Mower County transcript., 1898-03-16
from anything yet presented that it
was very interesting. and yet the
speaker made his ideas so clear that
all pronounced the talk very practical
and helpful
War EXperiences.

War Experiences.
Mr.. c. n. Beiseker gave a most in
teresting talk to the Austin Grammar
| schools, last Friday forenoon. We
give an outline OF what he said.
What does war mean? The speaker
| very viyidly pictured to the children
| the significance of this term and did
it better than camera or artist could
portray.
Mr.. Beiseker enlisted at eighteen
years OF age in the first Long Island
regiment, called Beecher's regiment.
Mr.. Beecher's brother was chaplain
and bis nephew lieutenant of this
regiment. His church also fitted them
out with uniforms. They learned the
manual OF arms, how to march, and
soon were sent to build Notifications
around Washington.
Mr.. Beiseker had a very remarkable
experience in what is known as the
Peninsula Campaign in Virginia, tax
ing active part in most Of the hard
battles Of that section. He saw war
in all its phases, and so could picture
the life OF a soldier in a most real
way. The soldiers cooking utensils.
in which he cooked his meat, beans,
coffee, soup, etc. and from which he
ate, consisted of one quart tin cup
and plate. Not only must he do his
own cooking, but he must do his
washing at such times as cessation Of
hostillties would allow.
The speakers first real war ex-
perience was under Mcclellan, about
Richmond. They were led within
four miles OF that city.
A description Of picket's duty was
vel! given. A picket must be eyes
and ears for the sleeping army at
night. A story was then told Of how
a rebel sharp shooter had been pick
ing off the union pickets and how he
met his fate at hands of three union
sharp shooters. The army was then
called On to Williamsburg arriving at
close OF day and at close of hard
battle. Here was seen the first real
battle field, where 5000 men lay dead
under the stars. A trench was made
100 feet long and feet deep. and
here these brave boys wrapped in
their blue overcoats, were buried
eight deep. At this time, as the
uniun army was gradually crowding
back the enemy. all thought. "Soon
:, the war vii! be over, and we can 60
back to our homes" Little they
knew Of the long struggle before them
and how many brave boys must fail
on Southern soil. before the Civil
War should be over. On the night
before the battle around Richmond.
terrific thunderstorm passed over.
and the food washed away all the
bridges. thus cutting off the union
reinforcement. that expected to come
up for assistance Of McClellan's men.
During that night sleep in tents was
impossible and the whole army
was drenched. On the morrow the
sun gradually came out bright and as
the boys heard the church bell in the
distance, thoughts of home crowded
the mind and filed the eyes with
tears. Soon the enemy discovered
, their position and opened up cannon
ade: then followed skirmish battle
:, in the woods with the enemy on near
ly all sides, cutting down our men
with their murderous fire. Thus it
continued all day, with terrible loss.
No hope Of escape appeared on the
:. morrow, but just as the rebels were
! drawing their lines of battle around
. them, in the distance were heard
! shouts OF union soldiers who had
: crossed the swollen stream on fallen
trees and had come to the rescue.
The enemy soon took to flight, fol
, lowed by the victorious boys in blue.
e Mr.Belseker then took the pupils to
Malvern Hill. Here he told the pupils
4 of the tragic death of a twelve year
old drummer boy, who had started to
e get few canteens Of water for the
p soldiers who had not a drop of water
l for two days.
Autl0bdW, SpottSllFduld. S0alcel-
e louisville were described, mingled with
y incidents of most pathetic nature.
= Lees army had now started up the
Shenandoah with the union force
e moving northward, the two armies
e moving omiuously toward the meet
ing point at Gettysburg, where that
terrible cyclone of war occurred. This
: battle marked the high tide of the
e war, and Lee had to retreat for sup
! plies. Sheridan now made his famous
: raid through the Shenandoah Valley.
+ laying waste by fire and sword that
= Valley Of Eden. Such are the horror
and heartlessness Of war. Here the
2 innocent child, the feeble and aged.
: the peacemaker and the warrior suf-
t fer alike. Little do We realize what
s we say today when we advocate war.
p saying il will make business revive or
! work off the scum Of population. It
:, is not the ''scum" that face the fire
Of battle, but the flower of our civil,-
zation, our dear ones from our fire.
sides. 1t is the duty of every patriotic