Middletown transcript., 1868-05-16
Sergeant Batcs' Journey,
Interesting meTDicw bctreen the President AMI Ser
gent BIteS.
WAsIINGToN, APRIL 16 1868

Sergeant Bates called upon the Presi-
dent to-day to perform what he considered
very agreeable duty. That duty, he
said, was to deliver to the President the
kind messages for the Chief Magistrate of
the nation which he had received in the
swamps and in the woods along the
stretches of pine forest through which his
route now and then lay, at the lonely
farmhouscs and in the villages, cities and
towns. "Tell the President" said gray
haired man, ''that we are praying for him. y
"Say to him." said hundreds, q God bless
him." Many, very many begged the Ser
geant to tell the President their hope was
that God would bless Andrew johnson in
his efforts to secure their rights in the
old Union. cat Richmond, Va" contin-
ucd the Sergeant, ''a fine looking old
lady, working her way through the crowd
came to me as was making my way out
of the city, and with the tears coursing her
checks, said, as she took my hand, "Tcll
Andrew johnson that he has the earnest
prayers of the matrons Of Virginia for his
welfare and happiness. Gray haired men,
trembling with age, invoked upon Presi-
dent Johnson Heavens blessing" Just
beyond Montgomery, my flag was decora-
ted with flowers and laurel wreath by a
young lady, who said to her mother. as she
returned to me my colOrs, 81 wish could
send by Sergeant Bates boquet to the
President" y Schools would dismiss to meet
me, and the little girls would want to kiss
me, and to wave my flag. My rooms have
been decorated with evergroens, and in
North Coroina girls strewed my way with
flowers and pinned bouquets upon my
breast. In passing through North Caro-
lima and Virginia, | had boquct in my
hand every hour of the day. / honestly
believe, sir, that in every State through
which passed in my journey could raise
thousand men for the defence of the FLAG
as quickly as l could anywhere in the en-
tire Union. | have taken by the hand
dozens of ex-confcderate soldiers whose
warm grasp, quivering lips and moistencd
Dyes could not lie. In Georgia. for in
stance, met man who served in the re-
bel armies, and who had been watching
for me along the road. He had been en-
gagged in chopping wood ] accompanied
him to his home, distant about two miles,
On the way he told me the grave of his
brother, who had fallen in the rebel cause,
was not far from the roadside. | went
with him to the spot. He stood upon one
side of the grave and upon the other. a
plain wooden head board marked the place,
and as I was reading the inscription he
asked why such a bad state of feeling
should continue to prevail Reaching his
hand over the grave of his brother,
claspcd it; and will any one say 1 did
wrong in taking by the hand one against
whom fought, but who was now willing
to stand by the old flag? In North Caro-
lima | met an old man who had served in
the rebel forces. He was quite old for one
who but a short time since had carried u
gun and knapsack. The poor old man
during the war had lost two sons and
son-in-law-his only support. 1t was
eight miles to the Catawba river, the
bridge over which had been destroyed by
Stedman, 1t had been rebuilt, but was
very high and bad to cross. This old sol
dier t. such interest in me- had
stopped over night in the town where he
l,liyed-that he went with me to the bridge
and led me over for fear l might fall and
hurt myself. Between Selma and Mont
gomcry, Ala. | went to an elegant resi-
dence, occupied by a gentleman named
White, on a plantation called Whitehall
Mr.. White himself came to the door. My
flag was unfurled, but he did not know me,
nor had lie heard of my singular journey
He, however, warmly welcomed me, and |
explained to him how | came to seek shell
ter under his roof. During the war, he
told me, Wilson had passed through that
country and destroyed all he had. Du-
ring II talk of two hours there was hardly
moment that his eyes were not moistened
with tears. In the morning / found my
flag all decorated by his daughter with
wreaths and flowers. lie went with me
on my way about a mile, and finally said
he would have to leave me. l took him
by the hand. A gentle breeze was blow
ing and the flag held in my left hand was
flying. The old man tried to bid me good
bye, but he broke down, and for several
minutes wept like child"
AT the request of the President the Ser
gcant explained the circumstances under
which he had undertaken the long journey
which he has just concluded. Persons"
said he, I" made assertions which | believed
to be both foolish and unfounded | con-
tradicted them, saying l did not care for
their individual opinions but as perhaps
thousands believed as they did, | would
make a proposition that, if carried out,
would disprove their theory. l Ithereupon
made an offer to do what l have done. [
did not think my proposition would be ac-
eepted, nor did the principal person of
those to whom | refer think l would dare
to carry out my plan. He, however, ac-
ccpted my offer and dared me to fulfill it's
terms. He declared, for instance, shat if
the Government would withdraw the mill
tary forces form the South and leave the
flag flying the Union soldiers would hardly
be out of sight before the colors would be
torn down and trampled in the dust. I