The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1885-08-14
UNDER FIRE.
Il True Border Story of the War.

went south, with his family, tor the
benefit of his health, He purchased a
little farm in Virginia, about three
miles from Washington, D. c., access
to which was had by the way of George
town and the Aqueduct Bridge. He
gradually failed in health, however,
and died, leaving a widow-Mrs. Cages
and two boys and two girls. At the
breaking ont of the war in 1861, Mrs.
Cages and her elder daughter who was
about Is 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 COM
munication with Washington was very
difficult and hazardous. Mrs. Cages
was ridiculed, and sometimes threat
ened, but it availed nothing.
After the Confederate lines were
driven back a few miles in 1861, forti-
fcations were constructed around
Washington for the protection of the
National Capital. They consisted of a
chain of forts arranged in nearly a cir
Gle. The line crossed the Potomac near
Chain Bridge above Georgetown, ex-
tending thence down to Arlington
Heights and some distance below, re-
crossing the river about half way be-
tween Long Bridge and Alexandria,
and so on around until the circle was
complete. Within this line, and about
a mile and a half from Fort Smith,
situated on a little eminenee, was Mrs.
Gayes's modest home, protected now
from the enemy, but suffering more
perhaps. from her friends. Many
regiments were encamped near by; and
little by little her timber and fences and
stock and crop disappeared, until there
was scarcely anything left save the
IlOuS6 anu Tie 4u4Als LNGA lLI0 SSOh-
stove was missing one morning. Very
frequently she was aroused by the
beating of the "long roll" the shout
ing of words of command, and the
tramping of regiments as they swiftly
formed in line of battle, to meet the ex-
pected enemy. On such occasions all
members OF TIE family would hastily
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 Unicn cause, and their willing
hands were untiring ii 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 II Mrs. Gayes's
house, protected as it was from the rays
of the d BY the abundant foliage of
the great oaks which surrounded II,
the heat was not oppressive. Mrs.
Cages was in the sitting room reading a
paper. The elder laughter was in
Washington. Charlie-the elder SON
who was then nearly IL years of age,
was playing with the dog on the porch.
IT was a peaceful quiet picture of Vrr-
ginia country life. Suddenly there
came a loud, whistling. screaming
sound, followed by a terrific explosion
directly oTsr the house.
why calculated Mrs. Cages, as she
started from her seat, what a heavy
clap Of thunder, she was about to
say, but the unnistakabIe humming,
twangiag sounds which followed close
Upcn the explosion, with tho falling of
leaves ard broken branches from the
tress, told her ii wa a shell from some
heavy gun.
SIS il possible the rebels are making
an attack" she said.
The children now cane running In
from their play ana ms OF inrfl cried
out, ooh, mammal the lightning has
struck the trees Mrs. Cages went
out on the porch and looked and lis
tened, but nothing unusual could be
seen or heard.
ut was a shell" said she, II expect a
gun at one of the forts went off acct
dentally.s
well said Charley, "when they
load their gun I wish they'd point them
coward Richmond. They ought to be
ashamed Of themselves.p
II don't think We shall be troubled
n more" said the mother as she re-
turned to the sitting room, followed by
the children. She had just resumed
her seat when another shell buried it.
self in the earth a few rods from the
house and burst, throwing up clouds Of
dust and dirt.
what can it mean?" said Mrs.
Cages.
IL know what IL means, madluia +
cried Charley. THAT New York regi-
ment which has just been sent over to
Fort Smith, has put up q target in our
field, and the fellows are firing at it. !