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The Seaforth News, 1939-03-02, Page 6"Stay down!" I shouted. In a moment I learned something •new about 'horses: They went over tis lake a flash. ;I do not think a man was trampled, Oar own cavalry kept them busy as soon as they had .passed. Of the many Who had .started there was only a ragged' remnant left near me. We fired a dozen volleys lying there. The man at my elbow rolled upon me, writhing like a worm in the fire. "We shall all be killed!" a 'man shouted, "Where is the colonel?" "Dead," said another, "Better retreat," said a third. "Charge!" I shouted as loudly as I could, jumping to my feet and waving nary sabre as I rushed forward. It was the one thing needed—they followed me. In a moment we had hurled ourselves upon the grey line, thrusting with sword and bayonet. They 'broke 'before us—some running, some fighting desperately. A man threw a knife at me out of a sling, Instinctively I caught the wea- pon as if ,it had been a ball hot off a bat. In doing so I dropped my sabre and was cut across the fingers. He carne at me fiercely, clubbing his gun —a raw-boned, swarthy giant, broad as a barn door. I caught the barrel as it came down. He tried to wrench it away, but I held firmly. Then he began to push up to me. I let him come,•and in a moment we were grap- ling hip and thigh. He was a power- ful man, but that was my •kind of war- fare, It gave 105 comfort when I felt the grip of his hands. I let him tug a jiffy, and then caught him with the old 'hiplock, and he went under me so hard I could hear the -crack of his bones, Our support came then. We made him prisoner, with some two hundred other men. Reserves came also and took away the captured guns, My comrades gathered about roe, cheering, but I had no suspicion of what they meant. I thought it a trib- ute to my wrestling. Men lay thick there back of the guns—Some dead, some calling faintly 'for help. The red puddles about then were covered with flies; ants were crawling over their faces. I felt a kind of sickness and turned away. What was left of my regiment formed in fours to join the advancing column. Horses were galloping riderless, rein and stirrup flying, some horribly wounded. One hobbled near me, a front leg gone at the knee. Shells were flying over- head; cannon balls were richochetting over the level valley, throwing turf in the air, tossing the dead and wounded that lay thick and helpless. Some were crumpled like a rag, as if the pain of death had withered them in their clothes; some swollen to the girth of horses; some bent backward, with arms outreaching like one trying an odd trick; some lay as if listening eagerly, an ear close to the ground; some like a sleeper, their heads upon Their arms; one shreiked loudly, ges- turing with bloody hands, "Lord God Almighty, have mercy on me!" I had come suddenly to a new world, where the lives of men were cheaper than 'blind puppies. iI was a new sort of creature, and reckless of what came, careless of all I saw and heard. A staff officer stepped up to me as we joined the main body. 'You've 'teen shot, young man," he said, pointing to my left hand. Before he could turn I felt a rush of air and saw him fly into pieces, some of which hit me as T fell backward. I did not know what had happened; I know not now more than that I have written. I remember feeling something under me, like a stick of wood, bearing 'hard upon my ribs. I tried to roll off it, but somehow, it • was tied to me and ,kep•t hurting. I put my band over my hip and felt it thei,e behind me—my own arms The hand was 'like that of a deacl man—cold and senseless. ;l pulled it from under me and it lay helpless; it mulct not lift itself: knew now that I, too. had become one of the'b'loody horrors of the 'battle. I struggled to my 'fest, weak and trembling, and sick with nausea. I must have 'been lying there a long time. The firing was now at a dist- ance; the sun had gone half down the sky. They were picking sup the near field. A man stood looking at me. "Good God!" he shouted, and then ran way like one afraid. There was a great mass of our men back of me some twenty rods. I staggered toward them, my knees quivering. "I can never get there," I heard myself whisper. I thought of my little flask of whis- key, and, pulling the cork with my teeth, drank the . 'half of it. That ;steadied ane and I made better head- way. I could 'hear the soldiers talk- ing as •I neared them. 'Look a there!" I heard many say- ing. "See them cone! 