Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-11-12
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
A WAR STORY.

Ex-Prcsident Hayes and an Ex- Con federats
Swap "Reminiscences.
Shortly before President Hayes was
fnaugurated 1t was known that he fav-
ored a policy of great hberality toward
the south. 1t was known that he even
contemplated making Gen. Joseph e.
Johnston secretary of war, or appoint
Ing Gen. James Longstreet postmaster
general. But Johnston was demo-
crat, uncompromising. Longstreet's
declared preference for Blaine in 1876,
and his loyalty to Blaine afterward,
taken in connection with the probable
ity of the Maine man being candidate
for the nomination in 1880, finally de-
cided the appointment against him.
The result was that Col ID. M. Key,
an ex-confederate from Tennessee. was
made postmaster general the sending
of Longstreet as minister to Turkey;
Col. John Mosby was made consul to
Hong Kong, and appointments of more
or less Importance were given to ex-
confederates. 1t became, for this rea-
son particularly, no unusual thing to
see prominent southerners at the white
house consulting with President Hayes.
About this time Gen. William Phillips,
of Marietta, Ga, was there to urge the
appointment of Gen. Edward Thomas,
an "old line whig," as United States
marshal of Georgia. Thomas, like all
the old wings who were consistent, was
really q republican, and represented an
element that Hayes was endeavoring to
enlist in the republican party.
''Gen. Phillips" said the president in
the course of one interview, 'your name
has reminded me of an incident that
occurred at Hawks Nest, at the juno
ton of the New and Gauley rivers, in
West Virginia, in 1861. 1t was in the
month of August. Who was it that
commanded the Georgia troops in front
of the Kentucky and Ohio brigades on
New river? We understood that they
were called Phillips legion; was that a
kinsman of yoursP''
"Why, that was this Gen. Phillips" Z"
smiled the Georgian. "It was my le-
gion."
Indeed" said the president, with con-
day there sighted and fred cannon
across the river at your command. Did
it do any harm?"
After some explanation of detail
Gen. Phillips remembered the circum-
stance.
'We were huddled together" said
Phillips, under some rocks to get out
of the rain, not dreaming of shot from
SO far off. 1t was n good shot, but we
were more or less protected by the
rocks. / remember, though, that we
'skedaddled' for more secure posi-
tion. / guessed, because our range had
been calculated so accurately at the
first shot, that some West Pointer di-
rected it."
After pause Gen. Phillips continued
laughing ut the recollection.
About a month afterward we were
again facing some Kentucky and Ohio
troops. An officer rode from their
front down to the stream. The rocks
there shelved out some distance into the
water, and this officer rode on slowly
some distance into the Gauley river,
watching us through field glass. 1t
was an opportunity not to be neglected
in those days. / selected the longest
range rifle could get, adjusted the sight
carefully, got a bead on him, and fred.
The bullet threw up the water just be-
hind him, almost exactly in line with
his head. Before could get second
shot -"
II remember, / remember" inter-
rupted the president, 81 got out of there
in great hurry. That was Gen. Hayes
you came within an ace of killing that
day in the river"
II am happy beyond expression" re-
piled the Georgian, "that it was no bet
ter shot"
AS the story was told over minutely
Gen. Phillips acknowledged to some
profanity at the time over the result of
the shot He had been famous as a
crack rifle shot in the mountains of
western North Carolina and north
Georgia, and was considerably provoked
at this proof of the old adage that "a
miss is as good as mile"
The shot had passed within an inch
or two of Gen. Hayes face. That after
noon Gen. Phillips dined with the presi.
dent and Mrs. Hayes. The first lady OF
the land had a new interest in her hus-
bands campaign in West Virginia. GEN
Phillips is now an assistant in the office
of the United States district attorney in
\