The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-06-12
UNDER FIRE.
A True Border Story of the War

ch9scd q little farm in Virginia, about
three miles from Washington, ID. c.,
access to which was had by the way
OF Georgetown and the Aqueduct
Bridge. He gradually failed in health,
however, and died, leaving a widow
Mrs. Gayes-and two girls and two
boys. AT the breaking out of the war
IN 1861, Mrs. Caves and her elder
daughter, who was about fifteen years
OF age, took a decided stand in favor
OF the Union cause. 1t required not a
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 communication
with Washington was very difficult
and hazardous. Mrs. Cages was ridi-
culed. and sometimes threatened, but
it aNailed nothing.
After the Confederate lines were
driven back a few miles in 1861, forti-
hcations were constructed around
Washington for the protection of the
National Capital. They consisted of
4 chain of forts arranged in nearly a
circle. The line crossed the Potomac
near Chain Bridge, above George
town. extending thence down to Ar
lington Heights and some distance
below, recrossing the river about half
way between Long Bridge and Alex
andria, and 5 o on around until the Cir
Gle was complete. Within this line.
and about a mile and a BALI from Fort
Smith, situated on a little eminence.
was Mrs. Cages modest home, pro-
tected now from the enemy, but suf-
iering more, perhaps, from her
friends. Many regiments were en-
camped neal by; and little by little
her timber and fences and stock and
crops disappeared, until there was
scarcely anything left save the house
and the land. Even the cook stovc
was missing one morning. Very fire.
9uently at night she was aroused by
the beating of ''the long roll," the
shouting Of words of command, and
the tramping of regiments rs they
swiftly formed in line OF battle to meet
the expected enemy. On such occas-
ions all the members of the family
would hastily dress. secure about their
persons what y%aluables they had, and
patiently wait. During all these try
ing years she and her daughter were
devoted friends of the Union cause,
and their willing hands were untiring
in doing something for the soldiers.
1t was Il midsummer morning in
1864. Out in the field and over in the
city it IA scorching hot. But in Mrs.
Cages house, protected as it was
from the rays of the sun by the
abundant foliage of the great oaks
which ,yrotplnI II tho haot r-oe ,nt
oppressive. Mrs. Cages was in the
sitting room reading a paper. The
elder daughter was in Washington.
Charley, the elder son who was then
near twelve years of age, was play
ing with the dog on the porch. 1t was
a peaceful, quiet picture of Virginia
country life Suddenly there came a
loud, whistling, screaming sound, fol-
lowed by a terrific explosion directly
owe the house.
''Why!n calculated Mrs. Cages, as
she started from her seat. what a
heavy clap Of thunder, she was
about to say, but the unmistakable
humming, twanging sounds which fol-
lowed close upon the explosion. with
the falling of leaves and broken
branches from the trees, told her it
was shell from some heavy gun.
lis it possible the rebels are making
an attackp' she said.
The children now came running in
from their play, and one of them cried
out, '.Oh, mamma! the lightning has
struck the trees Mrs. Caves went
out on the porch and looked and lis
tened, but nothing unusual could be
seen or heard.
.'It was a SHE'LL said she. II ex-
accidentally"
WELL said Charley, when they
load their guns | wish they'd point
them toward Richmond. They ough:
TO be ashamed of themselves.
II don't think we shall be troubled
any more" said the mother as she re.
turned to the sitting-room, followed
by the children. She had but just re-
sumed her seat when another shell
buried itself in the earth n few rod:
from the house and burst, throwing
up clouds of dust and dirt.
..VVhat can it mean?" sad Mrs.
Cages. =.
II know what it means, mammal
cried Charley. That New York regi
ment which has Just been sent over to
Fort Smith has put up a target IN oul
field. and the fellows are firing at It,
/ wish | was a general I'd put every
one of them in the guard housed"
The boy was right in his surmise,
and in a few moments another mis-
sile thrown from one of the huge
siege guns with which the fort wa
atwood t,,,n ~ 1t,nJ.flr Of n mile
away, and came bounding or ricochet
ing toward the house, striking thu
ground at short intervals in its mac
course, something as a stone wnet
thrown violently upon the water skips
.llong the surface. With a shrek like
y demon it plunged through the gar
len, destroying everything in its path
ii led the air with dust, gave two O.
three more sklps and s~creeches, ant
finally burst over near the road. Mrs
Caves turned pale. .,
Come down into the cellar will
me, all of you,'' she said; ana they
obeyed with ~alacrity. After she ha'
quieted Eliza. the negro servant wh'
was alternately praying to d goo'
Lord' and to "Missus Cages" to saw
her. she said:
Charley, you must run up to Mr.
Persons just as fast as 0 can, an
ask him to go around to the fort an
have the firing stopped. And you re
main at Mr.. Persons until l send TO
you. Don't come back. You are no
afraid to go, are youp' -,
''No, mamma, I'm not afraid,
answered the brave little fellow as n
clasped his mothers hand a littl
tighter.
III knew you would not be; ano
now as soon as the next shell comes
want you to go.r When it came sh'
kissed HIM and said, "Now my brav
ooy, run!'