Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-06-26
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endurance of wrong and humiliation dur
ing the first few years after the struggle is
a part of the unwritten history of their
heroism which calls for our admiration.
The soldiers on each side were the first to
lay aside animosities, to regard each other
as foeman worthy of their steel, and to
strive to clasp hands across the bloody
chasm rent between the sections by the
earthquake shock of war.
The tune is coming when the valor of
Southern and Northern troops shall be held
as common heritage by the whole coun-
try; when Lee and jackson and Albert
Sidney Johnston shallbe as much the pride
and glory of the American people as the
stainless leaders on the other side; when
the unselish patriotism of Jefferson Davis,
and the devotion and generous heart of
Abraham Lincoln, shall be priced alike.
The glorious names and deeds of that
strife belong to the whole country, and
none shall be branded with the epithet of
traitor. AS we remember our dead, we do
not forget that they, too, suffered. The
drapery of death was hung on many
homes. Many eyes were dim with tears for
their dead, and many households were des-
olate for those who went out but would
never return.
/ Our hearts have been touched as the
unknown graves of Confederate dead in
Northern cemeteries have been decked with
flowers. Our hearts were melted by the
generous overflow of benefactions to our
suffering cities by pestilence. Such acts of
reunion, too, as that between the Fifth
Regiment of the Stonewall Brigade and the
Twenty Eighth New York Volunteers
show that the day of peace has dawned,
and that sectional bitterness is dying out.
The smoke of the conflict has risen
enough to let us see that defeat was not an
| unmixed evil to us. The appeal to arms
was perhaps necessary to settle what could
not be settled otherwise. To use the image
of another: Two dark and angry clouds
arise in opposite parts of the heavens and
seem to threaten ill to the earth as they
roll toward each other with the flashing
and thunder of heavens artillery, like two
mighty armies. They meet-but the issue
is fruitful shower to bless the earth. So
are some of the results of this conflict.
| We begin to feel that this land is our
country, while we cherish as deep love as
ever for our own Southern land. This had
come sooner had politicians manifested the
same magnanimity toward the conquered
that the soldiers did when they sheathed
their swords. They did not triumph over
us with the insolence of Victory, but were
ready to welcome their quondam foes to
equal rights with them. Each side could
love their own section and sing their own
songs, yet meet in friendship on common
ground, as seen by the following incident
which occurred in the Spring of 1868:
"The sun had dropped into the distant West,
The cannons ceased to roar, which tells of rest,
Rest from the shedding OF nations blood,
Rest to lay their comrades meath the sod.
Twas early spring. and calm and still the
night
The moon had risen, casting softest light
| On either side the stream the armies lay,
Waiting for morn, then to renew the fray.
| SO near together a sound was heard by all,
Each could hear the others sentry call,
The bivouac fires burned brightly on each
hill,
And save the tramp of pickets all was still.
The Rappahannock silently flows on
Between the hills SO fair to look upon,
Whose dancing waters, tinged with silver
light,
| Yie in their beauty with the starry night.
But, list! from Northern hill there steal along
The softest strains of music and of song.
The Starry Banner our nations glorious air,
Which tell to all of gallant flag still there
Then Hail Columbia a thousand voices sing
With all their soul, which makes the hill-topa
ring,
From fire to fire, from tent to tent there flew
The welcome words, lads sang the Boys in
Blue
And well they sang. Each heart was filled
with joy,
From first in rank to little drummer boy;
Then loud huzzas, and widest cheers were
given,
Which seemed to cIeave the air and reach to
heaven.
The lusty cheering reached the Southern ear.
Men who courted danger, knew no fear,
Whilst talking of their scenty evening meal,
And each did grasp his trusty blade OF steel.
Those very strains of music which OF yore
Did raise the blood, are felt by them no more.
How changed. What now they scorn and
taunt and jeer.
Was once to them as sacred, just as dear;
And when the faintest echo seemed to die,
The last huzza been waited to the sky,
The boys in blue had lain them down to rest,
With gun and bayonet closely hugged to
breast,
There came from Southern hill with gentle
swell
The air of Dixie which was loved so well
By every one who wore the coat of grey,
And still revered and cherished to this day.
In Dixie land they swore to live and die,
That was their watchword, that their battle-
cry.
Inen rose on nlgn Jne WllQ COnLeueraL6 yell,
Resounding over every hill and dell
| Cheer after cheer went up that starry night
From men as brave as ever saw the light.
Now all is still, Each side had played its part.
How simple songs will fire soldiers heartl
| But, bark
| Across the Rappahannock stream there floats
| Another air; but, ah ! how sweet the notes
Not those which lash mems passions into
foam,
But richest gem of song--'twas Home, Sweet
Homer
Played by the baud, whclh reached the very
| soul,
And down the veterans cheeks the tear-dFe
Men who would march to cannon's mouth
wept like children, from both the North and
| South;
Beneath those well-worn coats of grey and
| blue,
Were generous, tender hearts, both brave and
true,
The sentry stopped and rested ON his gun,
And back to home his thoughts did swiftly
| run,
Thinking OF loving wife and children there.
With no one left to guide them, none to care;
Stripping lads not strong enough to bear
The weight of sabre, or the knapsack wear,
Tried to stop with foolish, boyish pride
The starting tear; well try stop the tide
OF ceaseless, rolling ocean, just as well,
AS stop those tears which fast and faster fell.
Then, 10! by mutual sympathy there rose
A shout tremendous, forgetting they were foes;
A simultaneous shout, which came from every
| voice,
And seemed to make the very heavens rejoice.
Sweet music's power one chord doth make us
| wild,
But change the strain we weep as little child:
Touch yet another, men charge the battery
| gun,
And by those martial strains-a victorys won;
1t matters not from whence, how far you roam,
No heart cold that does not love sweet
| home"
i We stand now on the threshold of a new
era, in which the South is destined to play
an important part. Richly favored as she