The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-03-13
A cHEcKERED CAREER.
Being That Of am Autograph Massachusetts Sol.
die<'s BeGqnilf.

die<'s BeGqnEIt.
TF,om the Brockfoa fsfassl Gazatsl
Among the various contributions of North
Bridgewater 70 the soldiers during the war,
was a certain bedouilt made by little girls,
who. twenty three years ago, constituted the
sche0l al North Wing. and in blocks written
Oh that quilt In indeiible ink were the names
OF some thirty-eight, or more. Who was the
first to enjoy Il, aud how il happened TO be in
t8le place found. is unknown. In the month of
July, 7552. during the seven days eight before
: 7-istHnnd. Bunsides men were forwarded
from North Carolina 10 Newport News, and
while en- atnped there q soldier Of company
f. OF the Else Massachusetts regiment, on the
searh found on board 3 steamer a box and in
that box a quaniity Of rifles and sabers. and
wrapped around tilein this album bedquilt. If
il Was. with these implements Of var, on the
way TO give comfort 10 the Johnnies al that
time. Is reached not its destination, but was
con.s6csted in behalf 0f the United States Coy
tsnment. and for the benefit Of Charles E.
Eimmoas, 10 WHOM il gave friendly comfort Ia
tho Campaign about Cedar Mountain, and the
march Oh Manassas. On the afternoon Of the
2Sth Of August. General Reno, commanding a
part u the 9th army corps, gave orders Tor i'm
mediate attack. So, 10 be less hanpercd, and
ready i0rarv emergency. the knsps2cks OF the
meU were uns!nng and piled up at the out
skirts Of A aenss piece Of woods, and guard
4efI with illeln Tor safety. This was the last
seen Of guard and knapsaels The quilt now
was e furnish comfort for the enemy.
The lst South Carolina regiment Of Long
streets corps, took peaceabie possession, as was
a.teEward learned, for tins regiment IN the
month Of December. 1853. at Tie siege Of Knox
vile, Ieua.. sent word over the line TO the 2ist
Massachusetts regiment that ii they wanted
their old knaps2ciLs, they could have them for
the taking.
Prom tic last Of August in 1862 TO the 18th
CT December, the same year. 10 whom this bed
quilt leit ora the deid at Ball Run minis.ered
comfort and gave shelter is unknown. Ii must
have pssssd into Maryland with Lees army,
done duty 1t South Mountain aud Antietam,
and got back 10 Fredericksburg at which place
twas picked up during the battle and fell into
the hands Of the original eonfscator, dOubly
priced as q FREUD long lost. but now rescued
aftes many Gays. This tickle but trusty con-
p2Itisn followed stil! the fortunes OF the 2igt
Massachusetts regiment Ia tic campaign of the
army Of the Ohio ia Kentucky. through the
conflicts a. Blue Spring, Len0ir, Campbell
Station and the siege Of Knoxville. Tenn. II
re-eIiiistcd AZ Blain's Crossroads with it,
owner, but ca its arrival 10 the city Of Wor-
cester for a fuFlough Of thirty days, Il was
judged best 10 retire this guilt 70 civil life as
servant having well done.
Since its retirement from the warpath il has
beeR friendly IN its miDistrsgions 10 those sol
clsr boys beside two moro, who. If the time
should come again when tie sound Of strife !:
heard IN the land, would De able 20 vie with the
daughters Of those young misses Of 1861 whS
IN contributing their album beeqHilt gave gnch
comfort 70 z soldier and blessing TO his chill
orcn.