The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1892-08-31
FLIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF THE OLD
CAMP FIRES"
BY ONE OF THE "oLD vnrs. =

/ - --~N~---~
r. Encampment.
An old soldier OF Kansas, recently re.
ceived from the Government, three cents,
which had been due him, without his
knowledge, for move than thirty years.
| All the old generals, who are alive, are
expected to be at the National Encamp-
mens. 10 meet and greet their old 'sBoys, y
who will gather around some favorite Of
flcer or comrade and go over old war
times.
Mr.. William Rankin, of Housum, Pa,
has been granted a pension, which dates
from the 2lst OF February, 1854, to June
2lst, 1892, $40 months, at two dollars
per month. 1t is claimed that this is the
longest drawn out pension that has been
granted.
| The first pensions ever granted by the
United States were passed by Congress on
May 10. ITS. A bin granting that CAN
officers who shall serve to the close of the
war shall receive half-pay for seven years
thereafter, and all private soldiers shall
secure a reward of eighty dollars"
| In the first years of the civil war, Col.
Joseph W. Bell organized the 18th I'LL
nois Cavalry, 10 which there were num-
Der Of the. Bell family. Not being alto
gether satisfied that 1t was right to have
SO many Of the same name lighting for the
Union, Col. Bell asked Secretary Stanton
about 1t. at is all right, exclaimed
Stanton, .'The more the better, aud ]
hope the Bells may ring the downfall OF
the confederacy,"
As our army approached the Mississippi
river, we reached fine plantation, upon
which we saw all the negroes out to re-
ceive us. Such rejoicing there was
here. One old white-haired darkey sang,
in deep and solemn voice, "Bless de
Lord. deys COMM COMM" and one
would have supposed from the actions of
these slaves that they truly believed that
the Union soldiers were messengers OF the
Lord coming among them.
Early one morning, General Sherman,
who had worked all night, was sitting on
a log, with his back against tree, fast
asleep. Some men marching by saw him,
aud one fellow ended slurring remark
| by, ga pretty way we are commanded =
Sherman awakened by the noise, heard
the last words. "Stop my man." he
cried !; " While you were sleeping las
night, l was planning for you, sir, ant
now l was taking nap" Thus familiar
ly and kindly, the General gave repri
mands and won confidence.
During the seven days battle In from
of Richmond, guant and hollow-eyeC
South Oarolinian, was being ministered t.
In one OF the hospitals, good lady offer
, ed the rebel some delicately served trifi'
from her own kitchin, and was much sur
prised at his refusal to eat the nice food
The soldier, in answer to her remark tina
the food was just what a man 10 his con
dition needed, replied, "Jest ez you say
old miss amt contradiction you. /
mout be good for me, but my stomick'
! kinder sot agin 1t, and is hankerin 70
something else, and that's dish {
green's en- bacon fat, with little molasse
poured onto It."
Ansoh Smith, of Shelton Center, Conn.
a wooden-legged veteran, tells funn,
! story about himself. Mr.. Smith set /,
3 work 10 make frame for the support o
/ his tomato vines. To keep the post
steady while mailing the stats, he placed
his left or wooden leg against them and
drove the nails home with vim. Aftei
I mailing one end he started TO 60 to the
next post, but found, to his surprise, he
could not move. Visions of paralysis
flashed over his mind, but on examining
carefully he found he had driven the nail
through slat and post into his wooden leg
and that he was nailed fast 10 the tomato
frame.
AT the fight at Aide, one Of the shells
passed In such close proximity to the face
Of Sergeant Terril, OF Co. NJ, I'd New
York Cavalry, that 1t took away bis wind
and made him look ''Sick about the gills. =
As he was being taken to place ofsafety,
some one heard him say, "By thunder,
now ! have got my furlough and can &c
home to see my sweetheart" Alfred
Cook OF the same company, was shot Ia
the leg, and he hobbled of shouting,
"orderly, I've got my furlough sure goi
II right here in my leg" He could moi
have been more happy apparently, II seat
ed by and talking sweet nonsense to hi
best girl.
One night the Sergeant Of patro
guard, approached gentleman high IL
military rank, who was taking his hocl
and soda at the spout OF drug store, OF
Pennsylvania avenue. The Sergeant ask
ed the General for his pass, and received
! the indignant answer that he was an OF
ficer. ''My Instructions" said the Ser
geant. "Are TO see you to your quarters.
: II give you my word of honor that wi
go there" replied the officer. 81 an
! obliged, sir" replied the Sergeant, ct
give yeu my word OF honor that l will es
cori you there, " and they marched ava.
together. 1t turned out to be Genera
George B. Mcclellan.
Since the war, while General Sherman
was visiting at Jacksonville, Florida, I
ball was given in his honor. 1t was ar
ranged that the General, whose partner
, was local beauty and belle, the daughter
of United States army officer, well dis
tinguished, who died some time before
.. should "lead OFF, In the dance. TIL
, couple had taken their places. when tn