£ 685 .U54 Copy 1 9; "IB ^ii OR, fit f mi Iatl@iil%' 0®B] IN TWO PARTS. Proving That tlie United States is tiie Fifth Nationality That' ShonW Come in tlie latter Times. ELECTION OF SHERMAN- ! RUPTURE WITH MEXICO- i WAR WITH SPAIN AND ENG- LAND-ANNEXATION OF ALL OUTLYING LANDS-PROPHECY FULFILLED. tM Tol«1 Ry ITiirle Billy in 10S5. ladi llllf'i liifitlfe; OR, fifth Istl@mlit| 0@aplil©. IN ;.TWO PARTS. Proving That the United States is the Fifth Nationality That Should Come in the Latter Times. ELECTION OF SHERMAN- RUPTURE WITH MEXICO- WAR WITH SPAIN AND ENG- LAND-ANNEXATION OF ALL OUTLYING LANDS-PROPHECY FULFILLED. As Told By Uncle Billy in 19S5. 1880. ; U 5 ^ UNCLE BILLY'S NARRATIVE; OR, The Mfth N"atioiialit7. CHAPTER I. "Now, Uncle Billy, please do tell us a story about our happy country," were the words of a number of children that were seated around a stove in a rural district mansion. The old man sat in an armed-chair at one side of the stove and his wife on the other, well seated in one of smaller dimensions. The boys, that they might not dis- turb the old man's meditations, seemed to keep as much silence as possible for individuals of their age. The fire roared loud, which made the old mansion glow with recol- lections of Christmas holidays long since passed, and* also those near at hand, that we had come to spend with Uncle Billy. "Very willingly, my boys," said Uncle Billy, amused by his returning recollections. "I'll tell you about our dear country and the vast regions where she has extended freedom and liberty; but, before I begin, I want you, master Harry, to bound our glorious country, the United States." "That I . can do. Uncle Billy: it is bounded on the north by the Arctic, on the east by the Atlantic and on the west by the Pacific Oceans ; or, as the Bible says, the fifth great nationality is bounded by the eastern sea and 2 Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. the great sea : ^^ ^From the border unto the east sea, this shall be the east side. . . . The west side also shall the great sea ; from the border, this is the west side.'' ''Very good — excellent/' said Uncle Billy. "Now Avhat can you tell about the inhabitants of our country ? " " Its inhabitants, the amalgamation of the finest European races forming a national character, having for its basis the irresistible energy and steady courage of the Anglo-Saxton, in which are mingled the religious tenacity of the thrifty Scot ; the generous bravery of the quick- witted Irishman ; the sanguine and the elastic spirit of the mercurial Frenchman, and the patient, persevering indus- try of the honest German." ''Yes, my dear children, our forefathers were not of high ])atrician birth, but generally selected of thiit class which in England especially constitutes the very best and most enterprising of her people. Independence of mind, a fearless spirit, with an unparalleled strength of purpose, vrere characteristics by which they were distinguislied. Another and different race might have been our fathers ; but God had high and important purposes in view, and therefore selected men who possessed the power and were furnished with the materials to lay the deep and broad Ibundations of a nation destined to be unexampled and glorious. The nature of the constitutions and laws they framed and adopted ; their moral tcndaucy ; the strictness of their religious sentiments, all give evidence of an over- ruling I*n)vI(U3ncc ; and as Jong as the religion of Jesus is pcriiHtted to lie dee})ly rooted in her institutions, she can never fall. The llock of Ages is her abiding place. She is supported by {)i liars of strength and beauty that suft'er no d<'<'av. nnolitical corruption ; her government from beginning without strength — a po- litical volcano belching forth revolution upon revolution, Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Pifih Nationality. 11 reble watchfires forever burning on the hillsides. Unsta- bility and feuds of government cause farmers to fear to visit their farms, much less live on them, as they would likely be carried off by some rebellious chief, placed in a den until a good fat ransom was paid. Farm buildings have to be Avell walled and fortified, and carry on at times very respectable battles and seiges. Farms are large, and even under all these adverse circumstances, yield great revenues to their owners. On every train, one entire car is devoted to fifty troops, Avhose duty it is to see the train safely through regions of lawlessnes and rebellion. At every railroad station a body of cavalry is drawn up to protect the train from reble banditti. But the