The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-04-17
WASHINGTON April 1s. 1893.

SeCtlOnss
WASHINGTON. April IT, 1seS.
Sergeant Bates called upon the President to-day to
perform what he considered very agreeable duty
That duty, he said, was to deliver to the Pres
dent the kind messages for the Chief Magis
trate of the nation which he had received in
the swamps ana in the woods along the
stretches OF pine forrest through which his route
and then lay, at the lonely farm houses and In
the villages, cities and towns. "Te the President"
said a gray haired man, "that are praying FOR
him." "Say TO him." said hundreds, ''God bless
him." Many very many, begged the Sergeant
to tell the President that their hope was
that Heaven would bless Andrew Johnson in
his efforts TO secure their rights in the old Union.
"At Richmond Va continued the Sergeant, ga fine
looking old lady, working a passage through the
crowd came to me as ! making my way out of
the city, and with the tears coursing her cheeks
said as she took my hand, Tell Andrew
johnson that he has the earnest prayers
oof the matrons of Virginia for his welfare and hap
piness. Gray haired men. trembling with age in
yoked upon President Johnson Heavens blessings.
Just beyond Montgomery, in Alabama, m flag was
decorated with flowers and laurel wreath by q
young lady. who said 10 her mother, az
she returned to me my colors al wish l
could send sergeant Bates boquet to
President Johnson They would dismiss schools ~
meet me and many of the little girls would want to
Kiss me and to wave my dag. NV rooms have been
decorated with evergrcens and in North Caro-,
pinned bouquets upon my breast. In passing
through North Carolina and Virginia. had bou-
believe sir, that in every state through which have
passed tn my long Journey oaon could raise ,se
the entire Union have taken 10y the
hand dozens OF ex.confederate soldiers whose warm
grasp quiverinq lips and moistencd eyes could not
In CnOrufa- instance I who hnu
served in the rebel armies and who had been watch
ing for me along the road. He had been en-
home, dis.an. about two miles. On the way
he told me the grave Of his brother, who had fallen
went with him 70 the spot. lie stood upon one
side Of the grave and upon the other.
plain wooden head board marked the
place, and as was reading the inscription
he asked why such a bad state of feeling
should continue 20 prevail. Reaching his hand over
the grave Of his brother, clasped it: and win any
against whom lhad fought, hat who now was willing
rs stand by the old iagS In North Carolina I met
was quite old for one who but short
time since had carried a gun and knapsack. The
son.n-lsw-his only support. IL was eight miles to
TO the Catawba river the bridge over which
had been destroyed by Steedman. II had been
This old soldier took such interest in mel
mad stopped over night in the town where he
o ver or fear might fa and hnrt mgso Re.
tween selma and Montgomery, Ala. went 20 an ee-
cant residence, occupied by gentleman named
Whire ON plantation called Whitehall. Mr.. White
himself came to the door. My dag I'M
,urled, but ne did not know me, nor had
he heard OF my singular journey. lie, however,
had come to seek shelter under his roof During the
war he told me Wilson had passed through that
country and destroyed all he had. During
a talk OF two hours there was hardly q mo-
ment that his eyes were not mostened with
tears. In the morning | found my flag all
decorated 10y his daughter with wreaths of laurel
and flowers He went with me on my way about a
took him by the hand gentle breeze was blowing
and the lag held IN my left hand was living. The
Old man tried TO bid me good bye but he broke
down. and for several minutes wept like q child"
At the request OF the President the sergeant ex.
plaiped the circumstances under which be had
undertaken the long journey which ne has just con-
Guided persons " said he, ''made assertions which
believed to be both foolish and unfounded. | con-
tradited them, saying that ] did not care
for their individual opinions: but a. per.
baps thousands believed a. they did would
make a proposition that, II carried out,
would disprOve their theory. I thereup0n m0de
an offer 20 do what have done. did not think my
propositiOnwould DO accepted, nor did the principal
person Of those To whom refer think would dare 10
carry out nv plan. He however. at once accepted my
offer and dared me to fulfill It's terms He had declared
for instance that IL the government would withdraw
the military forces from the South and leave the nag
living the Union soldiers would hardly he OUT ol
sight before the colors would be torn down anu
tranpled In the dust replied that was a poor
man, that was not in a condition TO undertake tno
Journey but that II he would give me q dollar
a day Tor my family whilo was gone
would 70 70 Vicksburg aud would alone