Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-02-20
MUSIC IN WAR.

Alta Camp Fire given by Lincoln
Post: the Woman's Relief Corps of
Topeka, No. 2. and Old Abe Camp,
Sons of Veterans, on Friday night,
Gov. Martin delivered the following
address descriptive of an incident
preceding the battle of Perryyille:
Comrades of the Grand Army: The
chairman of your committee called on
me, ON Wednesday evening last, and
asked me TO occupy five or six minutes
this evening, in talk to you | could
not well refuse, though it seemed to
me had nothing of interest to say.
But after he had gone, and the
task l had assumed began to
press itself upon my attention
my mind drifted back 10 the
war period, with its fierce strifes and
passionate excitement, and vivid pic
lures of many scenes presented them
selves. some in keeping with fhe time,
Others more akin to the present era of
peaceful prosperity aud development.
Then | thought that Others who were
TO address you tonight would talk
of war, and 1 might rain you for
a few moments III least, with picture
of peace and good will in the midst OF
war
yesterday, there is photographed on
INV memory a scene presented in the
early autumn of 1862. Buell's army was
moving from Louisville to the battle
field of PerryviIle, and early one even
ing our corps went into camp on a fine
farm In one of the loveliest regions IF
Kentucky. A clear, sparkling brook
wound through a charming valley,
from the hills to the west, and blue
grass pastures climbed gentle slopes
on either tide of the stream. AS a
background, south, north and west,
We're heavy forests of noble old trees,
while eastward AN extended landscape,
embracing range of finely cultivated
fsrms, stretching far away.
The evening shadows fell slowly
upon the camp; so slowly yoS scarce
could tell when day ended aud the
night began. Supper was over, and
the soldiers, lying at full length upon
the luXuriant grass, or sit |
ting around in groups, Were
lazily resting or chatting, after the |
days long and dusty march. Thou
sands of smouldering fires dotted the
hill-sides and valleys in every direction: |
the wide armament, cIoudiess and |
peaceful, giittered with stars; and the |
air, mild and balmy. had in il that in
definable and delicate perfume which |
belongs alone TO trodden meadows; or
10 pastures freshly moved. All the |
aoise and hustle of the day and eye-
ming gradually died away. The camp
guards paced their posts slowly and
noiselesslv- the hum of conversation /
was faint and low; the rude mirth of
the soldiers was hnshed; the jokes and
gibes, and laughter of the camp had
faded into silence; and peaceful calm
resembling that of quiet Sabbath
had fallen like benediction over all
the scene. Save the stacks of burn
ished guns, from which the light Of
the campfres fitfully glinted, and the
parked cannon, and the groups of uni
formed men, the picture presented
was peaceful aud calm IS it had been
before the war swept into this pas
ioral paradise
But suddenly from the edge of the
woods across the intervening valley,
and half mile away, a band began
"Home. Sweet Home" and as
The touching chords of that familiar
melody flooded all the camp, the hush
grew deeper, aud know, though the
darkness concealed their emotion, that
moisture welled up ia all eyes and ten
der thoughts of farawsy scenes filled
III hearts in The great host of bronzed I
and stalwart men. For wheE the /.
I'll. !
20 deep that il was. almost Oppressive
succeeded: and then a mighty cher,
schoing and resembling for miles $
away, went up from 10000 Threats.
Those who have heard the Union
army hurrah know what it could do q
n that line when IL put its heart into I;
Is lungs aud throat. :
When the cheer ended, another
,and far down the valley, made the .
lilisides echo with the pairio ie trains t
If the "Star Spaugled Banner" and Ii
lgain followed the great shout of APP s
Dlause like the mingling roar of many
Winds. Then from the hilltops far TO the :,
vest. was waited the music, low and VI
weet. of annie Laurie" aud again
he hush of an almost oppressive ST. b
NC ~ io5 "pon 'u' mp, ~. ~ onoe, =
lts rendering: In'9 u,e hrar,s a
y me listening soldiers had stolen c.
bought OF Annies VINO were christ
ned win all sorts oil na'nrs. ms II
'cot'ish iassie represented all woman
ana, ana me notes ON the song which !
her oeau'y ana her virtues y
ed touched hidden founts of emotion Fl
thousands OF men.