'My God! Look at 'em on the hill there!" The words went quickly from mouth to mouth. In a moment I could hear the murmur of thousands. I turned to see what they were look- ing at. Across the valley there was a long ridge, and back of it the main position of the Southern army. A grey host was pouring over it—thans- and upon thousand—in close order, debouching into the. valley. A big force of our men lay between us and them. A s I looked I could see a mighty stir in it. Every man of them seemed to be jumping up in the air. From afar carne the sound of -bugles calling "retreat" the shouting of men, the rumbling of wagons. It grew louder. An officer rode by me hatless, and halted, shading his eyes. Then he rode back hurriedly. "Hell has broke loose!" be shouted, as he passed me. The bine-coated host was rushing toward us like a flood—artillery, cav- alry, infantry, wagon train. There was a mighty uproar in the men be- hind me—a quick stir of feet. Terror spread over them like the traveling of fire, It shook their tongues. The crowd began caving at a the edge and jamming at the centre. Then it spread like a swarm of •bees shaken off a bush. "Run! Run for your lives!" was a cry that rose to heaven. "Halt, you cowards!" an officer shoute. It was now past three o'clock. The raw army had been on its feet since midnight. For hours it had been fighting hunger, a pain in the legs, a guivering sickness at the stomach, a stubborn ioe. It had turned the 'flank of Beauregard; victory was in sight. But lot a new enemy was coming into the fray, innumerable, unwearied, eager for 'battle. The long slope bristled with ,his bayonets. Our army looked and cursed and began letting go. The men near me were pausing on the brink of awful rout, In a mo- ment they were off, pell melt, like a floc!: of sheep. The earth shook und- er thesis. Officers rode around them, cursing, gesticulating, threatening, but nothing could stop then. Half a dozen trees had stood in the centre of the roaring mase, Now it few men clang to then—a remnant of the -;monster that had torn away. But the greater host was now coming. The thunder of its many feet was near me; a cloud of dust 'hung' over it. A squadron of cavalry came mashing by and broke into the 'fleeing nsass, Heavy horses, cut free from artillery, camegalloping after them, straps fly- ing over foamy 'flanks. Two riders clung th the back of each, lashing with whip and rein. The ruck. of wagons came after them. wheels rat- tling, horses running, voices shrilling in a wild hoot :of terror. It makes me tremble evennow, es I think of it, though it is muffled under the cover of nearly forty yearsl I saw they would go over me. Reeling as if .drunk, I ran to save myself. Zigzag- ging over the field I came upon a grey .bearded soldier lying in the THE SEAFORTH NEWS grass and fell !headlong. I struggled madly, but could, not rise bo my 'feet.' iI lay, my faceupon the ground, weeping like a woman. Save I be lost in hell, I shall never know again the bitter pang of that moment. I thought of , my country, :I saw its splendid. capital in ruins; its -people surrend- ered to God's 'enemies. The rout of wagons had gone by; I couldnow hear the heavy tramp 'of 'thousands ,passing roe, the ' 'shrill' vices 'of terror, d worked to a sitting- 'posture ittingposture somehow—the effort nearly smothered me. A mass of cavalry was 'bearing down tepon me. They were coming so thick •I saw they would trent-pie me into 'jelly. In a: flash I 'thoright of what Uncle Eb had told me once. I took my hat and covered my face .quickly, and then uncovered it as they came near. They sheared away as I Melt the loam of their 'nostrils.:I had split them as a rock may split the 'torrent. The last of them went 'over me—their tails whipping niy face. I shall not soon forget the look of ;their 'bellies or the smell of their wet Iflanbc . They had no sooner passed than d dell 'back and rolled half over like a log. I could feel a warm flow of 'blood trickling down my left arm. A shell, shot at the retreating 'army,• passed high above me, whining as it flew. Then my mind went free of its trouble. The rain brought me to as it came 'pelting down upon the side of my face. I wondered what a t might the, for I knew not where I had come. I lifted airy head and looked to see a new dawn—,possibly the city of God itself, It was' dark—so dark I felt as if I had no eyes. Away in the dist- ance I could hear the beating of a drum. It rang in a great silence --I have never .known the like of it, I could hear the fall and trickle of the rain, but it seemed only to deepen the silence. I felt the wet grass tinder my face and hands. Then I knew it was night and the 'battlefield where I had fallen. I was alive and might see an- other day—thank God! I felt some- thing nsove under my feet. I heard a whisper at my shoulder, "Thought you were dead long ago," it said. "'No, no," 1 answered, 'I'ns alive— I knot;- I'm alive—this is the battle- field." "'Fraid I ain't goin' t' live," he said. "Got a terrible wound. Wish it was morning." "Dark long?" I asked. "For hours," he answered. "lhutno how many." He began to groan