The Vermont Tribune, Ludlow, July 5, 1889 South Wallingford 7/5/1889 A Faint Bugle-Call from the Battle-Fields of the Past In these days, when our loyalty is stirred anew by the observances of Decoration Day, we are prompted to say a few words relating to soldiers and war. We have neither time nor space to despict in any slight degree the "Horrors of War," or the countless stricken homes and blighted hearts lying so thickly in its wake; but we can mention a few facts relating to the same which have come under our own personal observation. Nearest our hearts are the sufferers of our own rebellion. Mr. and Mrs. Chas. STEARNS of this town (Wallingford) know the sorrows of having an only son shut in by "The Heavy Iron Doors" of Libbey and Andersonville. He enlisted in the 6th New York Cavalry. Was orderly for Gen. HANNOCK about two years, being one who helped carry the latter off the field, when wounded, after which he (STEARNS) was taken prisoner at Gaines' Mills and carried to Libbey, but afterwards removed to Andersonville. He made his escape, but after a few days was treed by bloodhounds and taken back to the horrors within the "dead-line." He was four years South, being a prisoner in Andersonville when the war closed. He was taken to a hospital, from which, after two months stay, he returned to those waiting parents who would have felt relieved could they have known that instead of languishing in those dens of filth and death, he had been peacefully sleeping under the Southern stars. He is now living with his family in Dorset. What thinking person can lift his face in our free air, in our free land, and say those soldier boys deserve aught but the highest respect we can offer. "Throbs there a heart with soul so dead?" In the old DOTY burial ground, here, lies the mortal part of another "boy in blue"--Charles CROWLEY, who died in this town about three years ago, and whose manner of burial should shame every humane person. There is no headstone of any description, neither are any steps being taken to procure one, of which we are aware. This last omission is not mentioned in a spirit of censure, but to act as a reminder to relatives or town authority. None of these graves should be neglected or forgotten. In this same yard were buried two Revolutionary soldiers--Jerathmel DOTY and Timothy JOHNSON. The former was one of a body-guard of twelve who escorted LaFAYETTE back to France, at the close of the war. Though not soldiers, we might mention the hard deaths of three young men of this town, who, many years ago, were horribly burned in a shanty in Hartsboro, while burning coal. They lived but a short time after getting out They were ALDRICH, REMINGTON and COLE, the two former having now living relatives in this town. Here also slumbers the clay of our townsman centenarian, Luther HOLDEN. Many other old people were buried here, and a pariseworthy effort is being made to improve the appearance of this small city of silent sleepers. "Uncle" Elihu DOTY, an old-time resident of this town, remembers distinctly when a regiment of soldiers of 1812 passed through this town, en-route for Plattsburg. Fortunately for them, however, peace was declared before they reached the field of action. In COOK cemetery, West Hill, are buried at least two soldier boys--EDGERTON and CROFT; and neighbors were loyal enough to remember them the last 30th. We have no observances , now, on that day. We suppose it is the lack (?) of the wherewithal; it cannot be diminishing patriotism, to which we can attribute the silence. Let us not forget them. Tearfully, reverently, leave them asleep In the old Mother's bosom, so patient and true, While grasses and sky, sun, moon and stars, keep Their long faithful watch o'er the brave boys in blue. Mrs. A. R. AMES South Wallingford, June, 1889 Transcribed by Ruth Barton -- Ruth Barton mrgjb@sover.net Dummerston, VT