Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-14
Ode Of Welcome.

In circle with her sister towns,
Bedecking Dixie's sunny plains,
Extending welcome floral songs,
Stands fair Eirtennia on the line
THROUGH THE MINERAL REGION.
All the afternoon the train sped along to-
wards the Tennessee valley the attention of
the travellers was attracted by the signs of growth
and development of the mineral region and this
fact served as subject for the speech makers for
the rest of the journey. At Knoxville the party
WAS met by a crowd Of citizens, who. after sup
per, stood upon the platform and listened to
speeches glowing with tributes of praise for the
prosperity and evidences ofthrift and industry of
people Of East Tennessee. As the train moved the
off and just the Secretary Of War had seated
himself for a visit with the newspaper men.
Mr.. Z. B. Wight rushed in breathless and
striking 8 tragic attitude before the Sec
rotary, said: I'VE fellows are all tired out
acting as a claque for you gentlemen in the
front car. Dunnell and worked like every
thing in that crowd trying to work up some
enthusiasm. We circulated about telling them
whom to call upon. But it was hard work.
When called Proctor some big fellow turned
round and said, Who in the devil is hep and
wheR we suggested Henderson they called for
Anderson" The Secretary laughed heartily
and invited the claquers into the rear car so
that they might be refreshed before being
again called upon.
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
War stories were of course in order. and
Gen. Boynton. who, through the whole trip,
looked after the welfare of the correspondents
with unhagging zeal explained and re-explained
to his inquiring confreres all the intricate
stragetic movements of the army of the Cum
berland at Chickamauga- Gen. Fullerton per-
formed the same service for the occupants of
the other cars. Personal "reminiscences of the
battle Of Chickamauga were doubly interesting
in view Of the approaching visit to the historic
n a md md mo Eh mr. lei, Tod
in the battle had ali interested knot OF listeners
when he recalled any of the experiences of that
period or could relate any story of the promi-
nent generals who fought there.
HOW HE FIRST NET GRANT.
II was on Thomas staff at the time" said
one, and after the battle of Chickamsuea,
when our army lay idle for nearly two months
at Chattanooga, waiting for achievements and
supplies. we were short of everything. Gen.
Thomas had established himself in q comfort
able house, but there was nothing in it but the
furniture. One rainy, chilly day my striker
had succeeded in getting small supply of coal
OF screenings. or something that would burn.
and was enjoying the warmth, a novel and q
| pipe, with my heels on the mantel piece. Pres
| emily heard strange noise in the passage
| way, as II some one was walking with u crutch.
Thump, thump, ii came along and stopped at
my door. In answer to a knock called: Come
in The door was partially opened and a
| of shoulders on which we're the two stars Of a
major general, and I knew then that my
visitor must be Gen. Grant He looked
around the room inqniringly and then
in quiet tone said: Young man,
| Gen. Thomas tells me that you Keep the
whisky assured him he had made no mis-
! take and asked him il he would take il straight
or mixed. .Just then Gen Thomas entered.
| and Gen. Grant, turning to him, said: Il guess
you and are getting too old to take ours
I ar arOhf xrrx 40
| me. you may make Us toddy and make it
| hot He got 1t, and it was hot After enioy-
ing 1t he and Gen. Thomas withdrew to pre-
pare their plans for the battles Of Lookout
4 Mountain and Missionary Ridge
THE sECRErAaYs NEW AID.
| One of the best satisfied members of the ex-
petition was Capt. Thos NJ. Woodruff, who had
only two days before starting received his pro-
motion to captaincy and at the same time re-
| ceived telesraphic summons at St. Paul, where
he aid to Gen. Ruger, to report for
duty at Washington Immediately Upon his
arrival in Washington he learned that he had
been selected for duty military secretary TO
tn, Secretary Of War aud his first assignment
was to accompany his chief TO Chattanooga
and southern army posts. IL was particularly
gratifying to him because he was chosen on
his efficiency record only, never having met
selection. Capt. Woodruff is Washington
boy, having been appointed to West Point after
finishing school at the Emerson Institute
THE WEATHER.
The party started out in a rain storm. but all
day Tuesday il was clear and pleasant and
hopes were high for fair day for the visit to
ChickamauSa- When the visitors awoke this
| morning, however. drizzling rain dispelled
all those pleasant anticipations and the trip 70
the historic field was made with umbrellas.
overshoes and waterproofs. 1t rained steadily
all day. with occasional moderations The visit
ing party, accompanied by a delegation OF
Chattanoogans, went in the special train only
| to the suburbs OF the city, which are
nearly flooded, and there they were trans
ferred to another train and a second
transfer was necessary before the foot OF
Snodgrass Hill reached, on the summit
Of which Gen. Thomas command held
the Union line and prevented disastrous rout
on the second day Of the great battle. Here
carriages and horses awaited the visitors. The
discreet members of the party chose the for
mer. but several. fired by the enthusiasm OF
Gen. Boynton, joined his cavalry brigade and
followed him mp the ridge on horseback. They
| were Gen. McCook, Col. James Rankin Young.
Corporal Painter, Adjutant Seckendorn and
Color Sergeant Chaplin. Gen. Boynton proved
! a hard leader for this detachment Of mounted
infantry and most Of them wanted to retire
early tonight. The procession ascended the
ridge about half mile 10 the summit Of the
memorable Snodyrsss Hill.
| THE STORY OF TIE FIELD.
Here . cold lunch was served, but frst Gen.
Boynton and Gen. Fullerton pointed out the
movements Of the troops and told how stub
bornly the Union line resisted the rebel attacks,
and designated Just where each division made
A 49, -. - "A n