and utter short called. Then I .could hear voices. f'Did you ,hear that noise?" said. one. "Somebody passed me. So :dank can'•; see my hand before ire." "Darker than heli! said another voice. It must he a giant, I thought, who can- pickme up and.,carry me as if ;I were no bigger than -a house cat. That was what I was thinking when I swooned. From then till I came to myself in the little church at Centreville 1 re- member nothing. Groaning mien lay all about me; others stood 'between them with lanterns. A woman was Ibe'lvding over me. I felt the .gentle' touch of her hand upon my face and' heard her speak to me so •tenderly :I cannot think'of it, even now, without thanking God for good women. I clung -to her 'hand, -clung with the energy of one drowning, -while I suf- fered the merciful torture o f the probe, the 'knife and the needle. And 'when it was all over and the lantern lights grew pale in the dawn I fell 'asleep. But enough of blood and, horror. War is no holiday, my merry people, who know not.the mighty blessing of peace. Counting the cost, let its have war, if necessary, but peace, peace, if Possible, CH'A'PTER XL But now I have better things .to write of things that have some rel- is'h of good in then. I was very weak and low from loss of blood for days, and, suddenly, the tide turned. I had won recognition for distinguished ga'l- Iahtry they told me—that day they took ne to 'Washington. S lay three week there in the hospital. As soon 25 they heard of my misfortune at home Uncle Eb wrote he was coming to see me. I stopped him by a telegram, assuring hint that I was nearly well and would be 'home shortly, My term of enlistment had expired when they let Inc out a fine day in mid August. I was going home for a visit as sound as any man but, in the horse talk of Faraway, I had a little "blemish" on the left shoulder. Uncle Eb was to meet me at the Jer- sey City depot. Before going 1, with others who had 'been' complimented for bravery, went to see the presid- ent. There were some twenty of us summoned to meet him that day. It was warn and the great Lincoln sat in his shirt sleeves at a' desk in the middle of his big office. He wore a pair of brown carpet slippers, the rolling collar and black stock now nsade so familiar in print. His hair was tumbled. He was writing hur- riedly when we came in, He laid his pen away and turned to as •without speaking. There was a oareworn look upon his soleinn face. "Mr. President," said the general, who had' come with us. "Here are some of the brave men of our army, whom you wished to see." He cause and shook hands with each and thanked us in the name of the republic, for the example of cour- age and patriotism we and many others had given to the army, He had a lean, tall, ungraceful figure and he spoke his mind without any frill or •flourish. He said only a few words of good plain talk and was done with us. "Which is Brower?" .he inquired presently. I came forward more scared than ever I had been before. "My son;" he said, taking my hand in his, "why •didn't you run?" his, dare," I answered. "I knew it was more dangerous to run away than to go forward." "Reminds me of a story," said 'he smiling. "Years ago there was a •buffy in Sangamon County, Illinois, that •had,the reputation of running faster and fighting harder than any man there. Every 'body thought he was a terrible fighter. He'd always get a man on the rum; then he'd ketch up and give him a licking. One day he tackled a lame man. The lame man licked, hint in a minute. " `Why didn't ye run?' somebody asked' the victor. "'Didn't •last,' said he. 'Run once when .he tackled me an I've been lame ever since.' "'How did ye manage to lick him?' said the other. "Wall,' said he, `I hed to, an' I done it easy.' ' "That's the way it goes," said the inmiorta'l president, "ye •do it easy if ye have to." He :reminded me in and out of Horace Greeley, although they looked no more alike than a hawk and a hand saw. Bat they had a• like- habit of forgetting themselves and of say- ing neither more nor less than they meant. They both had the strength of an ox and as little varsity. Mr. Greeley used to say that -no moan could amousit to anything who worried much about the fit of his 'trn'ueers; neither of thein ever encountered that obstacle. Early next morning I took a train for 'home. 'I was in soldier clothes—T had with me no others—and all in niy car came to talk with me about mammonivaramonsprageepwa prayers. 