Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-09-07
THE FIELD OF BATTLE
INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES OF
THE WAR.
The Veterans of the Rebellion Tell of
"his'iinE Bullets, Bright BayO-
nets, Bursting Bombs, Bloody Bat
ties, Camp Fire, Festive Buxs, Etc.


West Virginia Samuel Huddleston, of
that regiment, made the following en-
try in his diary
Sunday, January IS, 1863, was a fair
and not a cold day. | went on long
ago planned excursion to Cedar Noun
tain. little way up the Big Tug River
toward the south from our camp, and
as was my usual custom on such occa-
sions | went alone, i knew that would
have TO cross Mil Creek. but / was
surprised when l came near il to hear
the roar OF waterfall, for did not
know of the falls The creek was us
ually only little riil, but now in this
rainy time the water flows about ten
Inches deep upon bed OF rock that is
as level and smooth as a floor and
about fifteen feet wide. II pours over
the square ending of this bed into the
deep back water of Big Tug River,
which Is only about hundred yards
below and quite flush at this time.
After viewing the falls for a time
crossed over on a foot bridge and APP
preached the little gate that led into
the yard of neat but old frame cot
tage on that side of the creek. Be
fore had passed through the gate
however. a very handsome young lady
opened the door TO come out but see
ing me she stopped and would have
gone back If had not spoken TO her
Stopping in the gate I said
DO not be frightened. Miss, | want
TO go to the top Of Cedar Mountain,
and have called to inquire which ls
the best way up
The shy girl peeped through the lit
tie opening in the door until / had
made my business known; then she
seemed to have taken confidence in me
and talked to me. She began at once
to direct me up and was surprised
to note her refinement and education,
for her language and manners were
faultless. When l was about to start
away she said:
Il have mind to offer you the com
pany of my brother, who | see Is com
Ing yonder. You may have trouble to
find the way If you go alone"
As she spoke ! looked in the dlrec-
ton indicated by her gesture and saw
young man approaching on foot only
little way Off Turning to the girl
said:
i would be pleased to have the
young mans company, but"
Pardon me for interrupting .gau
but IL Won are thinking of the trouble
YOU reed not mind that, for he has to
go over the mountain to see our uncle
on a little errand, and it will b. 10
trouble for him to go with you"
t could not think of rejecting the
kind offer. even though under circum-
stances | would have preferred to have
gone up alone; but this was the first
real lady had spoken to since | left
the Ohio River, and l said:
Il will be pleased TO have his com
pany, and l only wish | could do some
thing for you to repay you for your
kindness"
She abruptly changed the subject by
saying:
You have heard of the death of my
father. | suppose"
NO" | said, Il didn't know anything
OF you. nor that there was any one liv-
ing here till ! came upon the house a
few minutes ago How Icing has your
father been dead?'
Father was a Union soldier, and the
rebels called him out. pretending 10 In
dark night over year ago, and they
shot him right where | am standing
He fell back into the house dead Mann
ma was living then, but he never spoke
10 her nor To anybody after he was
shot, aud mamma died last summer
We, that is my brother John. who Is
coming yonder, and l are living here
and keeping our three little brothers
and sister together"
Eyes, know now that I have heard
some talk of your fathers death since
you have told me Of the circumstances"
| said. and after very brief silence
inquired
Have you always lived hereT'
1t seemed To me she was too bright
a flower to have always lived in this
rough mountain country. But she an
swered
Yes. Father was raised in this
house and mamma was raised In the
next house down the river. Father
worked his coal mine upon the side Of
the mountain before the war
Our conversation was broken off, or
rather II course was changed by the
near approach of her brother who I
found to he It bright young fellow. hut
not as good a conyersationallst A. his
sister. / did what could to make
good impression upon the young nan
for the sake Of his sister, and | regret
ted when we reached the top Of the
mountain that We must part SO soon.
After / was left alone I rested =
while ana viewed the fine scenery all
ground me the rough mountain com
try toward the east and west ana the