soldiers could not be trusted. Thievs, robbers, when arrested and condemned, are sent to the army, their punishment being to fight the battles of their country. What, then, could be expected of such politicians and soldiers but to hold power and destroy the country ? But we could not received Mexico without jealousy by the Old World. England's policy, not her love, sustained amicable relations with us while it suited her, but no lon- ger ; and Spain tried another of her old tricks — a gross insult upon our flag, which was only a repetition of past acts, when our citizens were shot in cold blood, without trial, without sympathy. Such direful acts were let pass with a few thousand rusty doubloons as expiatory. The most ignominious deaths awaited the patriots who attempted to throw off the most odious system of slavery that ever disgraced any country — lashed, spurned, robbed and out- raged by the minions of foreign depotism, whose chains they were unable to shake off. But this v>^as to end, and not in vain had the Cubans again and again stretched forth 12 Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. their hands to us their free brethren, imploring, demand- ing that aid and co-operation, which freemen everywhere owe to the oppressed and enslaved, while in her country's sky, her scenery, her soil, she reads her titled deeds traced by the finger of God to freedom. Yes, the Queen of the Antilles was to be free ; her free brethren would punish the conquistadores. Old Spain had hoodwinked our gov- ernment long enough by her promises when she condemned hosts of patriots to death, but instead she clothed the mur- derers with honors or office. Popular feeling was bitter and determined that the murderers should be punished by our government. Old Spain remonstrated and declared war against us, and then the oppressed demanded that which we could not refuse, — that freedom Avhich they had a right to, and prayed to be annexed, forever protected from tyranny, which our people did ahnost unanimously ; yet there were some citizens who had imbibed the old fogy notions, as from the early days of our Republic, that an addition of a few more states to the original thirteen, would make our Union unwieldly, and that it would totter and fall. AVhen California was admitted, rife was the prediction of ruin ; we had reached tlie utmost verge of safety ; its mongrel population would tarnish ; its climate enervate ; and its gold corrupt ; but 'ere thirty years had passed it was altogether Americanized, and as homogene- ous as Baltimore or Xew York. Said one of our public men fifty years ago, "We can gather under our wings Canada, Cuba, Mexico and Central America, for each ad- dition of a new state imposes no burden, it is self-support- ing. Each branch that falls from the banyan tree finds its own root, its own sustenance, grows luxuriantly, and adds its might to animate nature. The accrescent tendency Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 13 of the times cannot be denied or ignored. Fate has writ- ten it down in her leaves ; opinion has registered it among her resolves, that all continental and outlying lands must, before long, fall under one flag, and that flag the one that carries so gloriously the Stars and Stripes.''^ To resume. As I told you, I could not go to help in delivering Mexico from demagogues. As luck would have it, I joined a company early, which soon went up in two days from 40 to 130 men. AVe went to town once or twice a week, or oftener, to drill. All in excellent spirits, the last few evenings, which stole upon us calm and sw^eet as we finished our drill, difliised a soft and gentle influence over all, while the moon rose calm and bright, was an im- pression not to be forgotten in a lifetime. I remember well the warm sultry evening I was returning from a ball at the City Hall, the stars shining brilliantly in the serene sky ; the frogs and katydids had ceased their lullaby, and all nature had sunk to rest. When I reached home, it was well nigh morning. However, I had a sound nap before summoned to breakfast. All faces were bright and smil- ing, and I felt very happy with the notice I received the evening before, that I should join my company next morn- ing to join our regiment, that I could take part in the honors of our country. It was past noon when all the companies reached town ; while citizens from all parts of the country were coming into town in every variety of vehicle, and such an outpouring of the people had never been seen in Frederick before ; but animated by patriot- ism, they dropped their work, in order to show their