4'0, my soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning," I heard hire cry•in a loud, despairing voice, Then there was a bit of silence, in which I could hear hint whispering of his 'home and people. Presently he began to sing: "Guide me 0 thou great Jehovah! Pilgrim through this 'barren land 1 am weak but thou art mighty—',' His voice broke and trembled and • I had business of my own to look after—perhaps I had no time to lose —end I went about it calmly. I had no strength to move and :began to feel the nearing of my time. The rain was falling faster. ,It chilled me to the marrow as I felt it trickling over my back. I called to the man who lay beside me—again and again I• called to him—but got no answer. Then I. knew that he was dead and I alone. Long after that in the far distance I heard a voice calling. It rang like a trumpet in the still air. It .grew plain- er as I listened. My own name! Wil- liam Brower? it was certainly calling to me, and I answered with a feeble cry. In a moment I could hear the tramp of some one coming. He was sitting beside me presently, whoever it night be. I caul not see 'him for the dark. His tongue went clucking as if he pitied me. "Who are you?" I remember ask- ing, but got no answer. At first I was glad, then I began to feel a might horror of him. In a moment he had picked me up and was making off. The jolt of {ti. step seemed to be breaking my arms at the shoulder. As I groaned he ran. T could see nothing in the darkness, but the went ahead, never stopping, sale for a moment, now and then, to rest. I wondered where else was tak- ing me and what it all meant. I call- ed again, 'Who are you?" blit she seemed not to hear me. "My God!" 1 wisispered to myself, "this is no man—this is Death severing the soul from the body. The voice was that of the ,good God." Then I hearda man hailing. near by. "Help,'Helpt" I shouted faintly. "Where are you?" came the answer, now further away. "Can't see you," My mysterious 'bearer was now running, ify heels were dragging upon the ground; my hands were brushing the grass tops. I. groaned with pain. "Halt! Who comes there?" a picket sank into silence. THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 1939 he nowfamous 'battle of Ball Run. The big 'platform at jersey City was crowded with many people as we got off the train. There were other returning soldiers—some with crotches, some with empty sleeves. A band at the further end of the platforms was playing and 'those near me were singing the familiar music, • ''John Brown's body lies a moulerinig in the gra'v'e." 'Somebody shouted my name. Then there' `rode a cry of tll'Fee cheers "for Brower. It's some of the (boys of the, Tribune, ,I thought—I could see a number of them in the crowd. One 'brought the a !basket of 'flowers. ,I thought they were trying to have fan with me. "Thank you!" said 1, "but what is the joke?" ''No joke,". he said, ""It's to honor a hero,'; "0 you wish me to give it to some- body," ' I was warming with embarrass- ment. • "We wish you to keep it," he answered. 1n accounts of the 'battle I had seen some notice of niy leading a charge but my fame 'had gone further—much farther indeed -than I knew. I stood a moment laughing—an odd sort of laugh it was that had in it the salt of tears—and waving my hand to the many who were now .calling my name. Lt the uproar of cheers and waving of handkerchiefs I could not -find Uncle Eb for a moment. When I -saw him in the breaking crowd he was cheering lustily and waving his hat above his head. His enthusiasm in- creased when I stood before him. As I was greeting him I Beard a lively rustle of skirts. Two dainty, gloved hands laid hold .of mine; a sweet voice spoke .my name. There, beside me, stood the tall, erect figure of Hope. Our eyes met and, before there was any thinking of propriety, I had her in my arms and was kissing her and she was kissing me. It thrilled me to see the splendor of her beauty that day; her eyes wet with feeling as they looked upon me; to feel again the trembling touch of her lips. In a moment I turned to Uncle Eb. "Boy," he said, "I thought you-" and then he stopped and began brush- ing his coat sleeve. "Come on now," he added as he took my grip away from me. "We're goin' t' hey a gran' old time. I'll take you to a splendid tavern somew'heres. An' I ain't goin' t' count the cost na- ther." He was determined to carry niy grip for me. Hope had a friend with her Who was going north in the mor- ning on our boat. We crossed the fer- ry and took a Broadway omnibus, while query followed query. "Makes me ,feel like a flapjack t' ride 'n 'them things," said Uncle Eb as we got out. He hired a parlor and two bed rooms for us all at the St. Nicholas. "Purty middlin' steep!" he said to me as we left the office. "It is sartin! but 1 don'tcare—not a bit. When folks has t' hey a' good time they've •got t' hey it," We were soon' seated in our little parlor. There was ,a great glow of health and'beauty in Hope's face. It was a bit fuller but had nobler out- lines and a coloring as delicate as ever. She wore a plain grey gown admirab- ly fitted to her plump figure. There was a new and splendid dignity in her carriage, her big blue eyes, her nose with its little upward slant. She was now the well groomed young woman of society in the fault' glory of her youth. Uncle Eli who sat between us pinched her cheek 'playfully. A little spot -of white showed a • moment where his fingers had been. Then the pink flooded over it. "Never see a girl git such a smack as you did," he .said laughing. "Well,' said she, sniffing, "T guess I ,gave as good as I got." 