The National tribune., 1890-07-10


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In 1879 was
on train going east that stopped at Gordons-
vile, Va, for dinner. The car / was in was
entirely emptied aud as ! stepped down on the
platform 81 one end Of IL, a mcdium-sizcd old
gentleman in black was stepping into il at the
other
Some one near remarked
There's Gen. Johnston gettingon the train"
General Who| ] asked.
Gen. Joe Johnston" he replied, looking
ETOund az me; "dou't you know himE7
No; but ! would rather meet that man than
any other in all the South !" and / bounded
back into the car. The General was seated
near the farther end, and walked Ieisurely
along toward him, but dad not catch his eye TIL
] stopped by him and respectfully remarked
This is Gen. Johnston, believe"
lie looked up and answered
les; my name is Johnston"
] smiled q little, as If ! knew he would be
glad 10 See me when / made myself known,
and said, quietly
- was with Gen. Sherman in Georgia"
lie fairly laughed al over and as be grasped
my hand, exclaimed, Next 10 the men Of my
own army j am glad 10 meet those Of Gen.
Sbcrmaus army. BE seated" None but men
who have served az the front can sense" this
mysterious bond that exists between soldiers 10
which picket-liues were 10 barrier. ] imme-
diately began 10 talk Of tie great campaign 10
AAtAat4A1s AAA ENlANAAE iiE bCghAiG EEhlcENt. j
understood him, and assured him that I was
not newspaper correspondent, and upon the
honor Of soldier, If be would be kind enough
% talk ! should not publish IL. lie believed me
upon nay word, and with all his heart-a trait
Of character IN the typical Southern gentlemen
30 be admired
he opened ont freely TO all my approaches,
and We discussed men aud measures and incl
dents u the campaign % my intense enjoyment
for nearly an hour while On the way 10 Rich
InOnd. Finally, a. the train stopped at a station.
arose 70 20 out, when, with a look Of antici.
pated pleasure. be said
You have found out who am; now who
arc your"
il the Southern gentleman takes pride and
pleasure in one thing more than another, il is
. be able 70 assure you that he has heard Of
you and % recall incidents in your career or
Of someone near Of kin - you; il il a passport
10 his confidence and esteem AZ once. 1 knew
the General mad read up our side Of the war
thoroughly, and had but 70 give the name Of
any Chief 81 STAFF, or Division Commander, or
even one Of many Of much inferior position Ia
win from him the heariiest assurances Of his
pleasure ln meeting me; but carried mugket
all through the war, and more than that while
al Of my name that / knew were excellent
with the musket or saber not one Of them ever
became anyways famous, and / knew the Gen
eral had never heard Of any one Of US that had
attained public distinction
Irwin Is my name" i replied with slight
look Of observation-disclosures at twhat / knew
would DC his disappointment He repeated il
once, and looked first down the car, then down
% bis feet quickly, while / walked on ont
presently came IN again, facing him as
walked slowly, looking for seat. His fac
was az red as q beet. he thought, Now pv,
given myself away 10 some newspaper blabber
and everything have said will be in print II
aweek." no doubt he watched the papers fo
a month before he began 10 conclude " tina
man was soldier after al."-G. IRWIN, Ponch,
Springs Colo