devo- tion for oppressed brethren. Even the gay, handsome ladies in countless numbers graced the occasion with their presence, and waved their handkerchiefs, showing the deep 14 Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. interest they had taken in our cause. Soon we were march- ing down Market street, to take the train for Baltimore, amid deafening huzzahs, to say nothing of the excellent music the bands of Frederick and other places favored us with — those familiar soul-stirring patriotic airs. I never saw Frederick prettier. Business suspended, as every one wanted holiday. All houses decorated, and many beautiful arches erected, and a number of large flags thrown to the breeze. Market street presented a grand appearance — a continuous stream of flags, evergreens and banners. Bidding farewell to our relations and friends, we were soon on the cars. At several places along the road, shouting crowds, hoarse and valorous, sent us, as we passed, their hopes and wishes. Our men, gay and cheer- ful and careless, confident of being ready at any moment, capable of performing, and more than performing, their duty, they looked battle in the face with a smile, and were ready to liob nob w^ith an enemy, were he present. A good many had taken more than enough to drink, and become somewhat noisy. When we reached Baltimore, we heard the booming of cannon, ringing of bells, and the shouts and cheers of the thousands. We were in an ecstasy of eager curiosity. The newsboys shouting off tlieir papers by a glorious vic- tory — the fleet has gained a glorious victory. The papers were sold in a thrice ; those who were ofl" the train first succeeded in getting a few copies, while myself with num- bers were trying to get all tlie information we could, but only succeed with such sentences as we could catch from the joyious crowds, as a glorious victory ; a victory such as had never been known before in the waters of Columbia ; a victory that would send a thrill of ecstasy to every heart Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 15 throughout the land. Not humbled the allies, but so dis- couraged them that they dare not even show fight ; they were vanished ; Columbian Archipelago is ours. The plan of battle was admirable ; the ships formed into line ; it was a sublime sight, this fleet of fifty war-ships ; mailed that the balls of the enemy glanced oif like an Indian's arroAV on the skin of an alligator ; gracefully swept into line, so silent, so elegant, awaiting the enemy, soon to burst into the loudest thunder for eight long hours ; vessel after vessel of the enemy sunk hy her side of an armament of over two hundred choice war-ships, rushing around her far more fiercer than wolves around a dying stag ; the ves- sels enveloped in smoke that no eye could penetrate, burst forth incessantly from the tumultous malstrom of dark- ness, sending such bolts as never hurled from the fabled hands of Jupiter Olympus, glancing from off our armor, ricGOcheting over the water in all directions. The smoke- stacks of some of bur ships were riddled with shot ; flag- staffs shot away, and anchors bent, some as if they had been molded lead, but none the worse hurt, save a few scratches on their ironed^cased batterries. Thrice is he armed who has his cause just. News had arrived of the destruction of the allied fleet. Old England had become exasperated at our government without giving her a cause, allied her fleet with Spain to defeat Cuba. She declared that war was for her advan- tage, a protection to her West India colonies, and as soon as she heard of our conflict with Mexico, sent out troops, ammunitions and men-of-war; and the London papers declared that England was interested to proclaim war, and teach young America a lesson not to meddle in West India possessions. Yes, liberty-loving England, that boasts of 16 Umle Billy's Narrative ; Oi\ The Fifth Nationality. fighting for the oppressed of all lands, but when was she ever known to favor an oppressed people, throwing oif the yoke of despotism ? Alas ! let Ireland from centuries of miserable oppression say what heart has England to favor freedom. Meanwhile, we were hurrying on board the shipping — aboard the Osceola — the wonder of the age, a new masted broadside ocean-going ironclad, built for speed, and carry- ing the maximum of armor and armament consistent with seaworthy qualities. Yes, we were on board the majestic Osceola just from the navy yard, hurrying to the scenes of war in scarce less than a fortnight since the barbarous cruelties had aroused our citizens. Sea-sickness was all but encouraging, but as this was my first voyage I had much to learn. Uncle Bilhjs Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 17 CHAPTER ly. All were happy and enthusiastic at the prospect of being able to take part in the triumph of our country, and were inspirited at the sight of the beautiful war-ships. The morning of the fifth day was mild and lovely ; the sokliers in the highest delight with the saturnalia, jokes and fun. At night anxious faces looked southward, perchance to see the island in the distance. 