USA > Maine > First Maine bugle, 1890 (history of 1st Maine Cavalry) > Part 4
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" Now I want to show you a little relic of the march to Get- tysburg. I have brought with me the first and only flag that I ever saw in the hands of a southerner waved in welcome to the First Maine Cavalry. That flag was waved from a window in the town of Westminster. Past it Lee's army marched to defeat ; past it the First Maine Cavalry marched to victory at Gettysburg. I went back to that town and got acquainted with the gentleman that owned that flag, and I was so delighted with his loyalty, with his adherence to the government, that I mar- ried his fairest daughter. And I have brought up here, as a certificate of that marriage. a boy, thirteen years old, the son of a member of the First Maine Cavalry and of a loyal daugh- ter of the South. I wanted him to see the men that followed after Sheridan in his raid upon Richmond. I wanted him to look into the faces of the men who, although they were begrimed with war, could yet shed tears when Douty fell at Aldie. I wanted him to see the men that accomplished what never was accomplished before in military operations when they charged upon the earthworks and succeeded in driving the
e
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enemy out of the two outer defences of Richmond, and who would have entered the city but for the approach of night.
"Now I ask you, what is the meaning of these names upon the wall? Why was it necessary that we should engage the enemy at so many places, in order to accomplish the great work that we did ? Is it not a testimony to the bravery of the men whom we fought ? If you have achieved a name for valor, was it not because the men who fought against you were true to their cause, were equal in valor with ourselves ? While I have no sympathy with the rebellion, I should like to show the men of the South that we are generous as well as brave. I have lived many years among the people of the South, and have known them ; and I can stand up here and tell you that when politicians tell you that the spirit of rebellion is rife in the South, it is false, and I know it. When they stand up and tell you that the spirit of slavery is in the land, I know it is not true. My wife's people were the largest slave owners in the State of Maryland, and throughout the South I have become acquainted with men who were the owners of slaves, and what do they say ? Invariably, . We had a cancer that we could not cut out; we had a sore that we could not get rid of ; we are glad that it went as it did.' I have yet to see the first confed- erate soldier that regrets the achievements of the Union arms. They count themselves victors with us since they were con- quered by the right. For my part, I should be glad to show to the First Virginia Cavalry, that regiment which so often met us, by extending them an invitation to meet us at Eastport, that the members of the First Maine Cavalry, who crossed sabres with them, have no hard feeling toward them, but that of kindness and brotherly love."
President Little said :
"We have with us to-night one member of our regiment whom we know only to love as a brother. I will call upon Maj. H. C. Hall."
Maj. Hall said :
" Mr. President and Comrades : I certainly regret to have to
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refuse to acknowledge to you this evening how much I am indebted to citizens and comrades of Auburn. But I feel that it would be out of place for me to make any extended remarks at this time, for I perceive that all present have become wearied. My early education was sadly neglected, so far as extempora- neous speaking, at least, is concerned; but in my leisure moments I have prepared some incidents of the war, and with your permission I will read a brief sketch ; it is entitled,
" THE 'CHIT WHEEL.'
"Our first field service was in Miles' railroad brigade, and our first duties were in guarding the West Virginia division of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, over which passed, at that time, the early spring of '62, the greater part of the supplies for our large and increasing armies about Washington and in Virginia. Our company was stationed at Martinsburg, then a notable hot-bed of secession and treason. As many of the men were already in the rebel armies, the women boldly came for- ward and assumed the duties of perpetuating the treasonable sentiments that had already involved the nation in civil war. Few of them were wanting the courage of their convictions, and they seemed to esteem it a privilege to make known their rebellious natures, especially in the presence of Union soldiers, whenever an opportunity was offered. They loved and cher- ished the new confederacy, which had guaranteed to them the 'divine institution,' with all its attendant blessings and holy influences, as intensely as they hated the old government and its volunteer defenders.
"The following incidents illustrate something of the character and practices of the female secesh in the early days of the war, and also something of the unlawful and mischievous acts of roguish Yankee soldiers when free from the immediate restraints . of military discipline.
