The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-06-02


scenes intensified my desire and purpose to
ascertain the fate of Col. Murray, and I
wrote letter and addressed it to him at New
York City; but long months elapsed, and still
could hear nothing. Finally, in penning my
sketches, | reached the battle OF CastienIan's
Ferry. This was about IL years after that bat
tie was fought. senta marked paper contain
ing that sketch to number Of papers in New
York State, and among them one TO the New
burg Journal In week or two l received a
copy OF that paper, which had kindly copied
my article, with an editorial note appended,
informing me that the New York city papers
of the day before the Journals publication au-
nounced tho death In that city Of my long
ght and toughest friend. Think of It! !
had searched for him anxiously for IL long
years and found him corpse. About month
thereafter his widow wrote me answering my
letter addressed TO him nearly IL months be-
fore, and stating that my letter did not reach
him until about year after IL was written,
and after be was confined TO his bed. She stated
that my letter gave him great joy aud inspired
a hope for his final recovery that he loved to
dwell upon it, and talked aboGt the event, but
that he never regained sufficient strength TO an
swer il. Immediately replied to her letter,
relating in detail the circumstances of the
event. and rendering to her this belt. This she
declined, with tenderest expressions ofmagnan-
unity aud generous thanks for my kindness to
her husband, and stating that she knew she
could best carry out his wishes by allowing me
to keep the belt.
"With this letter she sent me this" Where
upon the Colonel opened the drawer of his
table and drew forth a cabinet sized photo
graph Of Col. Murray. "Of course" continued
Col. Polk, 81 sent her mine in return. This
pleasant correspondence was kept up for q long
while between myself and yoang Mr. Murray,
who was nephew of Col Murray.
in 1885 / went to New York City, and
walking into the Astor House ! opened the
City Directory TO see if could find any trace
OF the family; L had misleid or lost the ad.
dress. was perplexed to find that about
dozen pages of the Directory were devoted TO
the name OF Murray. In all this bewiidering
array Of Murrays' suppose ! was directed by
what some people would call luck. as i deter
mined to see who would answer TO Murray
Bros, Real Estate who were located away up
on Fourth avenue, near Sixty-sixth street.
Taking the Elevated Road i was soon at tho
door Of their Office. / accosted two young
men with an inquiry, and one of them ap-
preached me quickly and very cordially aud
smilingly said, as lie extended his hand, Is
not this Mr.. Polk, of North Carolina?' Upon
assuring him that it was he said that he recog-
nized me by my photograph.
81 spent some days in the city. and of course
visited the fRmiiy-an event which I shall
always remember most pleasantly. Occasional
letters have passed between these young men
aud myself and about g month ago one of
them wrote me, asking, If agreeable to myself
and family, that present him this belt; that
for the associations connected with it he de-
sired TO keep 1t as an heirloom in the family.
OF course we readily agreed to ii, and have
brought il with me for the purpose Of sending
ii 70 him by express soon as shall ascertain
his proper address which by some means j
have mislaid among my papers"
"Weil," said j to the Colonel, "this Ia GER
tainly most interesting history. and has in it
some Of the genuine touches of romance
something of the romance of war. But tell
me. Colonel how have you managed to preserve
this belt SO well and so loDg?"
Well" said Colonel Polk, al observed
friend Murrsy's request. When / returned
to my home from the war ] took it off and
gave il to my children and told them its inter-
esting story. At intervals from that day to
this it has been taken out and carefully rubbed
and dressed. ] can cheerfully surrender the
belt to my young friend Murray for the pur-
pose indicated by him, but no money could in
duce me to part with the associations con-
nected with il, or of my estimate of the motive
which placed me in possession OF it.
" ! cherish moro fondly and more wildly,
perhaps this episode in my soldicr-life because
Of the fact that Col Murray was the only man
who fell into my hands as a prisoner during
the war;