Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-12-24
was production of rare beauty. We
quote from it as follows:

was a production of rare beauty. We
quote from it as follows:
Il close my eyes, and the face and
| features in shadowy outline of many
OF my comrades, whose haversack and
blanket had shared when our destiny.
from day to day was dimly and indis-
tlnctly foreshadowed in successes and
reVerses, or written in more legible
characters of blood and carnage, is
passing before me. And as l sit here
at peace. win all the world, | know
not why, but there comes UP before
me the shadowy outlines of picture
that hits by like passing wing, but
/ to return again and again-each time
more dlstlnctly-until it assumes the
form and shape of panorama repre-
senting vast host of infatuated men
in contending legions, advancing and
retreating, and now meeting in the
shock of battle with crushed and brok-
en- columns, trailing ensigns and bleed
| ing men in ranks-single and in
groups-thel silent aud motionless
forms of the dead with glazed and
bloodless lips, and close beside them
are writhing forms and distorted
faces, and despair written in every
feature. and all around, far and near,
the heavens above and the earth be-
meath, there is naught to bound the
vision but one vast and unbroken pic
ture of desolauon and destruction; one
wild and maddening scene of strife
and carnage
| l close my eyes and turn away in
my efforts to shut out from my sight
and efface from my memory forever
| the faintest outline of the horrible
part of this picture, which has come to
be unbidden and unwelcome. But it
Will not down at my bidding. 1t comes
again, and again passes before me.
claiming my recognition and demand
ing my attention.
AS l look once more on this pic
ture. which | know is only vision
born of memory, as it slowly unclasps
its album and turns. leaf by leaf, and
look upon the faces of the dead and
living, the loved ones present and de-
parted feel the bygone days with
their hopes and fears, their joys and
sorrows coming back to me again
and creeping with noiseIess football
through the vapory twilight of the
weary years, like a shadow DER my
heart. And for one brief moment I
hear the roar of artillery like the
roar of the tempest; the scream infer
nal of shot and shell; l hear the SER
pent hiss of the deadly MIME ball and
feel it's poisoned fangs tearing like
hooks of burning steel through my
quivering flesh. Helpless and with
the life blood leaping madly from
shattered limbs torn to shreds, l fall
beneath the feet of frenzied men who
are overpowered, crushed and bleed
ing. but fighting with the strength Of
despair. Painting from loss of blood
the glazed eyes for the moment are
yelled in darkness, and neither the
blazing fire of musketry, the smoke of
battle or flash of FURNISHED steel
breaks on the faded vision. The dull
ears hears neither the roar of artil-
lery. the clash Of arms or the stifed
moan of the wounded and dying.
1t was only moment of darkness
and oblivion that had mercifully come
to me and shut out the vision of the
King OF Terrors, seated on his throne
of skulls, and closed the gate of hell
which was turning upon it's hinges Of
steel and glowing with the intense
heat of burning mari.
Light and sound returns to me and
intense torture wracks every muscle
and nerve. But | feel that strong
arms are around me, strong hands are
pressing mine and strong words of en-.
enlargement spoken with a woman's
tenderness thrills me and brings me
back to consciousness and to life''
Col. Moore will find no one in public
life whose activities distinguished him
in the years 1864 and 1866 The friends
of his youth are gone. Their graves
have been covered with SHOWS of many
winters. Except for, the new friends
which his warm heart has attracted he
would be alone. His desk will be in
the new capitol, while his desk in 1864
was in the old. The city of Des Mones.
the state of Iowa and the great world
have been revolutionized since this vet
Grams career began. Means of travel
and communication, means of liveli-
hood and industry have been changed,
old things have passed away and all
things are new. Iowa has grown to be
the great agricultural state of the UNI
ion; railroads have traversed the con-
tinent; the civil war has been fought,
the Mnion preserved and the strugg-
ling country of Col. Moore's young
manhood has become SO strong as to
be viewed with jealous eye by all the
nations of the earth.
The people of Davis county did a
noble thing in honoring this veteran
of patriotic impulses, who has learned
through long life to follow when
necessary and to lead when opportun-
ity offers, and to both follow and lead
in full discharge of the duty of the
moment, with faithfulness, dignity and
honor.-Des Moines Capital.
A Raging, Roaring Flood