Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1880-11-14

worked together on the tailors bench in
old Raleigh.
This is my old friend. Tom Lomsden
gentleman he said calling each one of
'em by name. we worked together on
the tailor's bench in Raleigh, forty years
ago. And the gentleman all shook hands
with me and inquired after my health,
and was just crying all the time. Andy
saw it, and he excused himself from the
great men and took me back into bis own
private room. Tom, he says, and I
remember his exact words, tom, old boy
some good old corn whisky here, and we IL
take drink for the sake of old tines
He shook my head, and -sorter managed
to say, Pm glad to see you Andy. L
always said you would be a great man, and
more than glad that you don't forget your
old friends
Well, sir, I stayed there about two
weeks, and Andy introduced me to all the
great men. and was very kind to me.
told him all my troubles and why came
to him, and he promised me that, although
he was not a rich man, [ should never
want for anything. One day we were
out walking together, and squad of SOL
diers passed us. They soluted the presi
dent, and one Of the men ran out of the
line and shook hands with me. It was
Tom there, whom [ thought dead at
Chancellorsville, and Tom will tell you the
rest" &-- Eso-s4 4
| The old man was crying now, and
rocked the cradle violently to hide his tears
| My eyes was little obscured by moisture
but turned to broad-shouldered Tom and
| he related the sequel, which you must
admit is a genuine
~ MOUNTAIN IDYL.
It was long story, but briefly told
about as follows: Tom was not killed as
reported, at Charlottesville, but des-
perately wounded and made prisoner.
He was sent to Columbus O., and when he
! recovered from his wounds managed to
make his escape. He worked his way to
the Ohio river, and one dark night at
tempted to cross into Kentucky. He was
discovered by some home guards, pursued
and again wounded. He managed to
land on the Kentucky side, however, and
escape In the darkness, dragging shat
tered leg through the thick bushes. He
hobbled along all that night but grew weak
from the loss of blood. He saw log
cabin in the distance and nerved himself
| to reach it. The effort was successful,
but he fell fell fainting across the thresh-
hold. The family living there were
Union people, and the head of the house.
hold Grimsey Webb, was in the body of
home guards that surrounded the escapln G
rebel on the river the night before. They
took him in however, and nursed him back
to life. Grimsey Webb had daughter
Kate, who was constantly at the bedside OF
| ho 1o1 l. ii lor
such romantic circumstances, an attacks
ment sprang up between the two which
ripened into |, We When Tom Lomsden
was able to move Kate Webb had promised
to marry him. The Union forces we're in
possession of the country, and they gave
the fugitive the choice of going back to
prison or joining the Union army. he
elected TO do the latter, enlisted, received
his bounty, babe his sweetheart good-bye
and was marched off 10 the front. For gal
lantry during the latter days of the con-
federacy where the once grand army Of
Virgins fought the superior forces of the
enemy with the desperation of despair,
Tom Lomsden was made a sargent in Co.
| Z of the l02d Ohio commanded by Col
Routledge. and after the surrender al
| AppOmatox he was transferred to the 57th
Pennsylvania, and ordered to Washington
/ for garrison duty. His regiment was
mustered out of the service few days
after meeting his father, and he fastened
back to Lewis county, KY, to greet his
sweetheart
I'VE were not rich." said be in conclu.
sior, but the president gave father 81, 900,
and we bought this place."
HE was the best friend I ever had; God
bless him." said the old man softly; land
down to the day of his death he sent me
regularly every month $40 / was in
| hopes to be able TO vote for him again for
BE sent me that picture NV days before
he died. He was the best friend I ever
had, and always said he would be great
man some day."
1 had long ride before me, and was
forced much against my will. to pant with
this interesting family and continue
my journey.