13_My God, My Father, while I stray: Far from my home in life’s rough way: Oh teach me from my heart to say- “Thy Will Be Done.”
Image by Jim Surkamp
The Humble Harvest & Eternal Voices (5) by Jim Surkamp
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Researched, written and produced by Jim Surkamp
VIDEO: UPDATED: The Humble Harvest, Eternal Voices – Pt. 5 – Conclusion TRT: 29:00/53:34 (incl. Credits).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtkWqSSVHGs&feature=youtu.be
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I asked how the child had been killed. The reply given was, in substance, the same as thee old man’s With both hands, she slowly and solemnly raised the blood stained cover off the little breast, saying in sobs as she did so, “Just look here.”
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Deeds of valor are no longer dreams gone by. We live in knightly days; our men are dauntless men. Will there ever be one to write the life of the common soldier?
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The regiment had not lost a man to be sure, but had seen a genuine fight, heard the scream of the shells, and heard a caisson blowing up and men knocked over.
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Last night it rained for an hour or so. It put the ground in fine order for seeding. I sent the wagon to Mr. Moore and 27 bushels by measure. No military to be seen on our side of the hill.
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Anne Willis Ambler sees all from her parents farm Rock Hall: Pa is becoming rather tired of our South Carolina soldier. Thinks he is sufficiently well to leave.
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And Heros Von Borcke keeps one eye out for an empty seat at a dinner table: It was a sparkling beautiful morning of autumn and I enjoyed the ride home the more for being fortunate enough firing from my horses back with my revolver to kill a grey squirrel, which, as our mess arrangements had been thrown into utter disorder by the events of the last two days, was gladly welcomed the same evening on our dinner table.
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October 17th 1862 – The Day after Battle William McCarter sees Lillie in Charlestown and the price of war. Farms continue their ways. And both armies move down the valley to clash again. The day before, Charles Aglionby at his Mt. Pleasant farm had written in his diary:
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The Yankees drove in the Confederate pickets. There was considerable firing near Charlestown with cannon. Some few killed & wounded. A body of cavalry were in our lower field in the evening about thirty Yankee cavalry passed through Mr. Moore’s & Mr. Ranson’s field in sight of our house. The retiring cavalry and artillery of the Confederates passed before our house. October 17th Friday Last night it rained for an hour or so. It put the ground in fine order for seeding. Some cannonading was heard at different times at points from Shepherdstown to Leetown. Miss Belle Compton stayed all night and spent the day.
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Last night (October 16-17th) was about as dark as they generally get in this country. I was on guard duty during the fore part of the night and it rained very hard all through my whole watch. We had no fire until after midnight, the ground, wood, and everything else being soaking wet; even the darkness felt like a wet blanket. I made my bed on top of a rock pile. It was a little hardish at first, but it was the driest place.
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An intelligent negro arrived here this morning from Berryville. He left there last night. He said there is one regiment of cavalry and four pieces of artillery between here and Berryville; at and near Berryville, the Second, Third, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, and Twelfth Virginia Cavalries;
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The next day, when we received orders to return, it then marched to Halltown, and occupied that position during the night. The next morning (Oct. 18th), after an examination of the roads, and it being found there was no enemy in front, the command returned to Harper’s Ferry. I appointed Col. J. R. Brooke, of the Fifty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, military governor, the better to preserve order. About 100 officers and soldiers of the Confederate Army were found in the town, consisting entirely, it is believed, of surgeons, hospital attendants, convalescents, and sick. Twenty-six were sent to the provost-marshal at Harper’s Ferry, and 38 wounded and unable to be removed, were paroled. Time did not permit the paroling of all who were severely wounded, as they were scattered throughout the town, requiring more time than we had for the purpose, to find them.
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My God, My Father, while I stray/ Far from my home in life’s rough way/ Oh teach me from my heart to say: “Thy Will Be Done.”
Though dark my path and sad my lot/ Let me be still and murmur not;
Or breathe the prayer divinely taught But civil war, be it long or short Thy Will Be Done.”
But tho’ in lonely grief I sigh/ For friends beloved no longer nigh/ Submissive still I would reply/ Thy Will Be Done.
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Oct 16, 1862 in the late afternoon: Pvt. McCarter was sent into town to assist Brooke’s men in arresting and paroling wounded Confederate soldiers in Charlestown. He wrote later of what he saw: War is truly said to be a sad necessity. But civil war, be it long or short and under almost any circumstance, is indeed sadder and more desolating in its effects. History may record the ravages and desolations made and left in the tracks of the bloody feet of war, even in this most unnatural contest of our own.
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Painters of the rarest talents may one day paint the destruction in masterly styles and glowing colors. Yet, all these efforts fall far short in showing to the eye or to the mind war’s real effects upon people and country. Our attention was attracted to a three-story house, one of the better class of dwellings there, by crowds of soldiers and a few citizens going into it. These visitors came immediately out again with dull and saddened countenances and, in. Or a few cases, with tearful eyes. the front door had apparently been smashed and laid about in pieces upon the cobblestone pavement opposite. we stopped and, following the example of others, entered the house and then the room on the first floor. Merciful heaven what a sight met our eyes. God save me the pain of another’s such sight as long as I live. The room was long and narrow. From one end to the other, regardless of those present, paced a lady apparently not over thirty years of age. She appeared to be in terrible grief, refusing entirely any comfort or consolation from those of her friends and neighbors there congregated. The woman was clad in black, In some manner her dress had been almost torn from her body.
