Silver sheaves; gathered through clouds and sunshine. In two parts

Part Second: Miscellaneous Collection Of Prose And Poetrv

WILLIAM H. SALLADA.

SECOND EDITION . ::*><Ko^'"^

DES MOINES r

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR.

U?

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year eighteen hundred and seventy-nine,

By "WILLIAM H. SALLADA,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at "Washington, D. C.

MILLS & COMPANY,

PEINTEBS AND STEREOTyPERS,

DEB MOINES, ICWA.

PEEFATOR Y

About nine years ago the author published a short history of his military career, which met with so much favor that the edition was soon exhausted, and after repeated solicitations from friends consented to rewrite and enlarge the work. And now, in sending this volume out into the world, he does not expect to add much to the History of the "War, either in learned disquisitions as to its causes, or brilliant narratives as to its progress; he only offers to the public the simple story of a Soldier-boy, who went forth in the glorious confidence of youth to dwell on the tented field and lift his willing hand in his flag's defense, only to meet a Hite of which he does not complain, and yet a fate w^hich, next to death itself, is the most grievous that may befall a man — the loss of his eye-sight.

The reader will find in Part First a faithful, thrilling narrative of thirty-three years of struggles and triumphs of an active life, under disadvantages of the most distressing character. A simple story, told as he would tell it to his friends around the fireside upon a winter night.

Part Second contains a fine collection of original and selected Poems and Essays.

Hoping to please and benefit the reader, we send Silver Sheaves adrift in its native guise. Des Moines, Iowa, August, ly79. "

CONTENTS -PART L

INTEODUCTION.

EARLY HISTORY OF THE AUTHOR.

Parentage— Birthplace, etc 19

Chapter I. Incidents Op Town Life

Civil War — The News Boy and his Employer — Communings with Nature — Sabbath Excursions — Melon Patch and Revenge — Poisoned Blackberries — Anxiety to Enlist — ^Death of Mr. Walker 25

CHAPTEE II.

AN ANXIOUS YEAR.

Intemperance and Gaming — My Unrest at Home — ^My Trip East — Tobacco and Reform — Trip to Ohio — Resolve to Enlist 37

Chapter III. . Life's Turning Point

Talk with Recruiting OflBcer — Incidents of Enlistment — ^My Mother's Bible — At Home — Strange Presentiments — Final Departure — The Gallant Thirteen — From Pittsburgh to Camp Copeland — Roundheads and French Furloughs — Incidents in Camp — Last Ordeal 5J

10 CONTENTS.

CHAPTEK IV.

ARMY INCIDENTS.

En Route to Washington — Going to Regiment— Old Rebel Camp — Round of Duties — Recreation in Camp — Removal and Promotion — March to Chancellorsville — Battle of the Wilderness — In the Rebel Lines — Honey Adventure — Charged by Rebel Cavalry 71

CHAPTER Y.

THRILLING CAMPAIGN.

Results of Six Days Fighting — Charge at Spotsylvania — Against the Weldon Railroad — Temporary Rest — Incidents, Amusing and Otherwise — Description of the Country — Reconnoisance- -Springing of the Mine — Brandymelon — Both Eyes Torn Out— Captured, Robbed and Recaptured 91

CHAPTER YI.

SUFFERING AND SORROW.

On the Stretcher— Taken to Carver Hospital— Surgical Attention — Progress of my Case — Miss Whetten — The Death of my Mother. 114

CHAPTER YII.

LIFE IN WASHINGTON.

Incidents in Hospital— Home Furlough — My Sister — Hospital Scenes — Abraham Lincoln — The Museum— Secretary Stanton — Visiting Regiment — Insolence' of a Lieutenant— A Glance at the Capitol— View of the Navy Yard- Grand Review 128

CONTENTS. 11

CHAPTEE YIIl.

IN PHILLADELPHIA.

My Contest with Red Tape — ^The Hat cord — Trick mth Cards — My Manufacture — Discharge and Commission — The Brave Old Fifty-seventh 146

CHAPTER IX.

CIVIL LIFE.

At Home — Contest with a Swindler — Engaged in Book Business — Stung by a Locust — Nearly a Tragedy — Memorable Introduction — Swimming the Alleghany — Home and Home Work — Religious Experience 161

CHAPTER X.

MOMENTOUS TRANSACTIONS.

Canvassing Again — A Cruel Suspicion — A Dangerous Slide — Mechanical Skill — Trip to Wisconsin — Mercantile Pursuits — Marriage 176

CHAPTER XI.

LIFE IN THE WEST.

Arrive in Des Moines — Society in Monroe — Engaged in Merchandising — Building a House — Going East — Embark in the Music Business — Elected Alderman — Sad Tidings. . . . 188

INDEX-PAET II.

Page

Alice Gary's Sweetest Poem, . _ - . 222

Angels Met Him at the Gate, - - - - 264

A Prayer, - 262

A Teacher's Dream, - ... - 351

A Touch of Nature, 267

A Western Sketch, - - . . . 252

Bend Beneath the Blast, ----- 266

Breezes of the Summer Eve, - - - - 289

Centennial Hymn, ------ 244

Centennial Ode, - - - . . 265

Christmas Coming, - . - - . 326

Clouds and Sunshine, ----- 335

Coal Hill Opposite Greenville, Pa., - - - 331

Episode, 276

Family Gathering, _ - . - - 349

Father, is this the Way, . - - - 322

For You, 334

God Bless the Union Soldier, - - - - 270

Home, 324

14 INDEX.

Page

I 'U Know Thee There, ----- 219

In Memoiy of Father and Mother, - - . 347

Just Eleven, - 340

Life's Lot, 325

Light for One Step More, . - . . 247

Lines (The Sun behind Judea's Hills), - - . 333

Lines on the Mystic Tie, - - - - 279

Lines on the Old School-house, - - - - 286

Lines on the Departing Year, - - - - 288

Lines (On the Cover of an old Bible), - . - 258

Lines on a Skeleton, ----- 335

Morning Supplication, ----- 285

My Indian Love, .---.. 242

MyPsahn, 328

Nativity, 208

No More Death, 311

No Rose without a Thorn, - - . - 327

Ode on the Sea of Gallilee, - - - - 281

On the Death of Nettie, - - . - 245

On the Death of my Bunk-mate, G. A. Blank, - - 284

On Picket, .306

One by One, 213

Our Heroic Themes, 291

Paul Revere's Ride, ----- 233

Soliloquy of the Author, ----- 205

Stanzas on Memory, ----- 212

Stanzas (Building on the Sand), . - - - 305

Sweet Twilight Hour, 332

INDEX. 15

Page

The Bethel Dream, 338

The Bivouac of the Dead, .... 273

The Blacksmith's Story, ----- 215

The Common Soldier, 302

The Dying Soldier, 309

The Future of America, . - . _ 224

The Mother's Motto, 257

The Old Musket, - - - - - 353

The Parson Going to Mill, 344

The Shore of Memory, ----- 356

The Soldier's Letter, 304

Tlie Wine Cup Did it All, - - . . 355

The World of Bliss, 249

There Remaineth therefore Rest. - - - 231

There's Rest By and By, - - - - - 283

Thou art God Alone, ----- 214

Typhlotes, - 240

Vastness and Grandeur of the Solar System, - - 263

Welcome to the Nations, ----- 321

What is Trouble, 237

Civil and Militakt Life

CiYiL AisTD Military Life

WILLIAM HENRY SALLADA.