Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-12-13
MUSIC HATH CHARMS.
a True Story Of Our Civil War, showing
the Power Of u Song.

a True story Of Our civil War, showing
the Power Of Song.
1t was during Sherman's famous
march to the sea. The vast army had
burned the bridges behind, and was
subsisting on the best the country
through which it was passing could
afford. Even those who have carefully
studied the history of that long and
notable tramp from Atlanta to the
sea can appreciate but family the
terrible scenes which followed in the
wake of the army. War may be grand
and brave. but the sorrow and woe.
pain and death, are the shadows of
the picture, and those shadows far ex-
coed the sunshine.
Orders had been given to burn all
cotton or other goods which would in
any way aid the confeaeracy. In con-
sequence, the line Of march was
marked by vast columns of smoke, in
dicating the burning Of cities, towns,
farmhouses, barns-in fact, almost
everything infammable. Great SUI.
fering and distress was caused by
carrying out this order, and the peo-
pie began to fully realize the horrors
of war.
Orders were also given for each COM
pany to forage for its provisions in the
neighboring country. Hungry men,
especially when the conscience Is
somewhat scared by the brutalities OF
war, are not apt to be prescriptions
as to tho amount Of discomfort and
distress occasioned by helping them
selves from the larders OF the enemy.
They of course realized that their Wis
its were not appreciated, but that fact
did not deter them for moment from
making "clean sweep" Of everything
necessary to appease the appetites OF
themselves and their comrades.
A sergeant and small squad Of men
were detailed from each company for
this purpose, and at times their duties
were very arduous indeed,
One day in the early stages OF the
march one Of these squads, with its
sergeant riding at the head, came
upon plantation home, rather moro
pretentious, perhaps, than many OF
those In the immediate vicinity 1t
was q peaceful scene and one calcu-
lated to awaken tender emotions, but
soldiers have very little regard for
beauty when duty calls them forward,
The men quickly dismounted, and
after carefully fastening their horses
to guard against surprise, began ran
sacking smokehouses and chicken
coops, while the sergeant kept watch
in prominent position before the
mansion.
To those long accustomed to this
kind Of work the task Of. getting
everything edible from the outhouscs
was a triilng one and soon accom-
plished. They then turned their atten-
ton to the house, where two attractive
but very frightened young ladies were
found to be the sole occupants. Wig
orous protest was made against the
intruders despoiling the house Of its
contents but they were grutfly d.
rected to plead to the sergeant for
mercy
The sergeant being young, tender
hearted and somewhat smittcn, per-
haps by the beauty Of the ladies, was
disposed to listen 10 their request;
but. knowing that his soldiers were do
ing their duty, he wisely concluded to
let matters rest as they were, so he
politely informed the ladlc, that this
was war and that the necessities Of
war demanded The spoliation of the
ercmy; that he was there TO see that
their persons were protected, but that
while his men kept within the line OF
their duty he could not interfere. lie
very much regretted the necessity
witch compelled him to discommodc
them, but assured them that while he