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She would now and then burst out into heart-rending fits of weeping, exclaiming, “Oh, my child, My Lilly.” Not knowing exactly the cause of the lady’s sorrow, I quietly inquired of an old man leaning against the door what it was. He replied that her child, had been killed about an hour ago by a ball from the federal battery. The round passed through a window at which the child had been standing, looking down at soldiers on the street. At one end of the room, a few women and several members of our Irish Brigade were gathered around what seemed to me to be a melodeon, gazing sadly and silently at something lying on its top. As soon as opportunity presented to approach the spot, we did so. There on the top of the instrument laid a sweet little girl. Cold and stiff and dead. Except for the dead yet still beautiful, innocent pale face, all the rest of the body was covered with a large sheet, or white quilt.
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On this quilt, particularly that part of it over the child’s breast were large spots of blood. A young colored woman was cutting the long. down curls from the child’s head and perfectly saturating them with her tears. Approaching still nearer, I asked how the child had been killed. The reply given was in substance the same as the old man’s. With both hands, she slowly and solemnly raised the blood stained cover off the little breast, saying in sobs as she did so, “Just look here.” My companion and I gazed for a moment at the object in horror and dismay, unable to utter a word. then turning slowly and sadly away, we left the room. My heart was too full and my eyes positively refused to shelter any longer streams of hot water that. burst from them. The ball had struck the child on the left breast, tearing it and ripping the left arm completely away. Only a small portion of the right breast remained. It presented a most ghastly, sickening appearance. Yet, that dear little face seemed as calm and as peaceful as in a quiet, sweet slumber. Oh, cruel, cruel war! must the innocent suffer with the guilty.
Friday, October 17th: Yesterday evening there came the news that two fights had occurred in town and our men had to retreat, leaving the enemy in possession. They occupied the “Inn” and advanced on every road, driving in our pickets early this morning. Nat left us to search for his company but returned and passed the night. Saturday, October 18th: The news is that the Yankees have fallen back from Charlestown and our troops are advancing. About 2,000 cavalry passed by our gate.
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The forage masters were here again today. Pa sold them a barrel of whiskey for gallon. October 16th Nat came in just as we got up from breakfast but there were some nice hot rolls brought in for him which he enjoys immensely. Told me about his trip into Maryland and Pennsylvania with General Stuart. A man came here who has been getting Pa’s hay and insisted he had a right to Pa’s hay, but Pa got very angry and got his pistol and said he would shoot him if he did and when Nat went out the man pretended he was satisfied. The man departed but we were all frightened and fear he may turn up again. Pa called him a scoundrel. Had so much to write about today I forgot to say a little on the uninteresting subject of its being my 24th birthday.
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George Neese writes from camp: This morning we moved to our old camp again, four miles from Charlestown on the Berryville pike. This afternoon the first piece was ordered to go on picket at our old post one mile below Charlestown, on the Harper’s Ferry pike. This evening we left our post and came one mile south of Charlestown and camped with the Sixth Virginia Cavalry. They had a prayer meeting in their camp in the early evening by candlelight, which I attended. The Sixth seems to be the citadel of religion of the brigade, as they have more religious service in the Sixth than in any of the other regiments, yet I do not know as the plane of practical ethics in general is any higher in this than in any of the other regiments of the brigade. I suppose that their code of imprecations is of about the same standard as that adopted by the rest of the brigade, and perhaps employed with about equal frequency.
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During the recent skirmish at Charlestown, the Federals had also sent a force under Generals Andrew Humphreys and Alfred Pleasonton down Leetown Pike to try and rout out Gen. Jeb Stuart’s men, headquartered at the Dandridge’s home called The Bower; and but for making a turn with their cavalry down the wrong road near Strider’s Mill they could well have captured Stuart. Afterwards men under Confederate Gen. A.P. Hill, who had moved on down towards Berryville as the Federals advanced, told Josiah Ware at his Clarke County home, called Springfield just what had happened to Jeb Stuart:
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Drawing from some of what Gen. A. P. Hill’s infantrymen men related: While cavalry General Stuart’s headquarters were at Dandridge’s in Jefferson, he was dancing with the girls when the Yankees had planned a raid and would have caught him and his staff (only they missed the road) and in the pursuit & fighting the enemy Stuart was only saved from being caught by losing his hat & jumping with his horse a garden railing. Stuart’s men had, indeed, completed a second full-blown ball at The Bower just on the night of the 15th that extended into the wee hours of the 16th.
