The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-14
RECALLS BATTLE or SHILOH.
President of New York Red Cross So
cicty Relates Incident Rcviving Poem.

ctcty Relates Incident tcviving Poem.
The following story. rcviving the
poem, Might on Shiloh" and which
was cxccllently recited by c. a. Sin
clair at the silver Tea" entertainment
given by the Manassas Chapter, l.. ID.
c., Friday night, will be read with
interest by those who have some
Knowledge OF that CORY struggle
which took such heavy toll OF lives
from both contending armies:
The special train. homeward bound
from the Grand Army of the Republic
cncampment at Buffalo. was speeding
along one August morning through the
scenic beauty Of the lake region of
New York All the passengers APP
peaTcd to be in good humor, and the
conversation on all sides seemed teem-
ing with interest. Presently the train
slowed down, as If il were about to
stop, but apparently regaining more
power, moved on, though at slow
rate. suddenly 'head-on collision
occurred, smashing both engines. de-
railing the trains and injuring sew
eral persons, though none seriously
Win the physicians who arrived at
me wreck was Miss Francis. the presi-
dent of the Red Cross Society for the
state OF New York She was a val
liable assistant to the doctors. and
seemed 10 think Of everything that
ought to be done for the comfort Of
the unfortunate ones. She fitted here
ana there, giving helpful suggestions
ana showing the Slightly injured pas
sehSers what they could do to help
th.ir less fortunate fellow travellers
Nhilc Miss Francis was bandaRing
the wounded right arm of an old man
whose left was off at the shoulder
she asked; Am l bandaging it too
tghtlEE No; II is all right, thank
you, spoke he, as he watched her
deit fingers. Il lost my left arm at
shiloh in defense of my country" said
the man, and I'd hate to lose my
right one TO no purpose except by
some mans carclessncss
All. Shiloh was a bloody battle. and
after 1t had ended all over the field
the soldiers lay. 1t was an awful
sight and only those who were there
can ever imagine how terrible 1t was
II have taken more interest in and
studied more about that battle than
any other" remarked Miss Francis. as
she finished the bandaging, and your
statement all over the field the SOL
diers lay brings back an experience
OF my own concerning n recitation en-
titled, Night on Shiloh in which those
words appear"
Won't you tell it to me-
Yes. | will be glad to do SO, and
as everybody seems TO have been cared
for now, l have nothing to demand my
the side of the cot where the soldier
lay she told the following story:
"A State grand encampment was
being held in Il beautiful grove near
my home town and | was invited TO
recite the poem, 'Night~on shiloh at
Il campfire one night. Father took me
to the camp, and ! felt quite proud OF
the honor OF reciting for go many
hundreds OF soldiers, and so donned
The poem $ pathetic. with an old
fashioned hymn near its close, and
when ! had finished there was a hush
and sobs and then long and loud APP
plause. During the cheering l escaped
TO my father. and we were soon on
cur way home
Next dag when father came, he said:
Daughter the old soldiers sent COM
mittec TO me this morning TO ask IL
YOU would repeat that poem this after
noon.
Tell them that while I appreciate
the compliment. could not think OF
reciting it'aGain.' responded l.
well, | told them as much, but they
insisted that they must hear il again.
SO i promised 10 bring YOU
Later in the day, about 3 o'clock,
three OF my girl friends drove up in
surrey and asked me to take Il drive.
] ran to my room and donned bun
and blue ginsham dress just fresh from
the laundry. When / appeared before
my mother, she told me the dress was
entirely too much shortened in the
skirt by Shrinkagc, and that | had bet
ter make a change. The girls were
hurrying me. and l begged off, promis
ing mother not TO get out OF the car
Iiage After driving about the town
enc OF the girls proposed that we go
to the cncampment grounds | demur-
red. reminding them OF my promise. l
was overruled, but they said they would
only drive to the outskirts of the camp
to get general view and would not
leave the carriage.
LAS we drove up to the camp there
was a loud hurrah. and in our excite
ment We went nearer the crowd and
the speakers stand than we had in
tended. AS our horse stopped Colonel
Farnsworth and Major Stone were
standing by the carriage, and before
we could inquire the cause OF the sud
den outburst. Colonel l'arnsworth said;
lust see what an ovation you are get
ling, little girl; those cheers are all
for you. We spied YOU as YOU were
driving up. and are delighted that you
will recitc that wonderful poem again
! sat perfectly still and replied, / am
not going TO recite. ] did not'come for
that purpose; | cannot do so o-day.'
somewhat dazed at the idea OF so much
applause for me.
why. you've not forgotten the
poem overnight, have your" inquired
the colonel.
:" Oh no, but have on a dress that
is too short. and promised mother
that would not get out of the ear
riaEe."
We'll. little girl if that is all the
hinlrance. | can remedy that and
before 1 had time TO reply or even
think. he had lifted me in his arms.
perched me upon his shoulder, carried
me to the platform and stood me upon
n table. and trying to take off my hat.
] was demonstrating. very much eX-
cited and the applause almost deaf
ened me. | felt like bursting into
tears. for ! had forgotten every line OF
the poem save one, which ran, 'All
over the field the soldiers lay
"'rhe colonel. taking in tho situa-
ton. waved his hands to the largo
audience and asked them to cease
cheering, and said: BE patient: our
little friend was not intending to re-
cite for us: but you see I am forcing
her to do so. and in a few moments
she will BIO ready to give us the poem