Connecticut western news., 1885-05-13
Under Fire.
A TRUE BORDER STORY OF THE WAR

A TRUE BORDER STORY OF THE WAR.
 Some time before the war Presby- terian clergyman from New Hampshire went South, with his family, for the benefit of his health. He purchased a little farm in Virginia, about three miles from Washington, D. O., access to which was had by way of Georgetown and the Aqueduet Bridge. He grad ually failed in health, however, and died, leaving 8 widow-Mrs. Caves and two girls and two boys. At the breaking out of the war in 1861, Mrs. Gayes and her elder daughter, who was about fifteen years of age, took de- cided stand in favor of the Union cause. It required not a little moral courage to do this; but there was no element of fear in the makeup of any member of the family. At first their home was within the Confederate lines, and con- munication with Washington was very difficult and hazardous. Mrs. Gayes was ridiculed, and sometimes threat ened, but it availed nothing.
 After the Confederate lines were driven back few miles in 1861, fortif- cations were constructed around Wash ington for the protection of the National Capital. They consisted of a chain of forts arranged in nearly a circle. The line crossed the Potomac near Chain Bridge, above Georgetown, extending thence to Arlington Heights and some distance below, recrossing the river about half way between Esong. Bridge and Alexandria. andso on around until the circle was complete. Within this line, and about mile and half from Fort Smith, situated OF little emi ence, was Mrs. Caves modest home, protected now from the enemy, but suffering more, perhaps, from her friends. Many regiments were en- camped near by; and little by little her timber and fences and stocks and crops disappeared, until there was scarcely anything left save the house and land. Even the cook-stove was missing one morning. Very frequently she was aroused at night by the beating of 'the long roll, the shouting of the words of command. and the tramping of regiments as they swiftly formed in line of battle to meet the expected enemy. On such occasions all the members of the family would hastily dress, secure about their persons what valuables they had, and patiently wait. During all these trying years she and her daughter were devoted friends of the Union cause, and their willing hands were untiring in doing something for the soldiers
 It was amidsummer morningin in 1864. Out in the fields aud over in the city it was scorching hot. But in Mrs. Gayes' house, protected as it was from the rays of the sun by the abundant foliage ol the great oaks which surrounded it, the heat was not so oppressive. Mrs. Caves was in the sitting. room reading paper, The elder daughter was in Washington Charley-the elder son-who was theI nearly twelve years of age, was playing with the dog on the porch. It was { peaceful, quiet picture of Virginis country life. Suddenly there came { loud, whistling, screaming sound, fol lowed by terrific explosion directl. over the house.
 "Why P ejaculated Mrs. Gayes, al she started from her seat, "what heavy clap of-" thunder, she was about t. say, but the unmistakable humming twanging sounds which followed clos upon the explosion, with the falling o leaves and broken branches from tn trees, told her it was shell from som heavy gun.
 "Is it possible the enemy are making an attack ?" she said.
 The children now came running i from their play, and one of them erie out, "Oh, mamma the lightning ha struck the trees" Mrs. Gayes went ou on the porch and looked and listened but nothing unusual could be seen O heard.
 ''It was shell," said she. 'I expec gun at one of the forts went of acc dentally."
 "Well," said Charley, "when the load their guns I wish they'd poir them toward Richmond. They ougl to be ashamed of themselves"
 "I don't think we shall be trouble any more," said the mother as she r, turned to the sitting-room, followed b the children. She had but just resume her seat when another shell buried itsel
 in the earth few rods from the hou
 and burst, throwing up clouds of du
 aud dirt.
 s'What can it mean ?" said MT
 Caves.
 q know what it means, mamma
 cried Charley. 'That New York ree
 ment which has just been sent over
 Fort Smith has put up target in o