The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-03-03
to merge political differences, and to

at Bunker Hill was again aroused.
The martyr Presidents call to arms
suddenly changed laughing youth
intn stern manhood, and lent elias.
riClty TO the limbs OF age The busy
loom ceased to revolve, the forge
fire sank into darkness, the music of
mirth gave place to the tattoo of the
drum, and mothers and wives and
sweethearts babe good bye to loved
ones-some forever.
Unroll the roster of the nations,
and find, if you can, similar spec
tacle. 1t was Spartan loyalty, Spar
tan resolve, without the implied
coertion of that wonderous people.
A simple call for volunteers rang like
clarion through the mill crowded
hamlets OF the Eastern States, and
found all echo in the hearts of
myriads, to whom until that hour,
tented fields and midnight blvouacs
were like fairy tales. Ii flashed with
meteoric rapidlty through the rising
cities of the sturdy West, sped on
lightning wings through the mining
regions of the land of gold; then,
forth to show the decrepid nations
OF Europe what a persuasive preacher
is untrammeled Liberty. In an in
credibly briet space, the country was
in arms. Every loyal State, ever
loyal city and town was ready to
send forth its bravest best to battl1
tor the preservation of the Union.
Within torty-eight hours after the
immortal Lincoln had signed the
proclamation, Maryland had said
good bye to thousands Of soldier lads
with the promise of more if needed
Pennsylvania, New York and New
Jersey were close on the heels OF
your State as a test of this practical
and unguestioned patriotism. You
and l well remember those stirring
days. l, a little urchin, then saw
them march away, the manifest
proof of their patriotism on their
shoulders or by their sides. Well
might they sing:
We're coming. Father Abraham, 300, 600 more,
From the Mississippi's mighty stream to old New
England's shore.
For each soldier boy, inspired by
love of home, of native land was truly
a host in himself, and they met foemen
worthy OF this steel. Fro,l Bull Run
to Appomattox: every foot was con
tested, and Greek met Greek on many
a hard fought field Who torgets the
cold steel of Bull Run, the stubborn
contest of Williamsburg, where zone
armed Phil" and his followers recalled
Cremona by their splendid service
You have all heard of Far Oaks,
Games Mill, Savage Station and Peach
Orchard. What American child has
not read of White Oak Swawp, Nal
vern Hill, Antietam, Fredericksburg?
To some of you the very mention OF
these names is talisman of undying
memories. Again you see the thick
woods, the mashy streams and swamps
of the Chickahomlny, the blood stained
banks Of the Rappahanock. Again
you see the December SHOWS falling, as
YOU peer towards the goal of Burnsides
MISUNDERSTANDING. Nature
was then preparing for Blue and Gray
a common winding sheet. You recall
the commander-in chiefs laundering
resolution: "Those heights mnst be
taken tonight" And Hancock,
though to him, as to others the act
appeared madness, ordered forward
"The ForIorn Hope" There is a
weird, wild, melody contained in those
simple words, The Forlorn Hope"
the soldiers grave, wreath of glory !
The irowoing heights loomed up in
view with Fredericksburg, the key of
the campaign scarcely more than a
pistol shot ahead. For hours the strife
continued with untold fury, but the ban
ner cross of.he sunny South still foated
there IN in triumph. The starry flag
had been repeatedly forced back to
the plains below, and vision of utter
defeat swept ever the minds of The most
sanguine. 1t was then that Hancock
with pity on his sun Drowned face,
ordered up the regiments for that des-
perate onset. All stralwart and brave
are those noble fellows, as the ligh!
of battle flashes from the eyes. Gaze
kindly, lovingly on them, dear friends.
for never has human eye rested on
braver victims.
elk bayonets! Charge !'
A stereotyped command, but o God
what a mighty response! Men of Han.
cock, division, today, yours is the post
of danger On brave soldiers O
Hooker's division, though a Chinese
wall of deadly rifles and murderous can
non is before you. Onye brave men witt
the steel, your generals must not blust
for you to night. Onward you bravt
men from Maryland lest your conrad
the sturdy Pennsylvanlans out foot yol
in the race for Immortality. Bravell
they charge on the ridge sheltering ant
dash across the bloody spaces strew'
with the dead and dying of the brigade
that have gone before. But how cal
men live when pistol shot away
ranks of veteran marksmen, themselve
completely sheltered, are pourin
!; forth an unremitting blast of deadl
fire. The killed or the wounde
fall like the leaves LII the autumn. Will