'Ere long we were within sight of the castles of Havana. Havana is defended by three forts or castles — Moro, Punto and Cabanas. The first two forts command the entire entrance to the harbor — a kind of channel scarcely more than three hundred yards wide, and about a thousand long. On the left of this entrance is the far-famed Moro Castle, with little of the grimaces of a fortress about it, but much of the dreamy and delicate beauty of an enchanted palace. Its light golden brown seemed to grow out of, rather than to be built upon, a ridge of rocks curiously worn and seamed by the action of the water, from the midst of which rose a single lofty, slender tower, with a graceful balcony, a long line of em- brasures for cannon, and a beacon at the top ; the whole looking so slight and aerial in the shimmering sunshine that it soon tumbled into a heap of ruins when two hun- dred pound balls from a couple of our broadsides struck it. Behind this is a huge, strong fort — the "Cabanas'^ — commanding the city and greater part of the bay. On the right of the entrance is the Punto Castle, a smaller, less important fort than Moro, well suited to the times of 18 Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Notionality. Philip II, but not the wise, enlightened days of the nine- teenth century. Back of this in either direction stretches the citv. A bombardment was determined on. Each ship placed so as to throw a broadside into the forts. It was an appalling storm descending upon the Spanish like the fabled bolts of Jove. The scene aboard was novel and thrilling. The thunder of the conflict drowned all noises. Terror and grandeur of war were there, without its carnage and misery, ^o blood-stained decks ; no groans of the wounded or dying ; enveloped in enough peril to rouse all to a delerium of enthusiasm. Bombs rose from the ships^ in a majestic sweep through the air, and then fell directly into the forts, exploading with a roar equal to the loudest thunder. The Spanish could i>ot withstand this. Their cry of ^'Santiago y cierra Esjxtna'^ — ^Saint Jago and charge Spain — Avas useless here. When a panic in an army com- mences, reason is gone. They dropped their arms and fled like sheep before the hound, leaving everything they had behind them — their coats which they had thrown ofll their watches, their guns, in fact all the spoils of the camp. Punto was abandoned ; Moro in ruins ; but Cabanas was still there, where the foe had centered their last hope of Cuba. AVhile the bombardment was going on, we were landing, that is the land force which was to co-operate with the fleet. When the first boats neared the shore they were fired upon with heavy guns secreted on the coast, when the Osceola neared and threw a few dozen sharpnells among them ; they could not withstand these, and molested us no farther. But tha "Queen of the Antilles" was not taken so easily. They retreated out of reach of our shipping Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 19 only, then determined on a despc^rate resistence. We landed, marched a distance, then threw a sort of redoubt up, when the enemy, recovering from his fright, had re- turned to meet us. We were ordered to lie down behind our unfinished works ; however, the bank protected most of us. Our colonel Avas the only one exposed, for he rode up and down our line steady as a rock. We were all pleased to see him so cool. Time seemed endless while we had to lay thus inactive. We could not, of course, help peering over the bank, to try and see what was going on ; but there was nothing to be made out, for now a tremendous thunderstorm, w^hich had been gathering all the afternoon, burst on us, and a torrent of almost blinding rain came down, which obscured the view, even more than the smoke, while the crashing of the thunder, and the glare of the lightning could be heard and seen, even above the roar and flash of the artillery. Once, when the rain somewhat abated, the trade winds lifted the smoke, when we saw a skirmishing party in the valley, — a grand scene in the dark green, encompassed in a curtain of smoke all around, and a clear