"After lying in camp several days, and having a good record, Sergt. C. and a comrade had permission to visit the town, and to be absent until sunset. The day chanced to be cloudy and dark, with an occasional shower of rain to add to its unpleas- antness ; but the hearts of the boys were made light and their
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steps elastic by the large supply of accumulated curiosity they had to gratify before they should return. Suitably armed with proper passes, they quickly walked up the main street and were soon enjoying the sights in this haughty old borough. When it must have been nearly noon, and they had made the tour of the town and were leisurely walking up the main street again. their attention was turned to a well-dressed, middle-aged lady coming down the street in front of them, who, when she was about to meet them, suddenly stopped, turned her face to the wall, and thus stood, back to them and to the street, until they were well past her, when she turned again and resumed her way. The boys thought this a singular freak of feminine mod- esty, else she must be an escaped subject of a lunatic asylum who feared recognition and apprehension, and they turned and watched her further. In a moment she came to the provost- marshal's office, where a flag. the stars and stripes, was suspended from a second-story window over the sidewalk, in front of the office door. Her quick eye caught its waving folds before she passed beneath it, and she stopped again. She gave it a scorn- ful look, and, with a violent shaking of her head, exclaimed in tones so loud as to be heard by all about her : 'No ; I won't! . I won't! I won't!'
" The scene was now getting interesting. To go under it she would not; to go over it she could not ; to retreat with so many eyes upon her she dare not. One way only remained - to take to the street and go around it, and this she did not hesitate to do. She quickly mounted the curbstone, and raising her dress higher and gathering it closer about her, bravely leaped into the soft mud more than ankle deep, and waded around the hated flag to the sidewalk again, and, with head erect and step majes- tie, once more resumed her way.
" The boys resolved that she must be a secession maniac, and decided to follow her further and ascertain more of her nature and habits. She turned the first corner, and they soon saw her enter a respectable dwelling not far up the street. In a moment after she entered they were at the door. A rap brought a ser- vant, whom they, unbidden, followed to the sitting-room, which was then without occupants, where they, uninvited, took and
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occupied the best seats. The servant, frightened at the bold appearance of her uncouth callers, fled to her mistress, who was doubtless, at this time, making needed changes in her wardrobe. Soon, however, a vinegary-looking individual of the female per- suasion appeared at the door, whom they readily recognized as the crazy secesh they had seen on the street.
"The knowledge of the presence of Yankee soldiers in her house mortified and maddened her exceedingly, but the sight of the hateful creatures actually in possession of her best room was more than she could endure.
" The boys rose to greet her respectfully as she came in, but no reciprocal greeting had she for them. In sharpest, cynical tones, expressive of her looks and appearance. she commanded them to leave her house at once, as she would not be insulted by the presence, even, of Yankee soldiers under her roof. The sergeant, who had seen something of the world, and was not easily terrified. was equal to the occasion. He assumed an air of gentlemanly dignity, and, with smooth and kindly words, implored the lady's pardon for what he was sorry to learn was an unwelcome intrusion into the sanctity of her home, and he begged her to be assured that their call was made in no spirit of insult or unkindness, but rather to form acquaintances and . associations which might be mutually pleasant and profitable, and which would be gladly recalled when the war should cease and the union be restored ; and he assured her, further, that the life and duties of camp had become tiresome, and they felt that a stroll among citizens, even in a strange town, would afford them relaxation and rest ; besides, army rations were getting distasteful, and as the southern people, where they were known. were noted for their generosity and hospitality, they hoped to regale their palates with a good civil dinner before they should return ; . and now, madam,' said he, 'if you will be so kind as to furnish us with a little of the staff of life from your well- stocked pantry, you will greatly oblige us, and be assured you will be remembered by us with lasting gratitude.'
