Soldiers' record, 1870-01-08

              ONE FLAa, OWE LAND, ONE REAUT, ONE EAND, ONE NATION, EVERMORE!
YOL. II. HARTFORD, GO^^l^., SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1870. NO. 27.
Ijoiirs at Dome
For tlio SoLDIEUS' KKCOUD.
I . V M E M O E I A M . — E . M. S T A N T O X .
B Y J . T. I ' O K U K S T.
IFusIied is the voice, all nerveless now the arm,
We leiirnud to look to in those war years, when
His Nortli-l)ouml tele.i;riiiii tlisperseil each false alarm,
And, us he wrote, so moved a inillioii men.
The heart—lioweoUl—tliiU once beat warm and true
With all a patriot's lire tor nation laud.
Is now at rest, tlieeyes arc covered too—
Anotlier g'one to join 3ur martyred band-
His not to wear the tinsel iior the "stars,"
IS'or Crippory that oft made idiot };reat,
"Tliesword on thigh," the hero's "shoulder bars;"
In soberer j^uise lie fought to save the state ;
And uight and day, lie struggled for tlie riaht,
Tiio" health miglit fail and wearied heurt give way ;
His eouiitrv claimed him, and with all his miglit,
He strove to serve her in her troublous day.
His hlulF, quick answer, made him many a foe,
And some perchance, among the Union host
Earnest himself, he deemed too many slow
And doubting, when to doubt was to lie lost.
Our comrade in the camp we ol't thought rou^h.
Headstrong, cross-grained and not inclined to yield,
13uc when he fell, wo softly said "enough;"
And torgot each foible on the blood-stained iield.
So, too, with him; he held a mighty place,
And great responsibilities upon him fell—
Not given bv Nature that inliiute grace
Which upon other statesmen's shoulders sat as well-
He more than made it up by honest pride.
To do the right, not complimunts to pay ;
Ho cast all courtly polish far aside,
And Union haters curse his name to-day.
Enerapc the flags, the dead-march slowly peal,
Kevcrse the muskets, march with solemn tread,
And, filled with sorrow, no comrade will feil
A harsh remembrance of the patriot dead.
And bend with awe his houoreil grave above
Eorgot each foible, laded every slight,
They were but small, exceeding great his love,
And" true the heart, and steJfast to the right.
Oh faithful servant, true, tho' sorely tried,
A Nation mourns thee as her precious one ;
Her tears for thee will not be. quickly dried,
Norst)on forget her hero statesman gone.
Above i!iy grave, her children's children will
lieeall thy name, thy deeds, thy patriot soul,
Ami leach their children to revere thee still
While time shall last, or earth on axis roll.
sounds of^'the old north state" to Ply-noutli
(.11 tliG lloanokc river. Too mem-bers
of tho IGtli surely need no deserip-tiou
of that plcace,.to bring to niiud the
dreary desolation of the lonely old town
sleeping so quietly in the midst of mala-rious
swamps and morasses, the dark,
uggishly flowing Roanoke, with its
siiores lined with mournful cypress, fes-tooned
in their draperies of grey moss,
and enlivened by the hooting of the owls
aud the cry of the whip-poor-will at night.
Some of the wicked, but useful (Joinpany
cooks, very profanely declared that the
town was but three miles from the bad
place, and when the wiiid wns in the
right direction, the odor of briinstone
was quite perceptible. As the cooks
sometimes drew on their imaginations
lor items, this rumor may have been in-correct.
There's one thing, at least, to
be said in favor of Plymouth: it was the
home of a lew "true blue," loyal South-erners—
a ven/ few, however. They
were hard to lind then, and I fear they
are yet. But—I Avas about to go on
without giving the old town credit for
another good thing; the freshest of
could be bought at the picket lines
liftecn cents a dozen, and porter house
sicak (North Carolina porter house) for
ten cents a pound. On second thought,
i'm inclined to give the eggs and beef the
greater prominence, for tho loyal "buf-faloes"
were very tough aud few in num-her.
All had the "shakes" badly, and
were not of much account any way, while
omelette and b.jef steak were decidedly
not to be overlooked, and played no
small part in putting tho old "vets" of
the iGth in good condition for the fiery
ordeal which so soon awaited them,
loyal men before spoken of, and
who were not loyal, were blessed
numerous daughters, fair to behold.
eggs
for
comrades to-day and by many friends in
this vicinity,) and Private John Quinn.
And this was "the way the fort was
taken." After much polishing of but-tons
and brushing of uniforms, they ob-tained
possession of the Company Clothing
words with much emotion. When the
rea ling was over he told us how we might
use the report. We rose to leave, but he
asked us to wait a few minutes and cx-
'"use him. So wo sat for his return.
