Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 May 1886 — Page 6

I WONDEB BY CHABLES R. BARRETT. I wonder at the ocean, As I stand upon the shore. Such vast expanse of water, And its grandeur I adore. I wonder at such thoughtless youth Who have for time no care ; But live gayly as the birds, With no future to prepare. I wonder at all-fleeting time ; For the years seem but a day, As they furrow up our brows And turn our hairs to gray, j I wonder at sweet music, Defined a heavenly art, That steals away our sorrow, And refines the human heart. I wonder that the flowers With such beauty, should decay, To mark the flight of seasons, As they gently pass away. I wonder at the evil That’s committed every day; The evil deeds are being done, And the lives that go astray. I wonder, too, at drinking men Who forever blight their lives, Neglect their homes and children, And the pledges to their wives. I wonder at the marvelous strength Of a nation just begun, The battles and the triumphs, As a nation, this has won. I wonder, too. when man will change, And adopt the better plan: Not to live for himself alone — When man will live for man 1

A NIGHT OF FEAR.

BY CAPT. J. MONTFORD.

"While listening to the murmuring leaves he stood, More than a mile immersed within the wood. **♦♦»»» A sudden horror seized his giddy head, And his ears tingled, and his color fled, Nature was in alarm ; some danger nigh Seemed threatening, though unseen to mortal eye. —Dryden: “Theodore and Honoria." “I never hear that sound,” remarked the Colonel, as the wind tore and rattled against the side of the house, “but I am thrown back to a wight, long ago, which I passed under very different circumstances. ” We scented a story, and discovering by our attention that such was the case, the Colonel continued as follows: “Half an hour before nightfall, upon a gloomy day early in March, I sprang into the saddle in front of the General’s tent. “I had orders in my pocket for the forces which lay several miles away toward the east; and I had been warned that a guerrilla band was skulking in the neighborhood; and knew that I must employ great caution to escape them. “They would make short work with a ■straggler, and if I fell into their hands there would be but one way out, and that not such as I would choose. “To reach my destination I must pass through a wood of considerable extent. I entered the bridle-path just as the last gleam of daylight vanished. The sky was overcast, and there was that strange shiver in the air which precludes a storm. “I reached my destination without meeting with any adventure; and half an hour later set out upon my return. “The impending storm was now’ at its height. Little or no rain fell; but the wind blew with redoubled strength as though determined to tear up the trees which disputed its way. “I shivered as I rode along through the woods, and wished myself at the' end of my journey. It was terribly dark, and I dared not urge my horse forward for fear of a fall. “I soon suspected, from the motion of the horse, that we bad strayed from the bridle-path, and this added to my anxiety.

“Occasionally the loud crash of falling timber would send the blood rushing through my veins, and the next instant my heart would almost cease to beat as a swelling, mysterious moan, which seemed to come as low as from the fiends, swept through the laboring air. “To confess a truth, I was becoming frightened. My imagination was extremely ! active, and metamorphosed the half-dis- > tinguished forms and sounds into something uncomfortably fearful. “My steed seemed to partake of my trepidation, for a frequent snort expressed his discontent. “Suddenly a horrible yell fell upon my •ear, followed by the report of a rille. “Instinctively I drew the hbrse back upon his haunches and listened. The storm fiends seemed laid for an instant, and all was quiet. “ ‘That was a man's voice,’ I said, smoothing the neck of my startled steed; ‘ some •one is in trouble.’ ■ “At that instant, having recovered from my first fright, and the discomfiture which followed, I urged my horse onward. “But he sprang back as the crash of firearms, supplemented by a series of the most fiendish yells, sounded from in front. “I recognized the sound well enough this time. It could have issued from no throats but the guerrillas’; a class of men whom both Federals and Confederates had ample ■cause to fear. “They could not be faraway, and I instantly slipped from the saddle, and, securing the horse to a tree, began to creep toward the place where I knew some dark tragedy was transpiring. “I soon came within sight of a number ■of torches, and knew that the actors were there. “Stealing along through the trees, I came upon the edge of a little glade and its occupants.