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German-born Heros Von Borcke, one of J.E.B. Stuart’s staff officers, confirms Stuart’s very close call after a good party: The beams of the morrow’s sun were just making their way through the intricacies of the foliage above our heads, as we lay in camp resting from the fatigues of the night’s dancing, when a blast of the bugle brought the whole command to their feet, with its summons to new and serious activity. We found a full division of the Federal infantry moving upon us in admirable order, their cavalry operating on either flank, and their artillery seeking to get into position upon some heights in our front, where several pieces had already arrived and had opened a brisk and annoying fire upon our horsemen. Large clouds of dust rising all along the road towards Shepherdstown indicated the approach of other bodies of the enemy, and it was quite plain that our resistance to odds so overwhelming could only be of short duration. The Bower, where only a few hours before the violin and banjo had sent forth their enlivening strains, riding forward to the scene of action, which already resounded with wilder music. About dusk the Federals came to a halt, and, to our infinite surprise, turned slowly back for a mile and a half, where we soon saw the main body go quietly into bivouac. During the chase offered them by Gen. Humphreys and Gen. Pleasonton, Gen. Stuart and his men found themselves caught in that same rain from that day: The General then proceeded his Staff to headquarters at “The Bower,” which was only a few miles distant. Before we reached there we were overtaken by a drenching shower of rain, and we thankfully accepted Mr. Dandridge’s kind invitation upon our arrival to dry our dripping garments and warm our chilled bodies before a roaring wood fire in the large and comfortable family drawing-room. A renewed assault the next morning (Oct. 17th) put
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Von Borcke with some men further south in Middleway/Smithfield to watch for the enemy. Finding none, he found another social windfall: I had not been more than an hour in the village of Smithfield when our outposts from the Shepherdstown road came galloping along in furious haste, reporting a tremendous host of cavalry right behind them in hot pursuit. The squadron had come from Harper’s Ferry along a by-road which struck the turnpike at a point about midway between Kearneysville and Smithfield. I established my men and myself at the house of an interesting young widow who, with her sister, enlivened our evening with songs and spirited discourse. The next morning we received orders to return to the Bower.
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It was a sparkling beautiful morning of autumn and I enjoyed the ride home the more for being fortunate enough firing from my horseback with my revolver to kill a grey squirrel, which, as our mess arrangements had been thrown into utter disorder by the events of the last two days, was gladly welcomed the same evening on our dinner table.
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A month later at Mt. Pleasant the Aglionby’s farm: Wednesday November 19th Pleasant, but a little cloudy. The hands cutting and mauling wood. Ralf doing some odd jobs, setting out cabbage stocks and fixing gate hinges. R. Bowerly and son cleaned out the pool. Captain Buck’s company went by and returned this morning and by again this evening.
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Mrs. A. and Frank went to Charlestown this evening. No news of any consequence from the war. Mr. Whittington is cutting up some dead trees on the halves. I went to Captain Abell’s in the afternoon, met Col. Marshall and Lieutenant Buck there. The Captain loaned me some small pieces of pork if I should ever have need for them.
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Wednesday, November 19th: Mr. Thompson was here and seemed to have some hope of the war ending. He and Pa both agree that the best thing that could happen would be a reconstruction of the Union. Can it be possible? I am sure I know not but it seems not to me. I don’t see how we could ever live in peace and love one another though I am sure we can never be a great nation separate. Oh that God may bring order out of confusion and bring our once peaceful and happy country out of this cruel war.
POSTS:
(1) POST – The Humble Harvest, Eternal Voices – Pt. 1 2753 words. (Repost from 5.17.2016)
civilwarscholars.com/2016/05/the-humble-harvest-eternal-v…
(2) POST – The Humble Harvest, Eternal Voices – Pt. 2. 3275 words.
civilwarscholars.com/2016/09/the-humble-harvest-eternal-v…
(3) POST – The Humble Harvest, Eternal Voices – Pt. 3. 2933 words.
civilwarscholars.com/2016/09/the-humble-harvest-eternal-v…
(4) POST – The Humble Harvest, Eternal Voices – Pt. 4. 5470 words.
civilwarscholars.com/2016/09/the-humble-harvest-eternal-v…
(5) POST – The Humble Harvest, Eternal Voices – Pt. 5 – Conclusion. 10,449 words.
civilwarscholars.com/2016/08/the-humble-harvest-eternal-v…
VIDEOS:
UPDATED: The Humble Harvest, Eternal Voices – Pt. 5 – Conclusion TRT: 29:00/53:34 (incl. Credits).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtkWqSSVHGs&feature=youtu.be
The Humble Harvest, Eternal Voices – Part 4 – Skirmish TRT: 23:35/33:48 (incl. Credits).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMp1LU8eH10&feature=youtu.be
The Humble Harvest, Eternal Voices – Part 3 TRT: 14:08/26:14 (incl. Credits).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBxoRuHWJxg&feature=youtu.be
The Humble Harvest, Eternal Voices – Part 2 TRT: 21:48/27:40 (incl. Credits).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6hwPfDmokU&feature=youtu.be
The Humble Harvest, Eternal Voices – Part 1. TRT: 17:25/21:14 (incl. Credits).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=su57_BUz8O4&feature=youtu.be
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