Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-12-24
Kind Words Between Old Soldiers.

from Capt. John a. Bowen of Norwich,
CT, formerly Of the 5sh Connecticut Vol
unteers, to Maj J. W. Newton, formerly
of the 9Th Virginia Volunteers. thanking
him for kindness to him when he was cap.
tured by him at the battle of Cedar Noun
tain. We give below the two letters that
have since passed between these two old
soldiers OF The blue and the gray.
STANTON, VA, Nov. 9Th, 1883.
CAPT. JOHN A. BOWEN. Norwich, Gt.:
DEAR SIR:-Yours of the 18th, was re-
celved on The 2lst, only few hours before
my dear mother bid adieu to earth and
loved oDes, and entered upon that new and
better life in that land OF light and love
made so bright and beautiful by the real
presence of our blessed Savior. II was
perused with eager delight. even amid the
sorrowing scenes by which was at that
time surrounded.
The heartfelt message of thanks it con-
veyed caused my heart to thrill with de-
light. How pleasant and comforting to
learn that a kind act of mine. performed
under those fearful circumstances which
tried men 3 souls, had not been forgotten:
and although twenty-three years have
Cast their sunshine and shadows across
life's pathway, for me to know that the
recollection of it is yet fresh and green in
your memory is a comfort to me far be-
yond words to express. ''How pleasant
and sweet it is for brethren to dwell togeth-
er in unity" for we are OF one common
brotherhood, now.
The great principles which divided US,
and for which we fought, have been for
ever settled, and l DOW in humble submis
QInt and nhp6 iQuna tn th0 q
I am perfectly satisfied with the result,
and do not wish it other wise-the South
is far more prosperous to day than she has
ever been ID the past. or could possibly
have been had we gained our lndepen-
dence. The golden sun Of her prosperity
is as yet peeplng from behind the eastern
horizon; when she shall have arisen to her
noon-day glory, what her pr aspsrity will
be, will leave for your Imagination to
picture.
Well, l have had some delightful times
in the past several Years with my old COM
rades in blue. The reunions of the 18th
New York and the 5 b Virginia regiments
were events in our history which will
live in our memories while time endures.
Many of the gallant men of the 28sh New
York, by their noble deeds of kindness,
have won the hearts of the members of
the 9Th Virginia, and living friendship
has been established between them which
will last through time and eternity
But pardon me for trespasslng 80 long
upon your time. Many thanks for your
kind invitation to meet you at Gettysburg
next August. will be there, Providence
permitting. send YOU my photograph.
If ever I have the pleasure of gong to
Connecticut l will come and be your will
ing and happy prisoner this time. With
host DiQhaa / fratQrpa1lV
JAMES W. NEWTON,
Formerly Major of the Fifth Reg. Virginia
Volunteers.
NORWICH, CT. Dec. 18th. 1885.
MAI. J. W. NEWTON:
MY DEAR SIR:-You very kind letter
of the 27Lh received, and was read with
the greatest pleasure. aad | will Say tho
sentiments expressed therein go deep into
my heart, and also In the hearts or our
people and friends here. | have taken
the greatest pleasure IN showing 1t and
your photograph to my friends here, and
many OF them have come to my office to
SEE them; feel proud of them. aud shall
prize them very highly indeed, for it car
ries my mind Dack twenGY-tnree years ago
to scenes OF trial and danger, and we
may we'll say scenes that tried mems
souls.
But those scenes are past and gone and
We are now living in a land If peace aud
plenty, of which We may well feel proud.
In your kind letter you spoke in reference
to your deaf mother and her last hours,
can aud do sympathizs with you in your
bereavement; nave also lost the best
friend earth, a sainLed mother; that
Vac Int chair can never be flied, no never,
but we must bear in mind that what is
our great loss is their eternal gain.
Many OF my friends express their pleas
ure in reading your Kind aud beautiful
letter and hope to see you and shake the
friendly hand with you in the near future
and [ hope to do the same-lf not before,
hope to see you at our reunion at GettYs
burg, August the oh next. | send you In
return my photograph ana the good wishes
and regards Of my family and friends here
In Norwich. Hoping TO see you soon, and
to hear from you often, remain frazier
nally yours.
JOHN A. BOWEN,
Capt. of Police, Norwich, Ct.
Formerly Regt Connecticut Vols.