“There were just thirteen men—l was curious enough to count them—gathered -around a young, boyish-looking man, who held a smoking revolver in his hand, with which he menaced his foes. “They were fierce-looking rascals, of the genuine guerrilla breed, attired in clothing of all sorts and colors —blue, gray, and •civic. “They are cowardly from principle; but I much wondered to see so many held at bay by one man, until I spied a tall man lying upon the ground. “I knew at once that he had been the leader of the gang, and had met his fate at the hands of the youth. “The first report I had heard, and the, yell Which followed, had announced his •doom. “It took but a very short time to make ■these observations, and the prospect was becoming darker for the young man every moment. “He stood with his back against a tree, a bold, intrepid look upon his face; his eyes followed eveiy movement of his foes, and

his supple finger prepared to send a soul into eternity at the first onset. “The young man’s bearing quelled the rascals who confronted him; they were determined to avenge their leader, but no one seemed desirous of venturing his own life. “But this inactivity could not last always, and the bold youth must succumb unless I could relieve him. “I determined to make the attempt, although it seemed fruitless, and began immediately to form a plan. “I was Astened by a sudden movement on the part of one of the outlaws. “He had been maneuvering for some time to escape the youth’s glance for an inslant, and seemed satisfied at last that he had succeeded. “I saw him draw a pistol from his belt, and instinctively a cry of warning rose to my lips. “But it was unnecessary. “There was a flash from the young man’s pistol, and the ruffian fell, shot through the brain. “Now was my opportunity, and, yelling at the top of my voice, I broke from my position, and rushed into the glade. “ ‘Come on, boys!’ I cried, as though a legion of warriors w ere at my heels, and shooting down the first marauder who obstructed my path, I reached the youth’s side. “My onset surprised the rascals, and dropping their torches they scattered in every direction to escape the soldiers they expected were upon them. “ ‘This way,’ I whispered, seizing the boy by the arm. “He was quick-witted enough to take advantage of the diversion I had made in his favor, and an instant later we were rushing through the wood toward the spot where I had left my horse. “The guerrillas almost instantly recovered from their alarm, and, finding that we were but two, they picked up their scattered torches and followed, shouting furiously. “They had lost two of their party besides their leader. If we now fell into their hands the most horrible death they could devise would be the result. “Suddenly my foot caught in a root and I fell at full length upon the ground. Oh, the horror of that instant! I shall never forget it. But my companion turned and jerked me to my feet; and on we went, with the bushwhackers yelling at our heels. “It has seemed strange to me since that they did not fire upon us—we were but a very short distance in advance—but in the hurry of the chase they probably forgot that they wore pistols. “Instinct led me in the right direction, and as I saw the form of my horse beneath the tree it infused new power into my muscles.

“Reaching his side. I tore the bridle from its fastenings and sprang into the saddle. My fellow-fugitive was behind me in an instant, and I spurred the steed forward with a reckless disregard of a downfall. “Away we went, brushing against the limbs, and expecting every breath to be torn from the saddle. Our foes did not give over the pursuit, but followed rvith the persistency of bloodhounds. “I can not tell you how long the chase continued; but we at last came to an open space where had once been a clearing. “It was some relief to catch sighs of the sky over our heads ; for the storm had now spent its foice, and I heard a glad cry rise to my companion’s lips as we flew out into the open space. “But our triumph was soon changed to despair. We could not ride at a very rapid pace through the woods, and the pursuers had been close behind. “As we rapidly covered the level ground, which was broad enough to allow the steed to display his swiftness of foot, the foes realized that we should escape them. “Suddenly there came the crack of pistols, and the balls whizzed about our heads. “My companion gave vent to a heartrending scream that I shall remember to my dying hour, and, after clutching me convulsively in his arms for an instant, he released his grasp and fell to the ground. “I did not stop. I knew that he was dead, and it would bring no good to him if I lay stretched at his side. “As I entered the wood at the opposite side of the clearing I looked back and saw the guerrillas growling like wolves around their victim. “They did not pursue me further,” said the Colonel, after a moment’s pause, “and I reached the camp in safety. But I never could discover the brave youth’s name or the regiment to which he belonged. ”

THE BATTLE OF MONOCACY.

