Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-03-25


story ofThriIIing Interest and what
ItAccOmpIished
Marion r. Brown In the Philadelphia Weekly
Times
Slowly re travelled out of the hear
lug OF the booming guns on that ever
memorable day, the 18Th Of July
1861, and when the echoes of the
shocks were hushed IN the distance,
the exciting scene WAS exchanged for
a peaceful, quiet region, where the
frightened birds, fleeing as well as
ourselves from the roar Of the batti G
chirped and whistlcd their sad com
plants one TO another. Here it was
impossible to believe in the realities
we had left behind US. Was there
really war; Was it not a fearful
dream that we mad crept along the
verge Of a battlefield. Was it true
that the youth, the mere boys of our
little village, lay dead and dying in
the pools and ia the thickets around
Bull Run2 The bloody pages OF his
tory are now responding to these
questions and laurels are being wreath
ed for the brave, whether friend or
foe.
AT last in the gathering shadows Of
that quiet evening our weary horses
refused TO take another step. They
came to a stand in the middle of the
road and the womankind descended
to take a survey of the situation. We
were in the neighborhood Of the little
town Of Middleburg. A survey of
our surroundings revealed to us a
handsome substantial mansion that
stood invitlHgly near. II was the
home OF Mr.. Hamilton Rogers, 2
wealthy gentleman, who only needed
to hear of our sad plight to extend
that hearty Virginia welcome which
was ever prove bal and has now be-
come historical.
FALLEN INTO GOOD HANDS.
The cruel spirit and ruthless hand
OF war had not then reached his ele-
CANT home. Everything in this well
appointed mansion was so orderly, so
quit, that 1t was indeed havan OF
rest TO us, who, sinse the attack on
Fairfax Court House the LIST of June,
had lived in dread and confusion.
Although we were literally covered
with the dust of the battlefield, soiled
sunburned, weary, we were welcomed
like kinsfolk and soon seated at q table
covered with luxdries, the children
caressed and fed, our tired steeds
rubbed down and provided for in fact,
every kindness that human sympathy
could suggest heaped ubon us. The
children had not been undressed be
fore for many nights. Radiant and
blooming from their baths, and angel
like in their clean white linen robes,
they scampertd round the large airy
chambers in unchecked freedom
Mrs. Ms child, that from fatigue
and exposure to the sun had become
much worse, was i'll the whole night
through. We womankind sat up,
watchid the babe and discussed the
situation; indeed, our eyes so sorely
aChed with the sunburn that no
raveled sleeve OF ear could have been
knit up that night, even if the babe
had not been i'll.
None OF us knew where the male
portion Of the family were. Whether
they were caught in the Federal lines
or had safely arrived at Manassas we
could not tell. That was cause for
anxiety, There was no difficulty
about an early start Sunrise found
us prepared-a nice breakfast and
baskets packed with appetizing lunch
es. Even the old harness had been
mended and strengthened by strong
hands. Stripped OF my pocket hand
kerchief and strings from the child
ren's aprons that held it together the
day previous, the old harness was
quite respectabable Being the first
cavalcade of the kind that passed
through Mddleburg We preferred not
to appear in the guise OF travhng
show, with our colors flying.
pIsOREDTED WAR RUMoRs.
Although we were heartsore and
weary; although we had at that early
day seen enough OF war to believe il
ana awful reality, yet we were not de
sireous to be gazing stocks to the eyes
of the Middleburgers, who througed
around us to ask concerning the war.
They would scarcely believe that
blood had been spilled, and that the
fight at Bull Run wSs being fought
when we left. We could give rc
assurance that husband, son or brother
was safe. Through Main street we
pushed our way, serious, fearful face,
thronging the sidewalks, for the
inhabitants had turned out in mass tC
see and hear.
Upperville, the next village, lies in
the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains
on the boundary line dividing
London and Farquier. A mile be
You'd lay the destination ofMrs. Ayre
Mrs. M-was to abide with her also
and thenceiorth l was to pursue my
journey alone. They were TO be vel
coined and remain with kinsfold un
til better and brigater times. In fac
until the three months war; SHOULD
be over
These short three months was the
time set for the duration and ending
OF what proved 10 be years Of strife
and desrly-bought victory. al tins
period, however, every family conf
denUally expected to Spfnd the com.