The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-08-11

Scenes I'm Richmond During Its Continu-
nncc.

Scenes I'm Richmond During Its Continu-
ance.
What a magnificent cyclorama II would
make IL some artist could depict upon
canvas the streets Of Richmond as they
appeared on the day of any OF IN" great
battles that were fought in the near VI
cinitv OF the city, What an opportunity 10
portray the human emotions and passions
which possessed them on such thrilling
occasions, At all times during those -FOUR
cventful years the citizens OF richmond
were brave. but in crises like these they
were grand, schooled In the horrors and
dangers OF war. like veterans they were,
not to be- dcmOralzcd at its near APP
prOach; they Were appalled,, not cast
down. With a quiet determination 10
last they met these great emergencies
with splendid courage.
Why all this hurrying to and fro, hith-
or and thither Of officers, booted and
gpurr.i with tahrcs Clanking. followed
by mounted orderlies2 These people nave
witnessed IL too often, they understand
its significance. The long roh' begins
to beat. bugles 10 sound, the city ~
aroused: "a battle is imminent. couriers
are coming and going, commands are
forming. the reserves are peinS hufrlth
TO the front as they march through tn.
streets flags are lying the matual
strains Of Dixie fin the air the excite
ment Of battle IS on every race. IT.
sidewalks windows. and ioorWa.s are
thr,nged with women and children, wnp
wave their handkercniefs ana cheer tne
troops as they pass. they cheer ana cry
and pray. and atill they bid them 60, .eg-
g.ng God t. protect and defend from,
and bring them back victOrs from the
fight. The quickstep of the intaltr., IN"
gdllOliug of the cavalry. ana the ihIi,
/ ling of the swiftly moving artillery i'hn
excitement ana interest 70 the Sc aae.
Far down the streets and out OF the
city the rapidly moving columns go, then
thtre is a lull. the women and cnlilren
stIli stand, gazing after them Instant
firing tells them the battle has opened,
they are oppressed with a mental STRAIN,
anxiety. excitement, and anguish mat are
agonizing, they forget about the ia iger
of the city, and only remember that their
loved ones are now engaged IN mortal
combat.
The cannonading becomes more. fire.
Qucnt. 81 comes nearer AMI nearer. l.ou'-
or and louder grow the pcals OF artllery,
until it seems 10 be incessant. The nat
tie is now raging. and too well they know
what n all means, and what fcari4i
harvest the dread reaper VII slean, ana
how many who survive Will be MANNED
for life. Their lov'd ones are there IN
tie midst of 10. some In the forefront OF
battle oh, how they cry and praf ana
hesecch God TO defend them Hours pass
and still the storm and thunder or con
tending armies reverbera'es through the
streets of the city and goes ectong up
the James. Every fresh courier as ne
dashes By from the front, is halted for
news. How goes the hght3 Ihousahls
of Infantry are now engaged N 'le 'el
ribie conflict, the continuous fire or
mu.ketry seems like the "aee and roar
Of some mighty Niagara. our men must
bo charging them.
At last the storm begins 70 luh the
firing r. less frequent. the sound Is more
diatant-faint and fainter, ana more
desult0ry. a courier from Gen. Lee as
he passes at headlong speed cries out
Oh. what "A relief. what Joy can be
compared TO that. Still. the suspense ana
mental tension are not relieved anxiety
and eagerness, prompted by love anu
interest. are at highest pitch TO near the
news Of the hvttlo that terribly sad ana
mOurnful story Of tho killed and wound
ED. They have not long 70 wait. Tor the
slightly wounded. covered with dust ana
blood and the smoke Of battle, nave az
ready began 90 stream into the CITY, Iirt
bv fwos and threes. IN little while
by tens and fwcntcs, until at last they
reach the proportions of steady pro-
cessiOn. with here and there squad or
captured prisoners, I'm their new bright
blue uniforms. forming striking con-
trast 10 the worn, tattcred, ana batllc-
sOilcd garments of our own brave boys.
The women. God bless them, hail .acn
new arrival for news of their friends, or
this regiment. or that brigade. or 10
whatever command their own dear loved
ones belonged. fearing 10 hear. Yet anN-
lOuS 20 hear the worst. TOT llir suspense
is cXcruciating torture. Al last they
meet some one who tells them of the
safety of those for whom they are most
deeply concerned. = heartfelt THANK
G0lw IS the Joyful response. Another
timi1ly inquiries Already she reads the
fateful news iu his face before the soldier
replies Gle was killed while We were
charging a battery" Oh, the anguish.
the pity Of it, She weeps and mourns
and wrnes her hands in uncomfortable
grief.
The ambulance trains'begin to arrive
with their burdens of Wounded. bleeding,
manned mansled. and hattle-scafreu he
rOes Shot i9 every conceivable way, ana
with AN their hurts. suffering. and pain
ful disbursement We hear but little COM
plant. only now and then, as The am
hulance iOstles over O. rough place in
the road. do they breathe a word of oau-
tiOn or calculate a payer for help AMI
strength 90 bear &c. The wounded are
numbered by thousands. ana must have
immediate attention. the doors of PR
waite residences and public buildings alike
nv OUen % accommodate the Overflow
Of the hospitals. The wounded are every
where Richmond Is one vast hospital.
AMI her noble men good Samarifans, and
her women and children angels OF mercy.
Following the procession OF the manned
and wounded. coming on apace at longer
intervals. but stll coming iu single hle
one by one. are the heroic dead. VINO
a. 3 upon the field OF onor.' silently,
sadly. and tendcrlv their comrades have
borne them I'm. ana now an Richmond IS
"A h0ute OF mourning. until our deal are
placed i'm honOrel sepulchro James /.
fTrlLar fn Tlafeont-' ll.l Times fuiOu