hero tales from american history-第27节
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college； could see in the red light around him that not merely the freedom of a race and the saving of a nation were at stake； but that behind all this was the forward movement of civilization； brought once again to the arbitrament of the sword。 Slavery was barbarous and barbarizing。 It had dragged down the civilization of the South to a level from which it would take generations to rise up again。 Was this barbarous force now to prevail in the United States in the nineteenth century？ Was it to destroy a great nation； and fetter human progress in the New World？ That was the great question back of； beyond and above all。 Should this force of barbarism sweep conquering over the land； wrecking an empire in its onward march； or should it be flung back as Miltiades flung back Asia at Marathon； and Charles Martel stayed the coming of Islam at Tours？ The brilliant career； the shining courage； best seen always where the dead were lying thickest； the heroic death of Charles Lowell； are good for us all to know and to remember。 Yet this imperfect story of his life has not been placed here for these things alone。 Many thousand others； officers and soldiers alike； in the great Civil War gave their lives as freely as he； and brought to the service of their country the best that was in them。 He was a fine example of many who； like him； offered up all they had for their country。 But Lowell was also something more than this。 He was a high type of a class； and a proof of certain very important things； and this is a point worthy of much consideration。
The name of John Hampden stands out in the history of the English…speaking people； admired and unquestioned。 He was neither a great statesman； nor a great soldier； he was not a brilliant orator； nor a famous writer。 He fell bravely in an unimportant skirmish at Chalgrove Field； fighting for freedom and what he believed to be right。 Yet he fills a great place in the past； both for what he did and what he was； and the reason for this is of high importance。 John Hampden was a gentleman； with all the advantages that the accidents of birth could give。 He was rich； educated； well born； of high traditions。 English civilization of that day could produce nothing better。 The memorable fact is that； when the time came for the test； he did not fail。 He was a type of what was best among the English people； and when the call sounded； he was ready。 He was brave； honest； high…minded； and he gave all； even his life； to his country。 In the hour of need； the representative of what was best and most fortunate in England was put to the touch； and proved to be current gold。 All men knew what that meant； and Hampden's memory is one of the glories of the English…speaking people。
Charles Lowell has the same meaning for us when rightly understood。 He had all that birth； breeding； education； and tradition could give。 The resources of our American life and civilization could produce nothing better。 How would he and such men as he stand the great ordeal when it came？ If wealth； education； and breeding were to result in a class who could only carp and criticize； accumulate money； give way to self…indulgence； and cherish low foreign ideals； then would it have appeared that there was a radical unsoundness in our society； refinement would have been proved to be weakness； and the highest education would have been shown to be a curse； rather than a blessing。 But Charles Lowell； and hundreds of others like him； in greater or less degree； all over the land； met the great test and emerged triumphant。 The Harvard men may be taken as fairly representing the colleges and universities of America。 Harvard had； in 1860； 4157 living graduates； and 823 students； presumably over eighteen years old。 Probably 3000 of her students and graduates were of military age； and not physically disqualified for military service。 Of this number； 1230 entered the Union army or navy。 One hundred and fifty…six died in service； and 67 were killed in action。 Many did not go who might have gone； unquestionably； but the record is a noble one。 Nearly one man of every two Harvard men came forward to serve his country when war was at our gates； and this proportion holds true； no doubt； of the other universities of the North。 It is well for the country； well for learning； well for our civilization； that such a record was made at such a time。 Charles Lowell； and those like him； showed； once for all； that the men to whom fortune had been kindest were capable of the noblest patriotism； and shrank from no sacrifices。 They taught the lesson which can never be heard too oftenthat the man to whom the accidents of birth and fortune have given most is the man who owes most to his country。 If patriotism should exist anywhere； it should be strongest with such men as these； and their service should be ever ready。 How nobly Charles Lowell in this spirit answered the great question； his life and death； alike victorious； show to all men。
SHERIDAN AT CEDAR CREEK
Inspired repulsed battalions to engage； And taught the doubtful battle where to rage。 Addison。
SHERIDAN AT CEDAR CREEK
General Sheridan took command of the Army of the Shenandoah in August； 1864。 His coming was the signal for aggressive fighting； and for a series of brilliant victories over the rebel army。 He defeated Early at Winchester and again at Fisher's Hill； while General Torbert whipped Rosser in a subsequent action； where the rout of the rebels was so complete that the fight was known as the 〃Woodstock races。〃 Sheridan's plan after this was to terminate his campaign north of Staunton； and； returning thence； to desolate the Valley； so as to make it untenable for the Confederates； as well as useless as a granary or storehouse； and then move the bulk of his armythrough Washington； and unite them with General Grant in front of Petersburg。 Grant； however； and the authorities at Washington； were in favor of Sheridan's driving Early into Eastern Virginia； and following up that line； which Sheri dan himself believed to be a false move。 This important matter was in debate until October 16； when Sheridan； having left the main body of his army at Cedar Creek under General Wright； determined to go to Washington； and discuss the question personally with General Halleck and the Secretary of War。 He reached Washington on the morning of the 17th about eight o'clock； left there at twelve； and got back to Martinsburg the same night about dark。 At Martinsburg he spent the night； and the next day； with his escort； rode to Winchester； reaching that point between three and four o'clock in the afternoon of the 18th。 He there heard that all was quiet at Cedar Creek and along the front； and went to bed； expecting to reach his headquarters and join the army the next day。
About six o'clock； on the morning of the 19th； it was reported to him that artillery firing could be heard in the direction of Cedar Creek； but as the sound was stated to be irregular and fitful； he thought it only a skirmish。 He； nevertheless； arose at once； and had just finished dressing when another officer came in； and reported that the firing was still going on in the same direction； but that it did not sound like a general battle。 Still Sheridan was uneasy； and； after breakfasting； mounted his horse between eight and nine o'clock； and rode slowly through Winchester。 When he reached the edge of the town he halted a moment； and then heard the firing of artillery in an unceasing roar。 He now felt confident that a general battle was in progress； and； as he rode forward； he was convinced； from the rapid increase of the sound； that his army was failing back。 After he had crossed Mill Creek； just outside Winchester； and made the crest of the rise beyond the stream； there burst upon his view the spectacle of a panic…stricken army。 Hundreds of slightly wounded men； with hundreds more unhurt； but demoralized； together with baggage wagons and trains； were all pressing to the rear； in hopeless confusion。
There was no doubt now that a disaster had occurred at the front。 A fugitive told Sheridan that the army was broken and in full retreat； and that all was lost。 Sheridan at once sent word to Colonel Edwards； commanding a brigade at Winchester； to stretch his troops across the valley； and stop all fugitives。 His first idea was to make a stand there； but； as he rode along； a different plan flashed into his mind。 He believed that his troops had great confidence in him； and he determined to try to restore their broken ranks； and； instead of merely holding the ground at Winchester； to rally his army； and lead them forward again to Cedar Creek。 He had hardly made up his mind to this course； when news was brought to him that his headquarters at Cedar Creek were captured； and the troops dispersed。 He started at once； with about twenty men as an escort； and rode rapidly to the front。 As he passed along； the unhurt men； who thickly lined the road； recognized him； and； as they did so； threw up their hats； shouldered their muskets； and followed him as fast as they could on foot。 His officers rode out on either side to tell the stragglers that the general had returned； and； as the news spread the retreating men in every direction rallied； and turned their faces towa
