davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-10-01
A Grievous disappointment.

Il was during "Shermans march to the
sea" that the Eighth Indiana Cavalry was
with Fitzpatrick, supporting Sherman's
right. One afternoon during this time we
made feint on Macon, getting so near that
we could hear the cars run and soldiers
cheer, and we believed the cheering to be
by our prisoners there confined at their
prospect of liberty. If SO, what must have
been their disappointment at our departure
without blow for their liberty.
Human hopes are built upon seen prob
abilities or agencies hoped for. Those poor
fellows had great reason to believe and
hope, but were doomed to disappointment.
And we, the rank and file, burning with de-
sire to throw open their prison doors, were
none the less disappointed.
Long campfire lines were established
and the night came on dark and wet, when
to our surprise Boots and Saddles" piped
by the bugle and we were in line almost in
stantly for the work nearest our hearts,
which came not, but in it's stead an all
night march in the rain, dismount, and a
fight. repelling the Mississippi Yagers,
who were proving about the line of march.
Undoubtedly the action of our leaders at
that time was wise and prudent, but, not
withstanding our faith in them, our disap-
pointment at, leaving our brethren in the
Macon prison was sore.
J. G. SINNER.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-10-01
Colona Mich.
The Last in Field and First Out.

In certain Vermont regiment there was
a bold Irish Captain who, like most of his
countlymen, was fond of potatoes and
making speeches. After a certain CAM
paign and terrible battle, in which the Cap
tain and his company had fought hard,
doing gallant service, the regiments time
of enlistment had expired, and it was re-
turned to Vermont. OF course supper,
songs, toasts, speeches, ETC., were the Or
der. We were assembled in an immense
barrack. The Captain had been uneasy
and nervous for some time. He thought he
was sighted, and was getting mad. He
wanted to make speech, telling about his
company, which had not up to this time
been mentioned. There came a lull in the
enjoyment Some one said, "Now, Cap
tain" and he jumped to his feet and hast
lily and with emphasis said Governor,
gentlemen, and ladies-Faith, l see no la
dies, nor a word about me brave company,
which saved the day. Here's to the bull
ly Company -; the last in the field and
the first out, hurrah!"
What yell went up from the boys. 1t
was iull five minutes before the laugh sub
sided, and often some few could be heard
laughing "between meals" madden
Irishman was never seen, as he saw not
where the laugh came in.-Chicago Led
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-10-01

vas. as we got to the foot Of the mou,to,n
came ' ont ,pe e. woods e, diverged, an old negro
and asked 81 us sh sS HoSd Isl, Of
take. We told him we W. wer we're ed gong to to
CAKE cae s1e road in order to escape 20
.un ies' fo slid he, lust as expected. Dem
fact is Carriers men are about h sPGs Wav ne
dc mountain aoen on dat road, lying close on on
mint" W" Ill, TINS bery
We saw the dilemma Mt once o,a s.o,.o,
up the mountain Oh the other road I 'e az
.as. US our horses would carry us. This
was about about three o'clock in the afternoon
h hai - before .l dark we were too far away to
Se IN much danger from Carter or his gang
only for that old negro we would cert 6f
nav nave oeen an easy prey to these Villains
%no mad had not the manliness to stand up like
nn sm ana ~ face danger. We got to Chatta-
a ae IN safety, but never forgot our black
friend.-Chicoao Ledger. WA ''"'A
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-10-01
A Bold Front.

I served under Sherman. 1t was not far
from Atlanta that the following incident
occurred Seven Of us had been sent out
'foraging." Three of us got separated
from the command, and laid out over night
twenty miles from the camp. Just at night
we encountered full mounted company of
the enemy. We resolved to try ruse on
them. Appointing one Of our number Cap
tain, we went through the motions of COM
handing, as forward, 'stendy," march, !"
draw saber," giving the command
as though regiment was obeyine
and about to charge. Our ruse
had the desired effect, for the
way that company of cavalry got up and
left" was too good. We fired into them,
emptying three Of their saddles, killing
one, wounding two, and appropriating their
horses without ceremony. We, under COW
er, pursued them until they entered the
brush, when we abandoned the pursuit,
fearing that they would count us.
We found forage for our horses, but did
not dare build a fire, for fear they would
find us. Before three o'clock of the after
noon of the next day we were back in camp,
which fact was owing to our putting on a
bold 'front.' SCOUT.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-10-01
Soaring a Courier.

