The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-02-10
The Story of Two Canteens.
A correspondents Of the Rochester En-

/ a correspondent OF Ine roc cncsIer 1T
press tells the following: Ss
What strange events happen; what
wonderful condolences spring into be-
ing along the pathway of life of some
personsi have just learned of an
eventful meeting between two soldiers
of the. Rebellion, which will give the
readers of the Express as it came to me.
Among the various regiments re-
cruited in Central New York, during the
late war, was the 160th, which was sent
to the Department of the Gulf, and at
! tached to the army under the command
of General Banks. This regiment took
Port Hudson, and was one of the first
to enter that place at the time of its
surrender, July 9, 1868. Il was one of
the regiments of Weitzel's Brigade, and
the following year took part in an ex-
pedition to Sabine Pass, between Lou
isiana and Texas, where large amount
of Confederate stores We're destroyed.
One of the companies belonging to the
1G0th was raised in Palmyra, N. Y, and
among its members was Mr. o. S.
Stevens, who served its full time, was
discharged at its disbandment, and is
now merchant at Palmyra. .F
A few days since Mr.. Stevens had oc-
casion to 90 to Hartford, Conn, and left
home on the p. IN. train on the Cen
tral Railroad. After becoming well
settled in one of the sleeping cars, he
discovered tall, sandy-compleXioned
man in the opposite section, who,
though a perfect stranger, had q large
Roman nose which Stevens thought he
had seen before, but failing to recall
any remembrance of such face, he
gave no attention to it until the train
reached Syracuse, when q long arm
reached across the aisle, and brawny
hand touched him on the shoulder, the
stranger at the same time asking if they
stopped there for supper. To this Ste
vens answered in the affirmative, telling
him that if he would 90 along, he would
show him where to get q good lunch.
At that they passed out together, and
after supper the stranger offered Ste
vens a cigar, and they went into the
smoking car, where the following con-
versation ensued:
''Well, stranger, reckon you live
somewhere in these parts?' .r
"Yes, live in Palmyra, said Stevens.
"And | live way down in Texas; |
was what you used to call Johnny
Reb during thewar.''
"Ah, what part of the South did You
serve in?n asked Stevens.
Thrusting his long legs under the seat
in front, and turning part way around,
he said: 1881 -s...
81 was at Port Hudson until your ar
my nearly starved us out, and we had
to surrender. After Twas exchanged
was a Texas ranger, and finally got re-
constructed.
"And you were prisoner at Port
Hudson? Do you remember seeing the |
16Oth New York Volunteers there?" said
Stevens. N.. L---
81 think 1 do" said the Texan;
"and, if I'm not mistaken, that was the
very regiment our boys first met.n
'And do you remember trading can
teens with one of them?'
"Yes; and got a tin canteen with |
the initials o. S. S. on it..
''And | got wooden one with j. L.
p on it, said Stevens.
"That was mine," said the Texan;
''my name is J. L. Pond. By George! |
we have drank from the same canteen,
old friend; give me your hand for life,"
and he brought 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 history be- |
fore and after the war. He had left |
Connecticut twenty-five years ago, had |
settled at Sabine Pass, and was part |
owner of large mill, which Stevens
command had destroyed the year fol-
lowing the surrender of Port Hudson |
He was now on his way to New Haven |
to visit sister he had not seen in all |
these years He said that he returned |
to Sabine after the war, rebuilt the mill, |
was successful, and now had secured |
competence that enabled him once more
to visit his friends at the North. Stevens |
gave him ar accurate account of the de-
struction of his mill, the first he had |
ever obtained, and the two sat up and |
cOnversed throughout the entire night, |
while the sleeping-car conductor won
dered why they did not return to occu-
py their berths. The next morning |
they parted at Hartford, and though |
their first meeting had been as enemies, |
they bid each other good-by with many |
regrets, such as the best of friends only |
know.