The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-08-25
From Meridian News
CAPT. WATTS SWORD.
Interesting and Beautiful Exercises
Attending It's Return by It's Captor
of twenty-five Years Ago.


Capt. s. Z. Watts was taken prisoner at
the battle of Franklin, November 80,
1864, and surrendered his sword to Capt.
J. NJ Knapp, of the 10th Ohio Infantry,
who promised to return il If he should
survive al the close Of the war. A combi-
nation of circumstances kept the where
abouts Of the sword unknown until Sep
TENDER last. Mr.. Jesse Kempner, Of New
Gordon, Ohio, remembering the incident
OF the capture OF the young rebel officer"
addressed letter Of inquiry to the post
NJ aster at Natchez. The letter was referred
to Mr.. Paxton, of Vieksburg, who turned
it over to Capt w. q. Paxton, who it seems
knew Capt. Watts, and he forwarded ii TO
Meridian.
Captain Watts then opened correspond
ence with Mr.. Kepner, who informed him
that Captain Knapp was resident of
Massillon, Ohio, who would take great
pleasure in returning the sword. A few
weeks ago he received letter from Capt.
Knapp, giving him cordial invitation to
attend the reunion of the l04th Ohio at
Myers Lake, near Canton, Ohio, and ex
pressed special desire to return the
sword in person. Captain Watts, at the
earnest solicitation OF MS many friends,
accepted this generous and polite invita-
flowing with gratitude, and says language
is inadequate to do justice to the hospital
ity, courtesy and exhibition OF fraternal
feelings manifested towards him during
his visit AS we said in the outset, we
regret we cannot give full description
OF the greetings given Captain Watts by
the beautiful daughters of veterans"
who met him on the streets en- mtiitaire and
so overpowered him by their jaunty caps,
and beautiful and graceful personnel, that
he Al once surrendered at their discre-
ton" Neither have we space TO describe
the camp scene-the warm greetings of the
soldiers and citizens-and withal the elo-
qGent and patriotic presentation address
OF Captain A. j. Kicks, which followed
the graceful presentation of the sword by
Miss Hattie Knapp, who said TO Captain
Watts:
Captain Watts: On November 80, 1886,
will be the twenty second anniversary OF
the battle of Franklin, the battle in which
you surrendered your sword to Captain
Knapp. You, thinking the works had
been taken, NJ arched bravely TO the forts
but being mistake you were compelled to
surrender No bad feeling existing, the
favor was asked if at the close of the war
your sword be returned, providing both of
your lives were saved. ! now have the
pleasure OF returning to you your sword,
promised to you nearly TWENTY-FIVE years
ago."
We cannot forbear, however, giving the
closing remarks of Captain Kicks which
will meet with responsive thrill in the
hearts OF every Southron and American,
whether that heart beats in the ice-bound
regions of the remotest north or under the
sunny skies beside the Mexican Gulf. He
said, referring to Capt. Knapp:
Gle has asked me in his behalf to re-
turn this sword-so worthily borne by
gallant foe, and so honorably lost in what
was, literally, almost the last ditch of the
war in the west. You won the right to
reclaim il because of your gallantry
on the field when it was fairly lost and
won.
Take it az the gift of brave Union
soldier and keep it as new evidence OF
the fact that forever hereafter, as always
heretofore, the brave soldiers OF the North
will bear, as they have borne, respect and
good will for those of the brave soldiers of
the South who have manfully accepted the
results OF the war.
Accept it and carry it back to your
Southern home as token OF your comrades
and friends from a regiment OF Ohio SOL
diers that as we fought to preserve the fl ag
of the Union with malace toward none,
but charity for all" SO now we will well
come your and their fraternal cooperation
to perpetuate the principles it represents
and carry our reunited country onward
towards destiny eminently fit for broth
erhood so great and grand as the brave
people Of the North and South"
Captain Watts, fondly holding his old
sword, listened attentively to the address
of Captain Kicks, at the conclusion of
which he responded in brief address full
of pathos and tender feeling. HIS every
remark commanded the wrapt attention OF
the large assemblage, and many eyes filled
with tears as the confederate, who
TWENTY-FIVE years before, stood arrayed
against the very friends who now surround
ed him. spoke with the kindliest feeling
of the emotion and gratitude he felt at the
event which had just been consummated.
He cherished and priced the sword as an
old friend and memento of days gone by,
the like OF which he hoped would never
occur again If that sword was ever to
be unsheathed by him, he hoped 1t
would be in defense of our common coun-
try.
Sergeant Stackhouse, the 'big hearted
sergeant" as Captain Watts termed him,
was present, and made the captain the
same generous offer as when the latter was
captured, and barefooted, namely, his
shoes. The Captain smiled as Stackhouse
pushed forth foot, covered by large,
substantial brogan, and pleasantly declined
the offer he was only too glad to accept
when prisoner of the 104th.
That one great heart throbs in the bosom
of Americans is clearly evidenced by this
beautiful episode, and like one great fami-
ly, when Jars and discussions occur therein,
the reconciliation serves to bind them more
closely together. We only wish we had
something over and above cordial and
heartfelt Invitation to induce these gallant
and chivalrous Buckeyes to come to Mis-
sissippi.