on the evening of our advent into Muir
1ns e after the three days fight of Stone
hNer, our commissary sent me an order to
report TO his headquarters mounted. was
informed that had been selected to return
10 NASHVILLE, and order forward the supply
tlaln that was ordered back the morning Of
the stampede of the right wing of the army.
My orders were to start at once. The cap-
tain gave me the ass-signal, to insure nv
safe passage through the couriers' posts,
stationed at intervals of five miles along
the route. started alone and Respondent.
passed all of the couriers posts until 1
reached the one near the blind asylum
about eight miles out of Nashville. The
courlers at this post told me to go quietly
along until came about parallel with the
my spurs and ely" for Nashville. as the
the couriers had been fired upon several
times in that vicinity. left the post, think
ing Of friends and home once more. {"
when L heard the unmistakable tramp of a
horse. The night was dark, and the roads
lined with forest on both sides, making it
impossible to distinguish any object save
the road outlines. l halted and waited
until my man came within hailing distance,
when l halted him. The following dia-
logue ensued: called "Who comes there?"
Reply: ga soldier; who in - are your"
My reply: "a soldier" "To what army do
you belong?" was my next question. His
reply was "Uncle Sans" says, Come
on. Uncle Sam We advanced together.
and when we halted my man informed me
that he belonged to the Thirteenth
Ohio, and was doing couriers duty.
That he was on his way with important dis
patches to "old Rosey." 1 in turn told him
my mission; he then informed me that
must keep sharp lookout or would be
gobbled by bushwhackers. This was en-
couraging news to one whose hair was rap
idly turning gray, but resolved to go
ahead, and started. I did not fool away
any time along the road; indeed, I came
very near getting shot by our own picket,
stationed at the old toll gate. I did not
hear the command to halt, but plunged
ahead until was in the midst of the picket.
After hating and having my pass exam
ined by the officers of the guard they asked
me what made me ride at such furious
rate so near the Union lines. told him
what the courier had told me about bush
whackers. He told me that there WAS not
bushwhacker this side of Murfreesboro,
and that those couriers told the same story
10 every single horseman that came that
way just to brighten them. 1 don't know
how we'll they succeeded with other victims,
but do know it was a success so far as l
was concerned. I wish to say that my hair
is still white. WIN. NJ. CARR.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-10-01
Hours for Meals.

Meals and their hours, and the ai-,
vision Of the day which they control,
are ofpermanent and close personal IN
terest to all of us. Smollett, who had
been naval surgeon, makes Roderick
Random breakfast on board ship about
174S on biscuits and brandy" at 8 a. IN.
In Henry Wills time the English
court dined an hour before noon. In
Cromwell's time dinner had advanced
to 1 o'clock. Bishop Percy says that
at the Restoration, and for some years
after, the fashionable hour of dinner
was - o'clock, "the play" beginning at
8. The revolution postponed dinner to
2; Pope dined all his life at 2, and Adolf
son conformed to this rule for the last
thirty years Of his life. About 1740
Pope complained of Lady Suffolk, din
ing so late as 4, and in 1745 very great
people generally had fixed upon that
hour, which was still in force about
1880. About 1804-5 Oxford colleges
which had dined at and put on these,
hours to 4 and S, which became good
general hours until Waterloo when 6
came in. Grimod de Ia Rayniere writes
Of dinner in Paris in 1903 beginning az
6 and lasting three and even five hours
In the fourteenth century supper was
usually two and three hours after noon
in France. Louis Kills thirdswife put
it on to 5 or 6, and, if Schmidt is to be
trusted, supper time generally N
Shakespeare also meant or O'Clock !;
but there is notable passage against
this ruling when Catesby says TO
Richard Ill: "It's supper time, my lord ;
it's 9'o'clock." In Rabelais's time il
was at nightfall. In Nash's pierce
Pennilesse's Supplication to the Devil"
Q592) he scourges the custom Of "esttinstss
sixe times everie day, videlicit; before
he comes out Of his bed; then a set
BREAKFAST; then dinner; then after
nnon's mnnchinrs."
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-10-01
Trouble Him! He has filled heaven with

