Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1875-10-13
[From the New Orleans ia, ' Sunday Delta,
September IL, 1875
A PLEASANT EPISODE-MILI-
TARY COURTESIES-RETURN-
ING A CAPTURED SWORD.

With the approach of the Centennial,
both Confederate and Federate army
officials engaged in the late war seem
to be moved by a patriotic spirit, and
evince q laudable desire to bridge over
the bloody chasm that divided the
North and the South. Such occurren-
ces as the following, speak volumes in
favor of the new era that is dawning
upon the country.
The sentiments expressed by Major
Halsted and Captain Forstall are Gre
ditable to both gentlemen, and will go
far towards neutralizing all such ami
mosities as Morton and his school of
RADICAL politicians, would create and
perpetuate.
Captain Forstall appropriately and
gracefully acknowledges the receipt of
his sword, returned to him by Major
Halsted in whose possession it has
been since 1868. But the correspond
ence will fully explain the incident
NEWARK, New jersey, April 0, 1875.
CAPTAIN PAUL FoRsTALL, 10th Reg't. de
la Louisiana, Tiralleures d'Orleans,
N. o., La;
SIR In the latter part of 1868, or
the first part of 1864, while serving in
the United States Volunteer Army, apd
stationed at Port Hudson, La, serviDe
on the staff OF Bri9adier General Ged$he
l.. Andrews, then holding that post wNb
portion OF the Corps q Antique,
one OF our scouts, Sergeant, or Private,
Philbrick, of the Third Massachusetts
cavalry, brought.and presented to me q
sword, which he took, ras he told me, on
the opposite side of the Mississippi riv.
err, while on a scouting expedition.
This sword l have preserved, and in
the exact condition, worn some and de-
faced, especially the scabbard) in which
it was when he brought it to me.
Ten years have rolled round since
that time and occurrence. Peace exists,
and / hope ever will, between the sec
tons then arrayed in deadly hostility
against each other. The first centennial
OF our existence as a nation closes with
the present year. The by-gones of the
late war, at least Of bitterness and i'll
feeling, should he forgotten, and as
American citizens we should all meet il
good fellowship, at Independence Hall,
Philadelphia, in 1876.
There are enough pleasant and
proud reoollections in the first century
of our history as q nation, in which
we or our ancestors took part, and in
which we now have a common inheri
lance as trust an equal pride, without
recalling for elimination or recrimina-
ton the more regent and unpleasant
past.
l think the act have in view, and
which hope will be successful must be
conducive to good feeling-viz,, return.
ing your sword, which affords me now
satisfaction as | contemplate, in imagi'
nation, your pleasure III receiving 1t,
equal ii not greater than did its first re-
ception by you,
/ think its return may prove OF some
advantage in allaying i'll feeling if any
yet exists of the late war, in which il
bore doubt not in your hand brave
part. AS victofa in war conducted
with equal valor on the part of the
South helping with us of the North tc
illustrate ct least national bravery, il
appears to me We of the North ought al
this time to be ready first to extend the
right hand of friendship, and l doubt
not in most cases it would be warmly
grasped, especially between those who
wore the blue and the gray.
That you may be fully satisfied of the
circumstances stated in my letter, you
will only need show it to my relative,
ION whose staff had the honor of serv-
ing for long time during the war,
Major.General G. G. Augur, now com
handing III New Orleans, or to Captain
Il. V. A. Andruss, U. S. A., also rela-
tive, and in N, 0. and the signatures OF
either on any answer, will be full war
rant, liz my offer reaches Capt. P. F.
that the sword will go where I Intend il
to, viz, its real owner, to whom as re-
corded on the hilt it was presented by
his friends, paul Forstall present De
SEES Amis s Janvier, 1862 or in case o.
his death to his next of kin,
Yours, etc,
GEORGE 3. HALsrED,
Brevet Major.
! Assistant Adintant General late Il. S