BY W. L. GARDNER.

The morning of July 9, A. D. 1864, broke clear, bright, and sultry over the hills and valleys of “Maryland, My Maryland.” A slight shower had fallen during the night, only sufficient, however, to “lay” the dust, which at this time seemed to be plentiful everywhere, and freshen the heated summer air for a few hours, as by ten o’clock a. m. the heat was as intense andthe dust as easily disturbed as it had been on the preceding day. A somber quiet brooded over the tranquil scene, soon to be broken by the roar of artillery, the crash of small arms, and all the “harsh clamors of war. ” It is not my purpose to give a detailed account of this memorable engagement. Its details are familiar, even to the most casual student of our country’s history. Sufficient to say here that on this occasion the Federal forces, comprising about 6,000 men of all arms, withstood for five mortal hours the steady advance and determined onset of more than three times their number, consisting for the most part of the veterans of “Stonewall” Jackson’s old corps, nowunder command of Jubal A. Early. They were provided with a numerous and well-served park of artillery, while the Federals had but ! two batteries of light field-pieces. These I were handled, howeycr, with great rapidity and effect during the action, and were taken off the field in safety when the retreat was ordered. The Union forces were commanded by Major General Lew Wallace. With these facts, and other prominent features of the affair, my sketch may very properly be said to have nothing to do. It is only those incidents of the battle that came under iny own observation that I wish to relate. The brigade of which my regiment (One Hundred and Tenth Ohid) formed a part had arrived at Monocacy Junction, by rail, a little after nightfall on the evening of the eighth, disembarked at once, and went into bivouac, in full expectation of the battle which was destined to take place on tbe morrow. The writer was suffering from ap

