Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/45

 Stonewall Jackson's Scabbard Speech. 39

to be made of segments from several trees. Accordingly, suitable parts were procured and hauled into position, the scarfs cut and the rings made, and everything was in readiness for putting the pole together on the following day.

But during the night some hot-blooded young Secessionists attempted to destroy the butt piece of the pole by boring holes in it and charging them with powder. This plan proving a failure, the top segment, was then carried away. It would be difficult to depicit the looks of the Unionists when this discovery was made the next morning, or to describe their feelings of vexation and rage. Denun- ciation was bitter, and threats of vengeance became more violent as the nature of the act was realized and the crowd increased. It was rumored that cadets in citizens' dress had been seen in town long after taps, and that college students had been met on the streets under suspicious circumstances at suspicious hours of the night. Fortunate was it that no cadet or student was in reach at that ex- citing hour.

This act caused more bitterness than delay. With great pluck and determination the Unionists soon either recovered or replaced the missing piece, the pole was erected, and the grand rally for the Union took place at the appointed time. There was a great gather- ing of clans. People poured in from every part of the county from highland and glen, from lowland and bog.

Before the war there were no academic duties at the Institute on Saturdays. Between inspection, from 8 to 9 o'clock A. M., and dress-parade, a little before sunset, all cadets, except those on guard duty, were allowed to go beyond the limits ; but they were required to be at dinner roll-call at i P. M., unless specially excused. Natu- rally, many cadets went up town immediately after inspection to witness the Union parade. Political feeling was bitter, and on the part of the Unionists some mutterings were heard ; but up to i o'clock there had been no serious outbreak, if any conflict at all.

After dinner a few cadets returned to town, and some strolled off in other directions, but the majority repaired to quarters, either to discuss the issues of the day or to enjoy an afternoon nap ; for it was Saturday, and if there was any thing a cadet considered a luxury it was sleep. Abundance of exercise and a minimum of rest retiring at taps at ten o'clock, and rising at reveille at five his sleep was generally so monotonously sound that it was often a pleasure to be aroused during the night to enjoy the delightful sen- sation of falling asleep again. For this reason, cadets not unfre-