The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-28

complimentary terms.
OF course there were many occasions OF
like character which do not call for paf-
ticular mention. In February. 1883. We
left the valley and took . southerly course.
destroying the canal and railroads. max
ing more mud and going deeper into VIZ
ginia soil than any one ever did before or
since unless buried, and came out NJ the
White house, on Pamunky river, with the
song pretty much taken out OF the Jadeu
command. Then We crossed over the pom
toon bridge, from which We saw Lircoins
wan face az the window of the dispatch
boat Nelly Martin. and went into camp .
few miles from City Point. Our stay wa:
very brief. for IN few days on We started
again on the raid which somewhat unex-
pec.ediy developed the weakness o!
Lees army, brought On the battle OF
Five Forks and wound up the rebellion.
To reach Dinwiddie courthouse we made
detour of the Confederate lines by march
Of twenty-five miles and struck this rather
dilapidated little village about dusk. In
fortunately when our division came up all
the available houses were occupied. Sheri-
dan had the ancient tavern. whlcn con-
tanned, besides his staff. several thousand
other occupants more aggressive than wei
come, and Merritt, our corps commander:
had pre-empted the hospitabie mansion OF
Widow Crump, whose name IS as INSOFAR.
ably connected with Fire Forks Is Nc
Leans with the surrender of Appomattox.
The uniailing rain which inevitably ac-
companied any advance Of the army came
down in torrents. As usual the bottom ha0
fallen out of the soil. and wagons and
mules were floundering in the mud miles
in the rear under the guard OF Clusters dis
gusted division. After . hasty cup OF
coffee aud some bareback, We sought
shelter at corps headquarters, where be.
fore roaring fire of logs our more favored
The piano was speedily put In fair condl-
ton, and here We found an unusually
large collection of Confederate music, and
with the aid of the bright and accom-
plished daughters of the gentle widow, We
''put in" an unusually lively and musical
evening. At late houl stern duty COM
PEELED the return to our moist bivouac.
and as Col. Newhall has it in his racy &C.
count of their campaign, with
"Goodbye, girls, if we don't get shot,
Well come back, otherwise not,
We went back to rails and pine boughs for
bed and sheets of water for covering.
The music of the bugle call brought US
out by daylight next morning and very
soon we had occasion to forget our dis
comfort in an advance upon the fortified
works at Five Forks, which was resisted
most stubbornly. For three days until the
enemy broke and retreated, and during the
running tight for q week after. We heard
little music except that of whistling shot
and the deep iapason OF booming cannon.
When the days work was over. and two Of
these days were stretched out to forty.
eight hours each to circumvent the fleeing
Confederates. We lay down in our tracks
But when the music of victory
swelled the breeze, we retraced our
steps and went into camp at NOttoway
Courthouse for rest and repairs. The
Confederate army was being sent home as
fast as they could be paroled, and, there
being no longer any opposing army. the
usual precautions were suspended and
salute had been fired, discipline was re-
Taxed, and everybody went in for a good
time. Most of US had not had change Of
clothing for two weeks, for our supplies
were back with the trains, and there was
q general washup and clean clothing, and.
in anticipation Of an early return to peace
and civilization. paper collars appeared
like crocuses in spring. 20 brighten and
adorn. We had been here q few
days when We prepared for . social even
ing at corps headquarters. where theIe
was q piano and pleasant company.
The tuning had been performed with
more efficiency than usual, because Of
more time in which to do it. Invitations
had been sent out to the division and bri,
to make this the champion musical recep-
ton of the campaign. 1t was the evening
of the 18th of April. The night was balmy
and beautiful; everybody was happy, and
all anticipated an unusually enjoyable
time The boys came in about O'CLOCK
the appearance of Merritt and his chief of
staff, who. for some undisclosed cause.
were absent. In few moments an aide
came in and whispered to Gen. Deyin.
our commander. who quickly left the
room. Evidently something of Importance
was in the wind, and visions OF a fresh
campaign dispelled our rose-colored an
After what seemed . long suspense.
although it was probably less than half
hour. Gen. Devin returned and said:
''Gent!emen, something has happened
which necessitates a return to your quart
ers where you will receive instructions.
Go at once and await further orders"
Taking me by the arm We walked toward
our division headquarters, and for some
time in silence. Finally he said TO me:
Have you ever Heard of an actor by the
name of Wilkes?" NO." replied. but
l have frequently seen an actor by the
name of J. Wilkes Booth" well" he
said, perhaps that is the name. Merritt
has just received an obscure dispatch re-
peating rumor that the president has
been shot by an actor called Wilkes. but
II is not known whether or not the shot was
fatal. 1t is intimated that the act was
probably inspired by the Confederate gov
eminent, bat We don't know anything
about il. However. Merritt thinks We had
better establish pickets and have the COM
mand ready to move At q moments notice
should anything turn up" Pickeis were
thrown out, but no explanation was made
until the next morning, when ful! particu.
lars were received. The excitement
throughout the command was intense. but
the discipline OF the army was too good 10
permit any hostile manifestation, though
many desired IT. When the truth was
known that the Confederate government
had nothing 10 do with the act OF Booth
and his mad conspirators. the angry feel
ing subsidized, and in a few days We re-
turned by easy marches TO Petersburg.
Here We occupied the headquarters re-
Gently vacated by the Confederate Gen.
A. 7. Hill. who was killed, l think. IN
front of Petersburg. II was the residence
OF tar widow. who. having been pre-
empted by Union infantry officer before
our arrival. favored US with very scant
allowance of her society. But the
parior was spacious and the piano above
the average, and We made the rafters shake
nightly with our lusiy chorais. But again
our visions of content and homeward Jour-
nev were dispelled by boots and saddles
and an order 10 push down South, effect \
junction with sherman AMI teach John-
ston better manners than 20 interfere Nith
our homeward march. The command had
just crossed the Dan river when carrier
from zen. Wright. who was at panvIsie,
brought the welcome inteliigence that
Johnston had surrendered and the war
was over.
The grea, struggle served, among other
tn Ia