The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1876-04-13
A Singular Meeting

What strange events happen what
wonderful condolences spring into be-
ing alone in the pathway of life of
some persons! l have just learned of
the eventful meeting of two soldiers
of the rebellion, which, with a recent
meeting had myself with an old &C.
quaintence, I will give the readers
as they came to me.
Among the various regiments recru-
ted in Central New York, during the
late war was the l60th which was sent
to the Department of the Gulf, and
attached to the army under the COM
mand of General Banks. This regiment
took an active part in the operations
the first to enter that place at the time
Of it's surrender, July 8; 1868. 1t is
one Of the regiments Of Weltzel's Brig
ade, and the following year took part
in an expedition to Sabine Pass, be.
tween Louisiana and Texas, where Il
large amount of Confederate stores
were destroyed. One of the compa-
nies belonging to the l66th was raised
in Palmyra, n. Y, and among it's men,
bers was Mr.. G. S. Stevens, who serv.
ed full time, was discharged at its dis.
bandment, and now is a merchant at
Palmyra.
A few days since Mr.. Stevens had oc-
casion to go Hartford, Conn.,, and left
home on the P. NJ. train on the Gen.
tral Railroad. After becoming we'll
settled in one of the sleeping cars, he
discovered tall sandy-complexioned
man in the opposite section who though
a perfect stranger, had Il large Roman
nose which Stevens thought he had
seen before, but failing to recall any
resemblance of such a face he gave no
attention to it until the train reached
Syracuse, when a long arm reached
across the AISLE, and a brawny hand
touched him OH the shoulder, the
stranger at the same time asking if
they stopped there for supper. TO
this Stevens answered in the affirma-
tive, telling him if he would go along
he would show him where to get a
good lunch. At that they passed out
together, and after supper the stranger
offered Stevens cigar, and they went
into the smoking car where the fol-
lowing conversation ensued:
swell, stranger, reckon you live
somewhere in these parts 7"
eyes, live in Palmyra" !" said Stev-
ems.
"And l live way down in Texas. l
was what you used to call Johnny
Reb during the war;
you serve in! = asked Stevens.
Thrusting his long legs under the
seat in front, and turning part way
round, he said:
81 was at Port Hudson. until your ar
my nearly starved us out, and we had
to surrender. After I was exchanged
was a Texas ranger, and finally got
reconstructed
"And you were prisoner at Port
Hudson Do you remember seeing the
1O6th New York Volunteers there p
said Stevens.
Il think do,' said the Texan; and
if I'm not mistaken, that was the very
regiment our boys first met"
''And do you remember trading can
teens with one Of them =
"Yes, and I got tin cantecn with
the initials 0. S. S. on it -
"And I got wooden one with j. L.
P. on it," said Stevens.
"That was mine, he said, 'my name
is John J. Pond. By George 1--WE have
drank from the same canteen, old
friend; give me your hand for life, -
and he brought a tremendous squeeze
on Stevens hand, which fairly brought
the tears to his eyes.
If the conversation had been lively
before it was doubly SO then. Mr..
Pond going into full detail of his his
tory before and after the war. He
had left Connecticut twenty-five years
ago, and had settled at Sabine Pass,
and was part owner of a large mill,
which Stevens command had des.
troyed, the year following the surren
render Of Port Hudson. He was now