Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-24
A CONFEDERATE UNIFORM.
A Touching story Told at Recent
Reunion.

At the reunion OF ex-Confederates last
night, says the New York Press. Colonel
Beverley Sanders told the following
story:
"The last Confederate Uniform l saw
xas sitting in a smoking-car on the Della
ware, Lackawanna and Western, just
before the afternoon train for MorristoWn
left the station at Hoboken. II was eX-
actly eleven years ago to-day. When my
eyes fell on ii l thought was dreaming
and looked the other way TO recover my
senses. When I turned toward II again.
there it was, natural as life. / hadn't
seen one in twenty years. II was like
resurrection. Everything was there, just
as Il appeared on the battlefield, and the
temptation 10 go over and sit down be-
side it was too strong for me TO resist.
found myself sliding into the seat beside
the old man who wore It, and, looking
him over. with eyes hlled with tears and
curiosity"
OLD RECOLLECTIONs.
81 could scarcely find words at first TO
speak TO the Cd fellow" continued the
Colonel. Il had worn one Of those things
myself, and / just wanted 10 be near It
and touch II for old times sake. had
AOl kONNtA al oUONN NAN N"Af 49,
battle scene rose up before me as 1
leaned up against the old gray.
what is f.? I finally asked. 1t was
all could say. wrinkled old face was
turned toward me. with half smile
upon II. The eyes were soft and gentle.
The lips moved slowly IN reply:
"'YOu mean thisY rubbing his hand
over the cloth with the most afectionate
touch. I don't blame you for asking.
II must look very much out OF place up
here at this time-twcnty years since the
war. I think a thousand people have
asked me the same Ques uon-what Is
it?'
IT couldn't wait I must hear more
about IL. 50 / settled down for story.
Tell me all about IT,, insisted. I wore
one Of 'em, and you've something TO tell
We shook hands. and no told me his
story"
THE OLD MANS STORY.
He had served through the war" the
Colonel went on, and was honorably dis
charged He met a group OF strangers,
and trouble arose. which led to general
fight. lie killed a man who tried TO XII
him, was arrested. convicted, and SEN
fenced 10 prison for life. Strong friends
would probably have rallied to his cause,
Dut ne Iell ms disgrace 80 httHl9 NlldN l'
allowed himself to be convicted under an
assumed name. His family and all his
friends IN the Cd Mississippi home gave
him up as dead. His real name was never
known, even I'm the prison. where he be
came general favorite with the keepers.
Men who had worked hardest for his con-
viction finally begged for a Communication
Of sentence. and his term was reduced
20 twenty years. When he got out he
started for home. tho authorities giving
him sufficient money 70 travel on. He
found nothing but desolation awaiting
him. His family had disappeared, and
only n few familiar faces Of the friends
OF his youth remained. Learning that his
daughter had married and moved 20 Nor
ristown. he was now on the way there to
see her.
"'But the uniformr I exclaimed. Why
do you wear that on such a mission
with moist eyes In his poor old head,
he replied: 1T was good enough to wear
IN the war: II was good enough to wear
10 prison, and It was good enough 70
wear away. Tney insisted on giving me
clothes. but somehow I wanted 10 go
back home IN the old gray, - when !
left the prison | put II on. Ny friend.
haven't got the heart 20 take II on III
I find somebody ! love. It's the only
treasure left me on earth "