The herald., 1896-05-24

but coming in strong force. Before sun
rise the sergeant rode into Bedford and
found multitudes in the streets anx-
iously discussing the news. Then it
was reported that the advance of the
rebels was at Bedford Springs. two or
three miles from town. Finally it was
learned that some union scouts had been
at the springs and had been mistaken
for rebels.
This is a minor instance of the ex-
citement caused by Lees invasion We
remember how the streets Of Harrison
burg, Baltimore and other cities were
barricaded in the expectancy of the COM
ing or the southern army. We remember
the feeling of relief when that invasion
had been checked at Gettysburg"
This Is fair specimen Of the stories
that could be told by thousand of men
under Hooker and Meade in the memoir
able march through Maryland and
Pennsylvania on their way to the great
est battle of the war. At times the roads
We're blocked by dear innocent sonls
lying from confederates who were two
days away and not then moving in their
direction. The army was sorry for them.
but their own serious duties a few miles
ahead. so absorbed their attention that
they could not lend a hand nor stop
10 give them words of sympathy What
times Of trouble those were-those of
thirty-three years ago! May their like
never return to our now united country.
a tall. diSnified railway conductor.
with Grand Army button on his coat
ana Scottish rite Mason's charm fas
tened to his watch guard was being in
troduced to the members of a. post. .Cnj-
onel Vliet. shake hands with Comrade
Jeardeau why, l know you!" both
spoke at the same time the same words.
yet they had not seen each other
since 1864, when Vliet was
captain and Jeardeau pri-
waite in the Thirty-first Wisconsin
Vliet was promoted to lieutenant colo
mel OF a new regiment, and Jeardeau
fought 1t out until Bentonville, when he
was struck down by wound that he
VIII never recover from. you were not
as tall when saw you in 1864 as you are
now" said Colonel Vliet mo. sir SIX
inches were added to my height after
L came out of the army"
mink of that, fathers and mothers
VINO nave boys from Is to II, and imagine
them carrying heavy knapsacks, mus
ket. sixty rounds Of ammunition, five
days provisions. an extra suit of clothes.
blanket, an overcoat and now and then
standing UP all day to be shot at and
to shoot at others! You think they could
not do it, don't you? Others did 1t. Jear-
deau did it. Half a million boys ranging
from ID to Is did that kind of work, and
If q similar emergency were to arise
endangered. millions of such boys as
Jeardeau, who got his growth after he
mad served three years in the war, where
he performed the duties of a man, being
shot like a man, would flock to the re-
cruiting officers and offer their lives that
the old flag might go right on waving
over the land of the free.
Then Captain Beech. quoted in the
first story of this column, asked: did
I understand Mr.. Jeardeau to say thai
he belonged to Marshall post of Roch-
ester, N. Y. - Yes. SIR when 7
was little boy L. G. Marshall visited
my elder brother. He went to West
Point and then Cadet Marshall visited
at our house. When he graduated Lien
tenant Marshall was our guest. When
the war came promotions followed IN
quick succession, and by 1864 Cadet Mar
shall was General Marshall, He road.
q gallant record in the army of the Pr
tomac. He died some years ago. lam
glad to meet man who belongs to the
post named in his honor"
There is no place like a Grand Army
post, with membership of men who
knew what it was to go through the av-
periences of fighting soldiers. for m
written war history and entertaining
stories.
J. A. Watrous in Chicago Times-Her-
aid.