Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1885-10-01
Old Shelton's Drum.

Old Buckley Shelton lived in rugged
district of Northern Arkansas, says a cor
respondent of the Louisville Commercial
He fought during the war Of 1912, having
enlisted in Tennessee regiment. He was
peculiar old fellow; and his long white
hair, his soldierly bearing, and his en,husi-
astic deciamatlons were known to every
child in the neighborhood. Old Shelton
beat a drum at the battle of New Orleans.
He took the drum home with him, and ever
aiterward. no matter how often he changed
his residence, he would walk behind the
wagon and carry the drum. He would not
allow any one to touch il, and he himself
would not even tap it except on the Fourth
of July. Then, dressed in his faded uni
form, he would march throughout the set
tlement.' beating what he termed the exul-
tant roll of liberty When the war of the
Rebellion came, Shelton refused to fight
against the old flag.
Gentlemen said he. when party Of his
neighbors asked him to beat his drum dur
ing Confederate muster. If Gen. Jackson
himself should arise from the dead, and ask
me TO beat my old drum for the cause which
YOU have taken up, | would tell him to
shake off his dishonor. and then lie down
again in his grave Of glory but would not
beat the drum
Old man, you are crazy, said Nat WlIker-
son. You ought to be proud Of the honor
Of being called upon.
i would rather be crazy and be right,
than be sane and be wrong
Say, if you won't seat the drum, lend it
to Us.
NO. sir
Suppose We take it,
Well, men, YOU are INV neighbors, and
like you but the first man that puts his
hands on that drum will in two minutes be
as dead as Packenham. That drum is mine.
When the war was over, asked Gen Jack
son If might take it home. What did he
do? lie grasped my hand. and sald, Buck
ley,'-he always called me Buckley. the
drum is yours. lake 1t. and beat il when
ever our nations birthday rolls round
Then replied. Andrew have always
called him Andrew. because he insisted
upon II, SAID |, Andrew. will take it,
dld SO; and. BY the eternal, YOU can't get
it,
The neighbors sulIed at the old mans
excusabe egot,sm. ami none Of them de-
siring To be a, dead as Packenham, but pre-
ierrlng rather to lead drumlcss existence,
shook hands with Jack ksou's friend, ami re-
tired.
Daring the war. while a regiment of Fed
era soldiers were enoamp-d IN shelton :
neighborhood. the commander one morning
was startled by the roll ufa drum Thuk-
jng he VA, about 70 ~ attacked. he formed
his men in order OF battle. ana awaited the
..IF 81 I,.i
never seen an engagement, aud could not
help betra,lng anxiety as the drum came
nearer and nearer Presently. from behind
great rock that Jutted out into the road,
there appeared on old man walking with
martial tread. HIS long hair streamed out
IKE the tutter Of white scarf Around
his body he wore an Old flag The soldiers
began 10 laugh; and the colonel, relieved Of
his anxiety, joined IN the merumeut. When
within a lev rods OF the colonel. the old
man stopped. and satuted the soldiers.
w hat do you mean BY thl. untmely
parade P asked the colonel advancing.
i am dIschargtng my duty. SIR
/ i. it your duty to alarm a camp
/ II is my duty to beat this drum the
| Fourth Of every JuIy, il makes no difference
who is alarmed Ny name i, Buckley Shell
I ton, sir, and | am obrslns Gen. Jackson :
/ orders
/ What Jackson ?-S,onewail -
/ No, sir. my friend Andrew
Why, old man, your friend IS dead
/ 'le-, but an nol.'
Just then well-known Union man came
along. Seeing Shelton, he related the old
/ fellows history.
'Old patriot, said the colonel, spend the
/ ia, with Us. When YOU are tired Of calling
the roll that thrilled the British, put your
drum in my tent, and Viii place a guard
around it,
The Fourth Of July last, attended a
/ barbecue in the northern part Of Arkansas.
Several noted speakers were present, and
thousands Of people had assembled. jas,
as one Of the speakers rose To adIreS, the
crowd the roll Of a drum was heard Then
there went up mighty shout. | had heard
| Of Shelton, and eagerly looked in the d.
rectlon whence came the 'rxuiant roI! Of
liberty. Presently he appeared, his white
| hair waving above the cres, of hill. lie
wore the faded uniform, and an Old flag was
wound about his shoulders. His tread was
still martial though he tottered as hr
walked
Uncle Buckley" shouted one Of the
speakers, come, and take seat on the
stand
no " he replied, waving his drum-stic4,
with majestic flourish, my duty Is here
4 among the cotton-bales, where | can see the
British. General, the day shall be ours.
When you want Buckley's blood, cal! for it.
He sat down By tree When the speak
ing had concluded, there was wild rush