This was enough - was too much- was alkali to her ascetic nature. 'Feed a Yankee soldier!' she exclaimed in burning words of most reprehensible contempt, while lightning fires
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flashed from her eyes, and her whole frame trembled and shook as though she were the mother of earthquakes. Hot words as from the crater of an active volcano fell furiously and fast until her pent-up rage was spent. Weeping followed her wrathful demonstrations, and when she could give no further utterance to her angered feelings, she reluctantly retired and left them in peaceful possession of the room. When the comrade had recov- ered somewhat, and sensible of the justice of the stinging rebuke they had received, he whispered to the sergeant, and said, 'Let us go now, sergeant ; we will certainly get into trouble, if we haven't already.' 'Not a bit of it,' returned the sergeant, whose accustomed coolness and courage were yet undisturbed ; . I'm going to have some dinner here yet ; no woman who hates the old flag shall ever drive me! ' 'All right,' said the comrade, gathering courage from the other's coolness, 'I'll stay as long as you.' They seated themselves again, and were busy for a while with the pictures and paintings upon the walls of the well-furnished room ; but the time soon began to drag heavily, and their empty stomachs yearned for food.
"It must now be past dinner time for the family ; indeed, they could already scent the cooking food. Occasionally she would pass the door, evidently for the purpose of ascertaining if they were yet there. At length the sergeant ventured to ask her the time of day, little expecting a reply ; but she did con- descend to tell him, in subdued tones, indicating a change in her temper and feelings, that her clock didn't go, but that she thought it must be nearly night. A thought struck the com- rade. Anything to delay and enable them to get a dinner, and he said to the sergeant, in tones intended for her ear, . Perhaps you might fix it for her, sergeant ; you know you was a jew- eler at home, and used to do such things.' A happy thought, and a happy effect. She stepped back, and half imploringly inquired, 'Are you really a jeweler, sir ? and do you think you could fix my clock ? I would give anything in the world to have it keep time again, I miss it so much, and we haven't a jeweler in town.' 'Yes,' said the sergeant, who quickly com- prehended the situation, ' that was my business before I entered the army, and I presume I could set it all right if I had time ;
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but it is so late and we are very hungry, and must return to camp at once.' . O,' she replied, ' it is not so very late yet, and our dinner is all ready to put on to the table. Do wait, and dine with us. I should be so glad to have the dear old clock going once more. It is such a loss.' She hastened out and ordered the table spread at once, trusting to entrap them with a good warm dinner, that she might have the old clock set in order again. The boys waited very patiently, reading each other's thoughts and exchanging happy smiles. The idea of leaving when the fruits of their waiting were just ready to be grasped ! In a few minutes a pale but pleasant female face , appeared and announced, 'Dinner is all ready, gentlemen ; walk right in this way.' She led, and without further persuasion they followed to the dining-room, where she set them down to a din- ner 'fit for a king.' Because it was getting late, at her request they freely helped themselves, and it is needless to say they eminently sustained their voracious reputations. When they had concluded, and the well-spread table was about bare of food, they were ushered into the presence of the silent old clock, --- doubtless . grandfather's clock.' It was an old-fashioned piece, and stood in a corner of the room, occupying all the space from the floor to the ceiling. The sergeant, who had scarcely ever seen the inside of a clock before in his life, softly opened the door of the sacred box, and gave the pendulum a gentle swing, but no tick responded. Ile gazed at its wonderful works for a moment in apparent study, and then deliberately remarked, weighing each word as it was uttered, 'I think it will have to come down ; the trouble is internal." She nodded assent. He then called for such implements as he thought might be about the house. A nail hammer and a screwdriver were brought him. In a few moments he had all the fastenings removed and the ancient relic in a horizontal position on the floor. The good woman remained with them until this was done, and then, with a semi-mournful look into the upturned face of the dear old time-teller. and a kindly word of caution to the . jeweler,' who had now won her fullest confidence by his seeming honesty and gentlemanly demeanor, left them for a time to attend to her household duties. The boys now worked like beavers, and in a
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short time the complex creature was entirely dissected, the larger parts lying loosely about the floor, and the smaller pieces piled in a promiscuous heap upon the table.