attack of chronic diarrhea at the time, and, as a consequence, gained but a very indifferent night’s rest. The night passed in quiet, and at daybreak the camp was astir, breakfast prepared and eaten, after which preparations were made for issuing rations, of which we were sorely in need. It was now about eight o’clock in the forenoon. A train of freight cars, loaded with provisions, stood upon a side track, at a little distance, and thither I, with others of my company, repaired, along with our commissary sergeant, and were soon returning laden with hard-tack, coffee, sugar, soupbeans and “sow-belly,” in quantities sufficient, according to army regulations, for five days’ rations to each man. Scarcely had we reached camp, however, when orders came to “fall in.” But what, was the query, are we to do about our rations? Must we go into battle hungry, with plenty all around us? There was only a few moments’ suspense in regard to the matter, when we were ordered to carry our provisions with us. for distribution at the first opportunity. From this we understood that we were not to move to any great distance. Indeed, our destination became known to almost everyone in a few minutes. The cause of this sudden removal, was also at once apparent. The enemy, who, it seems,’ had moved out very early, had been reported as approaching in force, and it became necessary to act with promptness and celerity, in order to meet the coming storm. So away we went, “toting” our provisions with us, across the railroad and the river (Monocacy), which at the point where we crossed was quite shallow, up the steep bluff on the southern shore, and into a large rolling field, from which the last shock of wheat had been removed by its dwner scarcely an hour before. Line of battle was speedily formed along the northern slope of this field, the line facing to the south. Our right rested on the river, and the line, extending eastward round the crest of the ridge, was joined on the left by the Ninth New York Heavy Artillery. . The company to w’hich the writer belonged formed the extreme left of the line. This arrangement completed, the men were allowed to stack arms, and the distribution of rations began. As yet not a shot had been fired, and, in fact, no signs of an enemy were visible in oiu - immediate front. Soon all this was changed, however. It was now ten o’clock and the heat was becoming oppressive. Our commissary called out, “Third round of sugar for Company K,” when suddenly the lond roar of artillery off to the left announced the opening of the fray. Almost at the same moment the rebel skirmish line appeared, at the distance of perhaps a couple of miles. It is needless to remark that all further thought or care with regard to issuing rations was at once laid aside. Each man grasped his weapons and sprang to his place in the line. The writer stood in the front rank, near the center of his company, with many gallant comrades round him, whose names were never again heard at roll-call. The Union skirmishers promptly advanced, and soon the rattle of musketry and the wildpheers of the combatants blended with the heavy boom of cannon. The noise and fury of the conflict on our left increased with every passing moment, but the scene was hidden from our view’ by intervening hills. In our front and to our right the prospect was quite extended. Indeed, I have always felt that I had cause to congratulate myself upon the favorable position I occupied during the battle; that is, so far as a chance for observation was conceined. Not that the position was at all a safe one, for safety was nowhere. After standing in line of battle for some time, we fell back just a little from the crest of the ridge, and were ordered to “lie down.” Full well we knew what this portended, and obeyed the command with alacrity. Very soon our anticipations were realized, for the enemy had brought up a battery to the line of their skirmishers, and suddenly opened a rapid fire of shot and shell upon our position. It was now’ eleven o’clock, and the uproar - on all sides had become terrific. Every available piece of artillery on the Union side was brought into play, .and the fire of the skirmish lines, re-enforced by both sides, continued with ever-increasing fury. The air seemed tilled with the fragments of bursting shells, and the“wheep” and “ping” of musket balls was almost continuous. Dense clouds of dust and smoke were soon rising in all directions, at some points entirely shutting out the view. The writer, raising himself upon his elbow, watched the scene with that intensity of interest w’hich only those can realize who have undergone a like experience. I was particularly interested in the splendid action of a couple of small field pieces, posted near the summit of a hill, a short distance north of the railroad and to our right. The fire from these guns was rapid and accurate during the whole period of the battle. Among the many excellent shots made on that day by those pieces I have space to note but one, the effect of which was greeted with a hearty cheer by the hundreds of Union soldiers who witnessed it. A group of rebel officers, riding briskly up from the direction of Frederick City, came to a halt, we presume not unwillingly, within the welcome shadow cast by the leafy branches of a small spreading tree in an open field, and, as it happened, within point-blank range; and the hope w - as •at once expressed by many that those gunners had noticed their approach, and would speedily extend to them the compliments of the season. Nor were we doomed to disappointment. The very thing wished for, and doubtless expected by some, quickly came to pass. The group of officers in “faded gray” had little more than time sufficient to clear the dust and moisture from their eyelids, preparatory to taking a look to their front, when a shell from one of those guns on the hillside hurtled through the air, and descending, exploded, as nearly as I could judge, directly in the midst of the tree-top above them. Leaves and branches flew into the air. while more than one saddle was emptied, and the survivors of the party lost no time in getting away from a locality so unhealthy. All this while our part of the line was lying exposed to the fire of a full battery in front, while tLe toar of battle on our left gradually drew nearer, until it became evident that our flank was completely turned and that a retreat would be unavoidable. A few minutes after two o’clock p. m. the welcome call of “Attention” was heard, and the line was up and ready in an instant. No situation is more trying to a soldier’s mettle than to be forced to lie inactive for hours under the enemy’s fire, with no chance to return it, I will not attempt a description of the charge which followed. to say that it served its purpose, in that it gave a temporary check to the on-

ward rush of overwhelming numbers, and afforded our broken left wing a chance to save themselves from utter rout and capture. While advancing in this charge I was struck on the head, just over my left ear, by a spent ball, with immediate result of seeing such a galaxy of stars as I never beheld in the sky, succeeded by a most distress rag headache. Compelled, however, to yield to the pressure of three times our number, we fell back and formed in line once more, not far in the rear of our first position. From this point I had a good view - to the right, left, and rear, and it seemed tome as if the whole army, with the exception of our one small regiment, was in full retreat, and that we must inevitably be captured en masse, and I felt a sense of great relief when presently we were ordered to fall back beyond the river. The retreat now became general. The enemy threw numerous shells after us to accelerate our movements, and one of these bursting some distance to our right and rear, a small fragment thereof inflicted upon me a second and more serious wound, from the effect of which I have never recovered. I was helped off the field by a comrade, and managed in the course of the evening to reach Ellicott’s Mills, six miles from the battlefield, where, “weak and wounded, sick and sore,” I crawled aboard a car filled with others of our wounded and was carried to West Buildings Hospital, Baltimore. Here, by kind and judicious care and treatment, I was soon put up on my feet again. Several months were destined to elapse, however, ere I should be able to rejoin my regiment, which in the meantime was constantly marching and fighting. The battles of Winchester, Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek had been fought, and in the last mentioned the noble comrade who helped me from the field, and thus saved me from falling into the hands of the rebels at Monocacy—a fate I dreaded worse than death—laid down his life, a willing sacrifice upon the altar of his country. Truly A brave boy was he, Gone at his country’s call; And yet, and yet, we cannot forget That many brave boys must fall.

