The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1891-06-10
sLIGHTs AND SHADOWS OF THE OLD
CAMP FIRES"
BY ONE OF THE "OtD VETS"
THE PRIVATE.

Memorial Day to the fallen brave who
held not safety before honor and liberty,
but cheerfully risked all for the common
good and died for National unity, univer-
sal liberty and reign OF constitutionallaw.
First shot 4:SO A. NJ, April 18th, 1861;
last shot, $50 P. NJ, May 18th, 1865.
A soldier of Bates Division Of the Con-
federate army, after the command had
run two days from Nashville, had thrown
away his gun and accoutrements, and
alone in the woods sat down and COM
menced thinking-the first chance he had
for such thing. Rolling up his sleeves
and looking at bis legs and general ply
sique, he thus gave vent to his feelings:
81 am whipped, badly whipped and some
what demoralized, but no man can say
am scattered"
An officer of the Second Connecticut
Regiment, In letter to his family, said:
'eThe coolest thing ever heard of, hap
pened at the Battle of Fair Oaks. Right
in the hottest of the battle two of the Sec
ond's boys got at loggerheads with each
other, threw down their muskets aud fell
to hsiicuffs had it out, picked up their
arms and pitched into the rebels again. l
have heard of wheel within wheel,
but battle within battle is certainly
something new"
A story is told of the Veteran Sumner.
AT the Battle of Antietam, his son, young
Captain Sumner, youth of twenty-oue,
was on his staff. The old man calmly
stood amid storm of shot and shell and
turned to send him through doubly rag
ing fire upon mission of duty. He
might rever see his boy again, but his
country claimed his life, aud as he looked
upon his young brow, he grasped his
hand, encircled him in his arms and fond
ly kissed him. ''Good-bye, Sammy;
Goodbye, father, and the youth, mount
ing his horse, rode gayly on his message.
BE returned unframed and again his hand
was grasped with a cordial chow dye do,
sammy" answered by grasp Of equal
affection. The scene was touching TO
those around.
1t is well-known that John A. Logan,
who was member of Congress at the
time the war began, left Washington when
he saw there was going to be a fight.
Selling a musket, he walked all the way
10 Bull Run, where he arrived just in time
to take part in the battle. He had on a
swallow-tail coat, but he stood up to the
rack as long as anybody did. He was
back to Washington next morning, good
deal out of breath, and was telling some
of his fellow-Congressmen all about it.
"Who gave you this account OF the fight,
asked a member from the north woods OF
New York 2 "Why, was there myself, y
said Logan. The New Yorker evidently
had not heard the news, for he seemed
little mystifed, and asked, as II wishing
to solve the mystery Of Logan's speedy
re-appearance, care the cars running ~
ono, F" said Logan, 1.-THE cars amt run
ming, but every other blank thing 10 the
State of Virginia 10, as near as l could
find out"
Old Spot, Gen. Kipatrick's favorite
warhorse, bore his master calamity on
long and perilous rides and In the thick of
many a desperate fight, himself more than
once feeling the prick OF steel and the
sting Of lead. Subsequent to the war Gen.
Fitzpatrick was sent to South America.
He left the old horse al the farm, with or
ders that he should be kindly cared for
Returning after an absence of several
years, the General reached his home near
night, and was for some time occupied in
exchanging greetings with bis family and
friends. He did not, however, long ne
glect to inquire after the old horse.
Learning that Spot was at pasture 10 a dis
tant field, the General sent for him, and
little later was told that his favorte was
securely tied to post at the entrance OF
The grounds, some distance away. The
General FASTENED out onto the piazza,
from whence, peering through the shad-
ows, he deserted the form OF the old vet
eran, who stood demurely gnawlng at the
post. just ono word, "Srot ~ rang out
over the lawn. Liae an echo came back
the answering neigh. With snort and a
bound, the old charger snapped the halter
as If II had been thread, cleared the
fence at leap, and, with arcbed neck and
ears proudly erect, spurned the intcrven-
ing turf like race horse, until he stood
by the piazza, where with joyful whnny
he laid his head upon bis masters breast.
Added the General: eve Rugged and ca
ressed each other like lovers, and am
not ashamed to say that no welcome re-
ceived that day warmed my heart more
than that Of old Spot"
Early 10 1853 the Union forces were en-
camped near Wilmington. N. G. Partly
sympathy and partly curiosity led me TO
visit the hospital. As I passed the long
rows of sick veterans, my eye rested on
sick lad, mere boy, whose pale face and
sunken eyes told OF his sufferings. His
name, he said, was Arthur Perry. his
home In Ohio, his mother widow. The
child said sometimes was so cold and
hungry that / thought would never see
home again, but will, won't !, Lieuien-
ant 2" assured him that he would, and
after giving him clean pair Of blankets
departed.
The next morning called again and he
seemed much better. He said he was
captured and wounded while with an am i.
munition train. He talked freely Of home
and mother 10 the early part OF the day,
but at the latter part OF the day be be-
IN mo reticent and did not aeem awara of