National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-02-12
A PLEASING INCIDENT.
Return Of a Captured Sabre,

The subJoned correspondence explains itself:
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Jan. q, ls7j,
Alfred IUcrsOH, esq, Macon, Georgia:
MY DEAR SIR: Your letter OF the sd instant
has been received. i have the following commu-
nication to make: Commander VIM. B. Gushing,
United States navy, was my warm personal
friend, and one eyeaing short time previous to
his death, which occurred on the 18th ultimO We
were sitting in his parlor talking over many OF
the incidents Of the late war when he showed me
a cavalry sabre which had come into his posses
sion during one Of his dashing raids near Smith
vile, North Carolina.
First Lieutenant Alfred Iverson, LIST cavalry,
United states army, from his friends in ColHm-
Commander Cushing remarked to me, 81
wonder whether the officer who wore this sabre Is
still living; he may have eeen good fellow, and
If knew where he was should. like to re-
offering, the war being ROW over"
As this was spoken 50 snort o time before he
died, and was the genuine expression OF the feel
ings of as brave and gallant an officer and warm
beBrted o man as ever wore uniform, and be-
neying that you WoGld appreciate the motives
which prompted such q desire, 1 suggested to his
family that 1t would be proper and agreeable to
fulfili such noble wish, and having received the
the facts, and il you desire me to do so, will
forward the sabre 10 you by express.
lam very respectfully, yours, &c,
MACON, GA Feb. ?, 1875.
II" TEAR SIR: Your favsr OF the 9th ult., inform
ing me Of the whereabouts Of q cavalry SABRE
lost by during the late war, and of the desire,
Just before his death, of Commander VIM. b.
Gushing, U. s. N, into whose hands 1t had fallen,
Of returning II as "a compliment and peace
Offering, lie at hand.
In justice to myself must say that the sabre
was not lost in battle, but being too heavy for
general use, was lett at Smithville, n. O., when
! was called with NY regiment to participate in
the battles around Richmond. / mover knew
until now what had become OF It, except that lt
had been captured; have always had faith,
however, unless It had fallen into the hands Of q
"buDmer," that l should hear from 1t again, and
! am glad to know that il has been all this time
in the keeping Of a gentlemen and an officer.
fully appreciate the kind motives which dictated
its return, and sincerely regret that Commander
Gushing is no longer alive, that might thank
him Tor the compliment and accept the peace
offering as between two officers who had fought
in Opposing causes. Although cannot speak
officially, being still disqualified ''rebeI, ;" l
beg leave 10 say here that what my sentiments
are in this regard is but the echo OF the whole
Southern thought. Having no sectional interests
now at stake, and no issue 10 make such as made
the basis Tor war in 1861, those issues being for
ever cead, We are ready to accept the freddy
hands Of the Northern people whenever pre-
sented, and the bitterness having passed away,
10 90 on together to bring our common country
to the climax Of prosperity ana glory. The
sabre is valuable TO me on account Of the assO-
Citations connected with it, having been presented
twenty years ago by my friends many OF whom
now sleep in distant fields beneath the sod.
Allow me 10 thank you very kindly for the ln-
terest you have taken in its return, and through
you Mrs. Gushing tor her consideration in con-
senting TO its restoration. Please direct as you
suggest by express. Yours very respectfully,
ALFRED " ERsON.
WASHINGTON. D. c., February 10, 1875.
Alfred ~ TSon; esq, AacoH; @; ,
received, and the sabre will be sent by express
this day. year or two ago the sc lbbard be-
came somewhat rusty, and in order to properly
preserve it Commander Gushing had it nickel
plated
hope that you will receive it in good condition,
and il ever there comes an occasion for you to
again hUcKle IL about the tpmDOFarV
possession Of IL by so brave and honorable an Off,
Ger as the late Commander Gushing add an inter
est to it in your estimation. l further hope that
the sentiments Of good fellowship expressed By
him as we'll as yourself, and felt by the mass OF
all true lovers Of our common country, North and
South, may eventually lead US to that true and
permanent Union which has heretofore been the
+ undatiOn of cur strength and prosperity.
an, sir, yours very truly, WIN. COWARD.