Shell Mounds in Florida.

These shell mounds are found in various parts of the State. The shells which they contain have, through the action of time, become wholly deprived of organic matter, and to a certain degree calcined, so that they form a kind of conglomerate, which is used extensively for building. It is called coquina. These shell heaps have aroused much interest on the part of geologists. It was at first supposed that they were made by lake deposits, but investigations show that they were of human construction. There are about forty of these mounds in different parts of the State, varying in size from circular heaps fifteen to twenty feet in diameter and a few inches high to ridges several hundred feet in length, and varying in height from a few inches to fifteen feet and over, and all are more or less overgrown with forests of trees. Among the more important groups of these mounds are those of King Phillip’s Town, near the outlet of Lake Harney, which are 450 feet long, from 100 to 150 fest broad, and with an average height of 8 feet; the Black Hammock Mounds on the St. Johns, which form a line, though several times brok en, 1,200 feet in length, are 150 to 100 feet broad, and vary in height from 10 feet to 3 or 4 inches; Old Enterprise Mounds, on Lake Monroe, 160 feet long on the water line, in places 15 feet high; and Horse Landing Mounds, on the St. Johns River, 300 feet long by 100 feet in their widest part, and about 8 feet high. In all of these mounds pieces of pottery are found imbedded in the shell conglomerate, also articles made of shell and bone, rude stone implements and many bones of animals, as of deer, terrapin, rabbits, alligators, and others, and bones of birds and fishes. This shows conclusively that the mound-s were made by man, and it is supposed that they mark tbe camps or villages of early tribes, of whom no traces now remain save these collections of kitchen debris. These deposits contain the shells of a few species only, and the inland mounds contain only those of fresh-water mollusks. Along the coast there are similar deposits, though smaller, of oyster shells. The age of these mounds is a much-vexed question. They were found overgrown with herbage and forest, just as they are now, when the first white man set foot on Florida sail. The Indians then inhabiting the country knew nothing of their origin, but had traditions that they were built by tribes that inhabited the land long before the red man came. The fact that the shells have lost all traces of organic matter shows them to be of great age, and so does the fact that the deposit of earth above them is sufficient to give place to the roots of the largest trees. An examination of an old oak which was blown down on one of the mounds showed that it was at least 500 years old, and as a century or two was needed to produce sufficient deposit of earth upon the shell heaps to permit the growth of the tree, it is probable that the existence of the builders of these mounds could not have been later than the beginning of the Christian era. —lnter Ocean.

He Objected to the Clothes.

A certa : n rich but ignorant old farmer in Georgia was asked by his fellowcitizens to run for the Legislature. , “I won’t do it,” he said indignantly. “Why won’t you? You’re just the man for it,” was the reply. “Am 1 ? Well, I just hain’t nuther. You think I’m gwine up thar an’ go trapezin’ aroun’ with them durn striped clo’s on? Go’long and git somebody else to go to your doggon Legislatur. Yer can’t git me, and that’s all there is to hit.”— Washington Critic. A woman may not be very far-sighted in business matters, but she can diagnose the trimmings of a bonnet as far as a man can smell fried onions.—Chicago Ledger.

HUMOR.

