The National tribune., 1882-03-18
A Strange Story.
BY J. A. WATROUS.

BY J.A. WATROUs.
Soon after the war there was not much
demand for soldier organizations. When the
Grand Army of the Republic first appeared
1t was not so much needed by the mass of
soldiers as by designing politicians, and hence
1t was not long in fading away, But upon
Its reorganization, a number of years later,
on basis of strict non-interference with
politics, and when the soldiers were older,
and many of them enfeebled and in straiten-
ed circumstances there was positive de-
mand for organization. So far as my know
ledge goes, nothing has yet appeared which
so fully meets the needs of general organ
ization for the soldiers as the Grand Army of
the Republic. 1t is inexpensive; the initiatory
ceremonies revive pleasant memories and
renew the fires of patriotism. The Grand
Army Campfire is an institution unequaled
In interest to soldiers. There must be $4,000
soldiers in Wisconsin. If as many, there
ought to be at least 200 Posts of the Grand
Republic. Why? A great many
r' 5ht be given. I will not attempt
=. Ie.. re than tive or three. Only the
-,a5 lily are more firmly knit than the
giss which bind old soldiers together. No
secret society possesses such strong ties as
exist between the unorganized soldiers.
Organize them in such society as the
Grand Army of the Republic and there is
fraternity unsurpassed anywhere on the face
of the earth. This affords one excellent
reason for general building up of the Grand
the fact that here and there throughout the
country may be found a comrade who from
misfortunes of one character or another has
reached point where little lift" will
help him over q rough place. A comrade
may be entitled to a pension, but for one
cause or another has not made an appliea-
ton; Or he may have made an application
which-for the lack of evidence he could not
furnish-failed. BY means of the Grand
Army of the Republic such cases as I have
noted are almost certain to be found out and
attended to. Here is case in point. The
story, in some respects, is one of the saddest |
remember to have heard.
AT meeting of L. B. Wolcott Post, No. !,
q comrade reported a case which seemed to |
demand the attention of the Post. Comrade |
W. ]. Denny and myself volunteered to visit
the home of the soldier in question-Archi-
bald d. Bennett, Company A, Second Wis
cOnsin infantry. We went to his home on
Eleventh street the following Sunday and
listened to a story by Benefits wife which
would elicit the interest and draw upon the
sympathy of any one not burdened with 7
stone heart. No one can tell it as that
woman whose troubles have been so many
and SO real, told the story to Denny and my
self When the war broke out Mr.. and Mrs
Bennett and one child lived at Fox Lake.
The first call found Bennett ready to enlist.
He became member of Captain Stevens
Company A, Second Wisconsin, and was at
he first battle of Bull Run. After that his
'egiment was assigned to General Rufus
kings brigade, which latter was known as
he Iron Brigade. He was in all of the bat
les in which that brigade fought up the
Wilderness campaign under Grant in 1864.
1t the battles of Gainesville, Second Bull
tun, South Mountain, Antietam, Freder-
Fitzhugh Crossing, charlottesville
nd Gettysburg, he did nobly the duties of
brave soldier and was severely wounded in
he knee. One of his rules was so write his
wife long letter at least once a week. He ]
ften wrote twice week, always giving an ac-
cunt of the marches and battles in which his .
rigade fought. These letters were destroyed .
n fire some years ago. 1t is a pity they
yould make interesting chapters to-day. s
he letters ceased their weekly visits when
he Wilderness campaign opened. Mrs. {
'ennett could not hear q word from or
bout her husband. The death of their only
hid made her load of grief much harder to
ear. The term for which the second enlist 7
lent-three years-expired short time be-
IRE Grants army crossed the James river on I
s way to Petersburg. Mrs. Bennett learned S
what time the veteran regiment would '
Zach Madison, and with heavy, misgiving ,
cart went there in search of her husband,
: information touching his fate. Just i'm /
slne that poor woman at the station, as the '
ain pulls in and the soldiers form in line q
= its side. She finds Company A, and looks "
Ito the Drowned faces of its heroes but her O
ero is not with them. With eyes nearly t
inded with tears she approaches the officer
Company A, and timidly, trem- v
ingly asks d
Can you tell me why my husband did n
't come back with your company? n
Who Is your husband, my good wo- "
an?" Il