The National tribune., 1892-09-29

| for this welcome to home such as we see
here" All heads were bowed, and profound
silence prevailed while brief grace was
said, in which all of us sincerely Joined. As
raised my eyes, in which tears Of gratitude were
visible, l saw the good old man and his wife
wiping away the tears, and when we bads them
farewell 1t was with such emotions of true
pleasure as no pen or tongue can describe.
Even our welcome at tho homes where we soon
after clasped our loved ones did not dim the
memory of loyal and hospi.able reception at
Mr.. Highfll's farmhouse among the hills of
Harrison County. Ind. II this "reminiscences
should meet the eye of any comrade who shared
the hospitality Of that noble family, l should
be glad to hear from him. Doubtless the
memory of kindness shown them OH that day
has often sladdened the hearts of all who were
thus welcomed as paroled prisoners from the
front on their way home after the experiences
here recorded.
Our exchange was not effected until late in
November, when the prisoners captured by
Kirby Smith at Richmond and by Bragg at
Munford Vile were again sent to tho front. My
connection with the S9th Ind ceased on the
oath of November by reason of transfer to the
18th Ind, with which regiment | served as
Chaplain until the close of the war. thus had
the opportunity Of accompanying Gen. Sher-
man from Vicksburg to Washington, whore we
led the triumphant column of veterans in the
Great Review. 1t was also my privilege to
realize the fulnlment Of a prediction that /
made on the parole ground at Munfordville
Sept. H. 1862, while engaged in hot discus
sion of the war issues with number of officers
in Bragg's army. A Florida Colonel opened the
controversy by inquiring as to our opinion OF
their prospects of success in the conflict. l re-
piled that they were just then doing most
effective work, having captured Nelson's and
Wilder's commands Of 1000 men each. then
added that they would neversee Cincinnati or
Louisville, or reach the Ohio River. When
asked to assign my reasons for that opinion, l
replied that our superiority Of numbers aud re-
sources must give us ultimate success. assured
them that we were not missed from the mass
of population capable Of bearing arms, and that
business with us was never SO active as at that
time our cities and towns bustling with life,
while grass was growing in the streets of theirs.
Finally, declared that we had enough fight
ing men to sweep their entire army into the
Gulf of Mexico, and predicted that | should
live to chase them all over the Southern States,
which 1 actually did do when Sherman pushed
his way from Chattanooga to Savannah, and
thence to Raleigh, where Johnston's surrender
quickly succeeded Lees at Appomattox
At this bold prediction the disputsnts became
intensely excited, one OF them saying that
was premature in my assurance, not even then
being paroled, much less exchanged. / replied
that did not expect to take up arms until e1-
changed, when / should certainly do what had
been predicted. We were however, commended
as Western boys, at which / disclaimed all
credit as Western man, being a native of New
concerning my birthplace, which proved to be
the same place whero he had married. His name
was Dixon, and, being a Northern man. he had
cspoused the cause of secession. / never met
him again.-M. ID. GAGE, 457 Delmas avenue,
San Jose, Cal.