The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-07-23
THE HEAVENS WERE LIT UP BY THE LURID
FLAMES.

The thunder of at least 90 of The gang,
mounted, coming ON to the relief of their adj
vance, was heard. The reserve met them.
1t was all over IN less time than il takes to
tell it, and without The loss of man. Ten
of the cutthT0ats lay dead, four more were
captured. and the remaining few took adj
vantage of the darkness to escape.
A few DAYS later "boots and saddles +"
were sounded, and, with ratiCns for Fix days,
the entire cavalry forces, together with two
divisions of the Firth Corps, took up the line
of march in the direction of Weldon n. c.,
on what is known as the Bellefield raid.
The object, as stated at the time. was to draw
the Confederate forces away from Petersburg
and Richmond. Evidently it had the de-
sired effect. They met us IN such force as
to hasten our return at a faster rate of sDeed
than was desired, and as we neared our lines
on the return our regiment was the rear
guard of the division.
The scene at night was one of wierd and
awful grandeur. Either side Of the main
column for miles the heavens were lit up by
the lurld flames from burning houses, to-
bacco-sheds, and other property, destroyed,
we were told, in order tn remove the roost-
ing places of bashwhackers and guerrillas,
who lost no opportunity TO commit depre-
dations.
Noticing one large and comfortable-look-
ing place a short distance from the road
from the description given me by Laura /
concluded that 1t must be her home. As
squad of our men struck ont to add one
more to the number of burning houses, |
quickly placed myself among their number
Riding up to the house, we dismounted,
and just as one was in the act of applying
the torch who should appear on the porch
but our heroine and her mother ! would
have known her among a thousand. Sne
spoke in pleading tones to save the old
home. / resolved that no man should fire
that house and live if / could help il.
Hold on, boys-not here" / said. "This
is the home of the girl who risked her life
TO warn rs OF the attack upon our outpOsts
few weeks ago." Three cheers for her
were given with will.
God bless you all - said the old mother.
Now, show me the son of the Christian
mother who befriended my boy Oh. sir"
said she, as she wrung my hand, surely it
was Providence that led MS TO render you a
service. Should you ever meet Carey, |
know he will esteem il an honor to take
you by the hand. There is so much | desire
TO say, but can only add that my roof will
ever be a welcome shelter to you or any of
your brave comrades. Aud now with nv
blessing on you all, farewell. God bless you.n
Aud we were away.
A few months later il was my pleasure to
witness at Appomattox the surrender of
Lees army. When the officers of the Cd
Va. Cav. came forward to sign the articles
OF parole, / waited with intense interest for
the name of Carey Giilem. The young
Lieutenant, IN faded gray uniform, affixed his
signature to the rolls, and / went forward
and introduced myself How he crashed nv
hand! lie expressed his determination to
cheerfully accept the terms of our grand
old commander and go home TO the farm.
Tears came into his eyes, but when | related
the visit of his sister to our lines in the
dead hour of night TO warn us of danger.
and in return the service / had been per-
mitted 10 render them in saving the old
home from destruction, his voice failed TO
express his gratitude, but his looks ex-
pressed the warm thankfulness that was
yelling up in his heart.
Comrades, to end this story, it would be.
perhaps, fitting TO say that | claimed the
beautiful Laura az my wife, but / did no
such thing. She is happily married to-day,
however, and happy group of children
surround her beautiful home in the city of
Washington. Her husband is one of the
genuine reconstructed sons of the South.
who sees no glorificaiion in the history of
the Lost Cause; but TO even up matters will
say that the vile of Lieut.. Carey G,llem
is none other than my sister Mary An old
bachelor brother finds the happiest times in
his life visiting them at the old home in
Virginia. The two old sabers-one that |
flashed in the sunlight on the side of the |
Union, and the other that of the Lost Cause. |
are crossed in the parlor at the old home |
stead, tied together with a ribbon of blue |
and gray.-C. c. HAssLER, Bloomington. Ill.