The National tribune., 1894-04-19
BLAINE'S CROSSROADS.
Kind Providence, in the Guise of Lad
Relieved the Suffering of One Comrade.

| bLAI IN - DS.
| Kind Providence, in the Guise of a Lady
Relieved the Suffering of One Comrade.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Who o.
| the Ninth Corps can ever forget that cold
bleak place, the land of starvation and
misery, our Valley Forge? Most of us were
clad very lightly, without overcoats or shoes
our feet tied up in canvas or pieces of gum
blankets, and even raw-hides. Then our
rations-common field corn ON the ear
Now, corn may be a very good article OF
food, but when it is corn for break fast corn
for dinner and corn for supper day after
day, and on the ear, it sort of pals on ones
appetite, especially when one has to grind
it up on an old coffee mill, first bespeaking
your turn. Why, the mill could be heard in
operation half the day and night.
Still, can always think of the place with
a certain degree of pleasure on account of
an incident that occurred while there, which
made me the envy of great many of the
company. Standing before the campfire,
resolving to keep from roasting too much in
front and freezing too much in the rear, l
was handed letter, addressed to Mr.. -,
Burnside's army, postmarked Knoxville,
Tenn. As soon as / saw the inscription |
knew it was from woman, by the manner
in which it was addressed; but who should
know me in Knoxville?
Upon opening it, the writer stated that
she would be very happy to see me at my
earliest convenience. The letter was signed
Mrs. A.
Now, here was pretty howdy-do. There
must certainly be a mistake yet / was de-
termined to see the lady as requested.
Shortly after / made it an object to visit
Il will / I nod n tod
and found the house to be one of the finest
in the city, standing back from the line of
the street, surrounded by large trees and, in
true Southern style, with large porches in
front and rear.
/ walked around the square several times
to get my courage up to the sticking point.
Finally, like Dombey's sister, l spanked up.
Opening the gate / walked up to the front
door; taking hold of the large knocker very
gingerly at first, then, with frmer grasp,
let it fall. Very soon it was answered by a
likely colored girl. thought to myself,
Suppose she thinks another of those old
soldiers; but as soon as l stated that had
received note from Mrs. A. she was all
smiles.
sob, yes, she has been expecting you"
Well, thought to myself, the plot thick
ems. She invited me into a fine, home-like
sitting-room, and, excusng herself, said she
would inform Mrs. A. that / was there.
Soon 1 heard the rustling of a dress, and
in stepped the dearest and Notwithstanding
middle-aged lady that ever saw. Coming
right up to me she put her arm around me
and kissed me, saying:
My dear boy, that is for your mother"
can feel the tears yet as they trickled
down my face. / was all broke up" l
was only a lad.
My kind friend then informed me that she
had been schoolmate of my mother at
Litiz, Pa, and hearing that her old friend
had son under Burnside, she determined TO
find me, and try to repay the past kindness
for the many days and weeks / have spent
at your grandfather's"
OF course l had to tell all about my family
in Pennsylvania. She informed me that of
course their sympathies were with the
South, but for all that she could not forget
past kindnesses, and / should consider her
house my home, and call whenever / could
make it convenient. Very soon l detected
the rafting of dishes in the next room,
when / was invited to partake of the first
good meal that L had had for months, she
stating that she had been very fortunate in
having good stock of provisions on hand.
" Now, don't feel backward about eating
heartily" she said, for l know the condi-
tion of your army"
Well, boys, l really think l nearly killed
myself. From corn in tile ear to Belshaz-
Ear feast! / think / could hear the first
mouthful drop, was SO empty. After chat:
ting a while l rose to go, thanking her from
the bottom of my heart, she in return offer
ing to do any sewing for me that 1 wished
done Think of it !! All the clothes l had
were on my back. l called to see my friend
several times afterward, especially when
ever / was on the starvation point. Was it
any wonder that was the envy of the boys
in the company?
Toward Spring our corps bid farewell to
East Tennessee, and l to my kind friend, and
May, 1864, found us in at the Wilderness l
have often wished TO be able to visit Knox
vile, but suppose that will never be. can
only live over those trying times in MEM
DRY, occasionally talking over the days of
long ago with some of the comrades of the
Ninth Corps who belong to-POsT 2, GAR,
Pa.