Wichita eagle., 1889-05-26

~ ~ vania there are two graves,
strangely connected, that
II are visited each Decoration
day by Grand Army COM
rade and his little family group-two graves
with history.
The Union army had driven the Confeder-
ete invaders from northern soil in the Gettys-
burg campaign and followed their flying
columns across the Rappahannock and Rapi-
dan rivers One day, while passing along
the turnpike among the rich farms of Orange
county, Sergt Everett Andres, of the
Twentieth, was stationed with a guard at the
entrance TO a farm lane-common in the
south-leading from the road to the house.
Around the farm there were signs of life,
thing unusual in Virginia whenever the
t5.sson army passed by. When the sergeant
AK his men took the post they saw young
woman sitting under a tree near the road,
and two children playing near. To these
spectators the army moving past, horsemen,
footmen, heavy cannon, drawn by stout,
sleek teams, was q holiday show, but what
ever their thoughts, they looked on in silence.
The general had given Andres guard or
ders to permit no soldier to go to the house,
The tedious tramp of the army went on for
hours, and sometimes the soldiers, chatting at
their fatigue and privations, tried to pass at
the gate or TO climb the fence above or below
the guard. When they were stopped they
gave surly retorts for the interference.
"HumphI You're afraid We'll take some
thing from these 'secesh,'" one would say.
Another would add: Serves 'em right if we
e." But the guards would motion them
S-.nly to move on. Sometimes these rough
words, though aimed at the guards, were
meant for the young woman, and through
her the people of her class. But the keenest
sallies passed UNDECIDED by the one whose
watching as the hours dragged seemed to be
y weary vigil, for curiosity must tire out at
last Could the long lines of soldiers hold
some special attraction for here
At last the sergeant, through pity for the
defenseless maiden and her wards, and TO
spare the temper Of his men, walked along
the road opposite tho watcher, touched his
cap In salute, and said:
"Pardon me, miss, but l think you ought
TO leave this spot You are exposed here"
. A gentle lifting of the eyes was the only
syn that the words were heard. Another
k:llly from some soldier whom the guard put
away with force gave point to the warning,
and Andres repeated it in the same friendly
tone adding: You viii be called IA
rebel, and, perhaps, spy" Still no answer,
other than a nervous turning of the face to-
ward the speaker and quick withdrawal,
for her eyes at the instant had been fixed
sharply upon the ranks In the road. The reg
Iment passing was tho Pennsylvania. The
men rolled and joStled along, giving vent
In sallies of repartee, or song, or complaints
at the days long march. But there was one
Of the number who did join in the rail
L.. L.
seen before the column reached this point
marked changes would have been noted in
his actions Now, bis eyes would roam over
the country, and again rest in the thick
dE,ty wool under foot. When his rank came
apreast Of the lane, this soldier, private in
The line, held his head bent like the weariest
of his fellows, but at the moment the guard
was wrangling with some burly rutf1an, who
struggled to get in at the gateway and when
the silent marcher looked up on the outcry,
his eyes met those of the young woman Both
blushed, and he turned and hurried on.
Quickly now the other called the children
to her and led them TO the house. Andres
supposed the last scene between the guard
and the would be forager had shown the
stubborn miss that the roadside was no place
for her.
Where the army marched or camped the cit
izsns asked the commanders for house guards,
Of one was sent unasked. But this young
woman, rslying, it seemed, on her own pres
ence by the road, had not asked for protec-
ton, and her conduct had left no room for
suspicion that she might be friendly with the
enemy. Secession women invariably stayed
indoors when bluecoats were about
Twilight came on; the army continued its
tramp. The guards began to wonder if they
were to be kept at this station all night, when
the shufiing, stumbling form of a negro was
seen in the lane Now for news, thought the
guard. for the negroes were the unfaihng
sources of local knowledge, and it was often
good news 20 the soldiers to know what river
or road their camp was on, or even the names
Of farmers and planters round about When
- negro neared the gate he stopped, cap in
~. I'd, and eyed the soldier pacing with his
gun. The sergeant called him TO come or,
but he stood III his tracks and stanmered the
words, "Y-y-oung miss sent me-" The guard
halted. And IS drew near. Dung miss
Sent me TO say. Please come TO de house. u"
+ who is your young miss, SamboF
''She named Miss Elwood, sab. Ole miss
she named Ellwood, too, sab But Iss no
Sambo. Use named Patrick Henry, sah-
patrick Henry Ellwood of coursef"
"Oh, no, mars Use no Ellwood, sab
belong to Mistah Mars Seyton."
where's your masterF' said Andres,
sharply.
My mars, sahi Ole mars dead, sab
Young mars done gone. Dunno, sab, whah
he done gone, sab"
endros knew that he could not get full de-
ii from negro at once, and as there were
no white men on the place be shouldered his
rnusket and went to extend his acquaintance
at Elwood farm.
''Ole Miss" lie learned on the way, was
head mistress. and had been twice widowed