Connecticut western news., 1911-10-05
GUTTED THE PIANO
Roberts Tells of Soldiers Franks in
 Southern House.
BY E. S. ROBERTS

B1 k. .. hObEhIS
 Comrades July 1st, 1864, we drew three days rations and lay quiet through the day. July 9, we got break fast at o'clock and at o'clock a. m, we moved back into the woods behind the works that we built before we went to Reans Station. We then moved back into company columns and laid out company streets, fixed up arbors, and put up tents, as though we were getting to be fixtures, made hunks out of pine poles and boughs and said, "My Soul, take thine ease"
 But how soon dispelledl Sunday, July 8, we got breakfast at clock and at Companies D. and F. (my company were detailed for the picket line, and left camp immediately for the front. And this day was very quiet one for the Army of the Potomac. The picket line was outside of the pine forest, on the bluff overlooking the rebel lines just across a valley, and we could distinctly see their line for more than a mile Just below us was 8 small brook of clear water and bridge across it, and close by this bridge we made a picket post, where we built an arbor to protect us from the boiling sun. And just on the other side of the brook, up little hill, was farm house in which lived an elderly lady and her two daughters, who were bright and prepossessing, and were glad to feel that our pickets were meas ure of protection to them. These young ladies used to spend hours at time at the picket post by the bridge. This be- came permanent picket post and our lines had become extended several miles in length.
 Monday. July 4. we were called into line at 8 o'clock and remained under arms until 5 o'clock a. m. It rained little. early, then cleared up and it was d beautiful day, and our bands, all along the line, played Star Spangled Banner" Yankee Doodle" and other national airs, which were answered just across the lines by the Johnnies playing Dixie" and other airs, And you will remember what a sweet feeling of repose came over us as we listened. on this National Day, to the commingling of totes from the different bands, each side vieing with the other in waiting their airs over the valleys. And then the thought that only the slightest provoca- ton and we would be flying at each others throats and the serenity of the occasion be so easily broken and before night the hills and woods were rever. berating with sounds of cannon, etc. The night was beautiful one and we were on the alert, for there was much doing by our enemies.
 Just across the valley and to our left was a large two story mansion, the own CTS and occupants of which had found it more congenial to their tastes to vacate and leave everything to the gentle mer- cies of war and you will remember the picture of desolation as you walked through this house. There was a wide hall through the lower part of it, and staircase leading to the upper floor, down which had been thrown marble top furniture of various descriptions. A large piano that stood in the hall was thoroughly gutted and the piano keys had been converted into many mementoes that the ingenuity of the boys made use of notably some of the artistic work of Rodemeyer, Gardener, Noonan and others. Desolation, did say? Yes, but it need not have been so if the women of the household had not run away. The furniture at least would not have been disturbed as was the case of the farm house, above mentioned, where the lady and her daughters remained.
 July we were under arms at an early hour; cooked coffee and had our break fast with some comfort. We formed our companies into two reserves, so that while one half were vigilant the balance were in reserve just back in the nearby woods. This reserve would be off six hours then on six. giving those that had disposition to get out and forage chance to do so, hence the opportunity of visiting the house above referred to.
 You will remember the ruse of the Johnnies this night Just in the rear Of the mansion. referred to, was a grove and about midnight a bright fire was kindled in front of the woods, so that it lighted up the grounds, and we could see the Johnnies marching past in front of the fire then countermarch through the woods, and appear, passing again be- fore the light, which made it appear that there was large movement of troop to turn our left but it did not excite the boys very much.
 Referring again to the two young rebt l ladies that became so social with the boys, you remember that they were not heart and soul in favor of rebellion and leaned our way very perceptibly, and i +haxy x1-ara prOtactad and Xvera tha