The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-13
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Clergyman from Nav iIampshhe went south,
with his family, for the benefit Of his health,
lie purchased little farm In Virginia about
three miles from Washington, u, a., access
TO which was had by the way oi Georgetown
and tho Aqusduot Bridge lie gradually
failed In health. however, and died. leaving
wldow-Mrs Gayes-and two girls and iva
boys Al the breaking out OF the war Ia
1861, Mrs, Cages and her eldest daughter,
who was about fifteen years of age. took
decided siAnd In favor OF tho Union cause,
II required not little moral courage To do
this but there was no element OF fear In
ths make.up OF any member OF the family.
At first their home was within the Conied'
crate lines and communication with Wash
lngtoA was very difficult and hazardous
Mrs. Cages Was ridiculed, aud sometimes
threaened, bat 10 availed nothing.
After tho COME dsrate lines were driven
back a few miles in 1861, foruiications 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
Chain Bridge, above Georgetown. extending
thence down TO Arlington Heights and some
distance below, recfossiDg the river about
half way between Long Bridge and Alexan.
dria, and 60 on around until the circle was
complete. Within this line, aud about
mile and half from Fort Smii h, situated GA
little eminence. was Mrs. Cages modest
home, prott ctsd now from the enemy, bnt
suffering more, perhaps. from her friend.
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 cave the house and the
land. Even the COOK stove was missing one
morning. Very frequently at night she WAS
aroused by the beating OF 'ths long roll" tho
shouting CT words OF command aud tho
trampiDg at regiments AZ they swiftly formed
In line ct battle to meet the expected enemy.
On such occasions all the members of the
family wonld hastily dress secure about
their persons what valusble5 they had and
patiently wait During all these trying years
she and her daughter were devoted friends
OF the Union cause. ard their willing hands
were untirlng In doing something for the SOL
.dieTs.
IL was a midsummer morning In 1864
Out in the field aud over I'm the city 1t was
sc0rchipg hot But in Mrs. Cages house.
protected rs IL was from the rays of the son
by the abundant foIiags Of the great oaks
which surrounded il, The heat was not 90.
room reading paper. The elder daughter
was in Washington. Charley, the eldest
s5n-who WAS then near twelve years OF age,
was playing with the deg on the porch. II
was q peaceful, quiet picture of Virginia
country life Suddenly there came loud.
whis,ling. screaming sound. followed by q
terrific explosion directly over the house.
Why CALCULATED Mrs Cages, as she
started from her seat, what heavy clap
Of thunder, she was about to say, bat the
unmistakable hummipg, twarging sounds
which followed close upon the explosion,
with the falling OF leaves and broken
branches frsm the trees, told her II was
she'll from some heavy gun
rs II pos BILE the rebsls are making an
attackr' she said.
The children now came running in from
their play, and one of them cried out, ''Oh,
mammal the lightning has struck the trees"
Mrs. Cages went out on the porch aud looked
and listened, but nothing unusual could be
seen or heard.
1T was SHELL" said she. 81 expect gun
at one of the forts went off accidentally"
well" said Charley, when they load
their guns wish they'd point them toward
Richmond. They ought to be ashamed OF
themselves"
81 don't think we shall BIS troubled any
more" said the mother as she returned to
The sittng.loom, followed by the children.
other shell buried itself in the earth few
rods from the house and burst throwing up
clouds of dust and dirt.
What can 1t mean2' said Mrs. Cages.
81 know what it means. mammal" cried
has Just been sent over TO Fort Smith has
put up target in our field, and the fellows
are firing at ID. wish was General. I'd
put every one Of them in the guard houselp
The boy WAS right in his surmise aad in a
Few moments another missile thrown from
Tort was armed, struck, quarter of mile
away, and came bounding or ric3cheting to.
ward the house, striking the ground at short
oh0rt intervals In Its mad course, something
as stone when thrown violently upon the
water skirs along the surface. With O shrek
Ike demon IL plunged through tie garden
destroying every thing IN its path, filled the
air with dust, gave two or three more skips
-snd screecbes. and finally burst over near
The read. Mrs. Cages turned pale.
Come down into The cellar with me-, all
OF you" she ssid, and they oDeyed with
slscrity. After she had Quoted Eliza the
negro servant, Who was alternately praying
to de good Lord and TO sMissus Cages to
fave her, she said:
Charley, You must run up ID Mr.. Pier
son's just as fact q you can, and ask him to
go around 10 the fort ard have the firing
stopreu Ano you remain at Mr. Persons
urtil ssno tor you Don't come back. You
are lot afraid 10 go, are you?''
mo, manms, I'm not afraid" answered
the brave little fellow rs he clsspsd his
mothers hand n little tighter
II krew you would not be: and now
rs soon Is the ne 1t shell comes l want Won to
co." When 1t came she kissed him and
said, snow. mv brave boy, rum"
She would tlsdly have gone herself. bat
abe thought il better to remain that she
might bs with the other two children in
case the house should be struck and burned.
It cost ber Q struggle to send her son forth
on such perilous GRAND. and her facs Was
very pale as she kissed him. Away sred
Charley through the garden, g'ancing with
wonder at the great burrows the shells had
ploughed. climed the fence and started to
run with oil his might toward Mr.. Persons
house, which vss half n mile Distant He