Trouble Him! He has filled heaven with
that kind of trouble.
A pioneer in California says that for the
first year or two after his residence in
Sierra Nevada County there was not "a
single child in all the reach of hundred
miles. But the Fourth Of July came and
the miners were gathered together, anit
they were celebrating the Fourth with
Grafton and poem, and q boisterous brass
band; and while the band was playing, an.
infants voice was heard crying, and all the
miners were startled, and the swarthy Mane
began to think Of their homes on the
eastern coast, and Of their wives and chill
dren far away, and their hearts were filed
with inconsistencies az they heard the babe
cry. But the music went on, and ths
brass band played louder and louder, try
ing to drown out the infantile interruption,
when swarthy miner, the tears rolling
down his face, got up and shook his fist
and said: stop that noisy band and give
the baby chance" Oh, there was pathos
in it as we'll as good cheer in it. There is
nothing to arouse, and melt, and subdus
the soul like child's voice.
But when it goes away from you the
high chair becomes higher chair, and
there is desolatien all about you. In three-
fourths of the homes of my congregation
there is vacant high chair. Somehow
You never get over it. There is no one to
put to bed at night; no one to ask strange
questions about God and Heaven. Oh,
what is the use of that high chair? 1t istc
call you higher. What drawing upward
it is to have children in Heaven. And
then it is such a preventive against sin. If
father is going away into sin he leaves
his living children with their mother; but
if father is going away into sin, what is
he going to do with his dead children heat-
ing about him and lowering over his every
hayward step? Oh, speak out, vacant high
chair, and say: Father, come back from
sin; mother come back from worldlincsb. I
am watching you. I am waiting for yoa.
With respect to your child, the words of Fey
text have been fulfilled. "Thon shalt be-
missed, because thy seat will be empty"
My hearers, have gathered up the voieeB'
of Your departed friends, and tried to IN
tone them into one invitation upward. Z
set in array all the vacant chairs OF your
homes, and Of your social circle, and bid
them CRY out "Time is short. Eternity is
near. Take my Saviour. Be atpeace with
my God. Come up where am. We lived
together on earth; come, let Us live to-
gether in heaven" We answer that inyi-
tation. We come. Keep seat for US, as
Saul kept seat for David; but that scat
through with this world, and we have
shaken hands all around for the last tine.
and all our chairs in the home circle, and
in the outside world, shall be vacant, may
we be worshiping God in that place from
which we shall go out no more forever. I
thank God there will be no vacant chans
| in heaven.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-10-01
Struck by a Goose.

The Third Iowa Infantry in August, 1861,
was stationed near Kirkville, Mo. One day
twenty of us were detailed to take look
after Greene, who was making our side un-
comfortable about twenty miles north of
that place. We were led by Lieutenant
Call, and were mounted. We were out all
day, and in returning, hungry from our
long ride. were met about six miles out by
four companies under Major Stone, who
came out to see what had become of us.
Hard by where we met was a farm house,
and the officers must needs go in and get
supper while we waited without rations.
An officer has no right to stop and eat a
good meal while his men are waiting his
orders as hungry as he.
Foraging was forbidden as yet. In spite
of strict orders, however, occasionally a
hen would squeal, and even geese were
heard to hiss alarm, and fight. Geese have
hated soldiers ever since they got the credit
Of saving Rome. The notes OF alarm and
defense on the part of the poultry reached
the ears of Major Stone, who came bristling
out to learn who was thus disobeying orders.
Now, it is the extremely ludicrous in
many stories which makes their point. I'M
agine squad of hungry men, in every re-
spect the equals of their leaders except in
official rank, awaiting in the dark highway
the slow passage Of the time which their
officers are consuming in waiting for the
cooking and eating of an appetizing meal,
seeing one of those selfish officers issue forth
to protect the poultryyard of their whilom
entertainers.
The result was just such as should have
been expected. The men were angry, as
they had a right to be, with their officers.
The Major was busting about in the en-
aeavor to find out who was disturbing
the poultry. In doing SO he approached
Sergeant Forney, who had goose in each
hand by the neck. Remember it was dark,
and as Stone approached Forney somehow
the goose in Forney's good right land
made an oblique movement by the
right flank, fetched wide detour, and
brought up with tremendous force against
Stones poor, empty stomach. Now had
this occurred after Stone had finished his
supper. the effect might have been less,
but as it was he doubled up as if base
ball had struck him, and lay upon the
ground for some little time before he was
able to 90 into his supper. There was a
GOOD deal less of pompous Stone when he
Went back than when he came ont, III ap-
pearance at least, and the best OF 1t was no
never knew what struck him.
The BOYS roasted and ate their fowls II:
peace whgn they got into camp.
(.lorl,cyi]le Iowa.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-10-01

