Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1877-11-21

piohiihcht icuucib W tnt Wuf, US lnc
editor of the latter journal does, the
former dispatches an interviewer to
obtain the views Of the active patlci,
Below will be found the views Of
Gen. Stecdman, Of Ohio, well and fav.
orably known to many Of ourlreaders
He Expresses himself in his usual free
manner, and is, therefore, easily under.
stood. The General resides at Toledo,
Ohio, but the reporter met him at Col.
umbus, and obtained his views as fol.
lows ~. iq el li1i 1TAa etlt
Columns, o., Oct, 27, 1877.
1t has been my pleasure to enjoy two
hours conversation with General James
B. Stcedman, one Of tho heroric men of
the late war Years have whitened
bis hair and beard, but have not mar
red his robust constitution or weaken.
cd his magnificent physical powers.
He is a large.braincd, greathearted
man that always stood in tho front rank
when the fight was going on, and fol
lowed the flag with the boys If Jim
Steedman had been meaner, if his soul
had been cast in . smaller mould, he
would have gone down to history as
great American Statesman, But he
carries too mnch heart with q great,
big brain, and he has always seemed
more willing to help somebody else
than himself The whirligig Of time
has again brought him to the surface.
Tbirty,fve years ago he voted, as
member of the Legislature, for vii.
liam Allen for Senator. In 1913 he
and VIM. T. Forrest, and other young
Democratic bucks, locked horns in the
famous Allen. Pugh contest, when tho
old Roman of Fruit Hill was retired
from Senatorial lie by one vote. Now
come these same men, like ghosts OF a
forgotten past, tripping on the stage of
politics, to take o leading part ip the
new Senatorial play The events of
thirty years have not abated their
ardor, cooled their passions, or marred
their memory. With few new elc-
mcnts and actors, the present Senate
rial fight bids fair to be an old battle
fought over again.
sTEEDMAN TO ALLEN. 81
General" | said, al am going to
Fruit Hill on pilgrimage to the
Democratic Mecca and William Allen
what word shall give the old Cover.
nor for you? ?'
"By God sir, tell the grand old
man that | intend to vote for him for
Senator, if he will permit me. This is
his victory, and he should reap the
fruits. He lett his farm In 73 and led
us to our first victory after many de-
feats. This is his tidal wave, and |
want to preserve the harmony of
events by voting for him for Senator.
He is the gamest politician that Amer
lea ever had, and never hcsitated or
feared to express his views upon any
public question. Tell him mean to
vote for him for Senator when the OPP
portunity presents itself'
AN ELOQUENT rALkER.
The above occurred after very in
tcresting conversation. General Steed-
man may be classed among the mag
netic takers. His language is simple,
his manner iorciblc and impressive,
and sitting in the midst of group of
many he converses in such manner
as to mako each one feel that the con-
versation is addressed particularly to
him. While listening alone to his re.
ctal of events of the war in which he
participated, he was so eloquent and
captivating at times that the tears
sneaked to my unwilling eyes without
permit to cross the lines.
General, you were with Thomas at
Chickamauga, were you not p
Oh, there was the key that unlock
cd the store.housc of the old mans
grand and soldierly experience. Tbom.
as is his soldier saint, and Cbickamau-
ga was the day Of his life. At the
mention Of these words he straighten-
ed up like deer, his eyes flashed, the
FIRE filed in his veins as q panorama of
the events OF that terrible battle flash.
ed through his brain. Yes, sir" he
said in tremulous tones, al was with
Thomas at Chickamauga; ljoincd him
on the second day, filed the gap with
my command on the right by the
ravine, and helped him save the day"
He shut his mouth firmly, drawing
the lines Of the face tightly, turned his
head to one side, and seemed 10 be
listening to the rattle Of musketry, the
roar of the cannon, and the shout OF
the charging lines. After q pause he
resumed:
"Rosecrans sent mo with II, 900 men
to guard bridge over the river three
miles in the rear of the battlefield, to
the left. All day long the first day
heard tho firing, and felt that ! ought
to be in the fight ] knew the way
the firing driftcd back that our mer
were giving ground. | had l4,oOC
soldiers idle, but there were my writ
ten orders to hold the bridge. The
next morning the fight began, and
expected orders to 60 to the aid O
Thomas, but none came. Rosecrant
was at his headquarters seven miles IN
the rear ! knew my place was will
Thomas. | stood the agony for two
hours, but at ten o'clock | could stant
it no longer. A portion Of the rcbe
cavalry, under Forrest, had crossed
the river above us, and was working
TO Thomas rear. called two order
lies and sent n message TO Rosecrans
saying; we are idle here and ar'
needed with Thomas. l propose Il
k,r, tka kr,t.. oud ,n,. htx, bopin