'Served him right," he said. "You kissed back good 'n hard. Gran' sport!" he added turning to me. "Best I ever had," was my hum'b'le acknowledgment.. "'Seldom ever see a ,girl kissed so powerful," he .said as he took Hope's hand in his. ‘"INow if the Bible said when a 'body kissed ye on one cheek ye mus' turn t' other I wouldn't find no fault. But there's a heap o' differ- ence 'tween a wack an' a smack." When we had cane back froth din- ner Uncle Eh drew off his boots and sat comfortably in his stocking feet. while Hope .told of her travels and 1 of my soldiering. She had been at the Conservatory, nearly the whole" per- iod of her absence, and hastened home when she learned of the .battle and of niy wound.. She, had landed two clays before, PROFESSIONAL• CARDS Medical SEAFORTH CLINIC i DT. E. A. McMaster, M.B., Gradu- ate of University of Toronto. 'J. D. Colquhoun, M.D., C.M.,'Grad- uat'e of Dalhousie University, Halifax. The Clinic is fully equipped with complete and modern x-ray and other' top -oto -date diagnostic and the:reuptic equipment. Dr.' Margaret K. 'Campbell, M.D.,. L.A.B.P., Specialist in Diseases in Infants and Children, will be .at the, Clinic last Thursday in every month from 3 to ''6 p.m. ' Dr. F. J. R:' Forster, Specialist in Diseases of the Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat, will be at the. Clinic the first Tuesday in every month •from 4 to. 6 p.m. Free well -baby clinic will be (held. on the second land last Thursday in every month from 1 to 2 p.m. • I -Tope's ,friend and away to ,their roans Then 1 came and sat the sofa, "Let's have a 'good Uncle Eb went in goad season. beside Hope on talk," I sai,cl W. C. SPROAT, M.D., F.A.C.S. Surgery Phone 90-W. Office John St., Seaforth DR. H. HUGH ROSS, Physician. and Surgeon Late of London Hos- pital, London, England. Special at• tention to diseases of the eye, ear,, nose and throat. Office and mesidence behind Dominion Bank. Office Phone No. 5; Residence Phone 104. DR. F. 5, BURROWS, Office Main St., Seaforth, over Dominion Bank. Hours 2-5 and 7 to 8 p.m. and by ap- pointment. Residence, •Goderic'h St., two doors west of United Church. Phone 416. DR. F. J. R. FORST'E'R— Eye .Ear, Nose and Throat. Graduate M. Medicine, University of Toronto 11897. Late Assistant New York Ophthal- mic and Aural Institute, Moorefield's Eye, and Golden Square throat hospi- tals, London. At Commeraal •Hotel. Seaforth, third 'Wednesday in each month from 1.30 p.m. to '5 p.m. Auctioneer. GEORGE ELLIOTT, Licensed Auctioneer for the County of Huron. Arrangement,¢ can be :made for Sale Date at The Seaforth News. Charges moderate and satisfaction guaranteed a F. W. AHRENS, Licensed Aucitiot eer for Perth and Huron Counties. Sales Solicited. Terms on Application. Farm Stock, chattels and real estate. property. R. R. No. 4, Mitchell, • Phone 634 r 6. Apply at this office, WATSON & REID REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Successors to James'Watson) MAIN ST., SEAFORTH, ONT. All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates in First -Class Companies. THE McKILLOP Mutual Fire Insurance Co HEAD OFFiCE-SEAFORTH, Ont. OFFICERS President, Thomas Moylan, Sea - forth; Vice President, William Knox. Londeeboro; Secretary Treasurer, M A. Reid, Seaforth. AGENTS F. MoKercher, R.R.11, Dublin; John E. Pepper, RR.1, Brucefield; E. R. G Yarmouth, Brodhagen; James Watt, Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardine, Wm. Yeo, Holmesville, DIRECTORS Alex. Broadfoot, Seaforth No. 3; )times Sholdice, Walton; Wm, Knox, Londesboro; George Leonhardt, Bornholm No. 1; Frank McGregor, Clintc.n No. 5; Jaynes Connolly,God- erich; Alex McEwing, Blyth No. 1; Thomas Moylan, Seaforth No. 5; Wm. R. Archibald, Sea"forth No. 4. Parties desirous to effect insurance or transact other business, will be promptly attended to by applications to any of the above named officers addressed to their respective post - offices. There was an awkward bit of sil- ence. "Well," said she, her fan upon her lips, "tell me more a'bou't the war." "Tired of •war," I answered; "love is a better subject" • She rose and walked up and down the rooiss,.a troubled look in her face. I thought I 'had never seen a woman who could carry her head so proudly. "I don't think you are very famil- iar with it," said she presently. "I ought to be," 'I answered, "hav- ing loved you all these years."