The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1905-03-25

Again the grim monster death has
broken the ranks of the Grand Army
of old Cecil. And this time he has
clutched with icy fingers our loved COM
radr James Thomas Kelly, or as we all
loved 10 call him "Tom.' He served in
Company G. Second Delaware N0un-
tecr> Early in 81. and at the very first
heart rcndin% cry of the American Ea-
gle. and when the war dogs were I'M
chained yondcr ut Fort Sumpter, ah.
then it WAS that the brawny sons of
Cecil county rallied around Captain Ben
Ricketts, and Lieutenant Frank Torbcrt,
who raised the famous Big Elk Rang
erS and our Tom enlisted under them
and marched away to the front to do
glorious battle for his loved country,
and Yours dear readers as well.
Oh, wnr can measure ache and pain,
Or. who Gpl> know OF death and woe.
or them who she'd their blood. like rain!
Ear YOU and me crimson flow.
For rs the sacrifice WAS made.
For Us the awful debt was paid.
Capt. Rclctts and IieutcmHntS Frank
Tolhclt. son of Mr.. VIM. Torhrrt, and
John g. Shippers. ur our own Hiss Sim
per. were nUl II SllbIl llllt III I'tlhll-
Ing the Big Elk Rangers. And by the
way. this company wglS madc up 10y HA
handsome II band Of men ~ ever faced
an enemy. The Rangers became famous
soon after its advent in the army. and
when ever the commanding general
wanted Il daring piece of work done,
such lis Il stand of col,rS captured ar n
noiyy cannon taken or sicncrd. he would
q 40 I'll- Al wnll
blood will always tell. and the gallant
Rangers carried as rich as amy that
ever crossed the old Susquchanna en-
route to Dixie. | shall never forget IN
event which happened on the evening of
the 10Th of September, 1862. The
mighty Army of the Potomac had fought
all up one side of South Mountain and
down the other. And the Rangers had
been in front as usual The mighty
chicftain Lee had received reinforce
ments and he turned at bay again yon-
der ut lurid old Antctam. The writer
knew nearly all of the Rangers. and his
regiment having only just come up with
the Army of the Potomac. he started out
to hunt them up. But what a task it
was to find the dear old Rangers. he
cause the armies on both sides ut An
tietam were ten miles i'll extent. And
one had to inquire ut each regiment. the
whole way along. or until he found the
command sought for. After had walk
ed about seven long miles and asked the
very same question about seventy times,
at last one young soldier said Yes this
is the Second Delaware Then | asked
for Company &. oh" said he, "thc
Big Elk Rangers are in the center
pointing up the line. saying "ThatS
them singing up there. they are singing
boys" Said he with pride. The dear
old Rangers. fifteen OF twenty. were
clustered ut the edge of n forest and
were swectly singing the beautiful old
song of the homcSick. one verse of
which | will try and repeat
DO they miss me ut home. do they miss
me,
'rwould Inc IN assurance most dear,
To know that this moment some loved
one.
Was signing wish he were here.
Great Cod were these our once lovely
boys of Elkton. all grimfHccd and their
uniforms in tattcrs and S"ilcd. The sun
was lust about to roll off Wonder at the
West and il rcScmhed Il great ball of
fire. Nh. well. | am sure that many of
my readers will demur, when tell
them the very appearance OF the sun