" When this had been done she returned and anxiously inquired if they had ascertained the trouble yet. 'Yes, madam,' said the sergeant, affecting a feeling of satisfaction, 'it is as I expected ; the chit wheel is gone !' 'Indeed,' she exclaimed, somewhat astonished at the announcement; 'and it can be fixed ?' she continued inquiringly. ' O, yes,' said the sergeant, confidently. If I had a piece of plate brass and a small file, I could make one in a few minutes ; and if you will permit me to send my comrade to the hardware store and the tinsmith's and get them, we will have it up and going in a short time after he returns.' 'Yes, indeed,' she replied ; 'let him go at once, for you know just what is wanted. What will be the probable cost ?' . O, but a trifle,' said the sergeant ; 'fifty cents will buy them both.'
"The fifty cents-two twenty-five cent pieces, hard money - were willingly brought and trustingly placed in the hands of the · jeweler,' who took them and, in her presence, gave them to the comrade with suitable instructions, supplemented by a signifi- cant wink of the left eye. The comrade departed at once, and was not unmindful of his instructions, particularly that part indicated by the eye. He walked quickly down to the main street, with the silver pieces jingling in his pocket, glad to get out of an unpleasant position so easily, and waited about the corner for the approach of the sergeant, who, he believed, would soon effect his escape. The good lady now sought to entertain her new friend and benefactor until his comrade should return, and in this, for a time, she was successful, for he was an atten- tive listener - when it was a necessity - and he often added a word to aid her in the further and fuller expression of her thoughts. Occasionally her eyes would instinctively fall upon the scattered remains of the dear old clock, and a glad smile would light up her sad face as she thought of the time when she should again hear the music of its measured tiek, tick ; look upon its old familiar face once more, and read the minutes as they come and go ; and in the silent, sleepless hours of night,
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when thoughts are of loved ones on the field braving dangers and enduring hardships, she should hear its sweet bell tones mark the slow-moving time and enliven. cheer and comfort a husbandless home. But, alas, poor woman ! The bright dreams of her heavenly confederacy and the fond hopes of her dear old clock were beyond the pale of realization, as she soon sadly learned. When it was time for the comrade to return, the ser- geant watched the windows apparently to discover the welcome appearing.
"But no comrade appeared. He grew a little nervous as he saw signs of suspicion of his treachery in the good woman's eyes, but he rallied his mental reserves, and successfully dis- armed her and regained his wonted coolness. But the question of his escape was yet unsolved. Soon she began to be uneasy again, and with her uneasiness came also his nervousness. The memory of the morning storm was yet fresh in his mind, and he most earnestly desired to escape before the gathering tempest should burst upon him. He gave her 'taffy, or what would have been 'taffy ' had they had such things in those days, and yet he grew more fearful each moment lest she should esteem it such.
"He must go at once, but how ? Should he, a gentleman and a soldier, ignominiously surrender and confess, or should he cowardly retreat, and from whom ? . No,' he said in silence. straightening himself to his full height ; . I'll be no sneak ; I'll retire as boldly as I entered, and with her favor, though the old clock is past repair.' A happy thought then struck him! A way of escape was yet open, and she would not suspect him. and with a little effort he regained his self-control. He told her the pass for the two to be absent was written on one and the same paper, and that he had it in his pocket, as he proved to her by producing and exhibiting a piece of paper with writing on it, - his own pass, - and he told her, with all the earnest- ness and sincerity he could command, that the other poor fellow, passless, had without doubt been picked up by the provost-guard and placed in confinement, where he must remain in disgrace until the facts in his case could be made known to the provost- marshal of the town, and he begged her to permit him to go and
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procure the other's release, which done he could get the file and the brass and return at once, and soon have the old clock restored to life and duty. He appeared so honest in his statements and so earnest in her interest, that she bade him go and return as soon as he could. He gladly departed, and with long strides soon reached the main street, where he found his comrade impatiently waiting his arrival. Each grasped the other's hand, and with a round of good hearty laughter at the success that had attended their debut into southern society, they set out for camp, wealthier and wiser than when they left in the morning. They reported their return, and in a short time had an eager crowd of comrades listening to the story of their adventures and experiences, all of which were related with an exactness and minnteness that are impossible here to detail, and with a fervor and enthusiasm that only roguish young soldiers can convey. Doubtless the silver pieces are yet retained as souvenirs of the excellent dinner they so much enjoyed.
