Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1896-12-28
SOLDIERS AT HOME.
THEY TELL SOME INTERESTING
ANECDOTES OF THE WAR.
How the Boys of Both Armies Whi1ed
Away Life in Camp-FOraging Ex-
pcriences, Tiresome Marches-Thril-
ling Scenes on the Battlefield.
A Confederate Exile.


washington, Ca, and within few mo-
ments after the arrival Of the new
Corners their commander stood at the
front door of a large, old-fashioned
mansion.
The visitors mission was soon made
known. He desired to see General Rob-
ert TOombs, and, in fact, was so anx-
ious to see him that he was willing to
put himself to no end Of trouble to
meet him.
The cavalry captain went in-found
that the owner of the house was not at
home, which statement was halfway
true, because at that very instant Cen
eral Toombs was making his way to
the garden gate, where he had a swift
horse in readiness for him.
The Confederate leader lost no time
in mounting his steed, and before an
other hour he was many miles away in
a part of the county which had not then
been visited by the invaders.
For days the gray-coated fugitive
travelled, exercising the utmost vigi-
lance, and spending his nights with the
most trustworthy friends of the lost
cause.
Finally, when the coast was clear he
made his way to Cuba, and spent a few
weeks with the sympathizers Of the
Confederacy in Havana.
There were reasons, however, why
the general should not return at that
time, and he was not long in making
his arrangements to take an outgoing
steamer for Europe.
When he had landed at Liverpool
General Toombs was short of funds.
He had sent message to his wife from
Cuba, but did not know whether she
would receive it, or whether she would
be able to raise any money for him.
He was in an embarrassing fix. A
stranger in a strange land, with only
few dollars, he did not know which way
to turn.
With his royal disregard Of money,
he invested in first-class ticket to Lon
don, and boarded the train with less
than five dollars in his pocket. What
to do when he reached the metropolis
was the question. The Confederacy
had collapsed, and its few friends in
England were not likely to be in a con-
dition to aid the refugee, e1en il they
should feel so disposed.
The solitary passenger was studying
the situation when new fellow trav
eler came into his compartment at one
of the way stations.
The new arrival was a London law
yer of distinction, and a glance salts
fed him that the man sitting opposite
was Robert ToOmbs, an ex-member Of
the Confederate cabinet, an ex-Confed-
crate general, and q famous American
lawyer.
The Londoner had seen the others
picture in the illustrated papers and he
had heard something OF him on one Of
his visits to the United States.
Excuse me-" he said but isn't this
General Toombs OF Georgian"
The American responded with some
surprise, but in few moments the two
were conversing with the freedom of
old friends. The Englishman was
man Of tact, and there were many
things in common between him and
the Georgian In the course Of the con
versation he brought up a subject in
which he was greatly interested-a case
for some British claimants involving
the title to large landed interests in the
southwestern part of the United States.
The penniless eX-Confederate little
knew of the good fortune awaiting him.
He simply knew that he had met a
bright brother lawyer, and out of the
abundance Of his intellectual and pro
fessional resources he entertained him
as he would guest at his own fireside.
Perhaps an hour had been spent in
talking over the case, when the Lon
doner came down to business.
General Toombs," he said, ''how
long will you stop in London, and
where can / see you?'
81 expect to stay several weeks" was
the answer, land my address will be
the Langham."
would you mind coming into this
case as consulting counsel?"
"Not ut all I am familiar with the
facts and the law
Il am sure of that" answered the
Britisher. Just wait a moment"
He drew writing materials from his
hand satchel, filled out check and
handed it to the general.
This is n retainer" he said at is
the way we do things in England. Day
after tomorrow l will call on you''
The Georgian glanced at the check.
1t was for $4,000!
If he felt any surprise he did not
show it. He caIelessly pocketed the
slip of paper, and remarked that he
would be ready when needed.
The big London lawyer got out At the
next station, after again promising to
see the American in the city two days
later.
Toombs stopped at the Langham, and
during the week gave his attention TO
the case which had come in the very
nick Of time. Then he received another