The Portland daily press., 1883-11-09
MAINE AND GEORGIA.
Pleasant Words for Governor Robie His
Service ON the Battle field 80 an Eniin ent
Citizen of Georgia Gratefully Remein-
bered.

pleasant Words for Governor RObie His
Service on the Battief field 30 an Eniin emf
Citizen of Georgia Gratefully Remen-
bered.
The writer of the following letter published
in the Savannah, Ca, News is Sidney Herbert
Lancey, editor of the Southern Cultivator and
Dixie Farmer He is a native of Bangor and
was schoolmate of Governor Dingley and
Governor Chamberlain at Watervlle. Some
time ago Mrs. Robie wrote an article for the
Maine Farmer which was copied into the
Southern Cultivator. A copy OF the latter
was sent to Governor Robie, who wrots tothe
editor stating the fact that he had taught
school in Geor0ia when youth, and inquiring
whether Col. Lamar whom he had tried to
serve when wounded at Savage Station was
living.A This led to the further correspondence
and discoveries, narrated below
ATLANTA, Oct, 25.
In my last letter 1 referred to the fact that
Governor Robe, of Maine, had oncs taught
school in Thomas county, for whose people he
retained the most kindly feelings, and that
during the late war he was instrumental in
saving the leg of gallant Georgia officer who
was very severely wounded in the groin. am
now prepared to give the readers of the Morn
ing News the wholo story. and am sure it
will prove that the heroic men who wore the
Blue and the "Grey" know how to honor
and appreciate each ther, no matter what the
politicians may do to keep up sectional ami
mosities.
In his letter to me Governor Robie thus
refers to an incident which occurred during
the seven days struggle in front of Richmond:
81 was temporarily assisting in the cars of the
wounded Confederatt prisoners at Savage Station,
and while discharging thar duty. l found Colonel
Lamar, OF Georgia, who was severely wounded by
minnie ball, which had penetra ed and passed into
his groin. The surgeons were discussing the necee-
sit, of amputation at the hip joint. Colonel Lamar
against such course, which did, beng myself
surgeon. told him that was once citizen of
&c rgia and when young man had received many
favors from her people. He asked me for a blanket
which was very glad to procure and present to him.
After this little episode, circumstances required
tnae should leave with haste, and although have
often inquired, have yet learned the fate OF
that brave officer. My only object in making mem
ton of this incident is to inquire of you whether
Colonel Lamar recovered from that wound and still
hves.''
Tho circumstances" to which Governor Ro-
bic alludes as having caused him to "leave
with haste,' were such as often arose during
the war The Confederates rallied, drove the
Union forces awSy, and recovered Colonel La
mar and his comrades. This fact, with others
in my possession, led mo to believe that the
Colonel Lamar mentioned was none other than
State Senator Lucius NJ Lamar, of Hawkins
vile, who was fearfully wounded in the groin
while bravely leading charge upon the enc
my's works at Garnett's farm. Although thus
disabled, and while lying upon the ground, he
waved his trusty sword and urged his faithful
soldiers forwar / to the ramparts, while he fell
into the hands Of the opposing army. l there
fore addressed note of inquiry TO my friend,
Colonel Lamar, and this mornings mail
brings me the following reply
"Yes, my dear Major, am the Colonel Lamar to
whom Governor Robie refers. L was wounded in
the groin by minnie ball while leading my regi-
ment the heroic Eighth Georgia) in charge of one
of the series of battles around Richmond, and was
captured and carried to field hospital near Savage
Station. cannot describe to you my sensations at
this critical period of my life, when the surgeons
were discussing the propriety Of taking of my leg
OF performing an operation to take up the femoral
who interposed in my behalf. 1 was very grateful
and need not be ashamed to tell you that my tears
ings. 1 love him like brother, and he shall ind
me one, indeed if the wonder-working dispensations
OF Providence should ever place him In the want Of
brothers arm, or mind, or bosom"
But there is still another pleasant feature
connected with this matter. Governor Robbie
in his letter to me, in speaking of the infiu-
ences at work to restore good feeling and
kindly relations between the North and South,
ntters this noble sentiment:
9Ths prospect of the future greatness of free
representatives of different sections become better
acquainted. May our friendship be perpetual so as
to establish eternal peace"
Only little while ago the Third Maine
ReglmeAt survivors met at Winthrop, Maine,
In their annual reunion. Unaniunoosiy, and
amidst hearty applause, these veterans Of the
blue" adopted a resolution asking the Sem
ators and Representatives from Maine to adyo-
tiopal Home for Disabled Confederate Soldiers
and Sailors" The Georgia General Assembly,
through Maj. w. T. Gary of Richmond, in the
House, and Col. L. NJ, Lamar, in the Senate,
passed. unanimously and with applause, reso-
intions of thanks to the patriotic soldiers of
the Third Maine Regiment for their unselfish
action in behalf of the manned soldiers and
soldiers who wore the "Grey."
In transmitting these resolutions, handsome
ly en- crossed, to Governor Robie of Name, it
will be great pleasure to Governor Mcdaniel
to address one who was onco citizen of Geor-
gia; who has never forgotten to love her pee
pie and rejoice in her prosperity; who, on the
battlefield, ministered SO tenderly to her
wounded soldiers, who were prisoners of war,
and who now so earnestly invokes perpetual
friendship and eternal peace between the peo-
pie of the snow-clsd hills of Maine and the
green and sunny slopes Of Georgia. 1t will al
so be an added pleasure to tell him that the
eloquent Senator who called up and secured
the passage of the resolutions in the Senate
was the gallant Colonel Lamar, whose leg he
saved from amputation at Savage Station, and
to whom he was glad to minister, because the
wounded sufferer was from Georgia, whose
people he had learned to love and honor twen-
ty years before, while a young school teacher
in Thomas county.
And this romance of the war has unfolded
itself within the past ten days, neither Govern
or Robbie nor Colonel Lamar knowing anything
about the p. eseent existence or condition OF
the other. 1t will add another to the rapidly
multiplying cases wherein the "Blues'' or the
"Greys'' were tender and generous to each
other when wounded or prisoners OF war. 1t
is gratifying to know that time has revealed q
better and kindlier feeling ON both sides of the
line.
Maine has made a practical manifestation of
her sincere interest in the disabled soldiers of
the South, by an appeal to Congress to give
them Soldiers Home" in which to pass in
peace and comfort their declining years. 9th
er States, l trust, through their patriotic vet
Grams, will indorse the movement, and by and
by. when age or infirmites shall leave the
Southern soldiers without home, or kindred,
or support the doors of such humane and
needed institution will be opened to them Be
that as it may, the veterans of the Third Maine
Regiment have set the ball in motion, and so
far as know there has as yet been no voice
raised in opposition to their appeal. 1t is safe
to believe that the brave men who were kind
and generous to the wounded Southern soldier
in prison hospitals and on bloody fields in time
OF war, will be no less kind to the battle-scarred
Survivors Of those terrible conflicts in their
time of need. SIDNEY HERBERT.