Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-11-07
WHAT THEY WERE GOOD FOR.
A Confederate's Humorous Report to
Gen. Sherman.

"A confederate humorous Report TO
Gen. Sherman.
Even a good story is improved by be-
ing we'll told and Gen. Heth of Confed
crate fame not only possesses a fund of
interesting incidents, but can relate them,
between cigarette puffs, in way that
makes him the most entertaining of COM
panlOns.
He represents the United States gov
eminent on the Antietam board, and
when the commissioners from any state
are ready to so to the battlefield to locate
the positions of the regiments from their
state, it is his duty to accompany them.
One night after the war;" said he, as
he tilted his chair back against the wall,
III little hotel at Sharpsburg, after q
day spent III walking over the battlefield,
Il attended q little party of those | had
known at West Point. Burnside was
there, with whom ] had roomed at school,
and SO was Sherman, next whom | sat
during the, evening. sherman and L
fought our BATTLES over again, but at one
point something [ said made him break
out with But you damned rebels did so
and So Damned rebelSE said l. If
there are any two persons on Gods earth
who ought to get down on their knees
three times, every day, and thank the
Lord that there were any damned reb-
els, you and Grant are the ones. If it
hadn't been for us damned rebels you
would still be teaching school, and Grant
would be tanning leather
And what did Sherman say to thatw
was asked.
He slapped me Oh the back, and said,
with a hearty laugh, That is So
The general lighted a fresh cigarette,
and continued:
Il met Grant few days after that.
and, i'll the course of our talking, he said
to me: DO you remember the time,
years ago, when [ came very near break
ing your neck?' / replied: L suppose
YOU refer to the time you took me out
riding in 80. to show me your fast horse,
and an accident threw us both out, and
you fell on your head and shoulders
-" That was the time said Grant.
:" DO you know what | have thought
of it since:' l asked him.
"'No'
We'll. | have wished hundred times
since that you had broken your neck
That accident" added Gen. Heth, eli
Illustrated Gen. Grants character. He
was considerably hurt, but he insisted on
few miles and visited two or three class
mates we had known at West Point
In referring to this in 1868, Grant add
ed: Do you remember when we got out
there, those fellows didn't offer us any
thing to drink
The conversation finally drifted on to
the subject Of Gettysburg.
Il suppose" said Gen. Heth, that /
was responsible for that battle being
fought at that point. | was at East
town with my division. when | learned
that there were a lot Of shoes at Gettys-
burg. / directed one of my colonies to
take his regiment and go there and get
them. He went part way, and then
came back and reported that he had
heard drums beating near the village,
and was sure that some of the Yankees
We're there My division needed the
shoes, so | took my command and started
over there to get them, but met your cav
airy on the way, and our fighting led
to reinforcementS being brought up on
both sides, and finally Of the battle being
fought there, where it had not been an
ticipated"
Lee, then, was not ready or anxious
for the fight?"
Lee never needed urging or asking
He was always more ready than his Off
GERS, even Jackson. IF he thought there
was half a chance he did hot have to be
urged TO have us go in.
Although Gen. Heth was not present
at the time of the battle of Antietam, he
has been close student of that engage
ment, and has become very familiar
with every portion of the field by re-
peated visits. He is marking three posi-
tons for each brigade The one occupied
on the morning of September II, 1862,
the point Of furthest advance during the
day and the biyouac on the night of
the 18th. He estimates that the 1900
acres which the government will have
70 acquire will cost about 100000, and
he expects to ask the next Congress for
$4,000 with which to begin the perma
nent work