Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-10-20

THE RAGGED SOLDIERS STOOD IN LINE. :
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 it's provisions in the
neighboring country. Hungry men,
especially when the conscience is
somewhat scared by the brutalities of
war, are not apt to be over-scrupulous
rs to the amount of discomfort and
distress occasioncd by helping them
selves from the lardcrs of the enemy.
They of course realized that their Wis
Hts were not appreciated, but that fact
did not deter them for n moment from
making n 'clean sweep" of everything
necessary to appease the appe tites 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 it's
sergeant riding at the head, came
upon a plantation home, rather more
pretentious, perhaps, than many of
those in the immediate vicinity. 1t
was 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 outhouses
was trifling one and soon accom-
plished. They then turned their atten-
tion to the house, where two attractive
but very frightened young ladies were
found to be the sole occupants Vlg-
orous protest was made against the
intruders despoiling the house of it's
contents, but they were gruffly di-
rected to plead to the sergeant for
mercy.
The sergeant being young, tender
hearted and somewhat smitten, per-
haps, by the beauty of the ladies, was
disposed to listen to 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 ladies that this
was war and that the necessities of
war demanded the spoliation of the
enemy; that he was there to see that
their persons were protected. but that
while his men kept within the line of
their dnty he could not interfere. He
very much regretted the necessity
which compelled him to discommode
them, but assured them that while he
was powerlnss to interfere with his
men he would afford them the protec-
tion due to their sex
With much disappointment and vex-
alton, the girls turned away. The SER
geant, looking toward the house, no.
ticed piano through the open win
dow of the parlor. An idea flashed
through his mind, and he asked the
young ladies if they performed on the
instrument. On receiving an answer
in the affirmative, he requested them
to play selection to attract the at
tention of the soldiers, and when they
observed the men listening to sing
"IIome, Sweet Home" The young
ldules, uchAiiH on IillS huRBeSUlOl, WenU
to the piano and played as requested.
Soon the ragged soldiers, attracted
by the unusual sound, stood in line
behind the ladies listening to the sweet
and mellow tones of the instrument.
They did not make n very attractive
picture-indeed, 1t was almost laugh
able. Their bedraggled appearance,
ragged, dust-begrimed clothes and un-
shnven faces were forced into sharp
contrast by the cool, white summer
dresses of the ladies and elegant fur
nishings of the room. But thank God,
clothes and outward appearances are
not the standard of mankind; under
rough and uncouth exteriors can beat
honest hearts and true.
When the piece was finished the
young ladies sang in sweet and tender
tones that old. old song which millions
had sung before and which will be
sunS till time shall cease to be-
Home. Sweet Home" AS the beauti-
full notes filed the room with liquid
melody. the rushing of tender thoughts