The midland journal., 1911-10-27
Cecil'S Campfire Rhapsodies.


Ideal -all so soul restfui and very cheering
to your war -jaded footweary soldiers, severe
igns OF Cecil. late from the charred. bloody
train from the Rapidan to James-thus, then
and there, proved Camp Clifton, Va, 64
It was thenand there for the mountain pools
to lave our wounds and administer unctuous
healing balm to the weary campaigners of the
army of the Shenandoah formed.
The rich, russell robe of the Daughter of
the Stars. \ not only appealed to our Quaker
instinct of fit propriety but it accorded well
with the bronze of each visage from the South
lands. There, in her battle chamber, then SO
deftly draped we beheld criss-cross sky lines,
gauzy, fieecy meshes of cloud mist hanging
DER mountain brows. illusily shifting as she
exhaled her fragrant breath Of September.
her closet caves, meath peaks and crags, rested
the dead followers of the knights unto whom
we were there to allot others.
All in the yesteryears, she sat disconsolate
behind her window gaps, to behold great hosts
in battle array with her courts.
From her window easement ledge at Snick-
ers, off did .The Daughter perform the
feminine feat of leaning out afar to witness
our nightly rhapsodies at Clifton, also the
better to glimpse the strabmisic orbs and gar
goyle visage Of ben Bolt who she mistook
for the god Pan. With his rhythmic bow
poised DER. catgut, chin resting on his
fiddle, meath the campfire's glare, she is not to
blame for the mistake. Beyond the rimlight
once there came the lilt of Lorena with senti-
ment exact, 1.-THE years creep slowly by,''
sensed then to the day and hour by the group
assembled. True to the day and hour of NOR
rows sun, the wild bugle shook the fragrant
H. ,. nar liant and
neighjhg chargers made answer thereto. The
Arabic fold Of tent, bandolier roll Of blanket,
colors at front for formation all Indicated a
veteran body preparing for action. The for
nation for line of march by commands that
day, presented toevery beholder, a bit of mill
tary pagentary seldom if ever surpassed.
Commands column aligned perfect front.
marched in lead adown the incline to line OF
march below.
The scene spectacular then beheld by our
hostess that morn, proved not the last OF series
to follow. The battle scene, rout of Early at
Winchester that day, went to the gray phalanx
in retreat for real exploits OF that event, the
great commander said God bless you all,
officers and men," To thus fittingly round
out the spectacular, to edify our hostess, Cedar
Greek was ordained exact of date, Oct. 10, '64.
and there the grand climax found place.
Shades of yorktown, Washington and Corn
wallis, hung in fog-like mist at peep-o-day,
and, beneath the fold came Mckinley and
Hayes. Destiny SO stayed. ne'er before pre-
sented such phazes in battle array. How the
fecks of foam from Rienza's loins, CONCEALED
to precious pearls, to bejewel ''The Daughters
of the Stars in years to follow, is gilt in poesy
by T. B. Reed. No haversacked crow has e'er
awaited skyward DER the scenes Of ''Cecil's
Campfire Rhapsodies. y
Back, back thro' the yesteryears,
Unto the rank and file
just for a little while,
Only to stay near thecampfre's glare;
There kneel in silent prayer
Then steal away-anywhere anywhere.
GEO. II. TAYLOR.
9Th Maryland.