The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-10-28
PUPIL OF OLD JOE SWEENY,
Ind q Gallant Captain in tho Old Conisd-
crate Army.
he SAVED HIS BANJO At APPROPRIATION,
And Now Proposes TO Give = Concert NJ inc
Fair for tho Benefit OF His Follow
yoternns-His story.
For Tho Times)

Whom met him | couldn't help reca'inR
Carlton McCarthy's summing up OF an o'u
Confederate reduced to the minimum. 'ari-
ton Inv so,ne who are feeble in mental equip
ment. might be called crank. lie IL 'ho NH"
OF crank that causes thought. lie not
Carlton Mccarthy crank. Were no such no
would be richer. lie has written. among
other things. book called by him So'dier
Life. A. \. V" He was privote IN the
scond company Richmond Howitzers. end
he pictures the rebel in his last days TINS way
sTbe private soldier consisted of one man.
ope hat. one Jacket. one shirt one pair OF
drawers. one pair of shoes ana one ps,i VI
socks This WAS not the case with oincefH'
and IL certainly was mt so lar hs captain
Samuel u Moseley company l.. 1wenty-htsl
Virginia Infantry. G. =. A.. WAS cohc-rpeu'
because the captain carried along WIN t''n =
banjo and laid il down 1T AppomattoI Court
bonso when he had finished his course as
soldier. This is the way csmo TO meet mp
tain Moseley. in whose life there Is rloh 'o'h
OF the romantic. v,.n.
II was nearly dark when 1 walked INTO INC
Office Of Colonel A. 5. Buford; pfes,"epI a. u
the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical 20
ciety. The Colonel WAS sitting in front OF nis
desk facing a man who wore the uniform OF
the Confederate Home Of Virginia an1 was.9s-
ING close attention to what tho OLD veteran
was saying.
PUPIL or OLD JOE s~SfSf.
The sneaker. as learned upon introdnc-
ton. was CAPTAIN Samuel j. NloseieY. ITO
Ind come down To asa Colonel Ruford 10 per
80 Nm 10 riye an old.tlme concert on Tho
grounds during the FAIR. for tho cement OF
tLe inmates OF TIE home. lie Is ihnn oi
nahum size and has a cOunteuance slhlbPeu
with honesty and intelligence lie comes
from the good old colonial Moseey STOCK ana
ia 81 naive of Buck ngAam. HIS eyes Twinkle
TO-DAY with the humor that comes from
conscience non-accusing. lie looks straight
10 the 'front.' with n glance glinting with IN
tegnty., .rto, Won Cs,,oin -
said Colonel huford. when he learned the
nature of the Captains ~ .uest.
II thank YOU. sir. hope We will be able TO
,io something for the boys aud am satisfied
that We will give an entertainment that VIII
be novel. If nothing else.
DO you pay IN the concert, Captain"
asked Colonel EusoTd.
"Oh YES. sir. am MI old-time barlo picker.
aud have been called the very best ID mat
line"
Int mind in my Young days heard old Joe
hweeny. the prince of banlo-pickers. ana
shall watch you.
some extent / am old Joe's pupil. heard
him when boy. and that set me to wait 20
he like him | can initiate him. SIR aud can
give YOU some Of his old songs but hsd my
left arm shot at Martinsbnrg So badly that
have 20 tread the strings with my thumb I'M
der instead Of on top of the stan; but MAKE
out might near as well.
he PLAYED FOR GRANT
"pr be ont AT tho Fair Grounds to morrow.
and will meet you there. ana see STOUT se'ths
house for you"
Yes sir. / asked about getting tent bnt
thev told me n tent would 10 too small, and
then thought would me and SEQ you about
getting bigger place"
army. Captain"
YES sir. and ] had it with me at the sur
render Why. played for General Grant. aud
LIS staff said that they never saw him laugh
so" Tell us about 1t. Captain.
well sir | went to Grants hcad0paTters
and thew stopped me- but / told 'ein wanted
10 see the General. and he sent word 10 let
me come in. When J got in. / SAID General,
/ want you 10 let me have my BANJO, my
spade. and my sword.
"'Well Captain. ne said. take them. there
will be no trouble about that; but do you play
the BANJO
Eyes. sir am fond of playing"
Where is your banjo"
Outside here
We'll. suppose you bring il in and play me
tune. Captain"
"Geseral | don't know any but Confed-
crate songs. that have been playing FOL tic
boys.'
"1hat makes no difference the war Is over
now. the fighting is ended forever, and NO
will hear your songs"
Il took my banjo md the first thing 1
struck up was Gregory song
"In Harpers Ferry section there WAS an insur-
roction
John brown thought the niggers would sus-
tain HIM
Governor Henry A Wise put his specs fore his
eyes
And he sent him TO the Yankee land OF Co
naGn.
lyon know. Colonel how tho song went
on: and when had finished General Grant
broke out in big laugh, and ho said Cap
tain. take your spade and Try 10 dig living
with it, for there are going 10 be tight times
down here. Take yonr sword and try 10 cui
your way through life but II both of these
fail take your banjo. and nv word for 1t. you
will pick uD "A livelihood. '"
Colonel ButOrd promised the Captain that
ne would do al he could for him, and those
who wish 10 hear a reproduction OF old~time
melodies picked on banjo not bunged by a
ban DIST will have An opportunity of doing 40
every day Of the Fair. Captain Moseley will be
assisted by other old veterans who will play
the fiddle knock the bones and thump the
tambourine. Such entertainment may
never be seen again. PETER j. BURTON.