The soldier drops, sinks like a wave--but the ranks
of the ocean eternally press on. Death does its work, obliterates a
hundred, a thousand--President, general, captain, private,--but the
Nation is immortal.
SHERMAN'S ARMY'S JUBILATION--ITS SUDDEN STOPPAGE
When Sherman's armies, (long after they left Atlanta,) were marching
through Southand North Carolina--after leaving Savannah, the news of
Lee's capitulation having been receiv'd--the men never mov'd a mile
without from some part of the line sending up continued, inspiriting
shouts. At intervals all day long sounded out the wild music of those
peculiar army cries. They would be commenc'd by one regiment or
brigade, immediately taken up by others, and at length whole corps and
armies would join in these wild triumphant choruses. It was one of the
characteristic expressions of the western troops, and became a habit,
serving as a relief and outlet to the men--a vent for their feelings
of victory, returning peace, &c. Morning, noon, and afternoon,
spontaneous, for occasion or without occasion, these huge, strange
cries, differing from any other, echoing through the open air for many
a mile, expressing youth, joy, wildness, irrepressible strength,
and the ideas of advance and conquest, sounded along the swamps and
uplands of the South, floating to the skies. ("There never were men
that kept in better spirits in danger or defeat--what then could they
do in victory?"--said one of the 15th corps to me, afterwards.
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