Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1885-05-21
Under Fire.

toIthn cl6IRyuld llvm NOW IldInpStlT0
went South, with his family, for the
benefit of his health. He purchased a
little farm in Virginia. about three
miles from Washington, ID. c.. access to
which was had by the way Of George
town and the Aqusduct bridge. He
gradually failed in health, however, and
died, leaving q widow-Mrs. Gayes--aRd
two girls and two boys. At the break
ing out of the war In 1861, Mrs. Cages
and her elder daughter, who was about
10 years Of age, took a decided stand ia
favor OF the Union cause. 1t required
Lot 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 tho Con-
federate lines, and communication with
Washington was very difficult and haz-
ardOus. Mrs. Cages was ridculed, and
sometimes threatened, but it availed
nothing.
After the Confederate lines were drlv-
en- bask few miles in 1861, fOrtl6ca-
tions were constructed around Washing
ton for the protection Of the National
capital. They consisted of chain of
forts arranged in nearly a circle. This
line crossed the Potomac near Chain
Bridge above Georgetown, extending
thence down to Arlington Heights and
some distance below, recrOssing the
river between Long Bridge and Alsxan-
dria, and so on around until the circle
was complete. Within this line, and
about mile and half from Fort
Smith, situated on little eminencs,
was Mrs. Cages modest home, protected
now from the enemy, bat sIfferit G moro,
perhaps, from her friends. Many regi-
ments were encamped near by, and lit
tie 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
stove was missing one mOrHing. Very
frequently at night she was aroused
by the beating of "tho long roll" the
shouting Of words of command, and the
tramping OF regiments as they swiftly
formed in line of battle to meet the ex-
Pscted enemy. On such occasions all
the members Of the family would hasti-
ly dress, secure about their persons what
valuables they had. and patiently wait.
During all these trying 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 midsummer morning in 1864.
Out in the fields and over in the city it
was 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 surrounded 1t, the
heat was not oppressive. Mrs. Cages
was in the citing room reading paper.
The elder daus hl0r was in Washington.
Charley, the elder son, who was then
near IL years Of age, was PLAYING with
the dog on the porch, 1t was peace
full, quiet picture of Virginia country
life. Suddenly there came a loud.
whistling, screaming sound, followed by
terrific explosion directly over the
house.
"Whyp calculated Mrs. Gayes, as she
started FROM her seat, what heavy
clap Of" thunder. she was about to
say, but the unmistakable humming
! twanging sounds which followed close
upon the explosion, with the falling OF
leaves and broken branches from the
trees, told her it was shell from some
| heavy gun.
rs it possible the rebels are making
an attack" she said.
The children now came running in
from their play, and one of them cried
out. "0h. mammal the lightning has
struck the trees" Mrs. Cages went out
on the porch and looked and listened
but nothing unusual could be seen or
heard.
1T was SHE'LL" said she. Il expect q
gun at one of tho forts won't off acct
IDENTIFY"
Well" said Charley. "when they load
their guns wish they'd point them to-
ward Richmond. They ought to b
ashamed of themselves"
II don't think we shall DO troubled any
| more" said the mother as she returned
to the sitting-roOm followed by the chill
dren. She had but just resumed hel
seat when another shell buried itself IL
the earth few rods from the house anG
burst, throwing up clouds of dust an(
dirt.
what can it msanp" said Mrs. Cages
81 know what it means, mamma! 7
cried Charley. THAT New York regi
ment which has just been sent over t.
Fort Smith has put up target in on
field, and the fellows are firing at 1t.
wish was general. I'd put every ON
of them in the guard-housew
The boy was right in his surmise, AM
in few moments another missile
thrown from one of the large siege gun
with which the fort was armed struck
quarter of q mile away and came bound
Ing or ricochsting toward ;hs house
striking the ground at intervals in II
mad course, something as stone wheI
thrown violently upon the water skip
along the surface. With shrek like
demon it plunged through the garden
destroying everything in its path, file
the air with dust, gave two or three NOR
scrsschss, and finally burst over nsa
the road. Mrs. Cages turned pale.
"COme down into the cellar with m,
all of you," said she, and they Obeye
with alacrity. After she had quiets
Eliza, the negro servant, who was alter
nately praying to de good Lord" and