gap in the centre, with a sudden gleam of evening sunshine lighting up. The steep, smoth slope of the hill was crowded Avith dark figures of the enemy, whom I now saw for the first time, — an irregular outline in front, but very solid in the rear. The Avhole body Avas moving forward in fits and starts, Avith a great noise and clang, like as if they intended to frighten us aAvay, Avhile the men firing and advancing ; the officers waving their swords ; the columns closing up, and gradually making AA^ay. Our men Avere concealed by bushes and trees, AA'hence the smoke and their fire could be seen proceeding. Presently from these bushes came out a 20 Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. blue line and dashed dpwn the brow of the hill, a flame of fire belching out from the front as it advanced. The ene- my hesitated, gave way, and finally ran back in a confused crowd down the hill. Then the smoke covered the scene ; but the glimpse of this splendid charge was inspiring, and I hoped we should show the same coolness when it came to our turn. Now came our turn. For a few minutes we saw nothing, but a rattle of bullets, which came through the smoke, mostly, however, passing over our bank. We began to fire in reply, stepping up against the bank to fire and stoop- ing down to load ; but our brigade major rode up with an order, and the word was passed through the men to reserve our fire. In a very few moments it must have been, that when ordered to stand, we could see the helmit, spikes, and then the dark figures of the skirmishers, as they came .on ; a lot of them there appeared to be, five or six deep, I should say, but in loose order, each man stopping to aim and fire, and then coming forward a little. Just then the brigadier came clattering on horsebaclv up to us. ''Xow then, boys, give it them hot," he cried ; and fire away we did, as fast as ever we were able. How long this went on, I know not, — it could not have lasted long ; neither side could have lasted many minutes under such a fire, but it ended by the enemy fleeing in confusion, and as soon as we saw that, we raised a tremen- dous shout, and jumped upon the bank to give them our parting shots. Suddenly the order was passed down the line to cease firing, and we soon discovered the cause. Several companies of infantry were charging obliquely across from our left across our front. It was, I expect, their flank attack as much as our fire which had driven Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationalitij. 21 back the enemy, and it was a splendid sight to see their steady line as they advanced slowly across the valley be- low us, firing as they went, but as steady as if on parade. We felt greatly elated ; the enemy was flying, the battle was w^on. We were driving them into Havana, which we soon made succumb, with, I do not remember the exact number of prisoners, but many thousand, besides great quantities of munitions of war. sit ^ >K =!« We were soon in the beautiful city, with its balmy air, shady balconies — all gilded in noontide glory. How the sunshine gatliers things in its passionate embrace — spires, ceibas houses, palms, gardens — and breathes over them all a soft, delicious languor. The air is full of the soothing murmurousness of gauzy-winged insects, swarming, float- ing, and shining; and somewhat afar is a faint sound that comes from the ocean. The atmosphere is of a mellow, creamy tint, (^uite different from its clear whiteness at the Nortli ; you think it must have been filtered through gold, or fused in a crucible w^ith amber, ^ere it was shed over this enchanted isle ; or you wonder how many ripe, gorge- ous, glowing sunsets it has dissolved and holds in solution to give it such wonderful softness of tone and rare lumi- nousness of tint. Seen through this wiirm, palpitating medium, objects do not stand out sharp and clear, as in our colder atmosphere ; their outlines soften, waver, grow vague and dreamy, and their colors are smoothed and blended, until you cease to think about details, and know only that you are living in a picture, and breathing sun- shine — sunshine which is sweetness to your lungs and re- pose to your heart. Your cares are soothed ; your pains and ills fall from you like ill-fitting garments ; all the 22 Unde Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. dark realities of your life have a rainbow border, like ob- jects seen througli a prism. Your imagination is enriched ; you no longer aspire to be a philanthrophist, but you are inly persuaded that you were born a poet, and have mys- terious kinships with palm groves and flowers. Sweet