Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1879-12-18
THE OLD WAR DAYS.

Orleans Relatives---Tributes il
Return, &c.
Toledo Journal
One by one the ranks are thin
ned of those who took active par
in the great war of the rebellion
and rapidly as the years glide by
does that time approach wheI
none will be left, and only theil
deeds remain and the history
they made. When that time
comes how precious will be every
relic and memento-as they are
already carefully treasured
which may exist, which has beer
identified with great events
Very many persons, especially
since the new interest impaired
to relics by that feature of The
military .fetes, have heard of the
"bogus musket" relic of john
sons Island, and the ingenious
attempt Of a Confederate officer
to escape. General Charles w.
Hill, of this city, was in COM
mand of the Island. The Con-
federate was Lieutenant Chas. Ii.
Pierce, Of the Seventh Louisiana.
With a piece Of wood and some
tin, he constructed a false mus
ket, and his plan was to boldly
fall into the ranks with the guard
when it was marching ont, and
escape. He made the attempt,
and was detected, in the manner
below indicated. He has. since
died. The relic has been the
property of General Hill, and
friends of the officer in Louisiana
have long desired to possess it.
In doing SO they met with aid
and encouragement, in the man
ner below stated, from those who
thoroughly appreciated their feel
ings. Within the past week the
relic which was sent forward by
Quartermaster-General Charles
l.. Young, of this city, to Lieu
tenant Pierce's brother, Captain
VIM. Pierce, of the Continental
Guards, Of New Orleans has been
received and receipt acknowl..
edged by Captain Pierce, whose
letter is in such handsome and
grateful terms to all concerned
that, by the kind permission of
General Young, we give it en-
tire.
CAPTAIN PIERCE'S RESPONSE.
"NEw ORLEANS, Nov.20, 1879.
"GEN. CHARLES L. YoUNG,
Quarter-Master General State of
Ohio-Deor General. / have
the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your kind and noble
soldiers letter and relic you so
interested yourself in restoring,
the property of a stranger Of
whom you had never heard, save
through the generous impulses
of your fiiend--may | say our
mutual friend-Colonel l.. r.
Hoagland. To him | have al
ready written; and to you | de-
sire to express my thanks for
your kind intercessions in my
behalf.
''That piece of rough whitfield
wood, partly covered with pieces
of old tin, to me and to mine, to
the many, many friends of my
late brother, and to his fellow
soldiers and prisoners, is, indeed,
valuable and precious. Your
good heart will appreciate my
sentiments when ] tell you he
was a good son and brother; a
handsome, noble boy; conspicu-
Gus ais a citizen; and as a soldier
in those times which tried men,
he was honored, and respected,
and leved, and admired for his
gallantry and bravery by those
who were ali gallant and brave.
l, in my love, look upon that at
tempt to escape from prison,
wherein he used that gun, as one
of the most daring and certainly
one of the most ingenious / ever
heard. His comrades feel as |
do, and you can understand with
what interest we handle and gaze
upon the ugly-looking piece Of
wood and tin you sent me.
"To you, sir, | am very much
indebted, and / sincerely thank
you for your kindness to me in
the matter.l And / am happy to
know that so true a gentleman
and good a soldier--as your no
bic words indicate-has interest
ed himself for me.
81 have taken the liberty of /
publishing a portion of your let
ter, for our people in this city
honor and respect a man whose
heart is the soldiers heart and
whose sentiments are so pure.
"Shouh you chance to visit
this city, / would be pleased have
the honor of shaking you by the
hand, and doing any thing in my
humble way for your pleasure or
comfort.
81 have the honor to be, yours
in friendship and true respect,
WM. PIERCE"
"P. S. VIII you bear to Gem
eral Hill, his son, and the menu