There was a sweet light in his eyes as he
Book and another vclume of similar size,! entered, and a grave reverence in the
which they found in the Orderly Sergeant's tone of his voice when he handed us a
tent; and on a pluasa'-t afternoon quietly j letter. "It's to his mother ; will mail it
lelt the. camp, unnoticed, and proceeded forme? I want it to go forward to-night."
to the scene of interest. A modest knock They knew not this man who call him
at the door brought out "pater familias" harsh and cruel. The .'Secretary was stern
o r " old tar heels'' as the unsuccessful be- and rigid in his duties ; the man was sim-siegers
spitefully termed him. Corporal: pie and loving and true hearted. History
rfam. coolly informed him, with that un-1 will tell of the officer's vast labors and
perturbable gravity of countenance and responsibilities ; some of us must forever
manner for which he was celebrated, that | keep in mind the friend and citizen as he
they were deputed by General Wessells,
who was in connnand of the Post, to take
the ccnsiis of the town. There was no
getting around that, for an order emana-ting
from such a source was not to be
lightly disobeyed ; so they were rather un-graciously
cidmitted to tho heretcfure un-vislted
house—couldn't call it a mansion
by any stretch of the imuginatioi:. Once
was in all his private relations, warm and
upright and helpful aud of gracious spirit.
DEATH IX ABILLIAKD SALOOK
Tue
some
with
but
The numerous friends of Capt. Eugene
Smith, late of this city, will bo pained to
hear of his death by suicide, a few days
since, at New Orleans. Capt. Smith wus
seated inside, Corporal Siun as spokesman, i^ative of Massachusetts, and a nephew
commenced a series of questions which ^^ ^^^^ Abbott Lawrence, of Baston,
theU. S. Census Commissioners w o u l d ' ^^^^^ i-ilso of Mr. G. W. Smith, Vice Pres-have
hard work to equal, private A. jolt- Empii-e Mutual Insurance
"" ' Company of this city. At the breaking
out of the late war, Captain Smith was
among the first to volunteer his services
in the defence of his country, and rose
their ages, and other interesting informa- ^he ranks to the command of a com-mg
down the replies of the blushing and
confused girls, and of the astonished fath-er.
Of course, by this cool and ingenious
method they obtained the names of all.
tiou, aud moreover they did it all with
such suavity, and conducted themselves
with , such gentlemanly deportment, that
from that day they were invited, happy,
envied, and regular visitors at the forbid-en
house. STEDMAN.
LOVE IK A COTTAGE.
THE J^ORTH CAROLINA CENSUS
OP 1801.
New Year's Day, 1864, found the 16tl
Conn. Vols, at Getty's Station, Va., snug-ly
settled in what were then fondly hoped
to be winter quarters.. But Fate, in the
guise of an order from Division Head
Qiuirtors, decreed otherwise, and on the
jjuoruiiig of the 22d of January, the regi-ment
left its old camping ground and
made a grand erttreeinto Portsmouth on
a train of gravel cars, with colors Hying,
band playing, and every blessed membur,
from the ollicer in command, to the "bre-vet
corporals" in the raidcs, feeling in
high sprits. The regr t at having been
comi)elled to leave our comfoi-table qiuir-ters
was entirely drowned in the excite-ment
ol once more g()tting into the city,
after a rigid connnement of several months
to daily drill and camp duty, in the
quietude of Getty's Statiun. I'll not tell
how much "langle foot" was imbiljed
that day, during the few hours which the
men liad to themselves before going on
board the transports, that wei'o to con-vey
us either to North Cai.olina or 'Diivy
Jones' locker. Nor how even some of
the steadiest men, in that reoiment of
steady men, who always li;id said "No,
tlnuik you !" when the Q. M. dealt out an
occasional ration of whiskey alter some
e.\tra exposure or hard worii, now seem-
(id to think it a matter of vital imj)ortance
to take at least one "nip," before entrust-ing
themselves to the treacherous waves
of old Ocean. L^ubtless it was taken
Avith the idea of warding off e.xpected
sea-sickness, or it is possible some agreed
with Josh Billings in being "vileutly op-posed
tu ther use of ardent speerits as a
bevridge,'' but with hi'm considered it "ex-cellent
for manufacterin' purposes." 1
will not dwell un that voyage from l^orts-niouth
to Morehead City, N. C., with its
accomi)animents of sea sickness, aifd dis-comforts
of other kinds, altogether too
iiuuK'.rous to detail; nor of the ride on the
cars to New Berne. Proui that city the
regiment was transported through the
apt to have a few little weaknes!:.es, such
as'dipping snuir and smoking corn cob
pipes. One of these men lived iii a small
house half way between the camp of [he
16th and the western or left end of the
town,and was blessed (or cursed, 1 doubt
if he knew which at times,) with throe
daughters, and pretty ones they were.
" fhe prettiest girls I've seen yet!" was
the emphatic declaration of each succeed-ing
man who was lucky enough by dint
ot long W-itching or shrewd stratagem to
get a peep at them. Por, be it known,
the father was as watchful over these
fair scions ol his house, as any ogre, read
of in fdry tales, could possibly have been
over his captives. Perhaps he iiad read
some sensation tale of "exco.sses,of a bru-tiland
licentious soldiery," and there-upon
resolved to keep his household un-contaminated
from the least appro ich of
such an iusidioun foe. 1 can not think
he had taken a good square look into the
honest faces of the IGth men nor heard
Chaplain Dixon preach to his crowded
autlience of boys in blue, eveiy bund.iy.
