Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-08-11
A 9TH CAVALRY VET
Has Just Learned That the Wal
Is 0Yef.
suRREyDERED ~ KING GEORGE
shows signs OF Hard FighHnR-Wii'
Attend the Confederate Reunion
Tho Northern Neck Rnfirond-toio-
NAL Bcacl-Per.onal Notes.

CONFORM. KING GEORGE COUNTY,
VA August 10-(Spec!aL)-"Com
events cast their shadows before Sc
veral days IN advance or the con-
federate veterans meeting at King George
Courthouse last week lame, tattered
old terrapin emerged from It's sombre'
silent, hiding place. and surrendered 70
Mr.. oswald Jenkins, evinclng by "battle-
scars' and sabre marks that the hard
ships OF war thirty-odd years ago were
not confined alone to those who wore
uniform and received the highest recog-
milton. Mr. Jenkins was whitewashing
the enclosure around the grounds OF the
Hunter mansion, in the village, when he
found this curious old terrapn. and his
kind heart prompted him 70 move II
out OF the way OF dogs and the danger
Of workmen. In thus handling II he dis
covered indistinct traces Of letters ana
figures in the dirt and dust upon the
terrapin's neither shell, which, upon eN-
animation, proved 10 be TINS insctipu0n'
9th Va. 1852" carefully and artistlcally
carved. Just beneath this are two sa-
bres. crossed, the hits pointing up 10
the 9Th above.
THROUGH MANY STRUGGLES.
That this hitherto unrecognized Con-
fedarate Vet" has passed through many
hard struggle and trying conflict Is
evid by a numbeI Of fractures ana
mutations on the thin covering OF the
shell and scars about the breast-pohe.
II Will be remembered that In May last
Mr.. Ben. Taylor found in an Old fed
near this place. a terrap!n, bearing upon
it's neither shell. 18th Penna. Cavy, May
lSS3" and that the story Of the same.
which originated in this correspondence,
went the rounds Of the press until captain
Andrew u. Wells, OF Philadelphia,
read IL in the Philadelphia Times. and
wrote the Dispatch. claiming 10 DC the
terrapin artist. etc. n was then a matter
of surprise 20 many that an oid-feld ter
rapn had lived thirty-twO years, after
being captured and marked by the Feie-
raj solder. especially "a IL was quite
certain that the little creature was grown
when the letters and figures were IN
scribsd upon II. But the one found last
week by Mr.. Jenkins appears 70 BE- many
years the senior Of the one found IN May.
The letters. etc. on this 9Th Va. kebei
terrapin sntsdate those upon the "sth
Penna." Yankee te-rapin one year and.
besides this, the scales on the shen, the
shell itself. the toe-nals eyes. and other
marks, leave no doubt upon the minds OF
those who have carefully examined u
that the 18th Va" terrapin Is vastly older
than the other.
TRUE TO IT'S COIIORS.
The little Rebel" seems 20 have Jared
better. and 10 have stood the victsstudes
| and hardshps OF war better than tho
| little Yankee" for when found IN May
the latter only weighed eleven ounces
while that found Last week weighed six
II
/ few ex-Confederate soldiers have Topped
/ over and Joined the Republicans since
/ the war, this 18th Va" terrapin has
never turned away from its first love"
/ nor from the side for which Nirgiulans
| fought for it's home has bsen on the
grounds Of Democrats. and when ar
rangements were being made for the
! Confederate reunion u came forth ana
surrendered 10 none other than a Demo-
crat: and on the first Thursday IN Sep
TENDER, when the old veterans will meet
10 organize a camp. this terrapin will
be there and fxurs az conspicuously as
will any Of the distinguished personages
booked for the occasion.
Judge c. II. Ashton, OF this county.
member OF the Ninth Virginia Cavalry
tells an interesting story OF the move
ments Of the Ninth Virginia in the early
part Of 1852. and suggests that this terra
Immediately on their return 10 King
George from Essex, etc, TO perpetuate
the recollections Of the victory won by
their brave boys. who "gObbled up" as
the Judge says whole nest Of Federaks,
and so spoiled their plans as 20 brins
about very significant results In favor
OF the rebels" Professor Porter, OF
Montross. Va. another member of the
Ninth Virginia, who was here last week.
says that he can account for the es-
cape from death by the terrapin in but
one way, and that is that In the spring
of 1862 il must have been too poor 10 b.
eaten BY the hungry soldiers, who. says
he made soup of all the fat terrapins
they could md.
The terrap.n found by Mr. Ben Taylor
IN MAY having caused 40 much comment
and attracted so much attention here
and in other States, the one found by
Mr.. jenkins last week is the star Of the
neighborhoOd, and is being visited by
so many people that the finder has lef,
il for the present with Mr.. J. T. Minor.
Jr., a merchant at this place. who kindly
exhibits IL at all hours Of the day 20
the curious callers. Various offers have
been made for II. and Mr.. Jenkins may
sell il after his people here have seen II.
THE NORTHERN NECK ROAD.
The report Of the Board OF Canydssers
OF the vote on the question Of the county
subscribing 10 the stock OF the Northern
Neck railroad was last week submitted
to the County Court for confirmation.
The irregularity at Hampstead Precinct.
mentioned IN these columns a week ago
will not so affect the vote Of the county
as to change the result OF the election
! That precinct can be thrown away, and
there would then remain safe majority
| and also the prescribed freebooter vote.
to settle the question in favor Of the sub
scrlption. Every county between Freder-
icksburg and the Chesapeake bay has
given a majority in favor OF the road.
except Stafford. which will vote on the
question OF subscription some time this
/ month. Senator Little, OF Fredericksburg.
and others will address the voters OF
that county In behalf OF the proposition
prior 10 the day OF election. and IL IS
/ hoped that wide-awake old Stafford will
fall in line with the counties Of the Neck
and encourage the much-needed enter
| prise.
Mrs. Jemima Mcuntjoy gave her son.
| Mr.. W. W. Mountjoy. Of Brooklyn. y. Y.
| and his bride ar elegant reception at her
country home here on Wednesday eve
/ ming OF this week. A large number Of
| friends and relatives were present and
! participated In the pleasures OF the eve
ming among whom was Hon. c. 4.
/ Mounttoy, Of Birmingham. Ala, a brother
| OF the groom. The repast was very elabo-
/ rate. and consisted Of the delicacies Of
the season and great variety OF choice
fruits.
| Superintendent Of the Public Schools OF
King George g w. Grigsby. held the
annual examination Of teachers at the