BOONE, IOWA. FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST 16, 1912

CHAPTER XIX

Although in my four years experience in the war between the states I saw many sad things. I never saw a sadder thing than happened near Dalton, Georgia, while we were in winter quarters there. I have seen dead soldiers on the battle field so thick that you could walk long distances upon them, have witnessed heartrending scenes in the hospitals but never anything more affecting than this.

We had erected an arbor for devotional services and a protracted meeting was going on. Our chaplains were conducting these meetings and the men of our and other commands were showing great interest in the services, many having embraced religion and come forward for prayer.

One night while these services were going on in the arbor, after the captain had preached an excellent sermon he called upon the penitents to come forward to the altar. Many men came forward and were kneeling, the alter being full. Strong men were bowed asking forgiveness for their sins when a large tree standing near, which had got on fire at the stump, burned off and fell right across the arbor where the penitents were upon their knees in prayer, killing nine of them instantly. It fell right along the log upon which they had their heads, crushing them to a pulp.

I attended the funeral the next day when the nine were buried in one square grave with the honors of war, a platoon of soldiers firing volleys over the grave.

This concludes my story of my experiences in the civil war. The sufferings and privations of the men in the field, our mothers, sisters and daughters at home can never be told at least by my feeble pen. A new South has been born, a new generation has come upon the field of action and we all hope there may never be another call to arms but that all differences may be settled without the shedding of blood. With best wishes to every reader, I am

Fraternally yours,

R. C. CARDEN