disaster and through victory.
Through good report and through evil re.
port, before friends and in the face OF enc
mics they displayed n Spartan virtue.
When strong men grew discouraged and
gave uttersnce through the press TO their
forebodings IL was the women who stood
steadfast in the faith that the right would
ultimately triumph. Upon them came
bereavement and in o multitude OF cases
poverty and want, when the bread win
ner' of the family fell in battle. All honor
TO the noble women Of the north for the
part they took Ia the mighty conflict which
shook the land.
To show yox, my friends, how they did
their duty-these soldiers of the Union
did It under circumstance to test their
manhood, for the exhilarstion that comes
from the thunder of battle was wanting,
let me attempt to sketch for you an episode
10 the unwritten history Of the army of the
Potomac.
During the winter Of 1864, the army
Of the Potomac lay Ia cantonment south Of
the Rsppahannock river and on the line Of
the Orange and Alexandria railway, with
Brandy Station near the center of the line.
The forces of the enemy known as the
army OF Northern Virginia under the COM
mand of General Robert H.. Lee, occupied
the wooded heights south of the Rapidan
In the latter part of the month Of Novem-
ber, General Meade commanding the
Union forces, in~augursted o movement
having for it's object the turning Of Lees
right flank and q Judgement at Orange
Court House and Cordensville, II not a
movement on Richmond. This operation is
KNOWN IN HISTORY
ceeded in crossing the Rapidan and began
its march through the narrow tracks
mionamed roads that threaded the
dense forests called the Wilderness.
The advance of Meade's army WAS
soon engaged with the enemy and
O hot fight known as the battle of
Locust Grove only closed with niphtfall,
when the enemy retired. 1t was evident
the rebel army was not to be surprised.
During the next day continual skirmish-
ing showed q determination to contest
every foot Of ground About the middle
Of the afternoon the sixth corps anne upon
the enemy in force on the hills covering
the valley and stream known as Mine
Run. An officer Of my acquaintance
holding o command In the second division
l VI buhb CoIDb viz II 70
during that day as we'll as the previous
one, Following the enemy's retiring Skin.
mishers, his force had debohched from the
woods, and a. night fell he saw the rebel
line fall back upon the strong works,
, friDging and browning the hills upon the
opposite side of q narrow valley. There
was Just time before dark to make dispo.
sition of the pickets and to closely recon.
noitre the formidable position In front.
The winter night closed in with a clear
sky, q bright moon and o keen, frosty air.
About IL o'clock that night the officer re-
ferred to was summoned to report at the
headquarters Of the corps. A brisk ride of
q mile through the pine forests brought
ment and brigade commanders were IS.
sembled, standing ia groups about q bright
fire. A general officer WAS walking back
and forth before the fire with folded arms
and thoughtful cOuntensnce. The scene
was most picturesque and striking. The
bright freight, the GROVE of uniformed fig
ures, the dark sha1e of the surrounding
evergreens, through which came the noise
of restless horses and the occasional CLEAN
of the accoutrements OF the mounted Or
d%erlies and escorts of the officers assem-.
bled, while above in the clear sky sailed
the full moon, tipping with silvery light
the frosty tree tops.
A HUSH OF EXPECTATION
hung over the assembly, q few words of
gree ting to some lste.comer was the only
conversation heard. What did the meet
ing mean! What movement was in con.
temptation? No one ventured q surmise
or cared to ask, At last an off GER spoke
TO the general, probably telling him that
all the officers summoned were present.
Suddenly pausiDg in his walk and by a
gesture of his hand calling the groups to-
gether he said, "Gsntlemen, General
Meade has resolved to attack the enemy
tomorrow upon both tanks at the same
time, and to attempt the capture Of his
works upon this his left flank, by assault
to be madetby part Of the sixth corps, to
be formed in mass. Those of you who
kno the ensmy's position know.this will
be an arduous undertaking; 1t Is absolutely
necessary for success that the batteries In
} the front line of the enemy's works be
captured and the line be held at least un.
til the massed corps has descended the hill
on this side crossed the meadow at its foot
and passed over the marshy brook with
It's abrupt and broken banks. To carry
this line will require an impetuous attack;
1t must be taken if 1t costs every man in
the assault. As this is in the nature of a
forlorn hope I ask for . volunteer to com.
mand the troops to do this work." A mum.
Der Of officers Immediately stepped to the
front. My friend, who already held the
advance, Justly claimed the duty and was
assigned to it. A few words of general in.
struction and the assembly scattered. The
next three hours were busy ones. Two
regiments Of we'll established reputation,
both Yankee of the bluest blood, tried
New England men from Maine and Ve-
mont, men hardened and keen.edged az
the trusty b.ade of tempered steel wrough,
into shape by the fire and hammer of war,
were selected. These regiments are to be
placed in position so close to
;, THE RNRMY's PIcKETs
that in q moment after the advance il