In September. 1864, the Third Battery
,vos holding the situation at Fort He'll I'm
history called Fort sedgwick> The name
was fi1,lly merited for if there was ever ,,:
he'll made by mortar and aftlllety a sh '1aaa
i # was an irregular, and in strength an in
Significant piece OF work: There er, was nc, no
rest resi- for the boys day or night. The only
safe place was under the re-, gun rh eapr;ug fhs
close to the logs and EARTH asn I ao in in f hs
woyk The Third had been there some
G GulS' and with their usual nervous and
comIat1e desire had fired right and lf ths
top Of and redOub ,3on that so the
Jonnnies kept close ana .es Us nton aad o oftan
On In in the game among them,
s sa1,'.a but let a stranger enter ana
~ for their meat, and went tor
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-10-01
Escaping the Guer rillas.

ions the many incidents of army life
M the black mans attachment to the
OF the Union, the following true
IS not without interest.
Aal attachments were often sent away
Tie main body of the army to open
A,lNcatlons. These detachments were
slIy composed of ten Or twelve men.
beng furnished with side arms only,
Aonntca on good horses. 1t would be
common for these detachments to be
E'ed and taken in, only for the timely
AS given by our friends, usually the
VINO We're left in charge OF the plan
H. After the Atlanta campaign and
SSe and battle of Nashville, in 1861. a
I .a of the signal corps was sent
chattanooga TO Nashville to draw a
Ao"Ses, mules and ambulances, and
ile'n back to Chattanooga for use in
ia'sr campaign. The writer was one
-" twenty men that composed that
FS!N' We went to Nashville on the
''t"W about hundred horses and
AGo live amb llances, and started
!, 4I"auia!nooga by way of Murfreesboro
u 1r h'hnville. After passing the last
t" place, we were obliged to cross two
:, 'slSes Ut the Cumberland Mountains,
'''o'ish a country entirely unknown
E. /, W us. consequently we we've obliged
%itN upon such information as we
se' from the people along the route.
were two main roads that led over
,; "a'ifalns beyond McMinnville, and the
", y. vas as to which we had better
r.. we had learned that Carriers guerril-
\, = lately heard Of in the mountains.
I'M, ".e hundred strong aud well armed,
5"st Who're they were we were unable
'y's'aln. Our little band was armed
Il th%Solvers only, but mounted on
w. horses, consequently all we had to
J S "h ambush. This we did fear
ID ""' p our best, by way of inquiry, 10
~, ,iartles at McMinnville told us to be
Of of, ~ take the right-hand road at the
lo 'ne mountain, as Carter's men were
ni rvafd from several miles up the
.ba "lh at the left. We hardly knew
me1 20 believe them OF not. but as they
led ~ 70 be good Union men," we con-
~ 'ake their ADVICE, arc started on.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-10-01
Chicago, Ill.
Toby's Scalp.

There was a German in our regiment:
his name was Tobias Banner, but we ali
knew him as Toby. 1t was in the fight at
Shiloh that Toby came near getting
scalped. As you are aware, the fight began
early in the morning. We drank our COT
fee after we fell in line. Two or three
little incidents of that warm day" are we'll
worth mentioning.
Lieutenant J.. of my company and I
were standing little in the rear of the rest
when shell struck a tree near us and a
part of the shell or silver struck on his
leg below the knee. Down he went, think
ing his leg badly broken. He soon found
it was not.
down as there was a battery throwing shells
near us. These would strike the ground
in our front and ricochet over us. Our
business was to watch for these and get out
of the way or lie low. Just to our right
lay Tobey and an Irishman. Our Lieu
tenant, seeing that they were firing, sang
out, Lay low" Toby was that anxious
to see that he raised his head, and seeing
six-pound shell coming, put it down
again. But he again raised it, too soon,
just enough to have the coming shell hit
him a glancing blow, cutting his scalp
badly.
Toby whirled around and around like a
chicken with its head cut off, but soon got
over the blow when putting up his hand to
his head, now bleeding freely. he exclaims:
"Ish tat all my poor prains leaking out?"
His Irish neighbor said:
"Sh-sh-now; do you ever think that q
six poun' shell could break Dutchman's
skull?"
Toby rejoined:
81 think it, would preck Dutchman's
just so quick as a tam Irishman's."
Notwithstanding the gravity Of our situa-
ton we all laughed. ID. d. DUNsETH.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-10-01
Home Guards.

