New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-26
A SKELETON IN THE ARMORY:
QUEER RELIC-HUNrING BY SOLDIERS.
MEMBERS or THE 71sr REGIMENT BRING HONE
SOME BONES FROM MANASSAS.


There is skeleton in the armory OF the 7lse
Regiment, but, although it is there, the officers
and men and the veterans Of the command are
elated over their trip TO Richmond and the Bull
Run battlefield. They declare with one accord
that they were received with the greatest hospi-
tality by military and citizens OF the capital city
Of Virginia, and made comfortable as they
could desire during their stay there.
On their way ththcr they were met at Fred
cricxsburg by detachment Of Battery A, lst
Virginia Artillery, commanded by Captain Bcaure-
gard Lorraine, who had with them baggage
car filed with refreshments, largely of liquid
nature, which placed in the centre OF the
special train conveying the New-York regiment
On the way thence 10 Richmond they had iovial
time, but none Of the visitors lost their heads
and on their arrival they made fine appearance
IN tho parade through the streets escorted by
the local military organizations. That evening
they had the freedom OF the city and were royalty
entertained
ROAMING OVER THE BATTLEFIELD.
After their arrival on the Bull Run battlefield
on Sunday the men were permitted to roam at
will over the historic ground. They found il
almost n wilderness, with here and there a little
cultivation. The people that they met were most
ly Of the colored race, and they, and the farmers
whom they served, treated the New-YorlS soldiers
nature Of the engagement in which the troops
on each side green, and Of the result, which
was not credtable to either side, this battlefield
has not been a place much referred 10 or much
visited since the war. Ii Will never be enshrined
in the hearts of either Northern or Southrn men
as a Mecca to be visited in the spirit Of pride
which animated the soldiers who recently gathered
together at Gettysburg
Even the relic hunters seem to have lost sight
of the field where so much lead scattered about
to 70 purpose. The lis Regiment the first
military body that had visited Manassas since
the war. The men felt deep interest in the ex-
pedition because the regiment in SCI had been
engaged in the battle, and they curious in
inspecting the ground and anxious to bring home
souvenirs Many half-buried pieces of shell, can
non balls and bullets that had found lodgnent in
green fields or woods, after speeding vainly upon
their missions of death, dug out or picked up
UNEARTIING A SKELETON
Two young men Of the regiment, one Of whom
was a medical student, while wandering about
stumbled over an object which at once arrested
their footsteps. IT was the skeleton OF man,
partly uncovered by the earth that had at one time
been thrown upon it. The bones were beached
and Times efacing fingers had long since removed
all indications that might have told Of the rank or
connt ctions of the dead man, which side he had
fought upon if he was soldier and why all that
was mortal of him lying there twenty seven
years after the battle in which he probably lost
his life.
The two men dragged the skeleton forth,
thoughtless perhaps of the great impropriety OF
their conduct and conveyed IL TO the special train
which was waiting. They had relic that told
more of the horrors of the than any that their
comrades had picked up or had purchased from the
colored people, who, learning that relics were
wanted, went around with bullets and broken ram
rods musket stocks, bayonets and swords and
sold them for small sums TO the soldiers.
A SETTER DOG AMONG THE RELICS.
When the regiment started for Washington the
next morning the skeleton and the relics were
taken along, and they were with them when they
reached home Tuesday morning. fine setter
dog which followed the regiment when the train
pulled out from Richmond, captured and was
brought 70 New-Yorll also. One Of the companies
has adopted it, giving it the name Richmond
and it ~ now at the armory, at Broadway and
Forty-ffth-st.
4 splendid time the regiment had on the trip
altogether. and the men have many things to re-
mind them of it in the future, but many military
men who have heard about the skeleton shake
their heads and declare that it should not have been
taken from its last restng-place on Virginia soil
and carried away by Northern soldiers who had
gone there on a peaceful mission and had Deen
most Hospitality entertained.
Il is feared that trouble will grow out Of this
thing. and it has been hinted that the Governor
Of Virginia when he hears of it, will demand that
the skeleton be returned to the place whence 1t
taken.