The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-10-16

away back in the sixties. when the
nuS!ers clarion sounded The first alarm.
the quiet, dear old town O. which
cl"ln 70 lie Of the manor born was sud
cehIy aroused BY the fierce god OF war
Peace and quiet ever found refuge there
The placid Pamlico had long ceased
chanting soft requiems for the dead
slain in the fearful ma. sacre b. the
brave red men, the Tuscaroras. The
whistle Of the plowboy as he followed the
fertile fields for sowing and reaping. the
mum O the spinning wheel and loom on
country hillsides, the laugh Of fisher boy
as he sat IN shady cove, patiently wait
ing Tor a bite, the musical rhymes of
Cld Black Nanny, as she sat in Chin
hey corner, crowned with |bandanna kerr
chief, the low hum Of weary slaves. as
they leaned on their hoes. watching IL
Master in heated chase. all made music
as the year. sped by. In the DAYS o.
our fathers a cloud no larger than i
mans hand was seen on the horizon:
steadily grew darker and darker; the
sharp lightning OF sectionalism. the deep
thunder Of oratCry, told Us Of he coming
storm. The impetuous tongue of elo-
quehce painted in dark colors wars
gloomy scenes. All, tbs sad to recall!
from memory the striking scenes of 1867.
A4AC y SttCSSIOn were NetIN.
the war cloud. like a funeral pail, en-
shrOuded the whole land. the earth trem-
hled from the Earring sounds OF Fort
Sumter. Adown the vista of long years.
through binding tears. we see the sor-
roWful PAST once again: hostile ranks
were arrayed, q crimson flood bathed the
beautiful Southland: the Southern life.
that life Of love, we saw vanish AVA.
We saw the Southern sister States wheel
into line and the long-threatened. ire
presslble conflict was upon US. Did our
dear old town turn a deaf ear to the
call? No: the same spirit that led the
unfortunate colony 10 our fair shores.
seeking freedom and right. surely car
not have persisted. for within the veins
of North Cardinals sons flows roya!
blood: she ever leads in courage and
vaior. Among the first volunteers of the
state were the sons Of Beaufort county.
Tie first company from Beaufort county
was called the Washington Gravs. A
chapter of the Children OF the Confed-
eracy, the first chapter organized il thi.
State, in tender memory Of this com
pany, IS called the Washington Grays
Chapter Of the Confederacy. Through the
effort of seyenty-five little children we
present the portrait of Mai. Thomas
Sparrow, one of the stars that shone
so beautifully in the constellation Of
Southern chivalry during the war, and
shone with still greater effulgence during
those days of reconstruction that tried
mems souls. He was a man of brilliant
attainment. Graduating from Princeton,
the valedictorian Of his class, he studied
law under the distinguished Judge Cas-
ton. No wonder the young father left
home, wife, seven children, gave Up
everything, lost everything, when his
State said come. The same sentiment
that inspired the great CASTOR to write
that immortal poem, "CarOlina, Carolina;
heavens blessings attend her'-the stu
dent Of other years could not but re
spond. 'sNhile we live we will cherish.
protect and defend her" An incident oG-
cured in Newbern, the home of Castor.
years ago, that to me IS feelingly, heauti-
full: At an evening gathering "of fair
women and brave men, Mrs. Mary May
hew, nee I~Ianner. was one of the chosen
guests, and related the touching scene.
A lady sang for CASTOR his immortal
lines. It was the first time he had ever
heard it combined with q rich, sweet
voice. He leaned upon the piano. with
bowed head, while tears stole down his
finely chiseled face. They were tears of
iOy-tearS of thankfulness.
Captain Sparrow enlisted in April, 1861,
and at the first tap of drum organized a
company of the flower Of the manhood of
Beaufort county. The heart of Washing
ton pulsated in the company. Around
every fireside there was a vacant chair,
and from every mothers heart a prayer
assembled for her boy. The Ole town was
stirred by martial music, all hopeful,
Never dreaming, though right were
worsted, wrong would triumph" On the
morning of the Goth OF May the Wash
ington Grays left for the defence OF
storm-beaten Hatteras. The genial wind
was dimpling the bosom of old Pamlico
in the sunlight. The steamer kept blow
ing at intervals, telling all to come and
say goodbye. A mothers joy. a widows
hopes. a young wife's all, a child's father,
a sweetheart's desire, composed the
freight. Under ~sunbonnets on shore stood
a blaze of beauty, old age leaning upon
staff. faithful slaves, all were there. Hot
tears Jay upoh every cheek. The hand
| some face. with soft. black eyes. that
YOU see here traced by a skilful artist
stood upon the upper deck. clad II the
immortal gray, with face as bright as the
smile Of morning.
Just as the steamer was leaving young
| ladies' sang 'Carolina,' our Narselialse-
Thus. amid tears, halloos and waving OF
| handkerchiefs, they left, sailed down the
river, whose banks were festOoned with
moses gray-sped onward to the ocean.
| arriving at Hatteras next day. Soon
| across the bar a deeper moaning than
song CT surf was heard, angry c2nnons
| beloved and battered against their has
| tilv built fort; it fell-the fall OF the tort
| made the names Of the brave captain vine
| stood on the parapet and his men I'M
mortal to Southern hearts. They were
the first prisoners of war. What an
honor to sit in a dreary cell on Gov
| errors Island, in New York harbor-
s.yVith rcck overhead and rock under feet;
| Nothing but rock the eye to greet;
| Rock. and iron bands on the door.
Feeling how wronged fOreverm0re.'
After remaining in prison six months
| CAPTAIN Sparrow was promoted TO mayor
and until the sorroWful end came was
ever true to his country. His true pa
triotism was fully eXemplifed during the
dark hours of adversely and degeneracy
- oo.,o 70 o,,r 1aor old State Wh6I