The National tribune., 1888-07-12

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Fourth Corps was the one that Gen. Erasmus
ID. Reyes commanded on the Peninsula under
Mcclellan.
On the Chickahominy line we of the old
Fourth Corps were encamped in six inches Of
water, and to bed ourselves were obliged to
drive down forked stakes, on which we built
framework of sapiIngs, that held our blankets
up out of the water.
More men of the Army Of the Potomac died
of disease incurred in these dreadful swamps
along the ChicRahominy than were killed or
wounded in the battle we had there, or during
the seyen-days fight that ended with Malvern
Hill.
Gen. Jeffries was one of those victims of the
ChiCkahominy, and though he looks hale and
hearty in his rotund figure, he told me the other
day that he had not enjoyed a well day for
many years.
he became Colonel of his regiment soon after
Fair Oaks, but his health forced him to retire
from active service in the front and he was
made Colonel in the Veteran Reserve Corps,
and at the close Of the war he was brevetted
Brigadier- General. Here in Washington he
was the Chief Provost-Marshal for the last two
years of the war; and kept good order where
the least relaxation of discipline would have
given full rein TO the most exaggerated disorder.
He was one Of those men who, with the late
Senator John +. Miller, of California, joined
in forming the Alaska Commercial Co., which
of Prybylof and st. George. In consequence
thereof he is rich. l am glad of it.
GEN. scHENcK's TURNPIKE.
I don't suppose that half the people that now
adays see Gen Robert c. Schenck lounge slowly
along the broad streets and avenues of this
city, recognize that genial, witty and famous
statesman. soldier and diplomat.
As statesman, in the House Of Representa-
tives, before and after the rebellion, he placed
his broad mark wisely upon the statute books
Of these United States. As soldier, although he
won no great battles, he administered affairs IN
the positions ASST gned him with such wisdom and
discretion that enabled many arms bearing
men to 20 farther to the front when battles
were fought. There is heap to tell some day
Of the methods that prevailed against the
s. fashion of secession in Maryland in those
days of the rebellion.
1 must confess that am not "blue-and-
gray" advocate, for ! think it best for each Of
our armies 70 keep to themselves: yet, | never
meet an ex-Confedcrate soldier who Was IN that
do not sympathize with and respect. Not
withstauding, let us each keep TO ourselves in
our Reunions and affiliations.
As a diplomat Gen. SChenck was a grand
success, and when was last in London / heard
many club men mourn over our preposterous
system Of diplomatic service abroad that retires
such men as Gen. Schenck at the mere caprice
Z
remember only the gable that Gen. Schenck
taught the Englishmen how to play poker, and
grated that noble game deeply into the British
people, but forget what delicate duties he had
10 perform, and what he accomplished while he
was accredited to the Court of st. James. If it
be really true, as alleged that Gen. Schenck
taught the British to play poker, he did
great thing; for no blamed fool or idiot can
play that game, and l have secn many men OF
very bright intellect, who have worked labor
lousy and extensively at the game for many
years, who would still scheme 10 fill out flush
at the expense OF a small pair, and then, hav-
ing made bobtail," would cunningly endea-
yOr 10 make believe they had flied.
We'll, TINS IS not poker story, but story
about Gen. Schenck in the years that have gone
so far by that l heard it even in my boyhood.
am unable to make affidavit OF the truth of
this story, but l heard il from one of gang Of
veterans IL the old-time Ohio days that Gen.
Schenck was intimate with. In fact, heard
it so long ago that | half believe Gen. Schenck
must be nearly centenarian.
Many years ago, before there were railroads
in Ohio, aad especially ia the line OF Counties
along the western border, Gen ScheRck was
President Of a turnpike company whose road
ran down the Miami Valley from BeilefOntaine
to Dayton. Another DAYTON man. named Win
tiers, think, was President OF another turn
pike that led down from Lima Iimy, they
3
each other about nine miles north OF Dayton,
and each road had toll-gate just at the cross
ing. The competition was great a. there is
now between parallel railways, to get the traf-
( Tic of the great grain-laden COnestOga wagons
that brought their freight of wheat and corn
down to Dayton.
Winters one day figured out grand scheme.
1 be went out TO the junction and had a huge
/ sign put up that reached clear across his
road just above the crossing, plainly visible 10
all corners from the north on either road,
\ that read; Dayton and Lima Turnpike. Day
I ton nine miles. Down hill all the way"
The Beiefontaine road felt the effect at once.
The sturdy farmer driving his six horses and
I huge wagon loaded with full two tons of grain,
naturally took the road that was down hill
all the way"
Gen. Schenck was equal to the emergency.
I Tie Lima road was getting all the tolls for the
I last nine miles. He had another sign prepared
( and put up across his own road just opposite
the other where all down-coiner could read /:
/ Dayton and Bellefontaine Turnpike Dayton
1 little less than nine miles. Down hill both
ways" That settled it, and Winters's Lima
/ road fell of at once in its last nine miles Of
4 tolls.
SOMETHING ABOUT GOLD.
/ Capt. George c. Reid, Marine Corps, who is
| stationed 1t Marine headquarters here told me
I the other day Of new goldfcld that has not yet
been opened up that bids fair some day to rival
the California mines ia their richest days.
Just at the head OF the Gulf Of Darien a
little river comes tum5ling down the east side
Of the Andes Of the I5thmus Of Darien, and is
full Of free gold. The stream is the Atrato,
aud is the one selected and recommended by
Capt. Thomas o. Selfridge U. s. Navy, for the
I proposed inter-Oceauic canal route-lhe " Da-
rien Route"
Capt. Reid was serving in the sIoop-of-w war
Fandalia four years ago under Capt Rush T.
Wallace, and visited that section. He ia an
officer who not only efficiently performs the
duties assigned him, but keeps his eyes open to
his surroundings. While in The Gulf OF Darien
he made extensive inquiries about the auanti-
ties Of gold be saw IN possession of the natives
and, learning where il came from, made trip
up the mountains TO investigate
The conversation between US came about
from a talk about my own recent experience
up the OronOco River 10 reach the Venezuelan
gold mines, which England is trying TO get
hold OF, and he said IN effect
" have no doubt that there are very rich
mines there on the 0ronocol for gold is found
almost everywhere in the mountain ranges
that fringe the north coast of South America
the Spanish Main Along the Atrato region
gold is found plentifully, and Of course, il
must come from quartz in the neighDorne
mountains. Many Of the natives have jars o.