Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1888)
TOM NORWOOD: A STORY OP THE CIVIL WAR BY JAMES P. SHAW. Mf Al'AKONKTA, a niet little country town in 1 1 tho interior of Ohio, was one of the first to re il to th call of President Lincoln, in 18C1, for vrntyfive thousand volunteers to defend the Union, which wm threatened by armed bodies of men in the Sulh. The firing on Fort Sumter had greatly ex citl the jn-ople throughout the North, who, up to that tirrip, could not Mieve their brethren of the Southern iUU really intended to carry their hatred of the old Union to such an extreme; but the attack ujKin lh f..rtr'(i of the United States left no doubt in their minds as to the intention of those who had df the authority of the government and trampled its ! under foot A few day i after the call of tho president for vol uuUcn, au unusual ectacle was presented on the slrwU of Wapalnneta. A recruiting oflicer, with a 'juadof nldiora, left the cars and marched up the principal treH Preceding them, were tho never-to-Ufurguttn fife and drum, playing " Yankee Doodle," tho mu.ic attracting most of tho inhabitanU to the trwl, to witness this unusual martial display in the stm ts of their own town. The ofilc r, dnwd in his neatly.fitting uniform, Ufa sword hanging by bis side, tho bright muskets snd mountings on the accoutermenU of the soldiers, glutting in the morning sun, were a sight never bo f,r. mtnl in th,t little AUh . tho .mng of the ,ldior. was a surprise to most of tho ll-le, st.ll they ,rP eijl by a few of the lead. c.t.,,,, amorg ,hm was Colonel Harrington. TUt gth-man met the orticor at tho train, and con. Ict lm and hi. men to the court house, where ti-rary quarters had Un ,)rovilW for Mru w ,tl(, children, eager to see tho sol. M at the curt house. Old men, who Urti Oenoral &x,tt and Tavlor K ph., lth qU(,li0D M t;what).t " That,aid they, U a n-cruiticg officer who i "-tn.g up for u.lunWrs," ' 8 -!iMUnHlVrK olUhem. , ? : f h fcUr ftritH which trs.pl,, inthedu:S Old Josh Gundy, who had been a soldier in the war of 1812, and alao in the war with Mexico, partici pating in the capture of the capital of that country, had around him a number of young men, who were eager listeners to the old soldier, as he told again the oft-repeated stories of his battles. Josh was very old now almost eighty yet he declared his inten tion to be the first to sign the roll from Wapakoneta, in defense of the dear old flag. " I am going to offer myself to the captain as soon as he comes out, and set you young men an example of patriotism," said he. The crowd, which had been largely increased, now began to get noisy, and loud calls were made for Col onel Harrington. After repeated calls, the colonel, accompanied by the officer, made his appearance, and when silence was obtained, introduced to the excited people Lieutenant Barber, "who," said he, "is here for the purpose of enlisting men for the army." " My friends," he continued, "our country is in danger. The stars and stripes, that beautiful emblem of liberty we love so well, has been trailed in the dust, and the laws of our country set at naught. Large bodies of armed men, traitors to their country, are gathering in the South, for the purpose of over throwing the government of the United States. Can we, as loyal citizens, permit them to destroy thi re public, without raising a hand to prevent it? " "No! No!" responded the people, with one ac cord. t " Let us, then, shoulder our muskets and rally round the starry banner, which has floated triumph antly over so many battle fields, and not lay down our ar until every traitor has been driven from the such I'!!! 'IT f 00101161,8 8?eech' there went up h i th6 byal t told plainly ffiTlT1 nV6 n difficQlty in Paring men t Lie-t Barber" then g oZr tbPlr bCaUtifQl Me tow. to iha , liie DreRi.W " . : i i ... I '"h Blilll II f I, 11 1 .. Ww' Pple, who are n v