The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1878-01-05
Amenities OF War.
Mrs. ?. D. Washington in Plila. E"eGkly
Times.

1n the summer Of 1862 when Gen
erals Mcclellan and Joe Johnston
were commanding the two opposing
armies in the attack and defense oil
Richmond. frcuk of fate or decree of
destiny ordered 4 singular col. cidencs
in the situation of tho Northern and
Southern cadets. Custer was acting
on General McCIellan's 'tafF. and biz
form,r friend on that of General 10.
seph Johnston, each as aide to the
commanding generals Of the Northern
aud Southern armies On the day OF
the battle Of Seven Pines, or Fair
OakS. the Confederate commander was
severely wounded by a she'll, and bis
place ufiCrwurd filed by General
Lee. The satnc day Johnston's young
aide was captured by the enemy while
in the discharge of his duty, and to
ken to McClcllan's headquarters as n
prisoner Of distinction. lie had been
known to the Federal general when at
West Point, and being courtcously
recognized was treated with much con i.
sidcrution.. Here, too. he met several
young officers who had been cadets at
the same time with him, By whom he
was welcomed with much cordiality and
glec-kiulest aud most cordial was
Custer. It was n singular, striking
scene; ono that merits description
anon. the incilGnts Of SECTIONAL war
The b!ue Jackets greeting the gray,
foes meeting as friends, hapds claspins
kindly that wer" armed in deadly
strife against each other. lu,L small
green spot in the ircary ls>er, OF war.
TO Clusters care Mcclellan cspcci.lly
consigned the young Confederate utfi
Ger, with the charge given in sorio'
comic tone, that. y" The prisGncr
should not be treated rery severely. but
allowed a cigar and other refreshments
occasionally So tha. night there was
rather u jollitication in one Of the head.
quarters tents which the party occupied
ltchcarsing scenes at West Point ia
Which they Ind mingled, Z" skylarkiug'
at Benny IIaven's. and other hap haz
ard frOlics, stories of study and drill,
and mutua! inquiries for friends seat
tered South aud North amid the rank.
of the cnntcnding armies Aftcrward
when the Confederate prisoner was or
dtrcd to bc scnt to Fort Delaware. II
parting with hi: acquaintance again,
Custer, his generous guardian, sudden
" struck with kind thought. ex
claimed imPulsirely: You must hav,
some money, Jim; those pictures ii
tour pockets (COufeder1tc currency
dou't pass up ,lcrc;' and in spite o
the carncs, protest of his friend, whc
assured him he could rcndily draw OF
friends III Baltimore for uecded fuads
finding it impossible 10 persuade hiu
to take The mOney he offered, stepped
up aud stuffed some uutcs in his ves'
pocket, mOlcHs UleaS. Such acts art
only promp.cd by noble heart
During this detention at General
McClellan's headquarters. while ont
dag the Federal aud Confederate officer:
were seated together uader a tree, IN
iliurrant urti,t seizci on the striking
effect Of the singular situation aud
promptly portrayed them iu photo
graph As an amusing and upprOpri
ate addition to the scenc. Custer had q
negro boy seated at their feet ; putting
as he said laughiugIy, "'hc irrreprcs'
siblc conflict between them" This
picture attracted mlch notice from thC
press at the fine with tho sigularity
of the circumstances and incidents at
tending up"n the meeting OF the twu
young men.