The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-11-22
When Hope Dawned at Last.

The little fight at Arkansas Post was
over. The dead were buried, the
wounded cared for as best could be, and
five companies of nv regiment were de-
tailed to escort the 5000 captured con-
federates tc their place OF enforced res
ideuce at the North. Preparations
were quickly made, and, marching
down the river, with the forceful swing
of the fright shoulder Shift" we felt
pretty good, for it seemed to Us that
the only encouraging incident of the
war at that time was the victory just
achieved, and the only bright spot
within the horizon of our broad land
was right there in sight, and we were
in it. Doubt and di, Encouragement pre-
vailed all over the country; AID it seems
TO me now that the darkest days were
those Immediately preceding and fol-
lowing the lst of January, 1868. The
army Of the Potomac WAS recovering
from the disaster that followed Burn
sides advance. The army of the Cum
berland had covered itself with glory at
Stone River; but, from the information
we had, coming by grapevine tele-
graph" through confederate sources,
and colored by the hopes and wishes of
those who brought it, that engagement
was drawn battle, with the advantages
of the draw on Bragg's side. BY the
same unreliable telegraph we were in
formed that the president and his cab
met were at swords points, and could
not agree regarding methods of carry
ing on the war. a strong "peace-at-
any-prce party at the North kept up
a constant I" fire in the rear" giving
aid and comfort to the enemy while
the boys in blue were struggling to hold
the flag
In the Southwest two armies with
single purpose-Grant by land and
Sherman by water-moved down the
Mississippi, that the Father of Waters
might flow unveXed to the sea. But
General Grant had not learned to take
his base of supplies wi h him; go, when
Van Dorm aud few bold riders cap
tured and destroyed the stores at
Holly Springs he turned back and left
our Z" Uncle Billy" unsupported in his
attack on the Haynes Buff d fences of
l.Vicksburg. After vigorous assault,
worthy of success, General Sherman
withdrew his army, re-embarked it, and
and took backward step. The hopes
VI luO NONbtiJ NNAN NShtNiNN IL bhNS
campaign, which had, for the time,
failed. But the great commander had
MOI let go his hold on the great river;
and amid the doubt and gloon and dis
aster of those trying days the capture
of Arkansas Post came, brin ying hope
and reviving the dropping spirits of all
at home and in the field When hope
returned we had reason to feel jubilant.
Keeping step to the music Of drum
and flies, we marched down The bank
of the river, and soon came in sight If
the tall snOkestacks of the transports
lying below with their noses TO tn
bank, while the turtle gunboats OF the
fleet kept guard. Three boats were
loaded with prisoners. Their decks
were swarmiug with captured j Dbnnles.
As we came along ide a soldier in the
ranks, prompted, suppose, by the
feeling that causes victorious rooster
to crow, began singing "We'l Rally
Round the Flag" Another joined in,
aud another aud another, until even
the man who had no music in his soul
and no time in his left foot, carried
awl y by the inspiration of the occasion,
opened his mouth and shouted until the
start ed echoes returned the unfamiliar
strain and the wids of "Arkansaw !"
resounded with the stirring chorus of
1.-THE Battle Cry of freedom. III
Storms, 1871 Illinois Iafaatry.