Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-04-23

lne oelence tnen closed, reServlng tne rlBnC W
call other witnesses in case Stanberry, who knew
The court then adjourned. - %E 0.z.S.-.--. T
Evarts and Curtis have called on Stanbery, but
the interview was deemed imprudeut, though it is
hoped that Stanbery will be able to speak, other
wise Groesbeck follows Evarts. !. The President is
cheerful, but the visitors have got theimprcssion
that he has but little hope Of acquittal The po-
sition of affairs has been widely canvassed to-day,
but no new Light has been thrown on affairs.
From the Richmond Dispatch
SERGEANT BATES IN WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, April l5.-Sergeant Bates called
upon the President to-day to perform what he con-
aidefed 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, a.
long the sloughs Of piue forests through which
house, and in the villages, cities, andtow 'Ten
the President" said gray: haired men,. I'VE are
praying for him" "Say to him." said hundreds,
"God bless him. Many, very many, begged the
Sergeant to tell the President that theyever would
bless Andrew johnson for his efortsto secure their
rights in the old Union; c...
cat Richmond, Va continued the Sergeant,
"a fine looking oldlady, working passage through
the crowd, CAME to me as l was making my way
out Of the city, and, with the tears coursing down
her cheeks, said, as she took my hand, Tell An
drew johnson that he has the earnest prayers of
the matrons Of Virginia for his welfare and hap
piness' Gray-haired men trembling with age, in
voked upon President johnson Heavens blessing.
Just beyond Montgomery, in Alabama, my flag was
decorated with flowers and laurel wreath, by
young lady, who said to her mother, as she return
ed to ME my colors, wish could send by Ser
geaut Bates boquet to President Johnson
They would dismiss schools to meet me, and many
Of the little girls would want to kssmeand to wave
my flag. Ny rooms have been decorated with ev-
ergreen, and in North Carolina girls strewed my
way With flowers and pinned bouquets upon my
breast In passing through North Carolina and
Virginia had Q bouquet in my hand every hour
of the day. honestly believe, sir, that in every
State through which have passed in my long
journey could raise thousand men for the de-
fence Of the flag as quickly as could anywhere in
the entire Union. have taken by the hand doz-
ems of ex Confederate soldiers, whose warm grasp,
|quivering lips, and moistened eyes, could not lie.
In Georgia for instance, met q man who had
served in the rebel armies, and who had been
gagged in chopping wood. accompanied him to
bis home, distant abouttwo miles. On the way,
he told me that the grave of his brother who had
fallen in the rebel cause, was not far from the road
side. I went with him to the spot He stood
upon one side Of the grave and upon the other.
la plain wooden headboard marked the place, and
as I was reading the inscription, he asked why
such bad state of feeling should continue to pre-
vail, reaching hishand over the grave of his broth
Ter. clasped it, and viii any one say I did wrong
lin taking by the hand one against whom | had
good old flag?
'tIn North Carolina met an old man who had
served in the rebel forces. He was quite old for
one who had but q short time since carried gun
and knapsack. The poor old man during the war
had lost two sons and son.in-law, his only sup
port Itwas eight miles to the Catawba river, the
bridge over which had been destroyed BY Stead.
man. 1t had been rebuilt and was very high and
bad to cross. This old soldier took such a deep
interest in me that had to stop over night in the
town where he lived, and he went with me to the
bridge and led me over, for fear ! might fall and
hurt yourself
Between Selma and Montgomery, in Alabama,
I went to an elegant residence occupied by gen.
tleman named w bite, on plantation called White
| Hall Mr. White himself came to the door, My
flag was unnled, but he did not know me, nor
had he heard of my singular journey he however
warmly welcomed me, and explained to him how
Ihad come to seek shelter under his roof Du-
tring the war he told me, Wilson hSd passed
During talk of two hours there was hardly a mo-
ment bis eyes were not moistened with tears In
the morning I found my flag all decorated by his
daughter with iwreathes of laurel and flowers. he
went with me on my way about mile and finally
said he would have to leave me- took him by
the hand, gentle breeze was blowing, 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 minutes wept like child. !" At the request
Of the President the Sergeant explained the cir
cumstances under which he had undertaken the
said he, "made assertions which believed to be
both foolish and unfounded. Icontradicted them,
saying that did not care for their individual o.
pinions; but as perhaps thousands believed as
they did, Iwould make a proposition that if car
ried out, would disprove their history. 1 there
upon made an offer to do what have done. l
did not think my proposition would be accepted,
nor did theprincipal; person of those to whom
refer think would dare carry out my plan. He,
however, at once accepted my offer, and dared me
to fulfil it's terms He had declared for instance,
from the South, and leave the flags flying, the
Union soldiers would hardly be out of sight be-
fore the colors would be torn down and trampled
in the dust I replied that was a poor man;
| that I was not In condition to undertake the
Journey, but that if he would give me dollar
day for my family while I.was gone, [ would go
to Vicksburg and would, alone, unarmed, and
without money, carry the American flag from
that place to Washington. was told that my
life would not be worth a cent; that indeed would
never be permitted to leave Yicksburg alive
Articles Of agreement were drawn up, and I
was dared to sign them. I did 50, and thus bound
myself to their performance. went home,
thought over the matter, saw it was novel enter
prise and would attract some attention, but did not
think it would receive the notice it has / felt sure
II would be treated we'll and that the flag would be
respected; but had no idea the people would take
so much pains to show their resnect for the flag,
or that I would receive such ar ovation. There
was, sir. during the entire journey, not breath
uttered against the flag or myself. Whether in
the rich mans parlor or the .poor, mans cabin,
whether on the road or in the city, the old flag
ceived the respect and homage Of ALL and vel
come and hospitality. l was determined to carry
out the plan. have done so and when reach
led Washington had not a penny in my pocket
II did not know where was to get meal, or where
to find resting place. Ihave had money enough
offered me on the route to make me rich for life,
but have not accepted cent, nor have l sold
photograph, as some have said, during my jour-
ney.
'sMr President, I recaptured one of our flags
without expending O shot. 1t was flag that has
been taken from us at Charlottesville, and handed
to me by an ex Confederate who had preser-
we'd it at his house. Before leave I will again
call on you to show you sash presented to me by
the ladies of Montgomery, Ala, and which prom
ised, when reached Washington, you should see.
L.no ~ Mondov 10 1ooya nv, bo,,,o ,,..