The poet kindles the muse and then the editor kindles the fire with ;he productions. And now Chicago claims that pork is a brain food, being a product of thousands of Western pens.— Lowell Citizen. Harvard College has a brass band. This may account for the large number of high-toned tutors there.— Somerville Journal. Newark highwaymen prefer lead pipe to a sand-bag when they rob their victims. So does a plumber.— New York Journal. “No man can master the whole range of human knowledge,” says a writer. He forgets the Western horse-doctor. —Exte-line Bell. The man who is waiting for something to turn up will be wanting in appreciation when he turns up his toes. —Yonkers Gazette. Farmers are not much on style. They object to dados on their barns, and kick like a mule if they wake up and find a freeze on their crops. Patrick—An’ swat did Moses iver do ? Minister—He —why, he lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, and Patrick—An’ be jabers, an’ didn’t St. Patrick foire that same spalpeen of a schnake out av ould (Jireland!—Newman Independent. Editor’s Wife—John, there’s a burglar in the house. Editor —I know it; but keep still; I’ll get up as soon as he goes. E. W.—What’s the good then? E.—What’s the good? Why, great Peter! I’ll get a scoop on the other papers.— New Haven News. Everybody has some pet superstition in this world. The very man who will jeer at his wife because she believes the puerile prophecies of a for-tune-teller will shudder if he sees the new moon over the wrong shoulder, and won’t eat with thirteen at a table. —Somerville Journal. “Smith has a fine ear for music.” “Brown has a fine ear for cookery. ’’ “What are you giving us?” “Well, you just say stewed terrapin when he’s around and see how he will prick up his auricular lobes.” “Thatso.” “Then I’d rather board him by the week than the ear.”— Texas Siftings. Spring editorial in Arkansas country paper: “By this time our farmers ought to know that they are ruining themselves with cotton. Corn and wheat are neglected and our country suffers on account of it.” Autumn editorial in the same paper: “Our town ships more cotton than any town within a radius of a hundred miles. This speaks volumes for the industry and wisdom of our people. Now is the time to subscribe.”— Arkansaw Traveler. Tampering with the beard is always a dangerous experiment. An eminently respectable citizen of the North Side, who shed a winter’s growth of whiskers last week, was mistaken for a noted base-ball player within two hours afterward, and urgently entreated to pray for a sick man the following day. H s wife bankrupted a broomhandle and demoralized a new silk hat in chasing him out of the house, while his own dog tore his pants and drew blood on the calf of h’s leg, and the baby was scared so badly that it has not yet got through giving its mother the particulars about it—Chicago Ledger. a post-nuptial transformation. There was a man of knowledge deep, commanding sweep, who knew a heap, a man who studied day and night, and hardly spared the time to sleep. This man so staid he knew a maid, demure, afraid, and half dismayed, shy as the nymph of ancient myths sequestered in some sylvan shade. This maid so rare, with golden hair and modest air, so debonair, she char tied this man of teamed lore, and caught him in her witching snare. This man of thought and learned lore, his hair he tore, and o’er and o’er he loudly swore that he would cherish her for aye, and he would love her evermore. Now they are wed, in his library nooks among his books his knees he crooks, and sees his wife so seldom now that he’s forgotten how she looks. The wife to whom the man before so loudly swore he would adore forevermore lives with her mbtner, and declares her husband is a regular bore.

Oysters.

Prof. Dean, in charge of the Government Inquiry Department on Fish and Fish Food at Fulton Market, NewYork, has discovered that oysters live on infusoria and algae, known as desmids and diatnes, the lowest order of plants and animalculi, or minute entomostracans, rotifera, cyclops and daphina. And yet people will go on eating them raw.

Division of Money.

School Teacher —Now, Master Thompson, tell me the denominations into which the money of the United States is coined. Master Thompson—Don’t know. School Teacher—Don’t you know how the money your father brings home every Saturday is divided ? Master Thompson—’Tain’t divided. Ma takes it all.— Tid-Bits.

Salary.

The word salary comes from the Latin salarium, literally salt money, from safl, salt, which was a part of the pay of Roman soldiers. The ancient Romans allowed the soldiery so much salt per diem. When this was commuted to a money payment, it was still called by the same name. When the heart is pure there is hardly anything that can mislead the misunderstanding in matters of immediate personal concernment. Want less than you have, and you will always have more than you want.