The National tribune., 1883-04-05
STORY OF A SWORD.
Captured at Balls Bluff and Returned after Many

[F'rop the Worcester tIfass.) Spy.I


From he Worcester tAIass.) SpgI
Near ths close of the battle of Balls Bluff.
October 81, 1861, First Lieutenant j. Evarts
Greene, of the Fifteenth Massachusetts. found
himself surrounded by the enemy, so that to
fight longer was useless aud to run away i'm
possible. At this moment grey. coated gen.
tleman stepped forward, and, raising his cap
courteousiy, said: am Captain Singleton of
the Thirteenth Mississippi. l must ask YOU to
surrender" MIR. Greene returned the salute
mentioned his name and rank, and handed
Captain Singleton his sword. Two Young men
of Captain Singleton's company were then di-
rected to take Lieutenant Greene to the rear
They escorted him to Leesburg about four
miles distant, chatting pleasantly by the way
tor they were very obliging and friendly young
fellows. and some hours later all the prisoners
taken that day started from Leesburg for Cen
treville under a guard commanded by Captain
Singleton, who showed to them all possible
cIvi!Ity and kindness while they We're ander
his care. On arriving at Centreville he turned
over his prisoners 70 the officer designated by
Gen. Beaurcgard to receive them and they saw
him no more. Captain Singleton had been a
member of Congress for three terms before the
war. Soon after this time he retired from the
army and entered the Confederate congress
When Mississippi was thought TO be sufficiently
reconstructed 10 be entitled again to represcn-
tatiOn in the National Government Captain
Singleton, or the Hon. Ohio K. Singleton as he
shonld now be called, was elected to the House
OF Representatives, and has been reelected TO
successive Congresses since. MIR. Greene has
had some correspondence with him. and when
visiting Washington in January last hal a most
agreeable interview with his former capt0r who
seemed inclined to make up by the warmth
Of his present friendship for the conditions of
formal eumity under which they had first met
Of course The circumstances Of their meeting
We're recalled and Mr. Singleton expressed his
intention 20 return the sword which Mr. Greene
had surrendered more than twenty one years
a-o. On Tuesday the sword arrived by express
addressed to Senator Hear. who had already
received the following letter:
wAsHNeroN, d. c. March II, 1888.
Hon. Geo. r Hoar
AY DEAR SIR have taken the liberty of send
InE TO your address by express to-day "A United
states sword belonging to Major Greene who vis-
lieu you at Washington the past winter. failed to
obtain his address when here. aud beg 70 trouble
you to see that hc gets IL This sword was strrer-
battle of Balls Bluff in Virginia AIy earnest de-
sire has ever been TO il to lis owner and as
sure nam oi my great respect for him citizen
and soldier. Most truly yours,
o. r. SINGLETON.
Mr.. Singleton has been kind enough to pro-
mole Captain Greene one grade, but otherwise
his letter calls Tor no ft;rther remark The
sword has suffered no damage, and is entirely
ii Tor further service bus its owner hopes that
it viii never be drawn on another battlefield
II viii nos. however, he beaten into piOxshare
nor worked up into steel peas.