The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-06-05
4 STORY DE rnE MAR.


A STORY OF THE MAR.
Sometime before the war Presbyterian
Clergy man from New Hampshire went South
with his family. for the beueft Of his health.
He purchased q little farm ia VIraiuia,
about three niles from " Washington, d. c.,
access 10 which was had by the way OF
Georgetown and the Acqueduct bridge he
gradually failed in health, however, and
died, leaving a widoW-Mrs. Hays-and two
girls and boys. At the breaking GU. Of the
war in 1861, Mrs. Hays and her elder daugG-
ter. who was about IS years OF age, took
decided stand in favor of the Union cause.
1t required not a little moral courage to 90
this but there was no element OF fear in
the makeup OF any member Of the family.
At frs; their home was within the Coafeder-
ate lines, and communication with Wash
ington was very difficult and hazardous.
Mis-. Hays was Tidicued aud sometimes
threatened, but il availed nothing.
After the Confederate lines were driven
back few miles in 1861, Notifications were
constructed around Washington for the pro-
lection OF the National Capital. They con-
sisted of chain of forts arranged in nearly
circle The line crossed the Potomac near
| ChaiH Bridge above Georgetown, extending
thence down to Arlington Heights and some
distance below, recrUssing the river about
half way between Long Bridge and Alexan-
. d ria, and so Oh around until the circle was
/ clmplete. Within this line, aud about mile
a I'D s-half from Fort Smith, situated on a
/ little emiuence, was Mrs. Hays modest
home, protected now from the enemy, but
4 suffering more perhaps from her friends.
Many regiments were encamped near by /;
and little by little her timber and fences and
stock and crops disappeared. until there was
scarcely anything left save the house and
land. Even the cook stove was missing one
morning. Very frequently at night she was
aroused by the beating Of " the long Ioii, -
the shouting words of command, and the
trampiug Of regiments as they swiftly form
ed 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 vsluables they had,
and patiently wait. During all these trying
years she and her daughter were devoted
f1ends OF the Union cause, and their will
lug hands we're untiring Ia doing something
for the soldiers.
1t was a midsummer morning in 1864
Out in the fields and over in the city it was
scorching hot. But in Mrs. Hays house
protected as it was from the rays of the sun
by the abundant foliage of the great OAKS
which surrounded It. the heat was not op-
prossive. Mrs. Hays was in the sitting room
reading a paper. The elder daughter was
In Washington. Cbarley-the elder son
who was then pear ts years Of age wal
playing with the dog on the porch Il wa,
I -
/ fe. Suddenly there came loud, whistliBg
screaming sound, followed by a terrific ex-
plosion directly over the house.
"Whyl" calculated Mrs. Hays, as sh,
started fr IN her seat, what a heavy elal
Of thunder, she was about to say
but the unmistakabie hummiug, twanginl
sounds which followed close upon the explo
sion, with the falling Of leaves and broker
p branches from the trees. told her it was
shell from some heavy gun.
"Is it possible the rebels are making al
attack % she said.
The children now came running in iron
their play, and one Of them cried out, "Oh
mamma the lightning has struck the trees.
/ Mrs. Hays went out on The porch and lookeC
and listened, but nothing unusual could b,
seen or heard.
1T was a she'll, said she. L expect
? gun at one of the forts went of accident.
ally
Well, said Charley, when they loat
their guns wish they'd point them towarC
Richmond. They ought to be ashamed OF
themselves"
81 don't think we shall be troubled AM
; MORE" said the mother as she returned K
the sitting room, followed by the children
, She bad bat just resumed her seat wheI
another shell buried itself in the earth few
r rods from the house and burst throwing ~
clouds of dust aud dirt.
What can il mean ?" said Mrs. Hays.
81 know what it means, mamma" erie,
Charley. THAT New York regiment Wit
bas just been sent over to Fort S''i'n ia
put up target in our fed, aud tfE is''Oni
are firing at it. 1 wish l wasa P01elai
put every one of them iU-'eS Sua'u nOuse'
The how vy-,s rich. N MS surmise. and IN
: fo,y r,o,oa,ts -o0ther missile thrown from
r ore ~ 80 nuge siege guns with which th'
for. vas armed struck quarter Of a mill
. away, and came bounding or ricochetin
. toward the house, striking the ground a
short intervals 10 its mad course, sOmethin
! as stone when thrown violently upon th
= water skips along the surface. With
r shrek like demon it plunged through th
g garden. destroying everything in its pati
: filed the air with dust. gave two or thre
t more skips and screeches, and finally buT'
over near the road. Mrs. Hays turned pal
{ IS Come down into the cellar with me. a
g OF you," she said and they obeyed vii
o alacrity After she had quieted Eliza, Il
r negro servant, who was alternately prayiI
: to de good Lord ana to Missus HAYS
d TO save her, she said
e Charley, you must run up to Sir. Pie
d sons JUS as fast as you can. aud ask him
II go around TO tue fort and have the hri'
stopped. Aud you remain at Nj Pierson