The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1899-06-24

d
much literary talent is displayed,
vas written BY Asa Creed Oracle.
son of Col. John NJ. Oracle of Lit
tie Rock, and is taken from the
Georgetown College Journal, pub
lished by the students. among whom
Is young Oracle, who will graduate
in the class of 1901:
''In Little Rock, the capital of
Arkansas, is situated pretty square
of property where once stood the
great old college of St. John, which
was destroyed by fire in 1890. In
one corner of the grounds, Oh a
level green, is small monument
Of marble, erected in memory of a
young Confederate who died where
the slender shaft rears its head to-
heaven, a silent witness to cruel
military despotism.
''Come with me into the dark.
bloody days of '6s. See the neat
dwelling of thrifty farmer in the
fruitful valley of the Arkansas.
Pleasant and happy, indeed, it
seems from the outside, but within
Southern gentlewoman lies upon
the bed; near by stands her eldest
boy, clad in the gray of Dixie, with
an arm and shoulder bandaped.
where the Northern bullet had
pierced his body. He approaches
the bed, and in whispered words
tells her that he is going to Little
Rock, forty miles away, to &c,
medicine, and, if possible,
medical aid. He was the only one
who could go, as all the able-bodied
men of every rank were at the front
trying in vain to stop the onward
marCn Of the victorious blue. She
wishes him to stay, but he realizes
that II is either the trip or her
death, and filled with courage
born of filial devotio.. and Southern
grit, without thought of his own
danger, he tenderly but firmly
leaves her, his family and the home
of his fathers.
Having donned a citizens suit |
over his uniform, and placing his I
sick leave certificate in his bosom.
he starts for his destination over a
road which was at first safe enough.
but later on became dangerous. as
Little Rock had surrendered to the
Union army after hard struggle.
Ion bright May morning he
arrives at Little Rock, and is
sheltered by friends; then having
secured the necessary medicine but,
not physician, he attempts to re
turn. The good fortune which thus
TAR had followed him now deserts
him, and he finds himself a prisoner
IN the guardhouse of the temporary
barracks charged with being a spy
in the employ OF Sterling Price, the
"a court is formed, and our ,
hero, wearing his COuntry's uniform,
IS brought out to answer the
charges. Coming into the large ,
assembly hall Of the college, ne ,
sees th.: concourse of spectators. /
!
chiefly of fearful women.
v arm Southern sympathizers, whose
aces were in strong contrast to I
hose of the stern judges. A few
Old men are there, whom the weak i
less of age had kept fl ON the field.
On every countenance he notes the :,
1uli look of sustained pain as all I
Wait in intense agony the storm of a
grief soon to burst upon them. S
''With pathetic, almost childish t
'oice, he tells of the condition of !,
lis mother, quickly passing over G
he incidents Of his own brave ride, l
md, with manly tone of request. /
'eseeches a parole, that he NAV ac- S
:omplish his mission for the preser-
'ation of his mothers life and the n
eturn. like another Regulus, to
meet his fate.
ellis request is refused, and upon :
he 18th Of May, 1868, Thomas
Dodge Dodd OF Company A, Fifth
Arkansas Infantry, Confederate
states of America, is executed.
''Amid those cheerful surround 7
npS that aDlea1 n man for ,-.. I