The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-04-05

is taken from the last issue Of the
Oak Grove Banner. 1t was read
before the Oak Grove camp of confed-
crate veterans ten years ago by
George Alb. Campbell and reproduced
in the Banner recently by special
request.
THE STORY.
"Thirty-four years ago you and l
took our position and played our part
in great upheaval that took place in
that year. We stood upon our then
broad-spreading prairies in the bloom
OF young manhood. When the war
cloud was lowering and was soon to
burst in blood and tears; when the
wild blast of the bugle called to arms,
we rallied from prairies and hills. To
The heavy tramp of horsemen and the
solemn tread of the infantry, the
unfurling of the banner to the breeze
Of the new born republic-our beloved
Dixie land, my mind runs back with
lowing remembrance and with sad
ness as well, as | think of the many
marches, the trying scenes Of war,
when worn and weary as we plodded
along, some Of us humming pleasing
song, while others were gleeful under
the most trying scenes.
"One of the most glowing periods
Of the war TO me was Gen. Prices
retreat from Missouri. Our company
left the army at Lexington and came
home after an absence of over two
years. The greeting that no one but
the true-hearted can describe, the joy
OF grasping the hands of the dear ones
Of home, yet there was one abDve all
Others- mother, dear mother-whom
the grave had hidden from my sight
forever in this world All seemed
love- yet desolation has set up his
throne in the absence Of her who
above all others my heart yearned to
meet. After staying at the dear old
Homestead three days, we met to
return to the army AS we ascended
the top of the hill at Chapel Hill,
fingered behind, and as | stood upon
The rocky ledges | could see the deal
old homestead in the dim distance. A
thousand tender memories filled my
heart / thought as | gazed it might
be my last look at home, and burs1
into tears and wept like child.
fingered behind until could suppress
my emotion.
'Sro give description Of what fol
loved will take reader pen thar
nine We passed through jackson
county, where but three years befor
stood happy homes; nothing but chin
neys, that stood like sentinels stand
ing guard over the vast wilderness o
waste, with nothing to break th
Silence Of the solitude but the hootinI
owl and the howl of the wolf. Desc
lation reigned supreme. We caugh
up with the army south Of Pleasan
Hin, March, march, for two night
and one day, until about ? ocloc
the second night, we stopped an
slept about two hours.
"Just before day we we're arouse
BY the roar Of the Sharps rifles tina
we're pressing our rear, Fall int
line, men, fall into line; the enemy
pressing our rear!' We mounted 0
aded horses more dead than ALIVE
When we reached the prairie the su
was just coming up, aud so were I'll
Yankees After falling back son
Ave or six miles Gen. Marmaduke an
Zen. Cabel's men had formed int
Ine Of battle and waited the comm
up Of the blue coats Instead
attacking them in front, they thre
out flanking columns on the right an
left TANKS and charged them fro
both flanks and in front. They sto'
as it were In the jaws Of death, az
then ensued hand to hand conilic
The shout Of the yictors and the c
Of the yanquishedl The angel
death seemed to have assembled to q
bill tops andhpd egeeGedsa empire
one short hour. Gems oqble ~
armaduke surrendered II mercy