verses of rare old songs come fitfully to your lips ; gorge- ous bits of Arabian Nights and imagery float hazily through your memory ; aircastles rise, rosehued and radi- ent, on the sapphire foundation of the cloudless sky ; exis- tence is become a luxury, and life a dream ! Uncle Bilh/s Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 23 CHAPTER Y. Mean^vhile, we were received everywhere w4th the greatest enthusiasm by the Cubans, who were so glad that they were free, so joyous that in future joy and peace would dwell in harmony among them. No tyrants to oppress ; no bayonets to keep them in subjection ; no purchased per- mit to travel in their lovely isle ; no tax or written con- tract to repair their buildings, or move from one house into another. But we did not stop here. Every island in the whole Columbian Archipelago was ours ; and old Spain and old England had no more to say in A^est India rule ; and then came Canada, yes, Canada, which we had been longing and waiting for over a hundred years. When old England made war on us, the Fenians, a liberty-loving brotherhood, who wanted to see Canada free, rallied, invaded Canada, drove out British authority, without much trouble, and the Canadian militia, of which there were so much talk, did not amount to anything in support of foreign authority. They joined the Fenians in whole companies, relying upon their promises. ''We come,^' said the Fenians, "to sever your foreign allegiance. We are your friends. In us you may confide. We only make war against foreign foes. Our sole quarrel is with oppressors who rule you.^' Our government did not have to spend a cent in this Fenian invasion, all borne by the generous, humane brotherhood. Each province soon knocked at the door of our Union for admission as a state, and happy we were to see the poor 24 Uncle Bilh/s Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. Canadians free and under the Stars and Stripes, while our government was fast extending its bounds to the lings pointed out with ecstatic delight by the prophets, and which the wise had long understood must speedily be ac- complished, for it is written, '^I will give knowledge to them that understandeth." The rest of the outlying lands of the continent soon followed, and the boundary of the fifth nationality is complete, and the good administration of President Sherman about to close so illustrious and pro- gressive, with such prosperity that tongue cannot tell, or pen discribe, and the thanksgiving of myriads who sor- rowed in panic made him the idol in the hearts of grateful millions, and his name goes down the ages with those few mortals whom the Almighty ordained to control the desti- nies of the world. And now nearly fifty years have passed, we are still advancing in intellectual and material progress and development, through public education and industrial . enterprise, and the eyes of the people are open to the prophecy and our glorious Republic — the fifth great na- tionality that was to come, awaiting the dawn of the mil- lennial morn. That glorious day so often referred to in the Holy Bible — that resplendent day long the theme of so many promi- ses to the good and true of every age, hallowed hope of the Christian, and the song that made Judah's sacred mountains shake with expectant joy. The cloudless splen- dor from a new heaven will beam on the inhabitants of a new earth in that happy millennial when there will be but one kind of civil government known, and that will be llepublicanism, and but one religion known, and that will be Christianity. Xot that every man will be a holy man, ibr the final judgement will come, when wise and foolish Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationaliti/. 25 virgins, the righteous and tlie wicked, will both be upon earth ; but a long circle of ages called the millennial — a certain given for an indefinite number of years — in which the means for the elevation of the world will be multi- plied, commerce and trade, agriculture and manufactures, science and art, will extend, the gospel of the Son of God have universal welcome among the nations of the earth, and nations learn to war no more. Then will the apocalyptic angel, having the everlasting gospel to preach to every nation and people and tongue, sweep the breath of heaven, and as his silvery pinions of light shave the levil horizon, every island and continent shall bow obsequeous to his message : ^'Fear God and give glory to him ; and worship him that made heaven and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters/' (the end of part first.) I i 'ONI B 0013 789"^^!;'