Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-05-31
A TdI6 OF the Civil War.
Part L.

When the peaceful life of many a
northern home was suddenly dis
turbed by tidings of the firing on
Fort Sumter. in 81, Massachusetts,
was the first state to respond to the
call for troops Prominent among
the enthusiastic patriots were John
Humphrey and his three sons. The
old gentleman was one of the old
school type. Honor was the Alpha
and Omega of his creed and there was
a question among even his intimates
as to which ranked first in his af-
fections, his country or his sons.
Mr.. Humphrey could in no wise be
accused of partially; he had given
everything exactly alike to his boys.
They had been educated at the same
college, clothed by the same tailors,
and on their eighteenth birthday had
each received exactly similar gold
watches, with their names engraved
on the cases.
H>nry, the eldest, though not yet
thirty, was very serious in disposition,
but capable of warm affection when
his heart was reached, which his
youngest brother, George, had so eff
fectually done as to be Henry's idol.
Lester, designated as the middle
son." was very different from his
brothers, too given to sport and self
Indulgence to inspire any really
warm affection in those who knew
him best, and too frivolous to view
anything in life seriously. He had no
taste for business Athletics by day
and society by night, made him a
prime favorite among his companions,
while the ladies, who, alas! are too
easily caught by gallantry of manner
and fine appearance, thought him il
resistible."
Henry, with his habitual phlegmatic
peace with but slight fighting" to all
the rumors of war, but George, en-
thusiastic and country-loving to the
hearts core. vowed ito do his all in
the defence of the good old flag so
much beloved before, so deeply in
suited now; and a sentiment akin to
envy possessed him as he viewed his
brother, Lieutenant Lester Humphrey,
of Company E, I'd Massachusetts in
fantry, every inch a soldier, march
away amid cheers and prayers for his
safety.
1t was difficult for the Humphrey
family to resume the tranquil routine
of their daily life, so filed were they
regarding the future of son and
brother. At last the battle of Bull
Run was fought, following which
came a lengthy, cheering letter from
Lester, telling them Of the minor part
he had played in that engagement,
and closing with the assurance that
all was not yet lost. This was the
last letter they were destined to re-
ceive. Soon followed news of Testers
wounding, possibly his death, in a
mere outpost skirmish; his men
driven back; his body left upon the
field; his fate a mystery.
As weeks and months passed and
no tidings of their dear one came to
the family, hope gave place to despair.
Surely had Lester been living they
would have heard ere this. The
grief they suffered gave birth to a
yearning for vengeance, an all-con-
Stunning desire to avenge the death of
the brave young soldier who had
given his life thus early in the strug-
gle of a nation at war within itself.
A squadron of cavalry then re-
cruiting in their city gave the broth
ers the opportunity they sought.
Henry was offered the captaincy OF a
troop, which he gladly accepted, de-
| claring: 'I now realize the north In
| deed requires the services Of all her
| sons" George, who, up to this time,
had only been restrained from joining
the army as a volunteer by his elder
| brothers counsel and example, in
sisted upon going with him, to which
persistence the father and brother re-
luctantly yielded, and George, as sec
ond lieutnant in his brothers troop
marched hopefully away from the sor-
row-stricken parent who found it hard
in the magnitude Of his sacrifice to
say, Thy will be done
Part II.
Along a winding dusty Georgia
road some two months later, their
horses tagged from hard riding, them
selves suffering from fatigue and the
| oppressive heat of a southern sun,
rode Captain Henry Humphrey, his
brother George, Sergeant Jennings,
and some dozen of their men, return
| ing from a dangerous scouting expe-
dition in the enemy's country, but now
fortunately within few miles Of Cen
eral Sherman's lines, to whose army
| their squadron was attached.
by the gods" cried the sergeant,
as they rounded an elbow in the road
rebels, as I'm living man! Who
| would have thought OF seeing them
here?" simultaneously his few COM
panions looked eagerly forward, and
sure enough, slightly in advance was
a small body of southern horsemen
perhaps six in number, recognizable
by their uniforms, who appeared to be
awaiting the coming cavalcade, the
/ sound of whose approach had nc
! doubt reached them ere they came
in sight.
Henry ordered his followers to ad-