" The story soon spread through the regiment, scattered as it was, and the hero thereof was thereafter, till his promotion, known as " chit wheel " sergeant. He did not so much enjoy the euphonious prefix to his title as he did the pleasure in relat- ing the facts and circumstances connected with his obtaining it, but he bore it bravely until his commission came and cancelled it.
" What became of the poor woman and her dear old clock, no Yankee ever knew, but her condition and feelings, when she came to realize her situation, can doubtless be better imagined than described. It is probable, however, that no Yankee ever thereafter stole her confidence or ate her dinner ; and it is pos- sible, too, that afterward, whenever she chanced to meet a Union soldier, or occasion called her to pass under the old flag, she made herself less conspicuous than on that memorable morn- ing."
President Little said :
"Just at this moment we have a little gap, and the best man I know in the First Maine Cavalry to fill a gap, or make a gap in a piece of pie, is Lieut. Edward P. Tobie, and I will ask him to step forward."
·
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Lieut. Tobie said :
"I have heard of people putting up little jobs on others and getting paid back in the same coin; of people trying to surprise others and being themselves surprised. We tried to-night the plan of getting these people to make speeches without their knowing of it beforehand. If you had notified me that I was to be called upon this evening, I should have tried to prepare something ; but, comrades, as it is I will do the best I can."
Lieut. Tobie then read the following original poem : "How Two CHUMS MET TO-DAY.
"Two comrades met this afternoon, Who hadn't met before Since that eventful day in June Of eighteen sixty-four, When, at St. Mary's Church, they fought All through the livelong day, And though the field was dearly bought, We held the foe at bay.
"The one was wounded on that day, And still walks with a cane, While, as he wends his weary way, Each step is taken in pain; The other one was captured, when They made that charge so bold, And lived for months in prison pen, Through sufferings untold.
"To-day these comrades met again - First time for nineteen years; They grasped each other's hands, and then Their eyes quick filled with tears, As thoughts welled up in either heart Of days they wore the blue, And stood up each to do his part -- To flag and country true.
"And then thoughts came of all the years That passed since last they met, Of pain and suffering, hopes and fears In days they can't forget; And not alone came back the strife And what to them it brought, But all the toils and cares of life Came rushing into thought.
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"'Twas moments ere a word was said, But hand was grasped in hand, And though they stood with drooping head, . None prouder in the land; And then came words - at first but few, For they like strangers seemed, Though years ago their friendship true Had ever brightly beamed.
"They talked at first of self, alone, And of their paths in life, And then they spoke in tender tone Of children dear, and wife; But soon they found the lapse of years Had drifted them apart - The thoughts, the hopes, the cares, the fears Were different in each heart.
"Then slow the conversation grew, And each began to feel He had not found the friend he knew Amid war's woe and weal; A look of disappointment crossed The face of each, as he Began to realize he'd lost The friend he'd longed to see.
"By accident a word was said About some old campaign, When instantly the two were made The old-time friends again; Ah! now they plenty had to say; As only comrades can; They talked for hours, and this the way The conversation ran : -
" Says Bill to Jim, 'I never shall forget The fight at Brandy Station; even yet It seems but yesterday, but then, you know, That was our first real mounted charge, and so It is remembered plainest. O, 'twas grand As we charged o'er the field; on either hand As far as eye conld reach, were horsemen. true, With sabre drawn, and arm nerved up to do Its level best for country and for right, And back of arms were hearts warm for the fight, And all were dashing on at headlong speed, While e'en the horses seemed to feel the need Of doing well their part. The bugles blew, Our troopers cheered and yelled as on we flew,
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The cannon roared, and o'er us shrieked the shell, Hissing like demons from the depths of hell; The carbines rattled and the bullets sang Their songs around us with their devilish twang; On, on we went, wild with excitement keen, - It was a grand, exhilarating scene; On, on we went, until the rebel line Got up and got in haste: O! Jim, 'twas fine;
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