St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1876-03-17
Strange Meeting of Old Soldiers and
Travellers

Among the various regiments recruit
ed IN central New York during the late
war. was the l60th. which was sent to
the department of the Gulf and attach
Ell 10 the army under the command of
Hen. Banks. This regiment took an
active part III the operations against
Fort Hudson. and was one of the first
10 enter that place at the time of its
surrender. July9, 1863. 1t was one of
the regiments of Weitzel'S brigade. and
the following year took part in an ex-
pedItIon to Sabine Pass. between Lou
lsana and Texas. where a large amount
OF confederate stores were DESTROYED
One of the companies belonging to the
l6Oth was raised iu PALMYRA. y. V.
and among its members was o. 5. Stev-
ens. who served its full time. was dis
charged at its disbandment, and is now
merchant of Palmyra
A few days since Mr.. Stevens had oc-
caSlon to go to Hartford. Conn. and
left home on the ) p. IN. train Oh the
Central railroad. After becoming well
settled in one of the sleeping cars. he
discovered a tail, sandy y-complexioned
man III the opposite section. who.
though perfect stranger. had Il large
Roman nose which Stevens thought he
had seen before, but failing to recall
any remembrance of such Il face. he
gave no attention TO it until the train
reached Syracuse. when Il long arm
reached across the aisle. and Il brawnv
hand touched him on the shoulder. the
stranger at the same time asked if they
stopped there for supper. To this Stcv-
cnS answered III the affirmative. telling
him that if he would 90 along with him
he would show him where to get IL good
lunch. AT that they passed ont to
gcther. and after supper the stranger
offered stevens Il cigar. and they went
INTO the smoking car where the follow
ing conversation ensued
"Well. stranger, reckon YOU live
somewhere i'll these parts -
Yes. live in Palmyra" he Said
And live way down i'll Texas:
was What You used to call II johnny Reb
during the late war"
'Ah. what part of the South did Won
serve in ?" asked Stevens.
Thrusting his long legs under the seat
in front, and turning part way round.
lie said
Il was al Port Hudson until vour ar
my nearly starved us out. and We had
to surrender. After | was exchanged
was Il Texan ranger. and finally got re-
constructed
And Nou We're prisoner at Port
Hudson ID" you remember seeing the
IGOth New York volunteers there :" said
Stevens.
Il think ! do. said the Texan. land.
If I'm not mistaken. that was the very
regiment our boys first met
And d" Hou remember trading can
teens with one of them -
Yes: | got Il tin canrecn with the
initials .. :. :. on it.
And | got a wooden one with j. +.
u. on it," said Stevens
II hat WAS mine. said the Texan
my name is John I. Pond. BY George
We have drank from the same cantcen.
old friend: give me your hand for life"
and he brought Il Tremendous squeeze
on Stevens hand. which fairly brought
tears to his eyes.
If the conversation had been lively
before. ii WAS doubly so then. Mr. Pond
going INTO Il full detail of his history
before and after the war. He had left
tonnectirut twenty wears ago. had
settled 1T Sabine Pass. and .was part
owner of Il large mill. which stevens
r"mmand had destroyed. the wear fol
lowing the surrender of Port Hudson
Tie was now nn his way to New Haven
I" visit Il sister he had not seen in all
these wears. He said he returned to
Sabine after the wal. rebuilt the mill
was successful. and now had secured Il
competence that ruahlcd him once more
Ia visit his friends at the north Stev-
ems gave him an accurate account of
the destruction "t his mill. the first lt.
had ever obtained. and the two sat up
and c"nver>ed throughout the entire
night. while the sleeping ear conductor
wondered why they did not return to
occupy then hrlthS. The next morning
they parted at Hartford. aud. though
their til>t meeting had been as enemies.
they bid each other g"od-hy with many
regrets such is the best of friends only
know.