The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1900-03-15

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night, The army retreated toward Rich
mond, IN heavy rain.
Our next real battle was at Malvern
Hill, the last Of the Seven Days Battles,
which ended tho campaign on the PENN
sula. It took place on July 1, beginning
about Z o'clock in the morning. Our
position was on the northern side Of
field about 1000 yards across. On the
other side tho enemy was fortified. Our
company Was in the brigade which made
the opening charge. As we gained
slight eminence at distance Of perhaps
100 yards, the enemy opened with grape
and canister. An Irishman in our COM
pany, noticed the change from cannon
balls to small shot, and remarked with
true Hiberian Wit, "Be jabbers, they arc
90 thick could reach out and get q
handful Of them.' Some of the soldiers
laughed, but others perhaps were think
ing moro seriously Of the work before
them. Nearly at this moment, . little
bird, frightened by the roar of cannon,
and the "rebel yell, was seen lowering
about, evidently seeking place Of safe
ty. It lighted upon our flag staff, where
It remained for few seconds, when the
soldiers, attracted by the pathetic novel;
ty, gave tho bird a cheer. It new away
chipping. This was novel incident, and
ono which attracted the attention Of
soldiers while facing death.
. . .
In thirty four years Afterwards
/ revisited the scenes of this campaign.
I walked over the field at historic York
town, where We drilled and formed in
line at the base Of tho monument COM
memorating the final defeat Of the Brit
ish. Lines of some Of the fortifications
we threw up are still seen, and our old
camp ground was . corn-feld. At Will
hamsburg, the oldest town in Colonial
America, Jamestown being no more), l
revisited the old College building, which
was then hospital; and other objects Of
interest in that quaint and pretty village.
Fort Magruder was grown over with
trees, but the lines Of the fort were still
we'll defined. At Lees Mill, forest had
also grown around the fort, and there
were trees within the enclosed lines.
The old field, across which we received
tho fire Of the enemy for six days, and
which We also ploughed with our shot,
had also grown up in trees. I crossed
over the forest to zee tho old position Of
the enemy, which was in the skirt Of the
woods, near tho farm house. The farm
was now owned by q gray-haired darby,
who showed to mo the Notifications of
the enemy. The original farmhouse
had been burned tho owner had long
since died. 'Why did you know where
de Yankee guns was-wasyou here denP"
asked the old colored man. Eyes,"
replied. ~ was ON the other side Of the
field" ''Well; I was here too; no, sab;
/ wasn't zactly here. In dem days, was
worth more'n $500, and massa sent me
away over to Gloucester Pint before de
shootin' begin; and I was mighty glad
to 60. too. When dey quit hghtin' I
came back, an I'se been living here ever
since mo an my wife-dat's all there is
of US. Yes, sab; I owns de place now.
Dem was happy days. neber wants to
see no moro war;"
It is pleasant, yet sad, to visit the old
scenes Of = campaign. The scenes
have changed, and the people have
changed, but We can trace tho outlines
Of the battle grounds, and eco, in men,
DRY our comrades, who are no more
Tho battle fields are almost obliterated,
the soldiers Of the Lost Cause must soon
pass from earth, but their glorious deeds
win ever, tits hoped, be cherished BY
their descendants.
I'M. SCANLAND.
March Z, 1900.
Two beautiful poems-''Ode to
q Confederate Bill" and IA Rem
iniscence, were read by Mrs.
j. p. Creswell.
On motion, each member was
instructed TO solicit new members
for this Chapter.
On motion, the next regular
meeting Of the Chapter was Or
L
dered to be held at the residence
Of Mrs. W. H. Scanland, at which
time there will be reading, music
and Rotations.
The roll was then called, and
the Chapter adjourned to meeton
the second Tuesday, the 10th day
of April.
Mrs. B. A. KELLY, President.
MISS SUE g. STEELE,
Recording Secretary.