Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-07-02
UNDER FIRE.
A True Border Story Of the War.

N - w ava wv POVAJ VI thO w ohe
Some time before the war Presby-
terian clergyman from New Hampshire
went South with his family for the ben
eft of his health. He purchased a lit
tie farm in Virginia, about three miles
from Washington, ID. c., access to
which was had by the way of George
town and the Aqueduct Bridge. He
gradually failed In health, however, and
died, leaving widow-Mrs. Cages
and two girls and two boys. At the
breaking out of the war in 1851, Mrs.
Cages and her elder daughter, who was
about 10 years of age, took decided
stand in favor of the Union cause. 1t
required not 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 COM
nnuninntian- with Washinn+nn -uas veru
was ridiculed, and sometimes threat
ened, but it availed nothing.
After the Confederate lines were
driven back few miles, in 1861, forti-
fications were constructed around
Washington for the protection of the
national capital. They consisted of q
chain of forts arranged in nearly a cir
Gle. The line crossed the Potomac near
Chain Bridge, above Georgetown, ex-
tending thence down to Arlington
Heights and some distance below, re-
crossing the river about halfway
between Long Bridge and Alex
andria, and so on around until
the circle was complete. Within this
line, and about O mile and half from
Fort Smith, situated on a little emf
nence, was Mrs. Cages 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
Disappeared, until there WIS soarcciy
anything left save the house and the
land. Even the cook-stove was miss
ing one morning. Very frequently at
night she was aroused by the beating
of "the long roll," the shouting OF
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 oi
the Union cause, and their willing
hands we're untiring in doing some
thing for the soldiers.
1t was midsummer morning II
1864. Out in the fields and 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 of the great oaks which sur
pfegaed. it tux the, bestw ayafsh a. not 2R
ting-room reading paper. The elder
daughter was In Washington. Charley
the elder son-who was then neal
twelve years of age, was playing will
the dog on the porch. 1t was peace
full, quiet picture of Virginia country
life. Suddenly there came loud
whistling, screaming sound, followed
by terrific explosion directly over th'
house.
"Whyl" calculated Mrs. Cages, al
she started from her seat, what {
heavy clap Of" thunder she wa
about to say, but the unmistakabl,
humming, twanging sounds which fol
lowed close upon the explosion, will
the falling of leaves and broken branch
es from the trees, told her it was shel
from some heavy gun.
as it possible the rebels are making
an attack?" she said.
The children now came running II
from their play, and one OF them crie'
out: "Oh, mammal the lightning ha
struck the trees"
Mrs. Cages went out on the porcl
and looked and listened, but nothing
unusual could be seen or heard.
at was shell" said she. II expec
q gun at one of the forts went off acci
dentally."
"Weil," said Charley, "when the,
load their guns I wish they'd poin
them toward Richmond. They ough
to be ashamed of themselves.
II don't think we shall be troublet
any more" said the mother, as she re
turned to the sitting-room, followed b,
the children. She had but just resume,
her seat when another shell buried il
self in the earth few yards from tn
house and burst, throwing up clouds O
dust and dirt.
What can it mean?" said Mrs
Gayes.
SI know what it means, mamma !
cried Charley. ~That New York reg
mont which has just been sent over :
Fort Smith has put up target in on
field, and the fellows are firing at IL.
wish ] was o General. I'd put ever
one of them in the guard-house
The boy was right in his surmise
and in few moments another missil
thrown from one OF the huge siege gun
with which the fort was armed struc
a quarter OF mile away, and cam
bounding or ricocheting toward tn
house, striking the ground at shol
intervals in its mad course, somethin
as a stone when thrown violently upo
the water skips along the surface. Wit
a shrek like demon it plunge
through the garden, destroying ever
thing In its path, filed the air wit
: dust, gave two or three more skips an
; screeches, and finally burst oyer nes
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