IA bright sunny morn in Dantown,
County, Missouri, in the autumn
band Of patriots had organized
nj their homes, their wives, their
[ps. and the wives and little ones of
liers who had gone to the front.
nd armed, they had uniformed; they
Eipes ,of CALICO to their breaches
,bpv had drilled and wheeled to the
lommand of their brave officers: they
onllered, t,ailed, presented, carried
AIDED; they had marched, they had
|.ked. camped, fired by platoon, and
ed as guerrillas. They were brave
he have remarked, it was bright
morning when Dantown was
d. The enemy had come to offer
The bells rang to arms; the bugles
to arms; the noisy drums beat to
Promptly those home guards an
TO the call to arms. Such heroism
They came tiercely, their tread
)ldielly. and their look had war in it.
SPEECH BY CAPTAIN SEWARD.
we men, l feel proud this day to be
ated with men of such courage asyou
shown yourselves to possess during
bst two years. Not man of this
company but deserves to have his
hanjed down the revolving ages by
lentltss tooth Of time, along with
Atricanus, Don Quixote, and Coto-
You are all brave men, and you look
! your tasty uniforms, the stripes to
Fouserloons, and your steady manner,
Fre come our scouts; we will now hear
hem"
Its with white lips)-Noble Captain,
We to report the approach of the
, Even now his flag is coming along
yer road within mile of this place,
taregiment in number.
Fas Sunday morning, the hues of
N We're upon house and field.
Eeet day, so pure, so calm, so bright,
The bridal OF the earth and sky
old veterans the home guards went
'1k-lilse veterans they carried arms
calico stripes on their trouserloons
stunning. Their guns were bur-
/ From lip to lip those awful words
/ The enemy is upon u.s." The
IN and his old gray horse about this
eft the field, hundred brave men
ed to protect him, tearing. the strips
heir trousers as they ran. But fifty
. all that brave legion l75) remained
l4stand the fierce onsets of battle.
they stood, brave, undaunted, deter
They were the stuff heroes are
Of. Their officers had gone.
iely they stood.
stood nndaunted.
awaited the enemy.
stood in line of battle.
waited for the battle to come.
y got dry.
became weary.
IL line they maintained.
dld it bravely.
stood on the village green.
girls went by them to church.
that IS the battle of Dantown.
was no enemy within thirty
Of them on that day. The fields We're
with calico stripes from THEN
l!oons for miles. C..
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-10-01
Christ Church. Alexandria,

Few People visit Washington as
sight-seers who do not include visit 80
the old Christ Episcopal Church, IN
Alexandria, in which Washington wer-
shipped, and to which, when at home, he
was q constant attendant. The Old
church was built and dedicated in 1765,
the bricks entering into its construction
being brought over from England. 'Ehe'
church in external appearance is not
unlike hundreds Of other churches Ia
our country, but the interior is dc
cidedly novel, and strikes ono as having,
been arranged especially for the dis
comfort Of the congregation. Tho pews
have high backs, doubtless intended to
restrain that female curiosity thas isg-
nores the pastors sermons TO examine
the head-gear of the sister parish ioners-
On Sundays the people were in he
habit Of gathering about tho doof Of The
church, and there wait until Waslunsg,-
ton and his wife arrived, when with TN
covered heads they paid their rustic:
homage to HIM, who was oven thea tirst
in the hearts Of al the people. Tho
family pew in the old church ~ ssh
preserved. 1t has three seats, one of
which is against the wall, and vas e,s>sya-
pied by the General, who always sat
"bolt upright" because there wpA, Eo
other way for him to sit. The ether
seats faced each other, and, Of ceujse.
some OF the family must have tusnets
their backs upon the respected rocst.s-'
The structure has undergone in past
years many repairs ontwardly, bun. the
inside of the church is substantially as
it was when washington attended # IS
vestryman. The determination to tnsp
it in it's present condition as long d. it is
possible to do SO, viii be commended
ly ali. Washington letter.