The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-06-23
SOUTH DAKOTA
WASHINGTON AND ALASKA
FROM THE BAY STATE.
Doings of Interest TO Veterans and Their
Friends.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: One Of the most
Interesting spots touched in my recent trip over
the Old battlefields WAS the residence of William
Gaines. II is an old-time Southern mansion, once
quite pretentious, standing on the fringe of the
battlefield Of Gaines's Mil. II stands back fully
half mile from the highway running from Me-
cianicsyille TO Gaines's Mil and Cold Harbor, in
the midst Of an extensive level tract Of country
once included in a farm of 937 acres but now cut
up and sold of until the homestead has but l25
acres ieft.
Mr.. William Gaines the present occupant served
in the rebel army {n the 18th Va until 1862 after
which lac served in the Quartermsster's Depart
ment on and on.-moetly off, / should judge
until the war ended. The house is rich ia historic
experiences. In the front lawn Mr.. Gaines di-
rected my attention 10 the outlines of a shallow
ditch where the hospital tent of McClellan's med
ical stAf was locates Ascending the steps of the
portico he ushered me into the ball of the house
which the rebels used as amputating-room after
our troops had left this part of the field On the
authority OF DIR. Cranshaw, q rebel Surgeon. 30
Gmpu,aiions took place there in one night.
Mr.. Gaines called my attention to the dark stains
left by the pools of blood the floor and the
streams which trickled across toward the lower
side. The spot occupied by the amputatipa-tub
wss pointed out. neighbor says be saw the men
OF both armies lying in the front yard in rows with
spaces left TO pass between them to supply them
with water and nourishment. Mr.. Gaines says the
great flow Of blood there apparently killed the
grass at that time, bat that in September following
Hsprang up with a luxuriance which he never saw
equsled.
But his greatest pride consists in the fact that In
1865, while the armies lay at Cold Harbor. the
as Headquarters, using the room the right TO
one entering the front door for that purpose, and
the chamber above it as a sleeping room. He also
points out with pride handsome white oak stand
ing 50 rods ia front of the house, which Gen. Lee
called the finest he ever saw. Mr.. Gaines, while
evidently warm advocate of the Lost Cause. was
most affable and gentemanly in his bearing to-
ward his visitors.
Rawlns Post 80. Marlboro. dedicates its new
hall this month; date not yet fixed.
Co II, S5th Mass. had it's annual Reunion at
Springfield juno II; Hubert o. Moore Assistant
Acknowledgement Of this Department. officiating as
President.
The 2sh Mass. Regimental Association held IFS
annual Reunion at Nshsnt June IL. Mrs. Mary @.
Deane, Department President W.R-C., whose bus-
band. Maj. John NJ. Desne, served In this regi-
ment was a guest of the Association.
At the 50sh anniversary of the setting off of Som
eryille n distinct municipality the 18th, Posts
l39, Somerville, and &C. Msdford Relief Corps 81
and George o. Braston Tent, Daughters of Vet
Grams, both of Somervfle. took part In the parade
Corps 81. Lexington, entertained delegation
from Corps 80, Charlestown, and Corps 90. Rox-
bury, recently.
The Posts in Hudson. Amherst Warren, North.
enpton, Holyoke, Greenfield and Lawrence have