Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-02-19
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 Perryville:
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 IL seemed TO
the | had nothing of interest to say.
But after he had gone, and the
task had assumed began to
press itself upon my attention
nv mind drifted back To the
war period, with its fierce strifes and
passonate excitement, and vivid pie
lures of many scenes presented them
selves. some in keeping with ihe time,
Others more akin to the present era of
peaceful prosperity and development.
Then thought that Others who were
to address You tonight would talk
of war, and might entertain you for
a few moments AT least, with picture
of peace and good will in the midst of
war.
As wildly as if il was an event of
Yesterday. there is photographed on
INV memory Il scene presented in the
early autumn of 1862 Buell's army was
moving from Louisville to the battle
field of Pcrryyillc, and early one even
ing our corps went into camp on a fine
farm in one of the loveliest regions of
kentucky y clear, sparkling brook
wound through a charming valley.
from the hills 10 the west. and blue
grass pastures climbed gentle slopes
on either side of the stream. AS a
background, south, north and west,
were heavy forests of noble old trees,
while eastward AN extended landscape.
embracing Il range of finely cultivated
farms, stretching far away.
The evening shadows fell slowly
upon the camp: so slowly Won 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, cloudless and
peaceful, glittered with stars; and the
air, mild and balmy, had in ii that i'll
definable and delicate perfume which
belongs alone to trodden meadows: or
TO pastures freshly moved All the
noise and hustle of the day and eve
ming gradually died away. The camp
guards paced their posts slowly and
noiselessly: the hum of conversation
was faint and low: the rude mirth of
the soldiers was hushcd: the Jokes and
gibes, and laughter of the camp had
faded into silence; and peaceful calm
resembling that of a quiet Sabbath
had fallen like a benediction over all
the scene. Save the stacks of burn
ished guns, from which the light of
the campfires fitfully glinted, and the
parked cannon, and the groups of uni
formed men, the picture presented
was peaceful and calm As it had been
before the war swept into this pas
toral paradise.
But suddenly from the edge of the
woods across the intervening valley,
and half a mile away, a band began
playing ''lloue. Sweet Home" and as
the touching chords of that familiar
melody flooded all the camp, the hush
grew deeper, and | know, though the
darkness concealed their emotion. that
moisture welled up in all eyes and ten
der thoughts of faraway scenes filled
all hearts in the great host of bronzed
and stalwart men. For when the
noise at last ceased a silence that was
so deep that it was almost oppressive
succeeded; and then a mighty cheer
echoing and resounding for miles
away, went up from 10000 Threats.
Those who have heard the Union
army hurrah know what il could do
in That line when it put its heart into
lis lungs and throat.
When the cheer ended. another
band far down the valley. made the
hillsides echo with the patriotic trains
of the Star Spangled Banner" and
again followed the great bout of an
plausc like the mingling roar of many
winds. Then from the hilltops far toihe
west, was waited the music. low and
sweet, of Annie Laurie" and AGAIN
the hush OF an almost oppressive 81
lence fell upon the camp. But no cheer
followed its rendering. Into the hearts
of the listening soldiers had stolen
thought OF Armies who were christ
cned with all sorts of names. This
Scottish lassie represented all woman
kind. and The notes on the song which
her beauty and her vir;ues
had touched hidden founts of emotion
in thousands of men.
The deep silence that followed ,ras
broken by tn" majestic music of .Jobn 4
Brown. Then how the camp did 4
cheer and shout. and howl.
So, for hours. one after another tho
bands filed the air with music. and the
soldiers sat, rapt aud thrilled listen;nc
md cheering alternately. The c.mS
ires faded out. but the concert went
IN, and II seems 10 me have never
heard such music, before. AT least
nave never 50 appreciated music; new
n known u 10 exercise such a SneU
over listeners; never so appreciated lis
iower 10 thrill and melt and sway
men, rs on that far-awav autumn
hight, when the army rested in the 4;
,lue grass meadows of Kentucky. nm
ter the silent stars.
Others who speak tonight will |
lave no doubt, tell YOU of marches
ND battles, of hardships patiently en-
lured, and of dangers fearless!v faced (
The life of a soldier had many phases.
was not devoid of pleasure. And
his little picture Of delightful camp |
Gene will, know, recall memories Of ,
undreds of Others. equally entranc- I
1g, in the minds of my auditors. {