The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-03-03
General Lees Coming"

Loyal Legion of OfAmerica, held Thurs
day week ago, was the interchange
of anecdotes of experiences of one
kind or another during the late war.
The order is an important one, COM
posed of officers only, and among its
members are Gen. Grant, Sherman
Van Vliet, OrdwaV and others. A
number of the highest officers of the
navy were present. One of those who
distinguished himself as a Tdc0'atelu
was the celebrated old governor OF
Pennsylvania, Andrew Gregg Curtin,
who developed fund of humor that
was very pleasant surprise to many
of those who gathered to talk of old
| times after business was over-that
of the meeting and the war. OF the
anecdotes he told, one in particufar Is
of interest to Marylanders. Ut is
pretty certain, though, that the Gov
ernor slandered himself, just for fun.)
He said that when Pennsylvania
was invaded by the Confederate army
under General Lee, it became incum-
bent upon the state to raise fresh
levy of troops. He called for fifteen
thousand, and they came with the
most patriotic promptitude. The Off
GERS were particularly speedy in an
swering the summons and they all
of them arrayed themselves in the
most gorgeous uniforms obtainable,
and armed themselves with the latest
patterns of pistols and most shining
of sabres. 81 had called 'em out to
battle for their native State and for
the Union, and was consequently
forced to go with them in command.
1 didn't want to go worth cent, but
the mortal obligation compelled me.
1 put good face on it and made out
l was bold as lion-apparently. We
got along swimmingly, 1 and my
staff and the rest of the party, until
we found our friends, the Jonnie
Rebs, were coming uncomfortably
and unpleasantly near us. We began
to hear all sorts of stories about their
strength and valor, and how they
were burning up towns and things,
and began seriously to reflect that
l had been elected flor civil duties.
for the State House, not the battle
field. To add to the unpleasantuess
of the situation-ahd very largely
tool was met by General Reynolds,
who came riding pell, nell into camp,
and who reined up when he saw me
and said, Governor. look out you
are in danger. General Lee is COM
ing. He hears that you are herea-
bouts. He is looking for you and your
fifteen thousand MALTA. If he finds
you'll hope he won't-there will be
a hot time for all.' Il had been or
dered,' continued the Governor, 'to
hang on General McClellan's fianks.
If | had been profane 1 would haye
said, damn his fanks. At any rate,
| think it was his rear l was princi-
pally attached to and hanging on to.
But to hear that Lees army was look.
ing for me, and my men particularly,
was by no means comforting. Some
thing had to be done, though. I
hauled out a copy of the tactics and
sat up all night with them. found l
ought to call council of war of my
officers. did so. They came in, look
ing somewhat anxious all around
their couhtenances, but very pretty
in their swell clothes. I consulted
the tactics again. and saw the proper
thing to do was to ask for an opinion
as to the state of affair first from the
youngest officer. He hesitated but
short time; and then he blurted
out: Well, Governor, to tell the
truth, I enlisted for home-guard duty.
l don't know anything about fight
ing. l looked as stern as possible,
and turned to the next in rank. He
didn't stop minute, but said: /
want to go home. General Lees COM
ing. So did /, but couldn't. After
some further parley, adjourned the
conference, and We all separated, feel
ing as blue as indigo. Soon after an
orderly announced a visitor. He en-
tered, in full uniform-a little bit of
a stoutish man, about as big as Ma
hone befUre he was paned down.
"'Governor Curtin p he asked.
"Yes, SIR L answered. what is
your errand?'
"I have come to protect your COM
mand.'
"'Who are you, sir?'
"'John r. Kenly, commander of
the Maryland Brigade
"'God bless you, sir = / involun-
tarily exclaimed, and preserve Mary
land.'"
81 never was more relieved in my
life," said the Governor, with a quiet
twinkle in his eye, "and haye never
| ceased tn ramemher thano with orati