The record-union., 1894-09-01
GuidOn Little Buttons Of Battery D

uuIuUu LibtIU DuVtUID vi DuttVl IL
fCopyright, 1894, by Edgar L. Wakeman. All
rights reserved.
"a little over thirty years ago." mus
ingly began the Student Traveller, as our
Ten Travellers were all comfortably
seated in their accustomed places. "sev-
eral detached divisions, brigades and
even single regiments of igfantry, q few
battalions of cavalry and a number of
field artillery commands, which had been
hastily massed at Cairo, Illinois, were
urged speedily forward by way of the
Cumberland River and thence by rapid
marches over the mountains Of north
eastern Alabama into Georgia, to rein
force Sherman, who was stubbornly
fighting his way to the doomed city of
Atlanta.
''We Joined him at Etowah River and
participated IN the hard-fought flank
movements which resulted in the de-
feat of the outnumbered Confederate
forces under the gallant General Hood,
and which made possible Sherman's sub
sequent famous march to the sea-"
AS there was yet scarcely streak of
silver in the Student Travellers hair and
beard, his easy familiarity with the stir
ring events of SO remote period caused
various expressions of surprise to Hit
across the faces OF the assembled COM
pany.
The Aimiess Traveller, who had seen
hard times in the Franco Prussian war,
seemed nettled at this apparently irrev-
ent liberty with military history.
1.-The Ianks and the Johnny Rebs,"
I,n nhc wit
of satire in his tone, must have taken on
their heroes at a remarkably youthful
age?"
''Oh, yes" pleasantly retorted the Stu
dent Traveller. quite young enough to
fghtp'
ton he related the following incidents of
the American Civil War.
Late one sultry July afternoon. as our
forces were about going into camp for the
night after severe days march over the
hills OF northwestern Georgia, our own
company, Battery ID, First illinois Light
Artillery, on account of some temporary
obstruction TO the forces In advance, had
halted abreast of an imposing country
mansion, where, to avoid only slight
detour the marching columns had cut
ruinous roadway straight across the
planter owners beautiful gardens and
lawn.
The sappers and miners had demol-
ished walls and fences. Fountains had
been overturned and broken. Statuary
lay prone beside pedestals, or, IN shat
tered pieces, had been crushed into the
earth by the heavy wheels of transport
wagons and the artillery. Grottos and
vine-laden summer houses were IeyeIed
as by tempest, and costly Shrubbery,
which another quarter century's loving
care would not replace, had been de-
stroyed like wayside weeds beneath the
trampling Of frenZied herds.
The General in command had merci-
fully placed guards about the fine old
mansion, and we could see upon its col
onnaded portico few members of the
household huddled together as If fascin-
ated by the portentious scene, while gaZ-
ing in stupehed hopeleSsnesS over the
destruction which, in an hours time had
been so sadly wrought.
Most of our officers, postilllonS and
gunners had dismounted and flung them
selves from an almost stupid exhaustion
upon the sward, and our jaded horses,
freed for a few moments from the rein
and spur, lowered their heads listlessly
or reached hungrily to one side or the
other for the few smirched blades of grass
which still lay half buried between the
deeply sunken ruts.
/ was the guidon or color sergeant OF
the battery-at this time lad of scarcely
In the foolhardy way of youth to have
won in years. relentless service the iik-
ing OF my officers and the friendship OF
my comrades, there was still a strain in
me, unaccountable to many about me,
which revolted at the inhuman needless
destruction of war, which made me al
most traitorous in heart to the power be-
hind our own flag, when 1t waved above
indignity to the innocent or cruelty to
the feeble and helpless, and which tired
my heart with intolerable hatred for my
own cause whenever [ was compelled to
look upon the wicked and Wanton desc
Grafton of homes.
shall never forget how the picture ot
this half-ruined homeside-the utter de-
struction on every hand, the guarded
shell of home, its few remaining occu-
pants, the old and young, looking upon
the invaders out of the very desoiation
OF fear. while few faithful blacks
crouched beside them-chilled and sick
ened me.
L turned from it and leaned against my
horse mutely patting his neck as though
he must know this feeling, if the patriotiC
human souls around me could not, and
with my face against his dusty shoulder
almost sobbed:
..Ah, Charlie, old friendrr- Charlie
was the name of the horse who had car.
ried me and our colors into many a dire.
full place OF carnage and death, Tor 'Bat.
terry D'' had gained a name Tor savage
work afield-'' how long must this pitiIu
business last?''
| remember, too, that I thought old
Charlie, tenderly interpreting my boy
ish mood OF despondepcy, had turned hi:
honest face to rumple my ragged artil.
lery Jacket with his lips and teeth, anC
saw as plainly as faithful horse could:
Don't give way so, Little Buttons
DON'T" this being my nickname, friend
ily bestowed by the battery boys, whG
were really fond OF me- on account of my
d1minulive size. Its dreadful shak.
ing up, to be sure; but as am considers
bly older than yourself and have seen
longer service, hope you won't mine
NV mentioning that 1 have thought it al
ont more dispassionately."
.Oh. no, old Charliei"
zone good thing II come Of it, anyhow
tba North and the Soutn'n get perma
nent introduction TO one another thatl
Load to lasting brotherhood and respect
heIieve ME. Little Buttonsi"
.0b but old Charlie, the horror of i
wbile it Iastsi / don't mind fighting
s,.rai Yon know that. The needless
sntTarino. the heartless cruelties and the
sranton indignities and destruction ar
.what break my heart. old Charlie, ant
sometimes make me long to sink into tn
silent earthp'
We often had talks like these. old Char
lie and /. boyisn and foolish as they ma.