At all events ho seemed determined that
no oflicer or soldier should form the ac-
([uaintance of his girls. On the other
hand, our boys were (piite as determined
that they would become acquainted. But
how was it to be done ? That was the
question which was presented to the
mind of many a one who had cast"sheeps
eyes ' at that humble dwelling in the hope
of getting a glimpse at its fair inmates.
Alauy antl various were tho |ilans which
were made, but alas,
"The best laid schemes o' mice an' men,
Gang al't a-gley,
Andlea'e us naught but grief and pain,
Eor promised joy."
None had been successfid until at last
one day two members of Co, "A" walked
coolly and boldly into the foi'bidden cot-tage.
Sail 1 relate how they did it ? Of
course I will, for that's the object of this
sketch. First let me give the names of
the ones who did it, then I'll tell how they
did it. Tho persistent and successful
schemers were b'orporal Sam Belden, (re-membered
by every one of his surviving
Yes, my sweet little Avife, this is love in .1 cottage!
And scanty enongh, save in love, is onr store ;
lint we'll heed not the croakings of euvy or do-
Thar^Love Ilies the lattice whoa Want o p e s ' habits in the army which caused
the iloor."
pany, and in one or two battles was in
command of his regiment, all his superior
olficers having been eitlier killed or cap-tured.
Since the close of the war he has,
until within the past few weeks, been
connected with the Continental Life In-surance
(/ompany of this city, holding
most of the time the position of Assistant
Actuiiry.
Like hundreds and thousands of other
young men at the North, Captain Smith
For I look in your face and of Fato I'm (Icfiant;
JJrave, brave is the heart that for loved oiieS
mnst care,
For the battlo of life I've the nerve of a giant,
Aud von ! O, your bright eyes are homjst and
liiir !
So little Ave'll care for sneh an adage as that is ;
r i l work while you watch till ova- struggles are
o'er,
And if you with your bright eyes look well to the
lattice,
I, love, with my strong arms will safe keep the
door !
STANTON'S KIND-HEARTEDNESS.
One evening we received a louo- report
his final ruin. Until within the past few
weeks he held a high position in the good
opinion of his employers, and was trusted
fully, and expected, in a short time, to be
promoted to the responsible post of full
Actuary of the company. Pacts, however,
can.e to the ears of the officers of the
company which caused thent to lose con-fidence
in Captain Smith, and he was dis-charged.
Chagrined and mortified at his dismis-sal,
he resolved to leave the city and en-deavor,
amid new scenes and among
strangers, to begin his lite anew. He
I went almost immediately to New Orleans,
from our correspondent in the field befoie but found upon his arrival there, and af-
Predericksburg._ It was the story of a ter diligent search, that it was impossible
battle and a defeat. ^Ve wanted permis- to obtain employment. Disheartened and
sion to send something of it to the .'Woer- discouraged by his misfortunes, he on-to-
that night by telegraph. To get deavored to drown his sorrows in whiskey,
that we went to j\lr. Stanton's house. He and finally ended his career by jumping
Wi i s at dinner when my friend's card was from the window of a billiard-saloon. In
presented The servant came out to say
that he would linish his dinner unless our
business was urgent. We returned word
that we had a L-t er from the front with
important news, but would wait his pleas-ure
or convenience. He came at once—
asked about the report, how it got here
and by whom it was written. "Now
sit down and you may read it to me—1
addition to this it was ascertained, upon
taking him to tho hospital, that he had
swallowed a quantity of laudanum previ-ous
1.0 takir.g the fatal leap. Thus ends
the career of one of the most promising
young men of our city, who had hosts of
ii^Oj' personal friends, besides being nearly re-i'll
lated to some of the best and most wealthy
families in the countiy.—The above is all
shall see what's in it quicker, so, than 1 that has vet been received relative to his
shall if J read it myself." Just as my sad fate, but his friends have sent <or full
Iriend began reading, little Ella, of four , iulbrmation in regard to him, which is ox-or
live years,vcame rimning out from the ' pected dailv.—iVew York Sun.
dining loom and stood by her father's
chiiir. He put his arm tenderly about
her, and she nestled there while the long
story of war ami blood and death and de-
One of the gentler sex says that tlie
paradise of a strong-minded woman is
'^vliere buttons grow in their {U'oper
feat was read. It was a picture 1 can nev-' places, and where men cease from bother-er
forget—tho strong mun and the child iug and needless are at rest."
together. I think of it always when 1
he.ir him spoken of as without feeling or
human sympathies. Toward the end of
the letter was mention of a young lieuten-ant
who had died bravely in action, "Read
"Why did you wink at mo ?" said ^
young lady to her lover at a party on^
evening. winked," replied the lover,
iis men do when looking at the suu ; your
tiiiu »» i n j i i t i u u i v j u i^itivv/j y i n t i ^ L i i j i i , xtuau. ! i i i i i >,
that again," said the secretary. And H'londor dazzled my eyes. '
when it had been reatl he answered :—"As Ho who reforms himself has done more
a good a boy as 1 ever knew, with a good toward reforming the public than a crowd
woman for u mother,"—speaking tho ' of noisy, impotent patriots.